Saturday. Five hours remained until the concert began.

Not only had entry not started yet—there wasn’t even a line forming—but Baek Haeweon had arrived early anyway.

“They said the concert’s in the evening. Why are you going so early?”

“I need to buy merch!”

And then, completely out of nowhere, he got support. Baek Haein sent him a whopping 50,000 won.

“What’s this?”

“You said you’re buying merch. Get something decent, not just dolls.”

“Anyone who doesn’t understand the charm of plushies is pitiful.”

Baek Haeweon was not the type to refuse money. With 50,000 won from his dad, 50,000 from Baek Haein, transportation covered by his mom, and even his emergency stash emptied out, he stood in the MD line with a full heart.

His bag grew heavy quickly.

To be fair, it had already been heavy when he left home. If the battery efficiency of the “Spirit of the People”—that’s what fans called the light stick—hadn’t improved, he would’ve had to bring twice as many spare batteries.

Baek Haeweon bought two T-shirts and two baseball caps. As the saying went, you could never have too many black tees and black hats.

After shopping, he joined acquaintances gathered on a nearby bench. Everyone was busy inspecting their freshly bought goods for defects.

After a small surprise party celebrating the end of the college entrance exam—something people had prepared for him—the conversation naturally shifted to Spark.

“Did you see Gunpowder’s light stick? It’s insanely eye-catching.”

“The light stick’s one thing, but that username is just way too intense....”

“All Sparkler usernames are like that.”

“No, but did you see this year’s Season’s Greetings?”

“Is there anyone here who hasn’t?”

They took proof shots with their light sticks against the concert venue banners, exchanged stickers and snacks, and even finished analyzing Sparkler fashion styles by favorite member. By the time they were done, the sun was beginning to set.

“It’s so funny how Jeho stans always wear something with #FF6600.”

“Are you mocking the Orange Squad right now?”

“They said Cheonghyeon’s dad showed up in the parking lot.”

“Sigh... he’s probably still in the car.”

“Do you think Seongjun will come?”

“The chance of meeting Jeong Seongjun is lower than winning a Spark fansign.”

“Guys, shouldn’t we go line up for entry now?”

Time flew as they chatted. After ticket checks, Baek Haeweon and his friends scattered inside the venue.

His ticketing had been a success. First row, center seat, first floor. His finger joints had held strong.

As he headed to his seat, Baek Haeweon noticed an orange A4-sized box placed on every chair. Reverse support.

He hurried over.

Welcome, Sparkler!

Before even taking off his outerwear, he opened the box. Inside were baked snacks, a slogan banner, a mini concert poster, a photocard set, a small fan, and more.

There was also a slim glow stick. The instructions said batteries were included. When he flipped the switch, a vivid red light stabbed into his eyes. Red lights flashed all around.

≫ Iwol again

He uploaded a post with a photo of the blazing red glow stick, then turned it off and continued reading the instructions.

Prepared by Spark! Emergency stick usage guide for safe concert viewing

The emergency stick contains batteries. Before the concert starts, please check if it lights up when switched on. If it does not, it can be exchanged at the “Emergency Stick Exchange Booth” on the first floor. (Wheelchair users may ask the waiting staff for assistance at their seats.)

In case of emergency, turn on the emergency stick.

.

.

.

Even though accidents were unlikely in seated standing sections, Spark was thorough. Just like when they had once included a police station map in their reverse support packaging.

Baek Haeweon had never once worried about an agency’s finances. Fans weren’t clueless about how much companies profited. They just tolerated it because they loved the idols.

But right now, he just wanted Spark to earn more money.

Reverse support is great! It boosts Sparklers’ morale! We’re happy for your warmth! But stop spending your own money!

While he tearfully sorted through the entry kit, the owner of the seat next to him arrived. Calm black styling, a giant black ribbon attached to the light stick. A Kim Iwol fan.

The fan opened their bag. A white, rounded shape peeked out.

‘A fansite master.’

Baek Haeweon immediately checked the security staff’s position. The fansite master was experienced. After a brief rustling, the zipper closed smoothly, and the bag was perfectly concealed again.

But fansite masters were fansite masters. Baek Haeweon still had things to do before the concert started. He needed to upload as many posts as possible before the crowd grew and data stopped working.

If you asked what kind of reviews he could post before the concert even began...

≫ If I’d known they’d give us fans, I wouldn’t have brought a handheld fan

But seriously, how did they know it’d be hot even at the first winter concert?? This is something you only see at veteran SBN concerts

≫ Why do these idols always have to feed us no matter what they do

≫ The photocard message is insanely touching

...this kind.

Baek Haeweon seriously considered starting a Sparkler vlog channel.

While reading through posts about the merch boxes, a new upload appeared on Jaei’s account. It included a verification photo of Kim Iwol’s photocard in a black ribbon top loader.

