14. Member (2)

14. Member (2)

I sat on the floor of the practice room, where the heat was still present, and took a breath. Ryu Hyun-seung sat next to me.

"... are you not going today?"

"Yes. I've already taken care of all the urgent matters. I'll just finish work here."

"Thank goodness. You've been so busy that you haven't even been able to come to our dorm for a while."

"There's nothing I can do."

I checked the schedule app on my phone, organized the things I had completed and things I had to do one by one, and rubbed my heavy eyes. It was really hectic because I had lessons, practice, and even prepare for producing.

I haven't even been able to go to our dorm for the past few days because I've been working all night at the company. I thought I'd done a lot, but there's still a mountain of work to do.

'I've been so focused on work since the meeting ended.'

Two major changes have occurred in the meantime. One is Planet-related matters. Han A-won hasn't woken yet, but Planet has decided to continue various personal activities, including SNS. It seems like they're not going to do regular activities like an album, but will only appear on radio or as a regular panelist.

This was the first official information released two months after the accident.

The other one was related to the new members. I said to Ryu Hyun-seung while joking to lighten the mood.

"Hyung, it is feeling more comfortable now when we're talking."

"Huh...? Are you uncomfortable talking to me?"

"No. I just said that I'm glad we've become close."

Exactly.

I've been putting a lot of effort into getting close to the new members. Ryu Hyun-seung in particular was hard to talk to because of my first impression, but these days, we often have playful conversations like this.

On the contrary, the one who was harder to get close to was not Ryu Hyun-seung but Seol Yi-soo. He seemed friendly at first glance, but you couldn't tell what was inside, so he was hard to approach. Hwang Bo-kyun, what.......

"You guys seem close? It makes me jealous."

"Hey, we're close too, hyung."

I joined the conversation naturally like this, so it wasn't awkward.

I smiled contentely and stretched. Ryu Hyun-seung pushed my back, trying to help me. I almost got my leg ripped off. I asked Hwang Bo-kyun for help, but he misunderstood and ripped my leg off too.

"....."

"Haha, I'm sorry."

"...I'm sorry."

After staring at the two, I averted my gaze and turned my shoulder. It definitely felt like my body now.

Hwang Bo-kyun, who had been staring at me, said.

"But Young-i, your movements have become much more natural since you first came here?"

"Can you tell?"

"Oh. You practiced so hard, it seems to be working."

If Hwang Bo-kyun said that, then I must have really improved. Ryu Hyun-seung also gave a silent affirmation, and my mood became a little excited.

'No, I shouldn't get excited. I am finally back to square one.'

Up until now, it felt like I was wearing clothes that didn't fit, but now it felt like I found my size. I am finally at the starting line.

If I had to compare it to before, it would be my skills from my first year of debut. So I have to work even harder to avoid being talked about. Everything about me was aligned with the heyday of Han A-won.

"Where are the other members?"

"Aram went to wash up, and Yi-soo hyung went to drink water. Han-gyul... He's lying down over there."

I looked around and saw Baek Han-gyul lying down like a corpse. He's doing that again.

I called him in the most affectionate voice I could.

"Han-gyul."

Baek Han-gyul, who was lying down, flinched. Holding back a sigh, I paused for a beat and asked again.

"Are you alive?"

"Yes......."

Baek Han-gyul rolled over, dragging out his words. His face was pale, so much so that I worried that he was sick.

As I was wondering if I should poke his cheek, Baek Han-gyul opened his eyes.

"Hyung, why do idols have to be skinny?"

It was a really random topic.

But I took my jokes off and continued the conversation seriously.

"Because when you take pictures with a camera, you look fatter than you actually are?"

"But there are many actors who build muscle, right?"

"That's different. Just like they build their bodies to fit their roles, we build our bodies to fit the stage."

"Still. There must be some people who like muscles."

Of course, there are people who have that kind of taste. But... I am sure that not many people would want to see young kids showing off their muscles.

"You can do things like muscles and sexiness later when you're older. It doesn't suit you now."

