"I'm sorry, but I'm not that smart."
I didn't understand what he wanted to say.
"So. . ."
After struggling to find the right words, Seo Rihyuk replied after the delay.
"It means don't give up."
"Oh, really?"
"However if you're going to give up in the middle or leave suddenly, I'll ask you to leave now. For everyone's sake."
At this point, I was curious.
What was behind the story that happened 2 years ago with the two trainees leaving and failing to make their debut that made one of them nervous and the other full of vigilance? Or was it because of yesterday when I said I gave up because of dancing?
He was very defensive.
Listening to him say, 'For everyone's sake' it seems the friendship between the trainees weren't bad. Seo Rihyuk pointed with his chin at Kim Bijoo through the window of the practice room.
"I don't know you yet, but Bijoo hyung lives in the practice room for more than 13 hours a day. The other members are the same too."
I listened to the story silently.
"Up until now, I've been living my life only looking forward to my debut, but I don't know what's going to happen if it goes wrong again this time."
"So, if I'm going to give up, give up now?"
"Yes."
I nodded gladly.
"Okay."
"What?"
"I'll give up now."
An absurd expression flew by on Rihyuk's face.
"What did you say?"
"You told me to give up if I'm going to give up in the middle."
His expression became urgent when he saw myself calmly muttering, "Should I pack my bags now?"
"No. So what I mean. . ."
"You're saying you don't want me to give up am I right?"
Rihyuk couldn't respond as if he was speechless, but soon nodded.
I smiled. How much experience did I have in fights? I survived in the midst of more than 100 trainees, but the situations were not fun.
Of course, the person in concerned may have said it because he was worried about his fellow members.
By the way, the friendship between these kids were amazing. Seeing that two of them said the same thing, it seemed that they were in a very caring atmosphere.
Well, it can't be help since I still feel like an outsider.
However, I felt a little drained of energy from hearing, 'Don't do anything that'll harm us in the future' so openly.
But what can I do?
He couldn't help it because I hadn't known him for a long time enough to build trust. If you don't get impatient and just focus on your debut, it'll be resolve.
"What did you talk about with Rihyuk?"
"Huh?"
"Your expression looks a little serious."
"It's nothing special."
Kim Bijoo, who was looking at me, smiled as if he knew what was going on.
"Rihyuk is a little clumsy at interpersonal relationships. Sometimes he'll misunderstand your words, so please understand."
"No problem, he's nice and kind."
Bijoo laughed at my words when I said he was nice and kind.
Seo Rihyuk, who came back in, passed by me like the wind and settled next to Kim Bijoo. The wary gaze was still there.
While I was thinking, 'I feel like I brought a stray cat home', the time gradually approached around 9 o'clock when the lesson will begin.
10 minutes before starting.
I saw someone come in through the wide opened door.
"Hey everyone! I'm here!"
It was the youngest of the trainees who shouted loudly like a newborn baby.
Wang Jiho.
He was a memorable type of friend because of his unique way of speaking.
Wang Jiho, who'll enter high school next year, was a classic handsome man. If he was a little bigger, he'll have the perfect mask on for being like the third-generation chaebol cast on TV. (chaebols are basically rich business family)
"By the way. . ."
Seo Rihyuk and Kim Bijoo were of similar height, but seeing that they have bigger physiques, I had a feeling that they'll be as tall as me when their growth period was over.
"Good morning Wooju hyung."
"Hi."
"I brought something for you."
The youngest, who was rummaging through his expensive-looking padded coat, carefully pulled something out.
"Do you like chocolate?"
"Thank you, I'll enjoy it."
"You can't run out of sugar while practicing."
I don't know which brand it was, but it was an overseas chocolate that looked expensive.
"Hey, Wang Jiho."
Seo Rihyuk's eyebrows became sharp.
"Why didn't you give any to Bijoo hyung or me?"
"Oh, I'm sorry."
The youngest smiled brightly.
"I came out in a hurry today and so I forgot about yours."
Then, he took out chocolate from his pockets and ate it while savoring it. The others didn't have it, but I did.
I accepted the chocolate thinking that his personality was very unique. Then I asked Rihyuk who was staring at my chocolate.
"Do you want it?"
"No!"
