Chapter 164: Joy (1) |
Despite the repetitive nature of the poses and the familiarity of the set, the Type B concept photo shoot concluded swiftly, thanks to our prior rehearsal in the same setup. Kicking off with me, each member wrapped up their shoots in turn, except for Yoon-Chan who had an outdoor shoot.
For the upcoming Type A shoot, my hair changed to a light brown hue, and I hopped into the vehicle destined for the next location along with my fellow members, excluding Yoon-Chan.
“We are heading out now."
“What about Yoon-Chan?"
“He is already at the site with the road manager. Yoon-Chan's shoot location is conveniently near where we are headed for Type A."
The manager sensed the crunch for time and briskly ushered us into the car with an air of urgency.
“Man, I'm drained. Seriously… I can barely keep my eyes open."
Jin-Sung's struggle to keep his eyes open was promptly interrupted by Joo-Han, who quickly steered Jin-Sung's hands away from his face.
“Try to stay awake, buddy. Also, don't rub your eyes. You will ruin the makeup and get scolded by the stylist noona."
It wasn't just Jin-Sung; all of us were teetering on the edge of exhaustion. It was a stroke of luck that we hadn't indulged in alcohol, given that the whirlwind of year-end performances and ensuing relaxation had drained our energy.
“We've arrived."
“Wow, it feels like ages since I've been here." Goh Yoo-Joon couldn't help but express his awe as he stepped out of the car.
The schoolyard on a weekend, without any students, served as our backdrop. There was something inexplicably comforting and nostalgic about returning to a school environment after such a long time.
“Feeling the playground sand under my feet after so long is oddly nostalgic, isn't it, Hyun-Woo?"
“Yeah, it's surprisingly heartwarming."
There was a distinct ambiance and scent that schools possessed. I used to dread the daily routine as a student, but now, I wondered why I was ever so averse to it. The lack of school-related memories now seemed like a missed opportunity.
“Let's change into our outfits and get started with the shoot. This way, Chronos."
We followed the stylists and ventured inside the school. Since the school was a sizable private institution, it was equipped with multiple changing rooms, which offered a more convenient setup for outfit changes than the studio we used for the Type B shoot.
We dressed up in complete school uniforms, a simple black set... or maybe, a charcoal-colored uniform offset by the Chronos emblem adorning the chest pocket.
“These uniforms are more uncomfortable than I remembered," Joo-Han remarked, adjusting his sleeves.
On the other hand, Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, who were still in their school-going years, appeared quite at ease. However, the discomfort was apparent to me. Even regular uniforms were a hassle, but these were tailored even tighter for aesthetics.
“Let's head out." As we emerged in our uniforms, the waiting behind-the-scenes camera started documenting our movements.
Goh Yoo-Joon said naturally, “Wearing a school uniform after such a long time brings back a flood of memories, yeah?"
“It's a mix of familiarity and discomfort."
“Jin-Sung was even seen dancing in his uniform back in the changing room. The energy of a teenager is something else."
After a brief exchange, the camera shifted its focus to Joo-Han. The stylists had taken great care to ensure each of us brought a unique vibe to the shoot by tweaking our hairstyles and customizing our uniforms. For instance, Goh Yoo-Joon opted for a more relaxed look, while I wore my shirt with the top buttons undone.
Yoon-Chan went for the full ensemble, complete with a tie. Jin-Sung paired his shirt with just a vest. Joo-Han, on the other hand, selected a casual cardigan to layer over his shirt, adding a laid-back touch to his outfit.
“We will start with individual shots, beginning with Joo-Han."
“Okay.”
A staff member presented Joo-Han with a book. “Please, look engrossed in the book and make it look sophisticated."
Faced with the vague request, Joo-Han could only nod uncertainly and dive into the shoot. Meanwhile, the rest of us were careful not to disrupt the session and decided to wait in the classroom next door.
“I've never seen an empty classroom before. It's quiet and kind of nice."
“Yeah, the thought of coming to school over the weekend never crossed my mind." Yoon-Chan and Jin-Sung shared their amazement at the serene setting.
