LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 248
Chapter 248
No pain, no gain
“You know we can do it.”
As Kang Ji-woo reached the chorus, which was as explosive as sparkling water, Orca, who had watched the music video whenever he felt mentally exhausted to gain strength, let out an exclamation.
The Aeri, who saw and heard ‘Again’ properly for the first time, let out a small scream from the tingling sensation that spread to their toes.
Entering the second verse, the story of the music video further developed.
On Raon, dressed in uniforms mixed with white and blue, just like in the concept photos with the Orca members, officially blended into Team Orca.
I
soar higher
higher than anything with height
After completing the exhausting training with a shoot and block, On Raon and Gyun Seong-ha collapsed onto the basketball court floor, heads resting against each other in opposite directions, panting heavily.
As the camera angle flipped 180 degrees, showing everything reversed with the two lying below, their chests heaving under their thin short-sleeved T-shirts, the viewers’ hearts raced.
The heart-pounding direction didn’t end there.
They sweated together during training at the gym, then rushed to a nearby convenience store to buy ice cream after finishing practice when it was completely dark, and gathered to study with glasses on during exam periods.
The warm and close-knit camaraderie felt in these trivial scenes brought spontaneous happy smiles to the Aeris throughout the music video.
And shout out
Again!
no pain, no gain
You know we can do it
Finally, as the song entered its latter half, the bridge part that On Raon had particularly worked on began.
In the music video, during a match with another team, the members in uniforms faced a difficult situation, staring at the opponent’s side with eyes blazing with determination.
Young, free, and nonstop
Young, free, and nonstop
Then, Seo Moon-gyeol came to the forefront, stepping with vigorous yet not overly excessive strength, anchoring the previously excited song with a weighty and bold presence.
Gyun Seong-ha, who was watching the music video, spoke up.
“Ah, this part is really epic. Gyeol-hyung’s style is amazing.”
“Agreed. If you personify style, it would be Gyeol-hyung.”
“Finally, someone who makes sense.”
“So, who gave Gyeol-hyung that part? Who has such great insight?”
“Yeah, you’re great.”
Seo Moon-gyeol blushed slightly at the younger members’ blatant compliments.
“But Seong-ha, didn’t you just criticize us for our language habits? What’s with ‘style’?”
At Ban Yo-han’s annoying remark, Gyun Seong-ha pouted like a duck and mumbled a defense.
“This guy always says ‘live and die by style’ when playing games, so I just…”
Receiving stares from the older members, as if to say, ‘Did you really?’ On Raon shamelessly reflected.
“From now on, I’ll avoid using foreign words and cherish our language, saying ‘live and die by elegance’ instead of ‘style’.”
“But your words are in English…”
“Oh, right. Then, should it be ‘live and die by style’?”
Let’s go
We’re not destined to lose yet
“Ah, it’s coming.”
As the atmosphere began to heighten again with Ban Yo-han’s clear voice, who had recently been voted the number one idol least likely to believe in fate in a community poll, the chattering Orca members refocused on the music video.
Their favorite part was coming up.
(Three!)
We shine
On the screen, Team Orca, during a strategy meeting, cheered with determined and confident expressions.
“Ah, when they say ‘three!’ it gives me chills. Once you hear this part, you’re definitely hooked. Only someone incredibly stubborn wouldn’t get addicted.”
“What will Seong-ha do? When he goes to take the college entrance exam this year, all the studying will fly out of his head and he’ll only think of ‘one, two, three, again.’”
“What do I do…”
“Ah, don’t say that! It sounds too real!”
“Seong-ha is doomed. If it wasn’t already stuck in his head, it will be now because of Ban Yo-han.”
“…”
(Two!)
Brighter than things with light
On Raon’s face, after scoring a goal to turn the game around, filled the screen.
With a warm and radiant smile that erased the coldness of his initial expression, On Raon’s overwhelming charm made the Aeris realize once again that the saying about being blinded by beauty could indeed come true.
‘Oh my gosh… Are they saying Raon’s smiling face is the brightest thing in the world? Totally agree.’
‘This… Another loss to Seed Entertainment today.’
‘I’m dumbfounded and amused by the confidence of putting a close-up shot of On Raon at this part. I support it.’
(One!)
And shout
“Again!”
The members, who had been holding back the urge to shout “Again” every time the chorus came, all yelled in unison as soon as the countdown ended, acting like a stimulant that oddly made people’s blood boil more.
Their enthusiastic shout, which momentarily drowned out the song playing from the tablet, mixed with the cheerful voices of the staff who had stopped working to watch the music video together.
The same was true for others watching the music video in their own rooms, on the subway, at work, on the streets, or in cafes.
Even those hearing the song for the first time found themselves mouthing “Again” at the right timing, and some, having repeated the song several times, got so excited they started imitating Kang Ji-woo’s cool ad-libs.
No pain no gain
You know we can do it
The Orca members in the music video, celebrating their first victory in their first match.
On Raon, who scored the winning shot at the buzzer, ran to Kang Ji-woo in joy and jumped up, getting a piggyback ride.
