Eternal Lives

Chapter 8:

When Joon opened his eyes, he was greeted by blinding stage lights and the deafening roar of a crowd. His heart raced as he blinked, disoriented, trying to make sense of his surroundings.

He was standing center stage, gripping a microphone, his reflection staring back at him from a massive screen above the audience. Rows of screaming fans held signs with his name—Park Joon—emblazoned in bold letters.

The realization hit him like a thunderclap.

I'm an idol.

Before Joon could fully process the situation, a familiar voice echoed in his earpiece.

"Joon! Stop spacing out! Go to the next position!"

He turned to see a group of men dancing in perfect synchronization, their movements sharp and precise. His body moved on instinct, falling into step as if he'd done this choreography a thousand times.

The routine ended with a powerful pose, and the crowd erupted into cheers. Joon's chest heaved, his mind racing.

As the lights dimmed, one of the dancers clapped him on the back. "You okay? You seemed off out there."

Joon turned to see a man with dyed silver hair and a mischievous grin. His name surfaced in Joon's mind like a long-lost memory. "Minjae."

"I'm fine," Joon said, his voice steadier than he felt. "Just… a little out of it."

Minjae smirked. "Better snap out of it. We've got three interviews after this."

Backstage, Joon caught glimpses of this new life. The dressing room was a whirlwind of stylists, makeup artists, and assistants fussing over the members of the group.

He glanced at himself in the mirror. His hair was styled in a way he'd never imagined, and his face bore the unmistakable polish of celebrity.

"Park Joon," he murmured, testing the name as if it belonged to someone else.

A manager approached, clipboard in hand. "Joon, great job out there. You're trending again—fans can't stop talking about your solo performance last night."

Joon nodded, unsure how to respond.

The interviews were a blur. Each question felt rehearsed, the answers surfacing in Joon's mind as though they'd been pre-programmed.

But as he sat on the couch with his bandmates, he couldn't help but feel a strange disconnect. The flashing cameras, the adoring fans, the endless noise—it was so different from the quiet camaraderie of the firehouse.

That night, back in his dorm, Joon lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The other members were asleep, their soft snores filling the room.

Why am I here?

The question echoed in his mind, unanswered.

Days turned into weeks, and Joon found himself swept up in the relentless pace of idol life. The grueling schedules, the constant scrutiny—it was overwhelming, but he adapted quickly, his instincts guiding him as they always did.

But it wasn't all chaos. Moments of connection began to emerge.

During a late-night practice, Joon noticed one of the younger members, Sunwoo, struggling with a dance move.

"Here," Joon said, stepping beside him. "Let me help."

Sunwoo looked up, surprised. "Really? Aren't you tired?"

Joon smiled. "We're a team, right?"

As he guided Sunwoo through the steps, a sense of purpose settled over him. It wasn't the same as rescuing someone from a burning building, but it felt just as meaningful.

One night, as Joon stood on the rooftop of the dorm, the city lights stretching endlessly below, the voice returned.

This life is not the last.

Joon gripped the railing, his knuckles white. "Why? Why do you keep doing this to me?"

There was no reply, only the faint hum of the city below.

Joon's shoulders sagged, frustration and resignation warring within him. He didn't know how long this life would last, but he resolved to leave his mark before it ended.

The turning point came during a massive stadium concert. The energy was electric, the crowd a sea of lights swaying in unison.

Joon stood center stage, his heart pounding as he prepared to sing his solo. The lyrics spilled from his lips, carrying a raw emotion he couldn't explain.

As he sang, memories of his past lives flashed through his mind—the hospital ER, the firehouse, the lives he'd touched and the bonds he'd formed.

Tears welled in his eyes, but he didn't hold them back. For the first time, he poured his entire soul into the performance, letting the world see the man behind the idol.

When the song ended, the crowd erupted into applause, their cheers echoing like a thunderstorm.

Joon bowed deeply, a sense of peace washing over him.

That night, as Joon walked back to the dressing room, he felt a strange calm. He didn't know when this life would end, but he was ready for whatever came next.

And when it did, he would face it with open arms.