While they took in the classroom's atmosphere, Goh Yoo-Joon suddenly shut the door with a sly grin.
“What are you up to? Are we not going in?" When I asked, Goh Yoo-Joon placed his index finger against his lips and positioned himself by the door with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, hinting at another one of his schemes brewing.
Drrrr, bang!
Then, he flung the door open and proclaimed, “Is this the legendary second classroom of third-year, home to Park Yoon-Chan, the top-ranked icy blade of Ring High School?”
“...” The room fell into a stunned silence at his theatrical entrance.
‘That crazy dude.’
I shook my head at his antics and watched the flustered Yoon-Chan standing by. Then, Jin-Sung, unable to hold back a chuckle, strode over confidently with his hands pocketed. “And what business do you have with our esteemed top-ranked icy blade, Yoon-Chan hyung? If you have something to say to him, you gonna have to get through me first.”
“What’s all this about?” I couldn’t help but interject and try to bring some sense to the scene.
“Jin-Sung… I am embarrassed… Please stop…” Yoon-Chan pleaded, his face flushing with embarrassment.
Despite our attempts to calm the situation, Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung continued their performance, likely encouraged by the rolling camera. “Me? You don’t know who I am?” Goh Yoo-Joon challenged with a smirk.
“And who might you be?” Jin-Sung retorted, playing along with the act, making Yoo-Joon out to be some notorious schoolyard legend. With a playful grin, Jin-Sung continued, “I am Lee Jin-Sung, the silver-eyed tiger, second in the hierarchy of the Ring High. And you?”
“Me? I’m Goh Yoo-Joon, the undisputed king of Joo-Han High.”
“Alright, enough with the drama, guys. This is too much for me. Cut, cut, cut!” I exclaimed, unable to contain my laughter any longer as I wedged myself between them to end their little skit.
With that, Goh Yoo-Joon laughed heartily, wrapping up the charade and joining me as we settled down. The behind-the-scenes camera crew then asked a question.
- Where did you two usually sit back in school?
I paused and racked my brain for the memory. “Hmm… Where was it?”
“Over here for you and here for me,” Goh Yoo-Joon pointed to two adjacent seats at the back of the room and casually took one for himself.
“We weren’t exactly partners, just happened to sit next to each other,” I explained as I took the seat beside him. “There’s a bit of a story behind it. Our homeroom teacher was quite strict, and we’d often zone out from exhaustion after practice.”
“Exactly. The teacher would send us to the back with a ‘Go on, rest up, will you?’” Goh Yoo-Joon reminisced, and there was a hint of nostalgia in his voice. Though it felt like a reprimand at the time, it seemed more like a considerate gesture in hindsight.
I leaned back and gazed toward the blackboard while being lost in thought. Goh Yoo-Joon remarked, “Ah, that’s right, Suh Hyun-Woo. Even back then, you’d sit just like that, completely zoned out but never actually asleep during class.”
“Oh, really?” Reflecting on those days, I playfully leaned back further, mimicking my old self. “And this is how Goh Yoo-Joon sits...” With my feet on the desk, I adopted a rebelliously laid-back posture—the very essence of a carefree delinquent.
“Hey, that’s not true! I was nothing like that. I was a model student, really,” Goh Yoo-Joon protested with a laugh, though there was a hint of truth in his joke.
“You were a model student at dozing off, sure…” I teased, “Always relying on me to wake you up. If you are so grateful, how about you let me use your laptop tonight?”
“Not happening,” he shot back, and the banter between us was as lively as ever.
I smirked and put my legs down from the desk. Our laughter filled the room, attracting Jin-Sung and Yoon-Chan, who had been amusing themselves with doodles on the blackboard.
“Heard your little tales. Seems like you both had quite an enjoyable school life,” Jin-Sung said, a touch of envy in his voice.
“I wish I had classmates from the group,” he added wistfully.
“But you do attend the same school as Yoon-Chan.” Goh Yoo-Joon pointed out.
Jin-Sung grimaced, shaking his head. “I hardly see him around. The dance challenge was like, what, the third time we’ve bumped into each other at school?”
