Chapter 36 – The Dares He Didn't Take
Behind the Gold: AUREUS Unfiltered – Episode 2
Dare 12 & 13 of 13
Live Global Viewership: 943,771,103
Studio Status: Shaken, Reeling
The air still hadn't returned to the studio.
Jaeheon's 138-line declaration—his vow of love in every language he knew—still clung to the set like a stormcloud that refused to pass. Even Jeon Mira, veteran host of countless high-stakes live shows, was visibly rattled.
Jeon Mira (half-laughing, still stunned):
"I—Okay. I can't top that. Nothing can top that. But we still have two dares left."
She forces a smile and pulls the next card with dramatic flair.
Jeon Mira (reading):
"Dare Twelve… oh."
(She clears her throat.)
"Post a raw audio voice note of yourself singing an unreleased song. No edits. One take."
The members groan in sympathy.
Minjae (mock horror):
"That's brutal."
Hyunjae:
"That's actual psychological warfare."
Jeon Mira:
"Jaeheon?"
He doesn't even lift his head. Still seated, still composed—but visibly drained. His fingers tap against the folded paper once, twice, before he murmurs lowly—
Jaeheon:
"…I'll do it if I have to."
Eunjae (interrupting):
"No."
All eyes snap to him.
Eunjae (calmly):
"I'll take Dare Twelve."
Jeon Mira (blinking):
"You're sure?"
Eunjae (grinning faintly):
"I've never gone viral for crying on a vocal track before. Might as well try."
Minjae:
"Oof, that's a risk."
Eunjae (grinning wider):
"Then it's a dare."
He takes the mic and opens his phone. No music. No instrumental. Just a still silence before his voice slices clean through it—pure, soft, full of aching tone. A lullaby-like melody flows from his mouth, rough around the edges but unmistakably heartfelt.
It isn't perfect.
And that's what makes it feel real.
When it ends, the audience claps—not out of politeness, but awe.
Jeon Mira:
"Alright, alright, last dare! Lucky number thirteen. Let's go."
She draws the final card and pauses.
Jeon Mira (laughing nervously):
"…I swear I didn't plan this."
Jeon Mira (reading):
"Dare Thirteen. Dance with one of your members to the most ridiculous love song we can find."
Groans again.
Hyunjae:
"Who wrote these?"
Jeon Mira (grinning):
"That's confidential."
Jaeheon (quietly):
"…I'll do this one."
He starts to rise, but a hand lands on his shoulder.
Yeonwoo:
"No. Sit down."
Jaeheon:
"Yeonwoo—"
Yeonwoo (firm):
"You just confessed your love in 138 languages. You're not doing a parody slow dance to 'Barbie Girl.'"
Jeon Mira (laughing):
"Oh no, that's not the song—"
Suddenly, speakers blare the chosen track. It's "My Heart Will Go On"—but the parody remix version. Complete with airhorns and trap beats.
Sungchan:
"I'll do it. Yeonwoo and I can duet this."
Yeonwoo (groaning):
"No—no, no I didn't agree to—"
Too late. Sungchan drags him to center stage, throws a pink feather boa around both their shoulders, and proceeds to execute what can only be described as a theatrical performance of comedic romance. Twirls, fake dips, slow-motion longing stares—it's chaotic, utterly ridiculous, and exactly what the studio needs.
By the time they collapse in a heap, wheezing with laughter, even Jaeheon is smiling faintly.
Jeon Mira (wiping tears):
"That… was beautiful. Tragic. Cinematic."
The members return to their seats, disheveled and laughing.
A beat passes.
Jaeheon looks at them—really looks—and says, voice low and even:
Jaeheon:
"…Thank you."
They all pause.
Jaeheon (genuine):
"For taking my dares."
They go still.
No one says anything.
But Yeonwoo nudges his shoulder.
Yeonwoo:
"Shut up. We're not letting you slow dance after that love letter you pulled."
Sungchan:
"Besides, we look better in pink boas anyway."
The laughter resumes. The tension softens.
And as the lights dim to signal the end of Episode 2, the camera lingers on Jaeheon.
His face composed. Silent. And unreadable.
But in the shadow of the set—his folded papers still in hand—it's clear:
He said all he needed to.
The rest?
The world will see soon enough.