Chapter 1: Dream Come True
Chin-Sun had been looking forward to this day for months. As she stood in front of her mirror, meticulously applying her makeup, she couldn't help but smile at her reflection. Today was the day she would finally see The Prism in concert. She had spent countless hours at her job as a bartender, saving every penny to buy the best tickets she could afford. And it had all been worth it.
"Ji-Yeong oppa, I'm coming to see you," she whispered to herself, her heart fluttering with excitement. Ji-Yeong, the hard-headed leader of The Prism, was her ultimate idol. His powerful voice, his commanding presence, and his unwavering dedication to his fans had made her fall head over heels for him.
"Chin-Sun, you're going to be late if you don't hurry!" her roommate, Soo-Min, called from the living room.
"Coming!" Chin-Sun replied, quickly grabbing her bag and giving herself one last look in the mirror. She wanted everything to be perfect. Her outfit, a carefully chosen combination of a sparkling top and a sleek skirt, was just flashy enough to stand out but still comfortable enough for a long night of dancing and cheering.
As she made her way to the concert venue, her mind raced with anticipation. This wasn't just any concert for her; it was a chance to see her idols up close, to feel the energy of their performance, and, most importantly, to witness Ji-Yeong's captivating stage presence.
The venue was already buzzing with activity when she arrived. Fans of all ages, each donning their own Prism merchandise, filled the area, creating a vibrant sea of colors. Chin-Sun felt a surge of pride to be part of this community, united by their love for The Prism.
"Chin-Sun, over here!" Soo-Min waved her over from the entrance, holding up their tickets.
"Let's go, let's go!" Chin-Sun urged, practically dragging Soo-Min towards the entrance.
They handed their tickets to the attendant and stepped inside the venue. The atmosphere was electric, with fans chatting excitedly and music playing in the background. Chin-Sun felt her heart race as they found their seats. They were close enough to see the stage clearly but far enough to take in the full spectacle of the performance.
As the lights dimmed and the opening notes of The Prism's first song filled the air, the crowd erupted into cheers. Chin-Sun felt a thrill run down her spine. This was it. This was the moment she had been waiting for.
The members of The Prism took the stage one by one, each greeted with thunderous applause. Jong-Su, the laid-back member with a mischievous smile; Min, the nonchalant heartthrob who exuded effortless cool; Ye Joon, the artistic soul with a gentle demeanor; and finally, Ji-Yeong, the charismatic leader who commanded the stage with his mere presence.
"Hello, Seoul!" Ji-Yeong's voice boomed through the speakers, sending the crowd into a frenzy. "Are you ready to have a great time tonight?"
The crowd's response was deafening, and Chin-Sun found herself screaming along with them. She felt a sense of euphoria wash over her as the music started, and The Prism began their first song.
For the next two hours, Chin-Sun was lost in the magic of the concert. She sang along to every song, danced until her feet hurt, and cheered louder than she ever had before. Every time Ji-Yeong came to the front of the stage, her heart skipped a beat. She could feel the connection he had with the fans, and it made her love him even more.
As the concert drew to a close, the members of The Prism gathered at the center of the stage to thank their fans.
"You guys have been amazing tonight," Jong-Su said, his smile infectious.
"We couldn't do this without you."
"Thank you for all your support," Min added, his usually stoic expression softened by a genuine smile.
"We love you all," Ye Joon said, waving to the crowd.
"And now, we have a special surprise for one of our fans," Ji-Yeong announced, causing a ripple of excitement to sweep through the audience. "We've decided to invite one lucky fan backstage to meet us."
Chin-Sun's heart pounded in her chest. Could it be? Could she be the one?
"And the lucky fan is..." Ji-Yeong paused for dramatic effect, holding up a small piece of paper.
"Chin-Sun!"
For a moment, Chin-Sun couldn't believe her ears. Had he really just called her name? She felt Soo-Min shaking her arm excitedly.
"Chin-Sun, it's you! You won!" Soo-Min exclaimed.
