Excitement and unease overflowed in the intermediate class.
But the air in the advanced room? Cold and heavy. Like something was about to snap.
Yejun and Li Xingyuan were wrapping up their morning acting class. The atmosphere in the class could be described as tense, even more so than the intermediate classes. And the cause? It was none other than Lee Minsoo. The trainees in the advanced class had the highest chances to be placed in the debut lineup—and the silver-eyed teen's arrival had lit a fire under each of them.
Yejun drank water, his throat parched from voicing lines. He cast a cautious glance toward the far end of the studio, where a few of their teammates were gathered in low, urgent conversation. Yejun's stomach twisted.
If Minsoo joins, the competition will just get tougher. Everyone in here wants a chance to debut.
Beside him, Li Xingyuan was casually stretching. In contrast to Yejun's worry, he seemed almost excited. His eyes were sharp and confident, wearing a crooked grin.
"Can you believe this timing?" Yejun murmured under his breath, just loud enough for Li Xingyuan to hear.
The red-haired boy shifted his attention to the teen beside him. "Heh, definitely the prime time to join. Although the company hasn't said anything officially about a new debut, there's been signs of something brewing in the background. Not to mention, the last month's evaluation was different than usual."
"How so?"
"For the past few months, the company had only been focused on one category; changing it every evaluation. This time, they had each trainee showcase everything. I think they might be preparing a pool of trainees to pick for a debut team. Maybe a pre-debut lineup."
Yejun was surprised. To be honest, he hadn't expected Li Xingyuan to be the thoughtful type. Then again, it was Yejun's first monthly evaluation in Starlite Media—he wouldn't have come to that conclusion on his own. Though, Yejun had an inkling feeling that Li Xingyuan was sharper than he let on. Was the whole carefree act just a front?
Yejun lowered his gaze in thought. "If that's the case, this is more pressing than I thought."
Li Xingyuan eyed Yejun's pensive state and clicked his tongue. "I didn't bust my ass for two years to get this close and then lose it all just because all because Minsoo walks back in."
"Don't underestimate him," Yejun warned quietly. "Minsoo's good. Heck, he even got second place in the damn survival show. The company will love that the fans love him."
A flash of irritation crossed Li Xingyuan's face. In his slight frustration, he ran a hand through his hair. "I know. I've seen him. And yeah, he's impressive. But I'm not scared. Ha! If if they want a fight, I'll give them one. Just got to outperform him, plain and simple."
Yejun cackled, very amused. "I can't tell if you're stupid or confident—"
"—Hey, I think you mean charming."
Yejun rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah—charming." Seeing Li Xingyuan's brazenness eased his nerves a little. "Anyhow, we just have to make sure we get in."
Li Xingyuan nodded, then tilted his head towards a couple of boys on the other side of the room. "If I had to guess, Hajoon should be more worried. Not us." When Li Xingyuan saw Yejun's confused expression, he smirked and said, "Should I let you in on some history?"
As Li Xingyuan spoke, Yejun's eyes widened little by little.
Two years ago, during the big agency-wide audition for the survival show, it had come down to Hajoon vs. Minsoo for the coveted spot. The company had put its weight behind Minsoo, and Hajoon had been left in the shadows. It was no secret that Hajoon was frustrated about it, dare say even harboured resentment.
Almost as if on cue, the door to the practice room slammed open. Hajoon stormed in, a scowl darkening his face. He must had overheard at least a snippet of talks about Minsoo outside. The room went quiet as the tall, broad-shouldered trainee crossed the floor. Nearly everyone in the class knew why he was acting this way. After all, most of the trainees in the advanced class were there during that same big agency-wide audition.
Hajoon sat on the floor, offering no greeting to anyone.
Yejun and Li Xingyuan exchanged a glance but said nothing. They could practically see the anger rolling off Hajoon in waves.
Li Xingyuan leaned closer to Yejun.
"Yeah... he's definitely not taking this well."
Yejun only nodded in agreement.
...
Hajoon knew everyone was watching him—but he didn't care. He dropped down onto the floor, head low, one knee pulled up to his chest. His fingers curled tightly around it, knuckles white with frustration.
How is this fair? He seethed. I've been here, putting work every single day. And now he just waltzes back in...
The memory of that survival show decision was still as clear as ever. He had stood on that brightly lit room, hands balled into fists at his side, heart thundering in his ears as they announced the chosen trainee. He remembered the exact moment they called Minsoo's name instead of his—the eruption of cheers Minsoo, and the way his own vision had tunneled in shock.
That night, he had forced himself to smile and clap on camera, congratulating the boy, but inside he'd felt something crack apart.
Wasn't he just as impressive as Minsoo? He had been in the company for much longer. How could they have chosen someone else?
Now, that same boy was back. After all Hajoon's efforts to claw his way up since then, building himself into a prime candidate for the next debut, Minsoo was here to threaten it all over again. Hajoon's grip tightened around his knee once more, the fabric of his sweatpants crumpling under the compression.
He took my chance. Not again.
And it wasn't just Minsoo that Hajoon had to worry about. There were other headaches too—trainees who had been climbing up in the ladder. Damien was one; the kid that had been making steady progress and turning heads in the classes. Then there was Li Xingyuan, the prodigy who took over his number one spot as soon as Minsoo left, and Kian, who always managed to place high in the evaluations no matter what he did to stump him.
The competition was already fierce, and he'd already dealt with some others who he thought were a threat to his position. But Minsoo's return piled on a whole new level of pressure.
He wouldn't admit to being afraid—no, he told himself it was just anger, pure and simple.
Let Minsoo come, he thought grimly. I'll train twice as hard, three times. I'll show the company I deserve that debut spot, not him.
With that resolve burning in his chest, Hajoon finally stood up. The other trainees kept a cautious distance; no one wanted to get in his way right now. Hajoon preferred it that way.
If he was going to fight for his dream, he'd do whatever it takes.
And once and for all, he'd show his family that his dream wasn't some phase—it was real, and he was willing to bleed for it.