Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: The Ambitious One
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The teacher came in right on time. The guys who had been cracking away at dried pollack snacks scrambled to clean up what they'd eaten just five minutes before he arrived.
'Are they idiots?'
I quietly glanced at the CCTV camera. It was watching everything—what was the point?
'Whatever. Not my problem.'
I flashed a bright smile at the dance teacher. He clapped back in response.
"Looking good, Ambitious?"
Ah, damn it.
"I'm the Ambitious One?"
"Yeah, you. Cha Dowon. From today, you're Ambitious. Let's see just how ambitiously you've danced."
The choreographer grinned mischievously. I let out a heavy sigh and stood up. Then I stepped forward in front of the teacher.
I could feel the eyes of the trainees huddled in front of the mirror.
'This feels kinda good.'
Maybe it was because of the nickname, but their gazes made heat rise from my toes.
"Don't forget, Teacher."
I winked at him with one eye.
"The best spot goes to the one who does it right?"
The stares from my respected seniors stung. I didn't need to look—I knew they were glaring daggers. But that wasn't my problem either.
"Just do your best, Ambitious."
The music started soon after. I moved with the rhythm, my steps flowing smooth as water.
The murmurs died out in an instant. Was it the admiring looks from my dear seniors? My body heated up right away.
'Yeah. This place is a stage too.'
Then I couldn't bore the audience.
I executed the moves I'd memorized by eye, using just the right flair. Step to the right, stamp back, give a little bounce. The teacher's gasp of admiration sent a thrill through my heart.
'A stage is like a drug.'
Sweat dripped from my forehead with every move.
Someone watching me—it was electric.
'I want more. A bigger stage.'
Under the lights, with countless eyes on me. If I nailed a perfect performance amid the cheers, how much like heaven would that be?
I stomped my foot and looked forward. It wasn't in the video, but I threw a quick wink at the choreographer.
He let out a chuckle.
'See? I said look at me pretty.'
I snapped my neck, bent my legs, then straightened. The song that had felt endlessly long in practice was over way too soon on stage.
I felt the burning stares. I didn't need to look.
'No way it's that bad.'
How's that feel, seniors?
'Must suck watching someone rise from below.'
I jumped, legs kicking back a bit. I swung my center of gravity back into place.
'Or maybe you climbed as high as you could before I got here.'
No more boozing, no more snacking.
The music stopped. I struck the final pose, breathing in and out. Sweat ran down my back, and as I rolled my shoulders, I felt the choreographer's gaze.
The teacher said nothing.
I smiled brightly. He quietly clapped.
Clap-clap-clap.
"Not bad, Ambitious."
"I'm Cha Dowon."
"Yeah, Ambitious."
Damn it. Crazy would be better.
The choreographer looked at the trainees stuck to the mirror.
"What do you think?"
My dear seniors stayed silent.
"Feel that? He nailed it in just three hours."
The trainees stared at me with stiff faces. I smiled again. Hope I look good.
"Honestly, you all thought this Ambitious kid would give up, right?"
The choreographer came over and threw an arm around my shoulders. I nearly lost my balance.
"A newbie. Didn't even know the basics. But in three hours, he tapped it out and finished the whole song. What does that mean?"
What else? That I'm awesome.
"It means he's desperate. You kids get it?"
A few seniors bowed their heads.
"You've all been slacking off lately, haven't you?"
They said nothing. The choreographer patted my shoulder.
"After seeing that, how could I not like this new Ambitious face?"
Of course you'd like me. Love me hard while you're at it, Master.
That's when one of the guys from my dorm spoke up.
"We'll work hard too!"
"I see. Suyong. But here's the thing—it's not enough."
He was ripping the kid apart.
"Teacher!"
"You think you're working hard? Suyong, you're barely hanging on. If it's like this next month, you're out."
Ah. So that's it.
'Was he taking it out on me because he's on the edge?'
Poor guy. Not my problem, though.
"Stop bullying the newbie and get back to practice. Huh? Honestly, he's rough around the edges, but you felt it too—he's got something."
Damn. So I was sloppy.
I was wondering how to make it look sharper when I felt the fierce glare from my dear senior Suyong.
What could I do? I grinned wide.
"Um, Teacher. Was it that bad?"
The choreographer readjusted his grip on my shoulder. I nearly toppled again.
"Honestly? Not that bad. You've got real talent, Ambitious."
"I'm Cha Dowon."
"Yeah, Ambitious. Keep that ambition burning. Don't fizzle out like these guys."
I shook my head.
"No worries there, Teacher."
"Oh?"
"My ambition's huge."
Starving huge, too. Friends Entertainment looks like a honey pot to me.
'What happens when a hungry guy gets a honey pot?'
He devours it.
"Heh! So you admit it! You're Ambitious!"
"I'm Cha Dowon."
"Yeah, Ambitious. But you're still all fuzzy-cheeked—how old are you?"
Suddenly, all eyes turned to me. What? They care about age that much?
"Fifteen."
Isn't that normal for agency trainees? I glanced at the seniors—their glares sharpened. What's their deal?
"A kid, huh."
"Of course?"
"Weird one. You talk like you're in your twenties, Ambitious. Kids your age usually doodle on the board and mess around."
