The Road To Glory [EN]: Chapter 1311

< How Will It Turn Out - Part 1 >

[What would happen if someone caught the sun?]

A train, emblazoned with red seals, speeds along the tracks, slicing through tranquil rural villages and forests.

The sun streams through the large glass windows under a cloudless sky, and the passengers begin to feel drowsy, lulled by the peaceful scenery.

It was a little after lunchtime.

The travelers planning their itineraries, the children pointing excitedly out the window, and the students engrossed in their game consoles all succumbed to heavy eyelids, their heads drooping.

Halo noticed a phrase printed in a yellowed newspaper.

As a high-speed train catering to many passengers, newspapers and magazines were provided for their reading pleasure, and this was one of them.

Seeing HALO’s 11th album cover, “Catch Me If You Can,” released on December 31st, plastered on the front page, it was clear this wasn’t a scientific journal explaining the actual consequences of touching the sun.

And the content…

The album title was framed as Halo’s challenge, or more precisely, a game of tag presented to the world, exploring what would happen if Halo were caught.

The repercussions of his identity being revealed,

The endorsements he would undertake, his music, and the shifts in Hollywood.

However, this was all familiar territory, already widely discussed. The reporter’s core argument was different.

He posited that if someone were to “catch the king,” that is, win the game of tag initiated by Halo, Halo would bestow a prize.

Halo’s lips curved into a smile at the notion of him, Halo, granting something to a loyal fan, much like a king bestowing a title and land upon a faithful knight.

“A prize…”

Halo set down the newspaper.

The members seated beside him and across from him were already sound asleep.

They had been enthusiastically promoting the joys of European train travel and the beautiful scenery unfolding beyond the train window, but now they were experiencing the scenery in their dreams.

Approximately 8 hours from Vienna to Venice.

There was still plenty of time remaining.

Suddenly remembering something he needed to do, he grabbed his phone and left the special compartment.

Inside the cafe car, chairs and tables were arranged for about ten people, and an employee was behind a counter selling drinks and sandwiches.

The employee didn’t seem particularly interested in him at the moment.

Halo walked past him and settled into a corner seat.

The dial tone was brief.

As always, his call was answered immediately.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Vale.”

[It’s a very good afternoon indeed.]

The sound of curtains being drawn came from the other end of the line.

Halo instinctively glanced out the window.

“How have you been?”

[I’m always the same. Just a bit annoyed by being busy whenever I try to take a vacation. I’ll wrap it up quickly. How about you?]

“I’m having a great time traveling.”

Halo thought back to his days in Vienna.

It had snowed heavily on the day they planned to have a picnic on the lawn.

It wouldn’t have lasted long anyway, given it was winter, but everyone was still disappointed.

So instead, they had a playful snowball fight like children. And the hot chocolate and cup ramen they ordered upon returning to the hotel, soaking wet, were more delicious than ever.

Ah, and the photo.

Halo remembered the photo a photographer had taken of him at Prater Park in Vienna, Austria. It was a shot of Jin holding the sunset.

The photo, featuring subtle smiles and reddish guitars under shaded faces, captured a lazy and peaceful moment, seemingly isolated from the noisy world.

Halo had to admit the photo turned out quite well.

It was no exaggeration that the photographer had been famous in his youth. When he asked if it would be alright to display it in his photo studio, Halo readily agreed.

[You’re having fun. More than I anticipated.]

August Vale smiled as he listened to the boy’s account of his enjoyable time in Vienna.

[I’m glad I suggested you travel.]

At those words, Halo recalled the reason for his trip.

The happiest birthday.

He had spoken with August Vale at his birthday party after singing the most challenging song.

-What do you want to do? I’ll do whatever you want.

At that crucial moment, he unusually delayed his decision, prompting August Vale to say:

– Sometimes that moment arrives. How about this, then?

He recommended traveling.

-Find out why you’re hesitating.

-If you can’t find the answer nearby, it’s beneficial to go somewhere further away. People travel for a reason. Problems that have been bothering you for a long time can be resolved in an instant.

Yes, that was why he decided to travel.

He usually enjoyed spontaneous departures, but the primary motive and goal of this trip was that.

