#the fac thtat there's a gift w her in black hair holding the 'the show' trophy

[rkcheri]

◆  SBS THE SHOW   ━━━━ • • • ﹅ 럭스 ∙ EVERY NIGHT 1ST WIN !  ❪ ﹡* ❫

it’s been a week since every night promotions had began. it wasn’t said, but they all knew what their team had in mind when the idea of a b-side promotion was proposed. they were all vying for that number one spot. it’s been a week, and perhaps, mijoo had begun to lose hope on that becoming a reality.

sure, they were doing well on the charts. it was no number one, but it was amazing how well they were doing on the digital charts regardless of their nugu status. at this rate, maybe a first win wasn’t so out of reach? maybe not for this song, hopefully for the next.

they’re gathered at the end of the ‘the show’ taping. piled onto that stage like a bulk of sardines waiting for the news of today’s winner to be announced. mijoo has a light heart as she watches their seniors stand before them; her own head a excessive bobbing as she bows and greets each one that passes by her; pinching herself to stay alert whenever a new one happens to come within a foot of her peripheral.

it was what a good hoobae was supposed to do and mijoo was nothing but good when it came to appearances. her smile bright and humble, even more so when they’re as a quintet, are ushered to the front of the stage as they begin to announce the nominees for this week’s ‘the show’ winner. 

mijoo doesn’t think much of it -- it’ll be another nomination without any real rewards. their fifteen seconds of screen time and light fun as the camera pans to them before returning to the winners. this is what she thinks as she and nayoung wave at the cameras and she’s linking arms with dabin; making funny faces at one another at the thought that them? a first win? never, they were joking.

“congratulations --”

but the joke’s on her because suddenly they’re not making those funny faces any more, and the hand that had raised to the camera is no longer waving. it’s a fast press of her palm to her lips as she stares in surprise at the fans, shaking where they stood at the front, mouthing to the girls in congratulations. the disbelief is apparent, the bugging of her eyes exaggerating the surprise before reality hits and understanding cements just what had happened.

“LUXE!”

the ringing in her ears startle her, the applause is thundering ; the screaming that comes from the crowd, the people around them deafens her. and the words that come from the host’s lips as the award is shoved into her hands, has mijoo doing a double take – what happened? her eyes are wide in disbelief, unable to deliver words that are to come. she feels arms around her and the tears begin to blur her vision and before she knows it she hears a familiar voice in her ears. she turns to spy haseul and her arms in a soft embrace, one that mijoo takes comfort in, squeezing the other’s arm before waving her sincere gratitude the other’s way as she leaves the stage. a promise to see the other once the moment was truly over made in silence.

but the silence is short because every night slowly seeps into her ears and mics are passed around to each of them. they’re meant to sing, to laugh, to celebrate and yet, all mijoo can do is feel the tears spilling over her eyes as she continues to cry when she’s handed the trophy. it’s weight feels like her heart in her hands. a heaviness that’s so light, she feels as if the moment she let go it’d just disappear.

“oh -- uh ... first of all, thank you so much.” she bows her head, continuously, before rising; the back of her palm pressing into her cheeks as she speaks into the microphone. “for us to get this win, we’re all really thankful for all the love and support you’ve shown us throughout our ever night promotions. even though there’s still so much we have to improve, we want to thank you for believing in us and supporting us throughout it all. we’d like to thank our fans for all their hard work, as long as you’re happy, we’re happy to perform for you!” 

she bows her head each time a name is said, the tears beginning tip over her lashes at every word. “we’d also like to thank all of royal’s staff who’ve taken very good care of us since our debut; also our stylist team, our hair and make up team; our pd-nims who give us such amazing songs to perform, it’s a huge honor for us; jo soonyang teacher for helping us with our vocals, and yoo jaekyung teacher for creating such beautiful choreographer for each song, thank you!” 

“and we can’t forget to thank our royal sajangnim: so jisub sajangnim for believing in us and giving us this opportunity, too, thank you, thank you, thank you so much!”

there were so many other’s she wished to thank, of loves ones she wanted to pour her heart to; but the words die and she’s overcome by the tears as her hand pushes its way to her lips to muffle the sharp breath she takes in order to breathe. 

( the burden of february is far from her mind, despite her own thoughts coming to full throttle over the only person she wished to cry to; his award was on her shelf for her to keep. would it be too much to send him a picture of her own award for him to keep safe? the stress that had taken a hold of her is miles away as she revels in the joy that’s surrounding her. a part of her can’t wait to get to the waiting room, fingers on the keypad as she texts him -- hearts full and all: we won, rome. 

( was this the price to be won for his sacrifice? ) )

the conclusion of her speech is on the tip of her tongue, muting as she allows someone else to take their turn in saying thanks as she buries her head in seoyoung’s shoulder. her tears dampening the front of the other’s costume as she tries to keep her shudders to a minimum. the weight of a hopeful win had always been heavy at her shoulders; a promise she had made each time she had crossed paths with their ceo, with any of their teachers, any of their staff: it had always been empty, of disappointment after confused promotions had ended and there was nothing to really show for it.

but now, the weight felt like it had been lifted ( at least for now ): and mijoo finally felt like she could breathe again.

they had finally gotten their taste of victory.