Bijoo smiled when he heard the fast reply, "Rihyuk, why are you in such a hurry to refuse?"
"That's how I am normally. Hyung." (Rihyuk speaking)
"Hey, when did you start acting like that hyung?" (Jiho speaking)
Wang Jiho and Kim Bijoo began to tease him when they saw him pretending to be innocent.
Rihyuk's ears started to burn up. (This tsundere is embarrass haha)
I thought he was edgy since he warned me harshly, but he turned out to be like the famous neighborhood book in this neighborhood.
While looking at the team's atmosphere in various circumstances, I asked the members, "Isn't there one more person?"
"Who? Oh, is it Junghyun?"
Kim Bijoo, who was looking at the clock, said to himself frowning.
"Is he late again? Well, It's not like it's his first time."
"Junghyun will probably come soon Wooju."
If it's Junghyun, he's probably referring to the tall and pale trainee that I saw yesterday. Bijoo said he was graduating next year with him. Listening to what he said, he seems to be late often.
9 am.
Just in time, the door opened, but it was not the other trainee. A dance trainer had come in.
"Hello!"
The teacher roughly greeted us who stood up and bowed. His face was very tired and feisty-looking, that it looked like he was telling me not to bother him or he was going to die of exhaustion.
The dance trainer yawned and said, "Everyone, sit down. It's annoying to look up."
He looked around and said.
"I thought I would die because of the end of the year evaluation. How come you all look so happy?"
"We're debuting teacher."
"Huh, I can't believe kids like you are debuting. It's the end. It's the end of the world." (The trainer is just messing/joking around haha)
"Why are you like this teacher? Sometimes you said we were the best before."
At Kim Bijoo's words, the trainer shook his head.
"That was then. If you go anywhere with these skills and say you're my disciples, you'll be in big trouble. Do you get it?"
"If anyone asks, tell them that Joo Yehyung did his best." (That's the trainer's name)
Only those who have been together for a long time shared laughter.
I just spaced out.
"By the way, 1, 2, 3. . . Wait, where's Junghyun?"
At that moment, a thumping sound was heard from afar as if a herd of cows approached.
Where did I hear this before? Was it when Simba's dad died in Lion King?
Click-
The trainee, who opened the door almost as if breaking it, came inside in a hurry, breathing heavily. Seeing that, Yehyung shook his head.
"It's a mess. It's a mess, Kim Junghyun."
"Sorry!"
"What's the reason for being late today? Did you oversleep again?"
"Ahhhh. . . !"
Kim Junghyun, who was pinched on his side by the dance trainer, twisted his whole body as if in pain. The other members laughed as if it was nothing.
"I'm sorry. I was late because I was feeding the hamster."
"Okay. Hamsters are important."
"Yes, I didn't eat much today, so until the end. . . argh!"
The face which was manly and imposing felt like its image (impression/reputation) was breaking down in a hurry.
Kim Bijoo, who was sitting next to me, laughed at my expression.
Kim Junghyun, who was scolded for being late, threw his backpack in the corner of the practice room and sat right behind me. I can still hear the gasping breath in my ears.
"Hello."
I replied with a smile to the greeting given by a deep, low voice. The dance trainer, who shook his head when he saw Kim Junghyun, seems to have though of something to say.
"New face, raise your hand."
I raised my hand.
"Did you all say hello?"
"Yes-"
"Then you don't have to introduce yourself."
Joo Yehyung was nodding as he closely looks at me as if observing me.
"He's so handsome even when I look at him again".
"Oh, thank you."
"What are you thankful for? I hate handsome people the most in the world."
At that moment, I was stunned and looked around. Everyone but me giggled.
I guess this is the type of character (personality) he was.
When Yehyung, who had been joking for a while, tried to talk about the progress of the lesson, the youngest raised his hand.
"Jiho, again, why?"
"Teacher, aren't we doing that? Since there's a new trainee that has come, let's do the ceremony."
At the youngest's word, Seo Rihyuk patted his shoulder like giving some common sense to the youngest. It was roughly along the atmosphere of, 'He said he quit because he couldn't dance.'
"What ceremony, another one?"
Even though it wasn't like the 2000s entertainment show now, Joo Yehyung was grumbling while looking at me as if he had just remembered something.