“It is probably because you guys are in different grades?” I wondered aloud.
“No, it’s not that,” Jin-Sung clarified and addressed the camera directly. “Yoon-Chan hits the books even during his breaks. I swung by his classroom once and was totally caught off guard by his dedication."
Yoon-Chan flushed slightly and chimed in, “Well, with all the group activities, squeezing in study time is tough... So, I've been sorting through the heaps of notes that my friends compiled for me while I was away from school."
Indeed, the top of the class was in a league of their own. It was rather astonishing that he could maintain such a stellar academic standing with his schedule.
As we bantered in front of the camera, the tranquility was shattered by a loud noise.
Slide- Bang!
“Is this where you were hiding?"
Joo-Han made a dramatic entrance, causing Goh Yoo-Joon to spring up and salute him with a formal bow. “Pay attention, everyone. This is Kang Joo-Han, the unparalleled, the top of the top from Joo-Han High, standing at rank zero. Yes, you heard right, not first but zero. Show him some respect."
“What in the world are you on about?"
“Don't mind him. Goh Yoo-Joon is going nuts to be back at school," I explained, hoping to clear the confusion.
Joo-Han acknowledged the clarification and stepped into the classroom, joining the fray. “Got it. Suh Hyun-Woo, you've been waiting. It's your turn now. Jin-Sung, you are up too."
“Right."
Joo-Han casually perched on one of the desks where the rest of us were gathered.
“I will be back.” Jin-Sung and I proceeded to the classroom next door for our photo session.
“We will be capturing shots of both Hyun-Woo and Jin-Sung together," said the director.
“Huh, not individual shots?" I asked.
Hearing my question, the director affirmed with a nod. “You will head to the sports field for solo shots."
“Ah, understood!"
“Now, let's have both of you together."
This session was pivotal for the Chronos narrative, so we positioned ourselves in the chairs, ready for the shoot. Jin-Sung claimed the seat in front, and I settled into the one behind. Together, we faced forward and awaited the director's cue.
“Jin-Sung, could you turn and flash a smile at Hyun-Woo as if engaged in a light-hearted chat?"
Jin-Sung rose to the task and spun his chair around. Then, he rested his elbows on the table and cast a playful grin my way.
Such a refreshingly charming smile would surely make the hearts of fans flutter, but to me, it was merely the youngest member of our group having a bit of fun.
“Hyun-Woo, let's see a smile from you too. Just a slight, subtle one."
As we exchanged gazes, the camera captured the moment with a series of clicks. We varied our poses and expressions slightly, immersing ourselves in the shoot.
“Hey, could you place some books on the desk, An-Hyung?"
“Sure thing."
Following the director's instructions, books were arranged on my desk. While Jin-Sung remained as he was, I gazed at the book for another shot. Midway. Goh Yoo-Joon was summoned to stand behind my chair, and the three of us together struck a pose to conclude our classroom photo session.
Next up were Joo-Han, Yoon-Chan, and Goh Yoo-Joon's session, followed by individual shots at the sports field. The director stressed the need to wrap up before dusk, and just like my session, the trio efficiently completed their shoot.
“Thank you all for the hard work. We will be incorporating these photos into the music video shoot. See you then."
“Thanks, everyone, great job!"
As dusk approached, we wrapped up the concept photoshoot just in time.
***
That very night, while Rings were still buzzing from the year-end performances, overwhelmed with an abundance of updates, they were hit with yet more enticing news.
Allure @allure_official
Let's keep calling him 'hyung' from now on.
(Suh Hyun-Woo addressing him as 'hyung' at the joint stage after-party.avi)
#Da-Win #Chronos #Suh Hyun-Woo
#Hyung
Replies 822 RT 4.3k Likes 18k
Chronos @Chronos_official
Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo's Adult Ceremony Performance
(Paper ID Soju Initiation Ceremony.avi)
#Joo-Han #YouGuysAreEmbarrassing
Replies 411 RT 3k Likes 8k
The sudden cascade of news was enough to send the fans into a frenzy, prompting a deluge of ecstatic comments and reactions across the web.