“...Wait.”

The fansite master next to him slipped the top loader back into their bag.

Baek Haeweon saw it clearly. The giant ribbon top loader.

‘It was Jaei!’

It wasn’t impossible in a crowd full of Sparklers, but it was still surprising.

“Excuse me.”

Jaei even spoke to him.

“Where’s the switch on this?”

Jaei held the emergency stick. They must have seen his earlier light show. Suppressing his panic, Baek Haeweon explained as kindly as possible.

“Thank you.”

Jaei nodded.

No, thank you. If it weren’t for you, I’d never have seen high-res sky-blue Kai suit Kim Iwol in my life... If security comes, I’ll throw myself in front of you...

Crying inwardly, Baek Haeweon made a vow. He thought seated standing would be easy—but now it felt like it’d be anything but.

Then—

The lights on the ceiling began to go out, one by one.

It was time for the concert to begin.

The concert title displayed on the large screens at both sides of the stage disappeared. A VCR played in its place. A familiar UA conference room appeared, along with the members.

“We need to give some kind of signal that something’s starting right before the concert begins. How do you all want to design the opening?”

Jeong Seongbin asked, making eye contact with each member.

“First... all the lights should go out.”

At Choi Jeho’s words, the last remaining main light shut off. Small cheers erupted throughout the venue.

“It’d be nice to hear instruments tuning... or session sounds....”

The moment Park Juu finished speaking, the sound of an electric guitar rang out from the dark stage. The deep bass thumped like Baek Haeweon’s heartbeat.

“Let’s put up a stopwatch too! It’ll make it more intense!”

A ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ stopwatch requested by Lee Cheonghyeon appeared on the central screen. The milliseconds ticked down rapidly.

“What about blasting a spotlight where we’ll first appear?”

A bright blue spotlight poured onto the center of the stage. Even seated, Baek Haeweon knew instantly.

That spot—that was the lift. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

“I want to see all the light sticks turn on too.”

As Kim Iwol said, orange lights lit up one by one across the crowd. Fans screamed and waved their sticks.

“I....”

Jeong Seongbin clasped his hands.

“I want to open with ‘Flowering.’”

The screens went dark.

A heavy iron door creaked open, echoing through the venue. Footsteps moved through the darkness, and fans raised their light sticks high.

“Sing it—

Until your hearts burst!”

With a newly rearranged intro, the lift rose from below, and the members burst onto the stage. Confetti exploded from the very first song.

“There are times

When a single dream feels so vivid”

Kim Iwol, who owned the opening, appeared. His voice—soft yet powerful—was exactly as Baek Haeweon remembered from the first time he heard him sing.

“In the long darkness of night

Unable to fall asleep

A force that makes my heart race”

When Choi Jeho stood at the center of the stage, you understood what kind of group Spark was.

No one could ever become like them.

Baek Haeweon—and all Sparklers—realized that again and again through Choi Jeho.

“With fuel filled with wishes

Ignite the spark

Send it into the night sky—

A single signal flare”

Kang Giyeon shone the brightest under the lights. No matter the choreography or expression, his eyes gleamed. That brilliance held far more than just passion.

“You know it too—

That we were born like a miracle”

Each line Kim Iwol sang had a pulling force—

“And even in the dark

A candle keeps burning

Shining its light”

—and Lee Cheonghyeon carried it forward, elevating the performance further.

Wherever he stood, whatever role he took, he executed it perfectly.

There was no better way to describe Lee Cheonghyeon.

“Let the warning sound

Let the cheers explode”

Jeong Seongbin’s voice alone could make hearts swell. Even when listening to his ballads, Baek Haeweon had always thought Spark’s songs suited him best.

Because his voice carried uplift.

“Until the world heats up

And burns hotter”

Spark all agreed—Park Juu’s life was music.

When he sang, it felt as if he became one with the song.

Listening to him live, it felt like everything else disappeared—leaving only that voice and yourself.

“A clear goal

Becomes our driving force”

“Push off the ground

Split the night

Where the Milky Way flows”

The screen filled with stars. A violet galaxy shimmered beyond the starlight.

“Look here—

I’ll show you a once-in-a-lifetime magic”

“Without anyone knowing

Break through the sky

Scatter like fireworks and shout—”

Lee Cheonghyeon gripped the mic and shouted. As if drawn in, Choi Jeho returned to center.

“My name—”

Flames shot up along the stage lines. Heat rushed over Baek Haeweon.

But he had already been burning long before that.

It didn’t matter.

The sound of fireworks layered over the track.

“Let the warning sound

Let the cheers explode”

“Until our hearts boil over

And overflow”

Breathless, drenched in sweat—yet smiling with pure joy.

The Spark Baek Haeweon had fallen for was right in front of him.