Seoul, Gymnastic Stadium
The hall was no less crowded than outside. Some groupies, instead of immediately going to their places, were taking countless photos next to the life-size cardboard figures of the BTS. We could say that Big Hit had not limited itself to the concert: tonight everything was spectacular. The four girls felt like they were attending an art exhibition.
There was a painting with the BTS fetish phrases and their autographs, seven models dressed in the "We are Bulletproof's outfit and a large vitrine containing all their albums with all possible versions, protected by two other guards. The corridor walls were decorated with huge posters representing a chronology of the most beautiful group photos that Bangtan had ever had. It started from the photo concept of No More Dream, joined I need U in the middle, further on there was a photo with Steve Aoki and towards the end there was a huge collage of the Love Yourself era.
Suddenly, it was as if all their problems had gone away. Make way for wonder and joy! The angry little lady no longer existed, the con man had surrendered and sleeping on the sidewalks was no longer as scary. Attending the "BTS Special Memories Concert 2020" was like winning fifteen million in the Lotto.
- Whoa! Bo Hwa shouted as she ran towards the vitrine.
She put her hands against the glass and approached her face to better admire the collection. The two men gave her a menacing look and she stepped back. Out of habit, Bo Hwa moistened her pulpy lips and then scanned from the corner of her eye where her friends could be. She almost walked jumping and her brown hair danced in the air. It was a brand new dye of which she was particularly proud and which suited well with her cascading gradient hair.
- Pff... It's not like I'm gonna break the window and steal everything. She muttered and growled.
The four girls formed a circle in the middle of the hall.
- Come on, let's break the window and grab all this, joked Jin Ah who was in a better mood.
Bo Hwa laughed.
- Besides, if we sell them, we'll have enough to pay Mrs. the owner. Mi So launched with a smile on her face.
- I want to say that I would rather live on the street and have them than sell them, but I'm afraid God will hear me and punish me. Yoo Jin replied, laughing too.
- You know what? Bo Hwa announced, invoking a group hug. Life is less depressing when you're around. Even living on the street doesn't scare me so much if it means I'd be with you.
For the four girls, their friendship was by far the best cure in the world. Some people were staring at them but they didn't care. Why is it in the happiest moments that we are most afraid?
Maybe because we don't want it to stop, fade, or just because we don't know what to do next. Cherophobia is unfair. It only allows us to appreciate a tiny part of our joy under the pretext that it will not last. And in the end, fear deprives us of any source of happiness.
Their hug lasted a few minutes and then they separated with joy in their hearts.
- And now, let's focus only on BTS! OH MY GOD! Jin Ah screamed as she regained all her vitality.
She grabbed Yoo Jin's arm, who in turn gave her a smile of relief. There was only half an hour left. For the first time in their lives, they were going to see the BTS in the flesh. It seemed like they didn't realize it until then. They hurried to reach the pit before the doors closed, but Mi So stopped them just before. She took a white Polaroid out of her bag and encouraged them to gather around her.
- It's for my scrapbook. She said, reaching out her arm to take the picture.
Mi So didn't like pictures very much. She didn't like to be taken without her consent and the few times she accepted it were out of politeness. She had a sweet aversion to selfies freaks and the only one she tolerated was her sister. What she liked was sticking her memories in a large, handmade white album. And on the cover she had painted in black "Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa" in Chinese characters.
She loved to capture the most beautiful moments of her life and watch them when she had a blues. There were places known only to her and a picture of her house. But it was above all the smiling faces and carefree faces of the people she loved that easily warmed her heart. And this evening had to be part of it.
* * *
Behind the scenes, everyone was running all over the place. The tension was enormous. The boys were not allowed to move out of their places to prevent someone from suddenly disappearing. The make-up artists made final touches, the stylist checked that their clothes were impeccable and the other staff members took care of serving them drinks.
- Whoa, the stadium is full! Jungkook shouted in a trembling voice, he had taken a furtive look at it and immediately regretted it.
The manager made sure that all the microphones were well connected and arranged while the director explained one last time the modifications of the show. Only ten minutes left before the concert begins.
- Boys! Come on over here. Said Nam Joon, trying to look perfectly serene even though his intonation betrayed his emotions.
He had a knotted stomach and a ball in his throat. They hugged each other while forming a small circle in the middle of the room as if to say a prayer. It was their ritual before they went on stage. Everyone was saying in their heads what they were grateful for and what they hoped for the concert. They remained silent for several seconds and then Nam Joon broke the calm.
- Tonight, we're going to set the stage on fire! (Yeah! did the others) I'm glad to be able to stand on stage with you again. Tonight, let's sing and dance like it's the last time we're going on stage together! (Double yeah!) Tons of people came just for us so let's not disappoint them!