I scowled.
"If that's what you want, I can doodle right now."
Big deal.
I was looking around for the board when the choreographer's arm twitched.
'What?'
Then I felt the recoil plainly. He burst out laughing like a maniac.
"Puhahaha!"
Damn, my ears.
"This kid's the real deal! Ambitious! I like you!"
"Humbled by your praise."
"Puhahaha! This guy's got variety show potential!"
"Just give me the shot."
He really seemed to like me, shaking me every which way. As I staggered under the rough affection, my respected teacher spoke up.
"Middle spot."
Huh.
"Our country's dance lines aren't like Japan's—no big meaning to center. But you know it, right? Your face pulls the eyes in a camera wide shot."
Sharp eye. Top-tier choreographer for a reason.
"You've got the talent too. Got it, kids? In the month-end group eval, Ambitious takes middle position."
Group eval too? Guess I have to practice with the respected seniors.
'Can't it just be solo?'
I sighed involuntarily. No, teams aren't set yet. Do I really need to bond with these go-my-own-way trainees?
'Damn.'
I smiled brightly at the seniors and bowed deeply.
"Please take care of me. I'm not great, but I'll learn a lot."
Yeah. Even idiots have something to teach.
"Uh, sure."
My roommates' glares softened for some.
'My fate.'
Why do I have to soothe the promising ones?
"Honestly, you surprised me earlier."
I said to the few fumbling ones.
"You dance well."
For the effort.
Such a small compliment, but three or four smiled a bit.
'Simpletons.'
Happy over this? Starved for praise?
"Y-yeah?"
"We've been trainees a while."
"Can't dance this much? So, that's why they call you Ambitious?"
Damn.
"I'm Cha Dowon."
"Yeah, Ambitious. Fifteen's young. We came in around then too."
What is this, teens?
'Why do they mimic the teacher on this?'
Cha Dowon. Why does it slide to Ambitious so naturally?
"Month-end eval's in two weeks?"
"We'll show you. You were pretty solid earlier."
I forced a smile at the suddenly warm vibe.
"Alright, practice time! Gather up, kids!"
The trainees flocked to the teacher. He yanked me to the middle spot.
A loud shout rang out.
"Begin!"
I focused on the teacher again. Practice resumed—and this time, I was part of it.
***
Practice ended, and I was catching my breath when my respected teacher said,
"Ambitious, got a reward for you. Follow me."
I blinked.
"You already gave me one."
"Gonna give more. You coming?"
If you say come, I come. I followed casually.
"Quick, right?"
The practice room clock showed nearly five hours—side effects incoming.
"Quick. Got somewhere to be?"
I shrugged.
"Time is money."
I'm about to cry blood, Teacher.
'Bolt to the bathroom?'
How to handle the cleanup? Eyes hurt bad?
'Vomiting blood wasn't too painful...'
I was mulling options when my respected teacher threw an arm around me again and pulled me along.
"Ambitious."
"I'm Cha Dowon."
"Yeah, Ambitious."
Ah, seriously.
"Everyone calls me Ambitious because of you, Teacher."
"I name 'em well, don't I? Fits you perfect."
Damn. Crazy was better.
"Let go a bit."
"Nope, Ambitious. We're going somewhere great. You won't regret it."
Not some weird place, right?
"I'll walk myself."
The choreographer dragged me into the hall.
"I'll buy you a drink myself."
"Thanks."
"You did great today."
Vending machines lined the hall's end.
"We're here."
I smirked.
"This the good place?"
"Yeah."
Can't argue with that. He handed me a drink. I quietly twisted the cap—and that's when I noticed someone behind a chair.
Big build stood out.
'Ah, that guy. The one who tried to off himself?'
I scanned him up and down.
Big frame—like a Russian bear. Shoulders insanely broad.
He looked decent enough.
'Face and body are fine. Guess that's why he survived the mess and stayed.'
The choreographer, knowing what I was eyeing, sauntered over to the bear. My dear teacher patted his shoulder.
"Seunghoon! Hanging in there?"
The bear opened his closed eyes and nodded slowly.
"Heard the news. Pull yourself together. What're you doing?"
The bear said nothing. The choreographer gave him the extra drink.
"Cheer up."
The bear nodded again but didn't reply. The choreographer shook his head and came back to me.
"Oh, right—you two know each other?"
"Nope. First time."
"Seunghoon, say hi. Remember? The kid who did CPR on you."
Please, Teacher. Listen.
I furrowed my brow.
'His heart never stopped in the first place?'
Does that even count?
Then it happened. The bear's eyes widened huge, locking on me.
'Whoa.'
Those bulging eyes staring—it creeped me out. What's his deal?
The guy who wouldn't say a word to the choreographer spoke.
"You?"
His low voice growled like a beast. I scowled back.
"What?"
"The one who saved me."
Damn. What're you saying?
"You didn't wanna die then anyway."
You braced with your arms.
"You..."
He shot up from his seat. The choreographer flinched.
Intimidating. But I had no clue why.
"What? Got business with me?"
A thick arm grabbed my forearm. Ah, fuck. What now?
"Why'd you save me?"