Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 112

#112.

A short while later.

The MOST members quickly formed their formation.

Dojae stood at the center of the stage, with the other members lying around him.

Even though they seemed scattered, a full shot revealed an aesthetically pleasing arrangement.

Dojae rested the violin on his shoulder, brought the bow to it, and lowered his gaze to the floor.

The difference from their previous stage was the appearance of a violin as a prop instead of a piano.

Due to the hastily arranged schedule and being overseas, it was uncertain whether they could bring a piano onto the stage.

Moreover, with the new year, they wanted to present a slightly newer performance to the fans at the venue and those watching the broadcast (though not as much as an awards ceremony).

Without a long preparation period, they chose the violin after considering an effective and impactful stage.

“……”

The moment just before the stage lights came on was always filled with tension.

Dojae gripped the bow even tighter.

Suddenly, a mix of red and blue lights flashed, and a white spotlight illuminated the stage.

Simultaneously, the prelude to began to play.

The mournful sound of the violin resonated.

It was the introduction from the orchestral version previously arranged for the awards ceremony.

Dojae moved as if playing the violin, matching the melody.

“……!”

Even though the violin wasn’t producing any sound, those watching the stage felt as if Dojae was playing it himself.

His movements were that precise and passionate.

The precise movements were possible because Dojae could actually play the violin, and at a high level.

From the angle of his jaw, shoulder, and arm to the fingertips holding the bow and the shape of his focused lips.

It was a scene reminiscent of a violin concert.

It wasn’t just about resembling an actual performer.

Even those unfamiliar with music were captivated by Dojae’s acting.

Dojae’s expressions and gestures, instantly immersed in the message and poignant emotions of , completely captivated the audience.

‘To be able to immerse himself so quickly…….’

It was an astonishing level of concentration.

Even the director and Japanese broadcasting staff below the audience seats were amazed, their mouths slightly open.

Considering the atmosphere of the previous stage, it was even more surprising.

Just as the audience was falling into the introductory performance.

Dojae dramatically drew the bow, and Ting—! The sound effect of a violin string breaking echoed.

With empty eyes, Dojae slumped onto the stage.

At the same time, the stage lighting changed, and the atmosphere of the prelude also shifted.

Before they knew it, the original version of the prelude was playing from just before the first verse.

“Waaaaah!”

“Ooooh—!”

As if holding their breath, cheers erupted from the fan seats.

Although many fans came to know MOST through , the stage that Japanese fans ultimately wanted to see the most was the title track from their first full album.

It was a song where they could properly appreciate MOST’s performance, which had earned them the nicknames ‘Stage Restaurant’ and ‘Stage Masters’ within just one year of their debut.

The eyes of the fans watching the stage sparkled.

—I can’t see anything.

Dojae sang, looking directly at the camera.

Unlike the fans who had been waiting for the stage, most of the audience didn’t know the song.

However, they were drawn in by Dojae’s performance and the members’ smooth yet precise choreography that followed.

Each time the members moved, their firm bodies were revealed through the deeply cut, loose-fitting short-sleeved T-shirts.

The worry that there might be less response compared to because most of the audience didn’t know was unfounded.

—I only need you, a deserted island

—A star that exploded

—But I only need you

The choreography, which depicted the process of flower petals blooming and falling, unfolded beautifully on the stage amidst Rui’s delicate voice.

“(They’re so good!)”

“(They’re incredibly talented…….)”

As the performance continued, the audience kept shining new light on the MOST members.

During , they were surprised by the members’ stable live performance, which was on par with what they had heard in the drama, but they thought it was possible because the difficulty was low.

But was completely different.

—My everything is yours!

As they reached the chorus, the members’ movements became more intense.

Yet, not a single note was off, and the angle of their fingertips never wavered.

“(What…. They seem as good as Infinite Youth?)”

“(They really do. Wow.)”

“(The artistry is high!)”

Even Infinite Youth’s Japanese fans couldn’t help but be amazed.

As Youngjin had worried, some people were captivated by MOST.

—is yours!

“is MOST!”

The fans added cheering slogans to the chorus, just like the Korean cheering methods.

Hearing the loud cheers, the members focused even more on the stage.

***

Thus, MOST’s first overseas performance came to a successful end.

The reaction from more people would only be known after the broadcast, but it was certain that the audience’s response was positive.

It was a reaction felt with their bodies.

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“Oh…. Otsukare sama deshita! [Good work!]”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

The members, who had come down from the stage, politely greeted the staff.

Since Korean and Japanese staff were mixed, Woochul even added clumsy Japanese greetings.

The beads of sweat that had been forming on his forehead when the stage ended were now streaming down his cheeks.

It was only natural, as they had put all their energy into the performance under the hot lights.

The Japanese staff, who didn’t speak the language well, gave the members a thumbs up.

The members also didn’t hold back in telling each other they had worked hard.

Perhaps because they were moderately nervous, they didn’t make a single mistake today.

“You got through the section you always missed the beat on.”

“Ah. We came representing Korea, after all. Of course, I had to.”

Heungmin shrugged his shoulders at Gijun’s words.

“You should always do that anyway.”

