Chapter 274 - Comeback (34): The Final Phase

The fans pounced on him collectively, beating him with everything they could find. They unleashed their fury on him, as he cried in pain.

"You dare attack our oppa again!" Sua screamed, kicking his groin.

"AHHHH!" the hitman cried in pain while Jinri twisted his arm. The other fans were using him like a punching bag, hitting every inch of his body. The hitman yelped in agonizing pain as they tortured his body mercilessly. He felt his ribs crack and the femur of his right leg also broke. He was supposed to be a professional killer and yet, the teenagers who were beating him up did not care. It was the question of their beloved oppa.

"Don't you ever touch our oppa again! Sua yelled, punching the man and knocked out his front teeth. The hitman spat out blood from his mouth, groaning as his body was being kicked and punched at.

Several guards arrived at the scene, shocked to find the fans beating up a man who was probably much larger than all of them. The fans were completely berserk and kept on beating him.

"Enough!" one of the guards stepped forward to stop them. His colleagues aided him and with great difficulty, they managed to separate the man from the angry mob.

"Let us take him in," the guard requested. "We appreciate your help but don't take the law into your hands! We'll punish him accordingly."

The fans glared at him but stopped their attacks. "If he tries to escape…" Sua threatened menacingly. "We'll set the whole stadium on him!"

The guards gulped in fear. Even though they were trained fighters, the anger of ardent fans was just on another level.

These people loved their idol. He was part of their everyday lives and inspired them through depressive periods through his music. It was his words which gave them the courage to endure the sufferings of their everyday lives. KJ was not merely a celebrity to them; he was a savior. So when it came to protecting their savior, they were ready to take up arms.

The hitman was a bloodied mess. His arms and legs were broken in the assault and he was barely conscious. His years of being a cold blooded killer stood no chance against the obsessive passion of the fans.

"Let's take him to Riggs," one of the guards said. They half carried the injured man while the fans followed suit, ready to attack again if needed. One of them even took out a handkerchief and carried the rifle as evidence. The fans emerged from the hidden chamber, feeling triumphant.

It was now time to enjoy their oppa's performance.

….

KJ stood in the middle of the stage. Even though he was unaware of what had happened, he knew that his plan had worked. There was nothing more to fear now. It was showtime.

The audience went hush as the spotlights went off until it was complete darkness. Suddenly, a single light shone from the stage. A leaf green lightstick which was held high like a symbol of hope.

One by one, lights began to pop up from the audience. The green color was filling up the entire stadium like fireflies in a forest. There was no other light but the green orbs were enough to brighten up the whole place. The ocean of green was creating happy waves as the fans swayed their hands to support their beloved KJ.

Mirae watched in awe as the green ocean swept the entire place, creating an enchanted forest. It was a sight to behold. Unknowingly, a single drop of tear fell from her eye as she, too, held her lightstick up high.

Amidst the lightshow, KJ's voice began to echo into everyone's ears.

"All these years," he spoke into his handheld mic. "I've only been selfish. I've given up many things to perform for myself on this stage. There was not a moment in these ten years when I've truly performed for fun."

He let out a relaxed breath. "But tonight," he went on. "I'm here for you! I'm here because of all of you! It took me months, but I'm finally here again to perform for all of you who love me. Tonight, I want to thank every one of you for not giving up on me! This song...it's my small token of gratitude for everyone who believed in me."

The audience broke into the loudest cheer yet. Amongst them were Sua, Mina, Jinri and their comrades who had just handed over the culprit to the authorities and returned to watch their idol on stage again.

"Everyone, chant the slogan!" Sua shouted. Her group soon burst into the designated song of their fandom.

"Who's the best? Kwon Jiwon!

B-E-S-T Kwon Jiwon

We love who? Kwon Jiwon

Nation's Idol Kwon Jiwon!"

Thousands of fans chanted the slogan on the top of their lungs. They were so loud that even KJ's voice was being drowned amidst their cries. He was overwhelmed by the fans' response as he fought back his tears. Never had he felt so happy. Not only was his wife cheering for him but his fans were there too, giving him their wholehearted support.

For the first time, he was glad that he had chosen to leap through time simply for that single moment.

With his satisfied heart and peaceful mind, his began to sing in his deep voice.

""The love we had shared

The memories we created

A canvas of happiness

Painted against the white walls"

The fans were overjoyed to hear their idol's voice again. They could not help but cry at those beautiful lyrics as their heart bled to sense the feelings he was conveying to them. His presence on that stage was the greatest gift he could give them.

"I see you remember me with fondness

Even time could not replace

The strength of our feelings"

With every line, he delved deeper into his heart. His mind flashed with all the happy memories he had spent with Mirae in both the timelines. The instances when they bickered, the moments they treasured, their love for each other. His mind was full of inexplicable thoughts which he expressed through his song.

The fans began to sing with him, keeping on par with each and every of his emotions he was trying to emote.

"Our meeting was like magic

We were lost souls

Who found each other

Carved each other's name

Into our hearts"

Yes. His first meeting with Mirae was carved into his heart. Her green eyes which captivated him the moment they met over twenty years ago as children. The eyes which shed many tears for him due to his recklessness. The eyes which had almost been shut forever. The pain of their separation still remained with him.

"Once upon a time

We met and fell in love

Your eyes search for me

I see you but your eyes are lost

Why can't you see me?

Am I not in your heart anymore?"

But he was. He was in her heart. Mirae watched her husband, beaming proudly as his words touched the very core of their souls. They were connected by something more than love. The workings of fate were strange. Even though they had not realized it before but they were meant to be together. She knew it.

"Our story may be incomplete

But our love isn't

The memories we created

The painting we made

Our feelings for each other remain

I see you remember me with fondness

Even time could not replace

The strength of our feelings"

But it was no longer incomplete. Their story was just beginning and there was no end to it. Only a journey, a long and beautiful journey. The dangers they were in no longer mattered as long as they were together. They had only begun to write their story. It was time for them to truly live.

KJ closed his eyes as he ended the song. The audience erupted into an explosive cheer as they shouted his name, raising the hope in him. It was the best music he had ever heard, the sound of pure and una.d.u.l.terated happiness.

Suddenly, a chill went down his spine. Amidst the beautiful music was a hateful cry. He did not know why but he could not open his eyes. Someone was looking at him directly with a malicious intention.

Gathering his courage, KJ slowly opened his eyes. Even though it was a crowded stadium, he met those cold eyes. The man was standing in the front row, unaffected by the celebrations around him. He was simply watching KJ with an impassive expression. But he did not hide the hatred hidden in those eyes.

Instinctively, KJ knew who it was. He could tell the man was wearing a fake skin mask. The man would not do anything more today. He was only studying his target that day. And he was done learning.

The man slowly disappeared into the crowd. KJ was no longer scared but he knew they would confront each other one day. The man may have let him win the battle for that day but the war was still far from over.

They were now entering the final phase.