Z E R O: The shattered stage
**Before we begin, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for picking up this book. I assure you, this will be an unforgettable experience. Now, without further ado…**
*"What you've patiently waited for, for tens of years, can suddenly appear as an overnight success."
— Anonymous*
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**Seven years before the present day.**
**Scene: Japan's largest New Year's Eve festival.**
The final countdown to midnight had begun, and the Kohaku Idol Festival was alive with electric anticipation. The crowd surged like a single, restless entity—more than 859,000 fans buzzing with excitement as they waited for the performance of a lifetime. The stage, massive and illuminated by vibrant lights, stood like a monument to the power of dreams and fandom. Yet, amidst the sea of screaming fans, three friends felt a growing unease, their eyes glued to the stage with a mix of hope and dread.
Clusters of fans chatted amongst themselves, forming pockets of conversation. One group of three was fixated on a specific idol.
The tallest of the group, a man with a confident smile, started, "My favorite is the team leader, Min-seo. No doubt about it, he's my bias."
The other two nodded eagerly in agreement. The smallest of the trio chimed in, "Yeah, Min-seo's been everyone's favorite ever since his debut three years ago. He's captured the hearts of every idol fan. No wonder he's the world's most beloved idol."
The only female in the group added with a bright smile, "Remember when he formed his own idol group? Their first song shattered the charts globally. I mean, it's perfection!"
The tallest one's smile wavered, a hint of worry creeping into his voice. "They promised us their best performance ever tonight. So why have we been waiting for over an hour? Could they be nervous?"
The girl shrugged, concern flickering in her eyes. "Maybe. They're still human, after all."
The smallest of the trio, determined to lift the mood, raised his voice. "Talking won't get them on stage any faster. Let's cheer them on! One, two— *RYUSEI SARANGHAE!*" he shouted, his voice ringing with passion. "Ryusei, we love you!"
His chant rippled through the crowd like wildfire. Within minutes, the entire stadium was roaring in unison, calling for their beloved idol group to deliver the performance they had promised. The anticipation was deafening.
But backstage, a very different scene was playing out. A nightmare.
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Min-seo, Ryusei's charismatic leader, lay motionless on the cold floor, a pool of blood slowly spreading beneath him. His lifeless eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, frozen in a final, tragic moment. The once electric atmosphere of preparation had turned to a scene of pure horror. The remaining members of Ryusei stood in shock, their world shattered in an instant.
Ji-hoon, the group's youngest member, turned pale as the sight overwhelmed him. Without a word, he bolted to the nearest exit and vomited, unable to stomach the grim reality before him.
As the fans' cheers echoed through the walls, Kaito Matsumoto, the group's main rapper, broke the silence with a grim determination. "Why don't I take the lead, just for tonight… until we figure out what to do next?"
Four of the five remaining members nodded reluctantly, but Hye-mi, the only female member, shook her head vehemently. "Are you serious, Kaito? You're a greedy asshole, and now you want to be the lead? You've got some nerve!"
Before anyone could intervene, the two idols launched into a heated argument, their grief twisting into rage. The once-glorious Ryusei was crumbling, and no one knew what to do.
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In the audience, a boy no older than ten stood out from the sea of excited fans. His cheers had been the loudest of all—until, suddenly, they stopped. His expression darkened, a grim shadow passing over his face as his thoughts turned inward.
What's going on? Why aren't they out yet?the boy wondered, his mind racing. This feels like déjà vu. Like two years ago… when they killed Joo Suheon. We waited then, too. We waited, and no one came out. Not again. Please, not again…
Frustration and helplessness swirled within him, but then, almost unconsciously, he began to sing. It was One Man Army, one of Ryusei's most iconic songs, and it had always been his go-to whenever he felt trapped or powerless. His voice was soft at first, but it grew stronger with each note, pushing back the fear gnawing at him.
He didn't care that the performance was delayed. This song was his sanctuary.
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Backstage
The manager of Ryusei, a man on the edge of a breakdown, tried desperately to calm the group. His voice, once commanding, now cracked with stress. "Guys, please. Calm down. We'll figure this out. Fighting won't fix anything!"
But his pleas fell on deaf ears. The group continued to bicker, their grief and fear boiling over.
Manager's POV
This is a nightmare, I thought, stepping out into the fresh air for a moment of clarity. My chest felt tight, and my mind raced. The world's biggest idol was just murdered, and I have no idea what to do.
I lit a cigarette, feeling the weight of the situation settle on my shoulders. This wasn't supposed to happen, I thought as the smoke curled into the night air. This was supposed to be our crowning moment. Our victory lap. But now? Now it's over. Everything is falling apart.
I took a long drag, my fiancée's voice echoing in the back of my mind, reminding me of my promise to quit smoking. But promises felt like distant memories now. What do I even tell the fans? They'll riot if we cancel. And Kaito… he's not ready to take the lead. Hell, he's not even close to Min-seo's level. But what choice do I have?
Frustration surged, and I crushed the cigarette beneath my foot with unnecessary force. We're f**ked. That's it. There's no way out of this.
Suddenly, something cut through my haze of despair—a voice. Pure, strong, and filled with emotion. Someone was singing One Man Army, and it was as if the song itself breathed new life into the air around me.
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. The voice was almost too good to be real. Could it be…?
I followed the sound, weaving through the crowd until I found the source—a boy, no older than ten, standing with his father. He was the one singing, and the power in his voice was undeniable. The kid didn't look like much, but his voice—his voice was a gift.
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Manager's POV (continued)
As I called the boy and his father backstage, I felt something shift inside me. For the first time since Min-seo's death, I saw a glimmer of hope.
The boy looked up at me, wide-eyed and uncertain. His father seemed confused, but I didn't care. This kid was something special.
I downed a bottle of water, still trying to catch my breath from the run. They probably thought I was insane. Maybe I was. But I knew, deep in my gut, that this kid was going to be the key to saving tonight.
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