“Ah…. Do you think I want to mess up?”

In fact, it was a mistake that would have been difficult for anyone other than Gijun to catch, so Heungmin grumbled unnecessarily.

Even so, he thought that he would make use of today’s feeling and never make a mistake in that part again.

“I didn’t know the fans would even prepare cheering slogans, it was really touching.”

Dojae and Gyuseong nodded at Woochul’s words.

Thanks to that, they were able to sing with more energy.

As they were talking, the members entered the waiting room, and a huge cheer came from the stage.

“The Infinite Youth hyungs [older brothers/seniors] must have come on!”

Rui shouted, stopping halfway through changing his sweat-soaked shirt.

The size of the cheer was definitely different.

If they were to come to Japan again someday, would they be able to hear such cheers then?

The members smiled at this thought.

***

The time when the members ate dinner and arrived at the hotel was 9 PM.

In fact, Chief Kim Seokcheol had told them to order room service for dinner, but the members (specifically Woochul and Rui) begged and begged to have at least one meal of local food, so they ate dinner outside.

Fortunately, there was a restaurant right next to the hotel where all the members, Chief Kim Seokcheol, and Jung Gilju could go and eat.

Although it was a famous curry franchise with chain stores even in Korea.

Walking from the restaurant to the hotel, the members talked about the taste of the curry.

“Was it… a little different from what we eat in Korea?”

“It tastes the same to me.”

Woochul made a sad face at Gijun and Heungmin’s words.

“Please say it was different.”

“A slightly deeper taste…….”

As Dojae muttered, Woochul got excited, saying that he knew it well because he was a gourmet.

“Did you feel it?”

However, Dojae was also asking a question.

Woochul pouted his lips at Dojae’s remark, which seemed to be teasing him.

As Dojae chuckled, Gyuseong said soothingly.

“I think it was a little different. Like the taste of vegetables…….”

It was an answer that was obviously squeezed out, but Woochul clung to Gyuseong, who had at least said that much.

“Thank you, hyung [older brother/male senior]. You’re the real food expert. Ah…. But it’s really a shame. Since it’s my first time in Japan, I wish I could eat a lot of delicious things and go shopping.”

The members were scheduled to spend the night at the hotel and return to Korea tomorrow morning.

Rui also nodded at Woochul’s words.

The city, which had a similar but different atmosphere from Korea, was shining brightly even at night.

“What did you take Japanese lessons with? I saw you couldn’t even memorize the hiragana properly earlier, what shopping are you talking about…….”

Woochul glared at Heungmin, who was unnecessarily nagging.

“I can just go with Dojae hyung [older brother/male senior].”

“Is Dojae going to take you around?”

“Why are you like this? We’re roommates today?”

Woochul, who had his arm around Gyuseong, put his arm around Dojae’s shoulder this time as he entered the lobby.

The hotel room roommates were decided while waiting for the plane in the Gimpo Airport lounge.

It was the result of a ladder game based on Rui’s idea.

“There are hardly any people who recognize you, but you never know. Please rest in your rooms as much as possible. You must be tired from performing today.”

Chief Kim Seokcheol said, pressing the elevator button to go up to the guest rooms.

He paid particular attention to the youngest members, who were fidgeting, wanting to go sightseeing.

“Yesss…….”

“Yessss.”

Woochul and Rui drooped their fidgeting shoulders and answered.

The other members also couldn’t help but make slightly disappointed expressions.

Of course, they felt like they would pass out as soon as they entered the hotel room because they had taken a plane and even performed.

In fact, staying overnight at the hotel instead of returning right away was a small consideration from the company for the tired members.

“If you need anything, please ask me or Gilju.”

“Yeah. Aren’t you guys tired? Go in and rest quickly.”

Jung Gilju added to Chief Kim Seokcheol’s words.

Ding. The elevator chime that they had arrived at their destination on the 20th floor was cheerful.

The members got out of the elevator in a group.

Holding the card keys that Chief Kim Seokcheol had handed out, they searched for their assigned rooms.

Woochul and Dojae, Gyuseong and Heungmin, and Gijun and Rui were each in one room.

***

Since they had only roughly removed their makeup in the waiting room, Dojae took a shower as soon as he entered the room.

As Dojae came out wearing a bathrobe and drying his hair with a towel, Woochul, who was lying on the bed doing something on his phone, couldn’t speak.

“Hyung [older brother/male senior] is… really.”

“Why?”

At Dojae’s question, Woochul showed him the phone screen.

It was a picture taken at Gimpo Airport in the morning.

Dojae’s appearance, wearing a long coat and crossing the crosswalk expressionlessly while receiving natural light, was truly like a model.

Thanks to that, the photo uploaded to Twitter became a hot topic in other fandoms as well, and the number of RTs [retweets] was well over a thousand.

“They’re saying it’s like you’re walking a runway, not crossing the street.”

“Hmm…….”

“But if I take a picture of you now and upload it, it’ll probably get 10,000 RTs [retweets]!”

“That’s ridiculous…….”

As Woochul looked over Dojae and said that, Dojae chuckled in disbelief.

Woochul, who had been fiddling with his phone, suddenly got up and shouted.