Flashing lights blinded the eyes of those who peered out further into the shadows, warm bodies quivering with trepidation at the vast unknown. Seven stood side-by-side with bated breaths as the spotlight beamed directly on them like a looking glass struck by sunlight, aiming to burn whatever weakness may lie beneath. Beyond the light was a sea of eyes watching, waiting, all for them. As the speakers began to jostle with thumping music and an array of cameras rushed in front of the stage, they knew it was now or never.

The group of rookies moved to the beat with precision while their eyes were glued to the tiny red dots that kept their intense gazes aimed directly at the assigned cameras, all the while maintaining focus on the ticking of the metronome being sent through their earpieces. This was the day they’d all been training so vigorously over the years for. There was no possible way they could screw it up. If only the music wasn’t so thundering, then everyone in the crowd could have heard the fierce thumps of seven hearts fearing to make a single misstep.

Anxiety spread across the stage like a disease as it engulfed one young hopeful after another. Each was so intent to prove themselves and give the utmost perfect performance, racing against internal dread until the music came to a halt. Frozen in place by the many cold Medusa stares from the audience, they anticipated their fate.

Then came the real music. Waves of gleeful cheers and passionate screams washed over the entire venue, giving all seven boys a moment of serenity. Between small huffs and gasps for air did they stop and smell the roses of brief success, feeling full to the brim with pride. As they took a dignified bow, the people chanted a name surely no one would ever forget; REVOLT.

Upon being cued to leave, the group scurried off stage and went to greet their manager. He was a stalky, warm man named Jihoon. Although they only knew him in recent months leading up to debut, already he’d become a vital asset and encouraging figure. Immediately he gestured his hands into a C shape which signaled them to huddle together in a tight circle, arms all wrapped around one another to remain as close as ever. It was a small tradition that Jihoon started once Revolt began scheduling performances together. He would shove the boys together like a highschool sports team and give a little pep talk. At first it seemed frivolous and unnecessary, the boys still awkward with skinship. Truthfully they still felt that way, each person reserved in their own right. Yet deep down Jihoon’s team-building antics were therapeutic in a way. Thus frantic whispers simmered down with respect for their superior as he parted his lips and spoke.

“You guys did well up there. No matter who wins or what happens, you should all know that I’m really proud of you.” Jihoon’s words brought faint smiles that barely managed to be wiped off their faces. Even once stylists and makeup artists surrounded them to freshen up their sweaty bodies, preparing the boys to look their best for yet another heart-stopping event, they couldn’t help but grin. “Now go. Get that first win,” Jihoon demanded as he took cue from one of the show producers backstage and pushed the seven back towards the stage with urgency.

Rookies and senior entertainers alike all gathered in one huge mass as the cameras were rolling once again. The show hosts began tallying up votes from fans and audiences all across the globe. Competition bore a weight so heavy that all anyone could do was bite at their nails or nibble their inner cheeks impulsively.

Revolt was perhaps the most concerned group of all on that stage as they hid behind the hosts and shivered. They’d been promoting for a month now and were yet to receive any wins or accolades other than a handful of fans that would cheer for them in the audience. Most were convinced that Revolt would never win in such a popularity contest against the other, much more established artists that were veterans with countless wins under their belts.

That was until the group’s leader Hyukjin reached out and entangled his fingers with that of Loon’s, their main rapper. Loon shot a puzzled glance towards his leader, breathlessly shocked by the sudden touch. Yet this small comfort was more than enough to ease any tension that built up within his chest, Loon releasing a gentle sigh as he leaned in towards his hyung’s* side and took advantage of the elder’s kindness. The others didn’t even bother to notice as they were far too concentrated on the music show hosts making the final announcements.

“And the winners are...” The host squinted narrowly at the teleprompter screen off to the side of the stage, trying to make out the unfamiliar name of the winner as it loaded at snail speed. Thousands of people were trapped at the edge of their seats in eternal anticipation. Loon raised a brow and parted his lips wide as if to speak his mind to the stagnant host, yet Hyukjin tightly squeezed his hand before glaring at the younger with an icy cold stare that quietly ordered he keep that loud mouth of his shut.

