I’m happy. I’ve been happy for weeks now. Somehow Tokyo Dome concert did magic on us, definitely on me. Never before have I been complimented so much. It’s almost frightening how fast things can change. Last year I wasn’t even sure I could go on singing after surgery, after Taemin’s solo success and then Jjong’s. But now I feel great and everything falls into place.

Although Tokyo Dome was wonderful I’m glad the stadium tonight isn’t half as big. As Jjong said in an interview: even the runways in the dome were so long that we were out of breath before reaching the second platform. We’ll have a neat little concert here with 15.000 people, Shawols, the best fans in the world.

“Jinki’s in dreamland again”, I hear Minho’s voice and look up. Yeah, I should get ready instead. The guys are all in full make-up and costumes. I need to search for my shoes.

I find them underneath the costume racks: white dress boots, the same we wore during “Everybody”-promotion. Next to mine there’s a matching pair but significantly smaller. Why the is Taemin not ready yet? I turn around and there he is, discussing dance moves with Key. I look at his feet, he’s wearing bright red loafers, same colour as his top. When did they give those to him? I must have been further out in dreamland than I thought. Taemin notices me staring.

“The coordi-noona gave them to me. There must have been a costume-change. She said they told her to give them to me.” He stands next to Minho and looks almost as tall. “How many insoles are you wearing?” I ask. “None!” he says triumphantly and with a big smile, “that’s the best thing. They have kind of elevated fixed soles but are quite comfortable.”

“You know that fairy tale, don’t you?” Key asks. “”The red shoes”. Don’t be too happy about them.”

“Aaaah, you’re just jealous”, Taemin teases him.

“You wish”, Kibum says rather darkly and I wonder what’s bugging him. He has been quiet lately. I guess I should talk to him later.

The stage-director ushers us through the tunnel below the runway. We’ll be starting the show from the middle stage. The introducing track is already playing and we lie down on the platform that will lift us to the circular stage for our opening song. We’ll start again with “Everybody.” Jjong throws me a toothy grin and when I look over to Taemin I think I see a small red light reflection at his feet. Then we are elevated up and the music begins immediately.