Managers & Money (3)

"This will not be a full fledged comeback, but just an additional song to ride the wave of success." Team Leader Changmin explained. "Beach Day was a refreshing summer concept with youth, however, in the name of ASCEND, we want to try different concepts for each and every release."

Joon-woo held an inward sigh. The tension in the room was already high, as the company was under fire because of ASCEND or Mr Jeong, as some of the higher ups knew. Glances were being exchanged under the tired and overworked eyes.

Team Leader Changmin brought his laptop to face the long meeting table, "This is what we have for the single… our general producer had a very different concept this time around." Hesitantly, the team leader pressed play on a mp3 file…

"[I can hear it callin'

The way we are,

Dancin' up our bodies]"

Joon-woo sighed at the almost immediate jump to a sexy concept. Sure he was eighteen now, but did they really have to be so hasty towards a more mature concept? All the English speakers made faces. Jung Hyun-Ok cast a surprised glance towards Reggie and Reggie towards Joon-woo. 

"[Do you hear the music?]

Yeah, just like that–

Let's make this night a great one —"

Mi Yong raised an eyebrow at the suggestive Korean. It was a jump and a half for sure… 

Joon-woo figured the single would be more centered around Ryeo Hyun, Mi Yong, and Jung Hyun-Ok, after all they had a more mature air around them. Perhaps that was better for balancing the fame levels between the members, as Reggie and Joon-woo were much more known, even out of the name of ASCEND.

"Do you feel the heat?

Can you feel me?"

Instrumental followed, silencing the room in all the wrong ways.

"Yeah, yeah–

Can you feel me?

[Fee– Feel me?]

Can you feel me?"

Sure, the Ha-rin in Joon-woo didn't have much reaction, his mental age far past the suggestive nature of the song. Clearly, though, he had to show some sort of concern, just to satisfy the pity of his bandmates. 

"[I'm callin'–]

Do you get my calls? 

I'm missing all our fire–

Can you hear me? 

Don't drag along my love, girl–"

"Bangin' and Bangin' 

Don't you miss my touch? 

Girl, I miss your voice

Girl, I miss your hands

And I miss the way they eloped my hair–

Don't leave me hangin' here, 

I can't be hangin' here–"

The rap made Joon-woo a bit relieved, at least he wouldn't have to rap those lines… Baek Du-Ho seemed not too uncomfortable too, so perhaps it was only he and Reggie a bit uncomfortable. 

"[I can hear it callin'

The way we are,

Dancin' up our bodies]

I can hear you want me

Again, again

So don't forget you want me–

[Girl, don't ever forget me…]"

The very last line was spoken, rather than sung or rapped. 

ASCEND all made awkward eye contact, though Team Leader Changmin seemed satisfied. 

"While last comeback there wasn't a defined center, this time it is different. We felt Reggie-ssi matched the vibe of the song very well, so please do your best…" Team Leader Changmin informed, making Reggie tense up more. 

Joon-woo squeezed the other's hands in reassurance. Watching Reggie's eyebrows unscrunch and his facial muscles relax. 

"Yes, senior." Reggie replied. 

Relieved, Team Leader Changmin nodded, "Good. Then I'll show the choreography video now."

–+–

Mi Yong and Joon-woo exchanged a glance when the Team Leader dismissed all the staff in the room. In leader fashion, Mi Yong stood first, approaching the tired looking Team Leader with a faux hesitant expression. 

The staff had cleared out by then, overworked with the sudden popularity of the company. But Team Leader Changmin had papers to organize and wires to unplug. 

To win favor, Joon-woo began to assist the Team Leader in gathering the paper stacks. 

"Team Leader-nim, I—" Mi Yong stuttered uncharastically to the professional way he usually worked. 

Team Leader Changmin tilted his head in the face of an anxious-acting Mi Yong. 

"Is it possible to have a word with you..?" Mi Yong looked back to the rest of ASCEND huddled by Mr. Jeong, "Without them." 

Joon-woo handed the Team Leader the papers and nodded along with Mi Yong. 

Team Leader Changmin looked back and forth, "Uhh–"

"Yong-ssi, Joon-woo-ssi!" Mr. Jeong yelled out, "Let's go, you have to meet Emily to learn the choreo." It was the harsh tone that they were looking for. 

Joon-woo flinched, Mi Yong squeezing his shoulder in comfort. Team Leader Changmin raised a brow. 

"Please." Joon-woo whispered, so only those in proximity could hear. 

Team Leader Changmin nodded slowly, realizing the vague situation. 

"Just let me clock out." He replied, "I'll call you." 

Mi Yong nodded, relief flooding through him like never before.