Then, finally. What the whole world was waiting to hear.

“...Revolt with their debut, One Shot!”

Confetti cascaded down from the air like glittering little stars, the audience full of fans breaking out into elated chants for Revolt’s first ever win. The boys did their best to remain respectfully composed, yet some couldn’t help but let emotion take control.

Both Loon and Aries shouted loud and mighty with joy as they forgot all about the microphones still connected to their faces. Typically Aries wasn’t one to be so obnoxious, but the special occasion called for a bit of cheer. Thus they unintentionally drowned the speakers with hyperactive howls and forced the show’s audio engineers to cut their mics off like pulling a kill switch. Before their leader could even scold them, Loon broke away from Hyukjin’s grasp and curled an arm around Aries’ shoulder then proceeded to ruffle his feathery locks in an unprecedented brotherly affection. Aries shoved the taller away and chuckled to himself, eyes rolling over at such blatant roughhousing.

Although most had been distracted by the antics of the group’s more boisterous Chinese line, it didn’t seem to have much effect on their main vocalist Yejun. He kept his head hung low as his hands instantly hid the crystalline tears that trickled from his eyelids and raced down soft rosy cheeks. Most watched in awe, unsure of how to approach the sobbing man before them. It was main dancer Star who intervened, offering up the sleeve of his designer shirt to dry all the poor boy’s tears. Fans uproared at such a heartwarming sight, their cheers shifting from the typical group chant into uplifting encouragement for Yejun.

“Cheer up Junnie!”

“We love you!”

Amidst the chaos did the hosts quickly slip a microphone into Hyukjin’s grasp and give him a knowing look. He nodded back gratefully before beginning a small speech, quieting the audience instantaneously as his voice demanded every last bit of attention.

“Thank you to all our rebels and everyone who believed in us. This win will not go in vain. Revolt will continue to do better.” Hyukjin bowed deeply in respect then passed the mic off to the next member beside him, allowing the others a chance to speak. The boys all gave hasty thank yous and cheers as they were being stared down from show producers off the side of the stage, rushing Revolt to finally make their exit. Though their moment was short–lived, the impact still lingered like a sweet aftertaste stuck to their tongues.

“I can’t believe we won...” Yejun softly whispered beneath a heavy breath, eyes red and sore, head still hung low to avoid letting anyone else continue to witness him in his pathetic state. Star and Hyukjin stood by either side of Yejun, the two instinctively creating a cover to hide and protect their fellow groupmate.

“I can.” Loon chimed in with his chin up high and eyes twinkling as he glowed under the dim backstage lighting, quite oblivious to Yejun’s sensitivity. “We worked hard for that win. We are the best. We just had to prove it.”

“Are you kidding? We still have to keep working hard. If we get too arrogant now... Well, I don’t want to jinx our good luck.” The maknae rapper Taejun said with a heavy sigh as concern took control of his expression in the form of knitted brows and curled lips turned downwards into a gloomy frown.

“He’s got a point,” Fellow member Yongrae added as he stepped in, avoiding eye contact as he simply stared down towards the floor. “Just because we won today doesn’t mean we’ll win again.”

For some time the boys all stood still in silence, looming over their questioning thoughts and self-doubt. Was their win just a of good luck? Would this really be the last time they ever see success? Or even worse, would their dark secrets come back to haunt them before they got a chance to prove their worth ever again?

Jihoon returned just in the nick of time with his camera phone out and ready, scoffing in disbelief at Revolt’s sorry faces.

“Why do you all look so glum? This is your first win, guys! I know the future being so unknown is scary, but we have to keep our heads up.” His sage words snapped the boys out of their dazes as they turned to face their senior and nod in understanding. Although they still harbored some doubts, they would have to expel those negative thoughts from their minds if they were to do their jobs properly.

Quickly they gathered together once more in the backstage hall, everyone shoulder-to-shoulder as their manager kneeled down to begin snapping pictures. The boys had on rather serious expressions as the looming bleak aura from their previous conversation was still fresh in their minds. Yet they tried their best to simply soak in this moment of victory before it dissipated away, making the most of it as they put up some peace signs and gave the camera their best.