"Oh, that's a good idea. Come out and show us your dance new face."
"What?"
"You're a good dancer. Show it to these kids as soon as possible."
The trainees looked strangely at the trainer's words. It was because they definitely heard that I quit because I was bad at dancing, and yet the dance trainer said that I'm, 'a good dancer'.
Amidst the misunderstandings in communication between each other, the attention was focused on me standing up.
'It's kind of embarrassing.'
The dance trainer pointed with his chin as he said, "You guys should watch well, too. Look at how his dance line and the movements are connected. Maybe since he's from a larger company, he's good even after taking a break for two years."
I felt burdened that I suddenly became the representative of a large company. I connected my smartphone to the speaker feeling that I would not miss a single movement.
The song I was going to show them was SEE YOU by COLD BROWN which I practiced this morning.
* * *
Kim Bijoo wondered, 'He's good at dancing?' (We're on Bijoo's POV)
While having a meal at a meat restaurant yesterday, Seon Wooju briefly told the story of his trainee life.
"In the end, I gave up because I couldn't dance well."
I was worried when I heard that.
Vocals can be covered with the help of AR, so it was okay if it was lacking, but dance was another part that clearly differs with the naked eye. And so I was confuse at first, but soon decided to trust in director Cho Kyuhwan's perspective.
'If Director Cho picked him, there must be a reason.'
For those belonging to LEMON ENTERTAINMENT, Cho Kyuhwan and Chungmuro's entertainment were like the same person.
The hand of Midas that makes everything he touches successful.
The trainees believed in the eyes of a genius composer. However, apart from that, I was anxious to be honest.
It was a problem that he quit since he couldn't improved his dance after 6 years, but also that I had to take him who took a 2 year break from practicing and raise it to the level of debut in just half a year.
The road ahead was hopeless.
At that time, an unexpected scene unfolded in front of the trainees.
"Huh?"
The youngest, Wang Jiho, made with the shape of his mouth, 'Oh'.
He had a neat dance line.
Although there was no fancy technique, it was a neat dance without anything unnecessary.
'Does this make sense?'
I raised my eyebrows.
'That's not a move that can come from a person who took a break for two years.'
It's like Cold Brown was dancing in front of my eyes.
Everyone expressed the same exclamation when Wooju's body moved dynamically in accordance with the R&B beat.
The youngest whispered to Seo Rihyuk.
"Wow, don't you think he dances better than you?"
"Shut up, Wang Jiho."
"It's true, I'm only telling the. . ."
TAKK, hitting the throat with his knife hands! The youngest member cries making a noise. (TAKK is just a sound effect haha)
Seo Rihyuk, who had his mouth clenched, realized something strange while watching.
The two quiet hyungs. (Referring to Bijoo and Junghyun I think)
Rihyuk frowned at those who were silent.
"What? Why aren't any of you denying it?"
'What.'
Every time the trainer showed a certain movement, Seon Wooju would absorbed it as it was.
In one try too.
The trainees who saw him copying the choreography at the level of a human copy machine seemed to be amazed at first, but later was shocked as if they were looking at a monster.
At the end of the lesson, Rihyuk, who felt his position was in danger, asked, "Hey, are you good at singing?"
"No."
I heard a smile and muttering of, 'Maybe?'
'There's no way he can also be a good singer.'
However, the main vocalist's hunch became a reality.
* * *
5pm. Vocal lesson time.
The trainees sitting around the vocal trainer looked at one place.
Seon Wooju was calmly singing a ballad song.
"Your facial expressions are amazing. Doesn't he look like Yoon Chanhyuk?"
"You sing better than Junghyun."
"Hey, I'm a rapper. If I went to a kimbap store, will I come back with udon instead?" (Basically asking for the impossible kinda)
"Yes you will."
"Really? I'll have to go buy it later then."
What kind of conversation is this?
Bijoo laughed at the absurdity and smiled at Wooju who was singing in the middle of the lesson room.
It was absurd at first, but now I can only admire it.
'If it's to this degrees and he took a break for 2 years, how well was he originally?'
Unintentionally the misunderstanding were deepened on the first day. (There were many misunderstandings that happened on the the first day without them knowing day kinda wording. . . I suck at explaining lol)
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