"What's wrong with showing off your young body? Young body..."

"That's it. For now, just do whatever I say."

"Yes."

I thought Baek Han-gyul had lost his mind because of his lack of stamina. It seems like he really doesn't like eating the diet menu.

I looked at Baek Han-gyul, who was full of complaints, and chose my words calmly. For now, it was time to reason with him.

"The concept is important when you debut. If you set the concept like that now... it'll be hard to break away from the image later."

"You're saying the image?"

"Yeah. Because the group image or style gets set. The demand will inevitably be limited."

"Hmm?....."

"In the beginning, it's better to maintain a slightly thin body in order to digest various concepts."

Only then did Baek Han-gyul nod. He still looked unconvinced, but he seemed to understand what I was saying.

"Then, can you reduce the dance practice a little bit......."

"Oh, no."

At the firm answer, Baek Han-gyul's whole body sagged like dried spinach.

What am I going to do when you're so weak? I held back a sigh and rummaged through my pockets.

"Here, eat this."

I took out a glucose candy from my pocket and threw it at Baek Han-gyul. Baek Han-gyul's eyes widened and he got up in a hurry. Then, as soon as he received the candy, he swallowed it in one bite. His face was moved, perhaps because it tasted like sweet fruit.

"Thank you......!"

"If it's hard to maintain the diet, I'll tell the staff, so for now, just endure it."

"Young-ah, what about me?!"

"....."

Hwang Bo-kyun abruptly cut off the conversation. While I was talking to Baek Han-gyul, he just watched with an excited expression, but he never misses this moment.

Peace came only after I gave glucose candies to Hwang Bo-kyun and Ryu Hyun-seung, who were looking at me with bright eyes.

'They really are very hands-on guys.'

For a moment, I tilted my head with a strange sense of foreboding. I think I've given glucose candies to someone before .......

'....... That's right. Red ginseng juice and nutritional supplements!'

I forgot to order because of my encounter with Lee A-ram's Sasaeng. I'm glad I remembered now.

After ordering red ginseng juice and nutritional supplements, two people who weren't in the practice room came in. Hwang Bo-kyun walked briskly with his long legs toward Seol Yi-soo.

"Yi-soo hyung, I'll have a sip of water too."

"Okay, here you go. But what are you all eating?"

Seol Yi-soo looked around after handing Hwang Bo-kyun a water bottle. I took out a glucose candy and shook it.

"Should I give it to my hyungs?"

"Yes, I'd appreciate it if you gave it to me."

"I'm fine."

I gave glucose candy to not only Seol Yi-soo but also to A-ram, who had refused.

A-ram said with his eyes, "What kind of thing is this?" but I ignored him. Fortunately, he didn't seem to hate it.

If there was one person who had changed the most since moving to Label, it was definitely A-ram. His face had become much brighter than before. His dark circles had decreased, and his sensitive personality had softened a lot.

But to me, he still looked dangerous.

'He only goes out when our manager is there, and he always checks his surroundings when he arrives at our dorm.'

A person who didn't know him well might think he was oversensitive, but I understood his behavior. It wasn't the first or second time I'd seen something like that, and I'd even witnessed a sasaeng with my own eyes.

Fortunately, nothing dangerous had happened during that time.

Judging from the fact that Aram's cell phone was also silent, it seemed like the number hadn't been sold yet.

"I'll eat well."

".. Thank you."

I got up with the two's thanks as background music. It was almost time to leave work.

At that moment, someone opened the practice room door and came in. The new protagonist was a young, handsome man I had never seen before and Director Kwak In-hyuk.

What is that guy doing at this hour? I bowed my head without any time to wonder.

"Hello."

"Yes. Hello."

Director Kwak In-hyuk scanned the practice room. Even Hwang Bo-kyun and Baek Han-gyul, who were unrivaled in terms of friendliness, were nervous.

He came in and sat down, holding his weight. I stepped forward in front of the members who were hesitating.

"What are you doing here, Director Kwak?"