And just as the old man had said, he found his answer.

[So-]

August Vale was about to inquire about his next destination.

He seemed to be managing well on his own, but he still wanted to help him have an even more comfortable experience.

Just then, the boy’s voice came through the phone.

“I’ve decided now.”

At the sudden statement, August didn’t initially understand what he meant.

But soon, he realized what he was saying.

He had never forgotten his conversation with Halo, and there was only one ‘decision’ Halo needed to make now.

[You’ve finally made up your mind.]

August Vale didn’t pressure the boy.

He wanted the boy to pursue what he desired.

Come to think of it, Coachella had contacted him this morning, requesting assistance in arranging a phone call with Halo, stating they would handle the persuasion. As the end of January approached, Coachella must have grown impatient, needing to release a confirmation announcement.

“Please send a reply to Coachella.”

[Coachella will be thrilled!]

There was no need to ask under what name he would be performing.

If he were performing as Nohaeil, he wouldn’t have informed August Vale.

[It will be a very colorful festival.]

August Vale spoke as if he had already welcomed Coachella in April.

However, it wasn’t inaccurate, so Halo didn’t argue.

[Can I ask you just one thing?]

“Yes.”

[What was the reason for your decision? Can you tell me?]

“A reason.”

Halo smiled faintly at August Vale’s question.

The conversation he had that morning flashed through his mind.

-I caught you.

-Halo.

In that single word, Halo realized that he craved that one insignificant word.

Rather than someone asking, “Are you Halo?” or “What do you think about the rumor that you are Halo?”

He simply wanted them to call his name, ‘Halo.’ He honestly admitted it.

“I got caught.”

[Huh?]

“At an unexpected moment.”

And…

Halo closed his eyes.

Just like the yellow magazine had stated a little while ago, ‘If you catch Halo, he will give you a prize’…

“Rose, I lost.”

He had returned to the hotel lobby that morning.

“You won, so I’ll give you a prize.”

It wasn’t a game he had initiated, but he would abide by the rules of tag. Rose had won because she had caught the tagger.

“What can I do for you?”

The yellow magazine had mentioned money and houses.

In fact, he was willing to give it to Rose if she asked.

He was happy at that moment, and money held little importance to him.

Rose smiled brightly and said.

“Sing me a song.”

It was a childlike, pure wish.

“Shall I write you a song?”

A dedication song from HALO, unique in the world for one person. A reward that people all over the world might desire came from Halo’s lips first.

Rose seemed to ponder for a long time.

Just as Halo was smiling faintly at her serious expression…

“No.”

An unexpected answer was heard.

Rose didn’t seem to grasp the value of the prize she was declining. But she didn’t retract her words and spoke clearly.

“My mom says there are many people in the world who are more tired and sick than me. I also cry in bed every day after going to the hospital, so those people must be too, right? Just like I was healed by listening to Halo’s song, I hope those people won’t be sick anymore.”

Rose raised her head.

Her eyes were still unfocused, but they held a clearer and more beautiful green light than anyone else’s eyes.

“Sing for them, Halo.”

The boy was completely captivated by that light.

“My sun.”

At that moment, Halo felt a powerful sensation.

It felt like all his worries were vanishing.

A distant destination.

In an unexpected moment, he had found the answer, just as August Vale had said.

Back on the train to Venice, Halo said.

“I think it’s okay to reveal it now.”

August Vale didn’t know how much of the story was omitted in that one phrase, ‘caught at an unexpected moment.’

He only knew that it was a tag story stemming from the album title “Catch Me If You Can.” Someone must have found Halo.

In any case, Halo’s decision was what he had hoped for.

Vale, having finished discussing Coachella, brought up the story he couldn’t share earlier.

[So where are you going now? Salzburg? Budapest?]

Judging from the sound of the train, he was definitely on the move.

Halo got up from his seat.

People were flocking to the cafe car. It was a group of college students, and they were holding the yellow newspaper that Halo had seen.

“I’m going to Venice.”

[Venice?]

August Vale immediately slammed his hand on the table.

[That’s perfect! I have a villa there too!]