Seeing On Raon, who was on Kang Ji-woo’s back, pumping his fist in the air, Seo Moon-gyeol and Ban Yo-han gave each other a light high-five with cheerful smiles.
Gyun Seong-ha, looking like he was about to cry, ran over and squeezed between Ban Yo-han and Seo Moon-gyeol, wrapping his muscular arms around their shoulders.
The two, staggering from the sudden embrace, looked like they were being knocked over by a large dog rushing at them out of excitement.
Finally, the music video, which was like a drama, reached its conclusion.
You know we made it in the end
The members posed for a commemorative photo on the field, holding a golden trophy with On Raon at the center as the music video ended.
Kang Ji-woo turned off the next automatically playing video and set the tablet on the desk.
“Now that I’ve watched the whole music video, I understand why you guys were so hyped.”
“The song is really good, right?”
The external staff, who had seen the completed music video for the first time due to security issues, nodded.
“I just hope the fans like it too.”
“Shall we check SNS for reactions?”
Everyone’s eyes turned to On Raon, who, as the composer, was likely the most anxious inside.
Surprisingly, On Raon looked nonchalant.
“I… want to experience the reactions for the first time during the showcase, knowing nothing beforehand.”
“His mentality isn’t ordinary either.”
* * *
The online space where Aeris gathered was literally a frenzy.
– Oh my gosh…
– After watching it all, the only thing I can say is that I’m overwhelmed. How is this even possibleㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– You know we made it in the end… You know we made it in the end… You know we made it in the end… You know we made it in the end… You know we made it in the end… You know we made it in the end…
“Yeah, you guys did it.”
– Young, free and nonstop.. Gyeol’s powerful rap was as stunning as ever, absolutely flawless.. The precision is just.. amazingㅠㅠㅠ
– Hello! I’m a fan of another group, but I loved Orca’s new song so much I had to come by!
‘Again’ is just pure, refreshing funㅠㅠㅠ I’ve listened to all of Orca’s songs so far, and this one is amazing too! By the way, did Seo Moon-gyeol compose ‘Again’ this time as well? I loved ‘Dream’ so muchㅎㅎㅎ Also, I’m a fan of Chaser!
┗ Thank you, Ravi!!
┗ Looks like the song was composed by a songwriter named haze, and Yo-han and Ban Ga-eul’s aunt participated in the arrangement again. The kids’ names are also listed as lyricists.
┗ Ah, I see! The song is really great! Good luck with Orca’s promotions this time!
┗ Thank you♥
– Seriously, the song is so goodㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– (Picture) Guys, the 5-minute chart is crazy, let’s go
– I was more nervous than the kids, so I was a wreck until 6 o’clock, but as soon as I heard the song, I loved it so much I cried
– Orca is refreshing, and refreshing is Orca. If you disagree, listen to ‘God-Again,’ the essence of K-pop freshness.
– I love everything about this music videoㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ The kids’ faces are always great, and the outfits, song, direction… everything is just the best.
– And the B-sides are amazing too…
– The youngest, who used to reluctantly refuse to give piggyback rides, finally got to carry Kang Joo this time, making him the biggest beneficiary of the music video.
┗ Ahㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
┗ Kang Ji-woo, I didn’t see you as a bad person, but you’ve carried On Raon alone
┗ Ji-woo, it’s unfair if you get all the piggyback rides. Let me try too. I work out, so I can carry Raon around the school no problem^^
┗ Then Kang Joo will fly around the neighborhood, saying he can’t lose
┗ There’s an Orca flying above the running Aeris
┗ Since when did killer whales become birds? Urgent research needed
– The part where they smile brightly and dance in the gym with petals falling… it’s so beautiful..
– I can’t wait to see the stageㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
The concept and visuals were unbeatable, so the fans’ reactions were, of course, positive.
The enthusiastic responses continued into the fan showcase held an hour later.
Aeris shouted “Again!” so loudly during the chorus that the staff worried the ceiling might collapse.
Although the cheer guide for ‘Again’ hadn’t been released yet, when the members changed “Shout again at the end of the third verse!” to “If you like it, shout again!” the excited Aeris raised their voices as if they had been shouting “Again” for ten years.
“Everyone! You love our new song, right?”
“Yesss!”
“If you love it, make some noise!”
“Waaaaaah!!!”
“Wow… you must really like it….”
“Thank you for loving it. And we are truly grateful to Haze for writing such a great song.”
“All songs are meaningful, but ‘Again’ is especially significant for us, and Haze, who composed this song, is someone we really appreciate and admire.”
“Thank you!”
The members, feeling like all their hard work had been rewarded by the fans’ cheers, spoke joyfully while On Raon’s face appeared on the screen, looking somehow tender and poignant.
Every time On Raon’s face was shown, the Aeris gasped in surprise, thinking it might be because this was their first activity since the True incident.
Meanwhile, the composition world seemed to be stirring.
[Wow]
[Ga-eul Noona]
[Noona]
[Representative Noona]
[Noona!!]
[Senior, check your messages]
[Who is HAZE????]