"Oh, I came here in person to introduce you to a new member."

Everyone was surprised at the words 'new member'. Soon everyone's eyes turned to the man next to him.

The man was a classic handsome man, or rather, he had an actor-like aura. He opened his tightly shut lips and slowly began to introduce himself.

"My name is Ahn Jung-woo. I'm 18 years old."

"He's a trainee I personally cast. The CEO gave me permission. You'll be living together in the future, so get along well."

The fact that we'll be living together means that this guy was also cast as a debut group.

Thinking about it, I understood that there were additional members since they didn't say that the number of members was finalized. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that Director Kwak In-hyuk was annoying.

'You haven't told me such an important fact until now?'

Let's say you're ignoring me for the umpteenth time. But shouldn't we communicate while working together?

But he added a variable without saying anything. Even though he knew that I was looking at the members' personalities and creating the concept and group image.

'It's the same now. He came here on purpose.'

How could he possibly come to such a precious place just to introduce a trainee? He must have moved under calculations. He knew I couldn't express my dissatisfaction in front of him, so he took advantage of me. If I openly resist a director here and rumors spread, I would be in trouble.

"Do you have anything to say?"

Shameless jerk. I didn't give in and smiled brightly.

For a moment, I suspected that he brought him here because of his connections, but I quickly dismissed that thought. If CEO Son Dong-young had allowed it, that wouldn't have happened.

"You must be busy, but you're introducing him like this. I guess you really cherish our new friend."

"After all, he's such an outstanding friend. It's natural to cherish an outstanding child."

This is... a roundabout way of saying that you're not outstanding.

I lowered the corners of my eyes, pretending to be an innocent kid who doesn't know anything.

"Is that so? Now that you say it, I'm looking forward to it. Isn't CEO Son Dong-young's eye for talent trustworthy?"

By intentionally cutting out Director Kwak In-hyuk, who cast Ahn Jung-woo, and only praising CEO Son Dong-young, I acted coquettishly, saying, "We all know he is the CEO, right?"

Director Kwak In-hyuk's smooth eyebrows cracked as if he understood what I meant.

"You can look forward to it. Anyway, I'll be going now, so take care."

Director Kwak In-hyuk left the practice room without looking back. It seemed like he had decided that we had accepted the situation.

I also calmed down, trusting in CEO Son Dong-young. There is nothing to lose. Just looking at Ahn Jung-woo's face, I can definitely see that he will be helpful to the group.

Ahn Jung-woo rolled his eyes as if he was embarrassed for a moment. Soon after, he bowed as if the loading was finished.

"Please take care of me."

"Wow, hyung, you're really handsome. We don't have any territoriality, so please feel free."

Baek Han-gyul was the first to greet Ahn Jung-woo. I always think about it, but he's really nice and has a good personality.

"The youngest, be quiet for a moment~ You said you were Jung-woo, right? Nice to meet you."

Following Hwang Bo-kyun's guidance, the members greeted Ahn Jung-woo. An Jung-woo was impeccably polite and courteous. To the point of being excessive.

'Can a boy his age do that?'

When he's with people his age, his posture should be relaxed, but he still maintains a straight posture. Hwang Bo-kyun asked him a question as if trying to ease Ahn Jung-woo's tension.

"Jung-woo, did you come from another agency? Or did you get cast? Where?"

"...I've been at LUUX for about 5 years."

"LUUX?"

"Wow, awesome. Are you talking about LUUX?!"

LUUX Entertainment, aka 'Lux', is one of the major entertainment agencies known for gathering only the most talented. There's even a saying that it's a trustworthy Lux.

It was a place where the lesson intensity was high and the trainees' skills were also standardized.

I squinted my eyes and observed Ahn Jung-woo's expression. I don't know why he left the agency, but if he had survived in Lux for 5 years, his skills would have been guaranteed.

'Well, the more talent, the better.'

I wondered if I was the only one who was surprised, as everyone else had similar reactions. Only Lee A-ram muttered quietly while looking at me.

"He's lost his mind."

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