:

From January 31st to February 9th, 2032. The Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia) is held for ten days. People wearing fancy masks and costumes roaming around Venice *are* the Venice Carnival.

On the first day, one of the 12 girls selected for the Maria Festival is chosen as the angel of the carnival. And from the second day, along with the full-fledged parade, countless people cosplay and perform. The highlight is the masquerade ball and the beautiful mask contest.

January 29th evening.

The villa manager came to pick up the Nohaeil band, who arrived late in the evening, and as soon as they got on the boat, they could see why Venice is called the city of water.

Buildings standing tall on the water.

More watercraft than cars or buses.

The water city of Venice was bustling with anticipation for the upcoming festival. Dazzling lights and blue waves. The streets were lined with stores selling elaborate masks. Venice, teeming with more tourists than ever, was filled with excitement and enthusiasm.

“Ugh.”

“Ugh.”

Halo noticed Hanjinyoung and Munseoyun retching on the boat, which was struggling with the choppy waterways.

“Is there a pharmacy nearby?”

“The mansion is equipped with motion sickness medicine.”

The villa manager seemed embarrassed, as if he was seeing people get motion sickness for the first time.

“Weakling.”

“I’m going to die… Ugh.”

“Gyuhwan.”

“…Yes.”

Namgyuhwan, looking perfectly fine, went to tease Munseoyun, but stopped when Hanjinyoung grabbed his shoulder.

Halo smiled as he watched the bickering members and lowered his hand over the side of the boat. He was warned it was dangerous because he could fall, but the waves that touched his hand were cool and soft.

Because the water level was low in winter, he had to lean quite far, so he quickly pulled his hand back, but not before Halo caught a feather that drifted down along the waves.

It was a glossy black feather.

“I think it fell off a mask.”

As he was wondering why the crow feather had fallen onto the water’s surface, he heard the villa manager’s voice.

“You may have already noticed, but they are selling masks on the street you just came from.”

“Ah.”

As the boy nodded, the old villa manager smiled contentedly.

“By the way, have you prepared your masks and costumes?”

“No, not yet.”

“You should prepare them soon, because the festival is just around the corner. It will be a pleasant memory.”

Halo fiddled with the crow feather and slowly raised it above his head.

#

Meanwhile, Korea was peaceful and noisy, welcoming the New Year. It was business as usual.

There was nothing special about the New Year for people whose only new thing was their age. Someone’s drunk driving, someone’s controversial remarks, and someone’s dating rumors dominated the news, and people gossiped about them.

Broadcasting stations aired new dramas and entertainment pilots, but as usual, there were no major hits.

Still, something was being discussed in online communities: a segment from a comedy show and a music entertainment show that had recently aired its third episode.

The entertainment show, built around the concept of busking and sharing music abroad, had several segments vying for attention.

And wasn’t the cast quite impressive?

Singers like Kimseoncheol and Jangimyoung, who had defined an era. And even some so-called “recent” singers.

A program where singers known for their live performances gathered and busked was actually quite good.

However, it didn’t feel like a massive success. Many posts suggested simply watching their performances as YouTube clips.

However, a traveler’s review posted in the community changed everything.

To be exact, a Korean who had traveled to Vienna, Austria, mentioned that he didn’t know Nohaeil was also appearing in *Spring Again*, starting with a question asking if he should watch from episode 1.

[What are you talking about? Nohaeil isn’t in *Spring Again*?]

[He’s not even on the cast list ㅇㅇ]

[Besides, Haeil said he was going on a trip]

└ A bastard who didn’t even attend the awards ceremony because he went on a trip…

[If Kimseoncheol said it in Austria, it seems credible, but is Nohaeil really appearing?]

└ Did he happen to run into them and appear as a guest?

└ Europe doesn’t just have one city

└ Vienna is still plausible

└ Has anyone asked *Spring Again*?

[Wait, who? Haeil? Is everyone talking about the Nohaeil that I know? Haeil who only keeps his promise to create an SNS account and then doesn’t upload anything?]

└Then are there any other Nohaeils in Korea besides *your* Haeil?

[But what if it’s real?]

The traveler’s review was enough to awaken the dormant excitement in the fans who were struggling with Nohaeil’s hiatus.