BTS still felt inflated after the legendary little speech by RM. They were going to give the best of themselves for the fans but above all, somewhere deep inside them, for themselves. Only five minutes left. Jimin, Suga, J-hope and Jungkook were taken separately because they had to use the right entrance of the stage and the boys gave each other one last hug.
- We'll meet on the stage guys!
Once the boys left, Tae Hyung lingered a little behind and pulled Seok Jin aside.
- Hyung, I'm sorry I got upset earlier.
Seok Jin gave him a big warm and sorry smile and then raised his right hand.
- Yah, I'm sorry too. Hit me five, come on.
A little timidly, Tae Hyung gave him a sensational high-five and they ended up laughing stupidly. Nam Joon was always touched when he witnessed the scenes of reconciliation and strangely enough, he felt less nervous.
- You guys are idiots. He said shaking his head.
- Jin Hyung is more so than I am. Said Tae Hyung by giggling like a teenager.
- Yah! We're both as stupid as each other....
Jin knew exactly why Tae Hyung had reacted like that but he just wanted him to say it directly, aloud. It was not their habit to keep things to themselves, but for the time being, he preferred to focus on the concert. It was really not a good time to be in a bad mood.
* * *
Contrary to what the girls had imagined, they were not too cramped and the scene was quite clear. It was illuminated by large projectors and at its end, a giant ARMY BOMB overhung the view. Suddenly, a voice echoing throughout the room announced that the doors were closing and the concert was about to begin.
- I feel like I'm going to faint! Screamed Bo Hwa taking Jin Ah's hand.
We could barely hear each other. Strident screams appeared on all sides, fans were hysterical, and thousands of hands rose in the air even before the artists entered the stage.
- No, Bo Hwa, you don't want to miss it! Replied Jin Ah, shaking hands with her friend.
Even after years, their favorite group still had the same effect on them. The millions of light-sticks lit up reminded of a great white ocean, a raging sea.
- I can die in peace. Mi So whispered as she felt her heart beating faster.
She took a look at Yoo Jin who was crying and just took her hand, without asking any question. A fan chant rose in the air: Jin Ah, Yoo Jin, Bo Hwa and Mi So joined hands and accompanied the voices for the precious moment.
Kim Nam Joon! Kim Seok Jin! Min Yoongi! Jung Ho Seok! Park Jimin! Park Jimin! Kim Tae Hyung! Jeon Jungkook! BTS!
After about a hundred seconds, a jet of smoke invaded the scene and the lights quickly changed color to center the stage. The screams doubled in intensity. The music was beating fast as seven silhouettes positioned themselves to open the ball. "BTS! BTS! BTS!" There was a constant scream in the room. Suddenly, everything became black. The music stopped, the lights went out one by one and the guests began to panic. Only the hundreds lights of the light-sticks remained. An echo of revolted "Ooh !" filled the Gymnastic Stadium.
- What's going on? Asked Bo Hwa.
- Big Hit has a gift for shocking people, that's what's going on... Mi So replied by cracking the joints of her fingers.
- I feel like it is going to be amazing... Said Jin Ah as she hold her breath.
- I think there's a pro-
Suddenly, a halo of white light came to illuminate a corner of the stage and then the deep voice of one of the members roared from the speakers.
-FOREVER...WE ARE YOUNG! He sang with an inimitable groove.
The scene returned to complete darkness again. Jin Ah's hair rose up inside her clothes and she could feel icy sweat dripping down her backbone. The fans cheered and applauded loudly. It promised to be an extraordinary opening. Never would the girls have thought they'd be able to see this one day.
The same motif was repeated in the opposite direction and all eyes stopped. The boy took the microphone with both hands, and with his eyes closed he sang with a high-pitched, pearly voice:
- HARUMAN....
The emotion was too great, tears sprang from Bo Hwa's eyes and the story of the BTS marched past her eyelids. She couldn't help but scream and cry. The atmosphere was intense, the crowd was delirious. The light changed direction again and pointed at a duo: they were both sitting on stools and one had a guitar in his hand. Yoo Jin opened widely her eyes and put her hand against her mouth. She couldn't believe she was really seeing them and her tears doubled in intensity.
The eldest began the first notes and the youngest of BTS sang the chorus of Let Me Know, then they made a perfect harmony on "GIRL LET ME KNOW...! »
- It's beautiful... Mumbled Mi So looking at the scene with eyes shining with admiration.
She was eagerly awaiting the rappers' arrival on the scene. And as if her prayers had been answered, the group's leader stepped forward into the middle of the scene followed by J-Hope and Suga. They were greeted with a new wave of applause. The three boys embarked on a wild Cypher while the rest of the BTSs took their places at the end of the Intro.
- THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE! She screamed without knowing where to put herself.
They stood in the middle of the stage while the Spring Day instrumental played in mute. Then, a melody known to all true fans began. A song that was almost seven years old and that retraced their beginnings as BTS.
- I'm a born singer...sang Jungkook, with his voice trembling with emotions.
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