Chin-Sun felt tears welling up in her eyes as she made her way to the stage. The crowd cheered her on, and she felt like she was walking on air. This was the moment she had dreamed of, and it was finally happening.
As she climbed the steps to the stage, Ji-Yeong extended his hand to her, helping her up.
"Congratulations, Chin-Sun," he said, his smile warm and genuine.
"Thank you, Ji-Yeong oppa," she managed to say, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Let's give her a big round of applause, everyone!" Ji-Yeong said, and the crowd erupted into cheers once again.
After the concert, Chin-Sun was escorted backstage. Her heart was racing, and she could barely contain her excitement. She was about to meet her idols face to face.
A staff member led her to the dressing rooms, and she was told to wait outside for a moment. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. This was it. This was the moment she had been dreaming of.
The door to Min's dressing room was slightly ajar, and she could hear voices coming from inside. Curiosity getting the better of her, she took a step closer and peeked through the crack.
Inside, she saw Min and another man, his face obscured by a mask, engaged in a heated argument. The masked man's eyes were filled with anger, and Min looked equally upset.
Chin-Sun's heart skipped a beat. What was happening? She quickly hid behind a clothes cabinet, peeking through the small spaces to get a better view.
"I told you, this isn't the time or place!" Min's voice was tense, filled with frustration.
"And I told you, I don't care!" the masked man retorted, his voice low and menacing.
"You're going to do as I say, or there will be consequences."
Chin-Sun felt her blood run cold. This wasn't just an argument; this was something serious. She watched in horror as the masked man suddenly lunged at Min, a knife flashing in his hand.
"No!" Chin-Sun gasped, covering her mouth to stifle her scream. She watched helplessly as Min fell to the floor, blood pooling around him.
The masked man glanced around, his eyes cold and calculating. Satisfied that no one else was around, he quickly exited the room, leaving Min bleeding on the floor.
As soon as he was gone, Chin-Sun rushed to Min's side, her hands trembling. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to apply pressure to the wound.
"Help! Somebody, please help!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the hallway.
Moments later, the other members of The Prism burst into the room, their faces filled with shock and horror.
"What happened?" Ji-Yeong demanded, kneeling beside Min.
"He...he was stabbed," Chin-Sun managed to say, her voice choked with sobs.
"I saw everything."
"We need to get him to a hospital," Jong-Su said, already pulling out his phone to call for help.
As they waited for the ambulance, Ji-Yeong turned to Chin-Sun, his eyes filled with suspicion. "You said you saw everything. Who did this?"
"It was a man in a mask," Chin-Sun replied, her voice shaking.
"I don't know who he was, but he seemed really angry."
Ji-Yeong's eyes narrowed.
"Why were you here? How do we know you weren't involved?"
Chin-Sun felt a pang of hurt at his words.
"I promise, I had nothing to do with this. I just came here to meet you all. Please believe me."
Ji-Yeong stared at her for a long moment, then finally nodded.
"Alright. We'll figure this out together. But if you're lying..."
"I'm not," Chin-Sun said firmly.
"I'll do whatever it takes to help you find the person who did this."
The ambulance arrived, and Min was rushed to the hospital. The atmosphere was tense as the remaining members of The Prism and Chin-Sun waited for news.
Hours later, the doctor emerged, his expression grave.
"Min is in critical condition. He's lost a lot of blood and has slipped into a coma. We're doing everything we can, but it's going to be a tough battle."
Chin-Sun felt a wave of despair wash over her. How had this night, which was supposed to be the best of her life, turned into such a nightmare?
"We need to keep this quiet," Ho-Sook, the group's manager, said.
"We can't let the fans find out about this. It would cause a panic."
"But how?" Ye Joon asked, his voice filled with worry.
"Min is in no condition to perform."
Ho-Sook's eyes fell on Chin-Sun.
"I have an idea. It might be risky, but it could work. Chin-Sun, you said you wanted to help. How would you feel about pretending to be Min until we can find the person responsible?"