Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: I'll Take the Center
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They were all slumped over, utterly drained.
I quietly sat down in the corner.
‘Welcome party? Initiation?’
A trainee suddenly thrown into Yumi's stage wouldn't have the spare energy for pranks like that, right?
‘Isn't the stage the day after tomorrow?’
No helping it.
‘Well, they're still breathing, so they'll get up eventually.’
I lay down in the corner and quietly started on some core work.
Tensing up hard while regulating my breath was still tough.
‘But exercise doesn't betray you.’
I wanted to bump my vocals up to A-rank fast.
‘That's weird, though. Why can't I cheat my way to better abs?’
I'd wondered about it before, but the cheat's rules were a total mystery.
I'd raised flexibility and boom, dance rank shot up right after, no problem.
‘Whatever. What's supposed to go up will.’
I'd silently counted out a hundred sets when an alarm suddenly blared from the corner.
‘Whoa, startled me.’
The zombies lying around started stirring one by one as soon as it rang.
They yawned and stretched.
‘Aha. Break time.’
Now it clicked.
I kept at the core work whether they got up or not.
The guy who looked like the most senior hauled himself up unsteadily and flicked on the lights.
They rubbed their eyes and said,
"All rested up?"
"Yeah!"
"Oppa, water please!"
Everyone bustled around noisily.
That was when someone suddenly pointed at me.
"Oppa. Who's that guy?"
I quietly lowered my legs.
My abs throbbed like they were being wrung out.
"Huh? Yeah, right. Hey, kid. Who are you?"
I sighed and stood from my spot.
"Debut group trainee, Cha Dowon."
A few pointed at me.
"I know him! That Yumi music video!"
"Oh yeah, he was supposed to come."
The guy with his long hair tied back in a ponytail spoke up.
"You, whatever your deal is. You good at dancing?"
I flashed a bright smile.
"Not sure."
The ponytail guy blinked like it was absurd, then grinned.
"Why not?"
"Thought I was good, but turns out I've got a long way to go."
*Since there's an S-rank above A.*
*Wonder what's above S. SS maybe?*
The dancers eyed each other.
I bowed my head.
"Please take good care of me. Came all tensed up for the stage day after tomorrow. I'll give it my all so I don't cause any hassle."
Of course, tense was the last thing I felt.
*Lip service.*
*Why would I cause hassle?*
They chuckled.
"Good thing."
"Not some celebrity disease case."
The ponytail guy rolled his shoulders, sat, then popped back up.
"That type would be a pain for us."
I cocked my head.
"Not a celebrity yet?"
"You were in that music video, and the CF."
"Haven't debuted. Still just a trainee. Haven't even stepped foot in celebrity territory."
They glanced at each other again.
"But still..."
"You've got name recognition, right?"
"Isn't that why Yumi picked you?"
"My little sis said he's cute."
Guess there'd been some talk.
"Eh, debut group means debuting soon anyway."
"Nah, plenty rot in debut groups for years."
"Alright, alright!"
The ponytail guy clapped.
"Anyway, we've gotta get this guy dancing by the day after tomorrow, right?"
I stretched in silence.
"Hey, kiddo."
"Cha Dowon."
"Fine, kiddo. Watch this and memorize it."
The one who seemed like the leader handed me a tablet.
"White shirt in there is you."
For a split second, I flashed back to first walking into the practice room.
Learned it the same way back then.
*Standard method, huh.*
Made sense—nothing better for syncing group choreo.
"Can't do it, one of us takes your spot."
"Got it."
I played the tablet while stretching.
"Ho? Not even nervous. You could get dropped, y'know?"
"I don't sweat the impossible."
I smiled as I checked the moves.
"I'll take the center."
The dancers' eyes snapped to me in an instant.
I ignored them and quietly matched the steps.
Maybe because my eyesight had leaped forward since the first time?
I could instantly picture the dance.
*Leading with Yumi up front.*
There was a part where we synced up.
*Good thing it's not tango vibes.*
Intimate but no sticking together.
I had a rough sense of the mood.
*Like Yumi imagining her cherished boy finally stirring to life?*
My dancing scenes were her longing for the boy to rise.
This at a film awards show?
I couldn't help but grin.
Didn't know the ratings, but this was prime exposure.
*Catch eyes here, and even film folks will remember me.*
Debut first, obviously, but this wasn't bad.
Actually pretty great.
*Hungry, but perfect timing.*
Devour the stage, maybe that hunger fades a bit.
I grinned and memorized the dance on the tablet.
Endorphins firing, I picked it up crazy fast.
I'd looped it five or six times, visualizing each move in my head, when murmurs rose, followed by a clear voice.
"I'm here!"
I wiped sweat and looked up.
Yumi strolled in makeup-free, light as a feather.
I bowed quick, then straightened.
Yumi beamed brightly.
The ponytail guy asked her,
"How's your condition lately?"
"Tired to death, but sleeping well so I'll live."
"Good to hear."
Yumi loosened up lightly.
"If condition was trash, wouldn't have taken the film fest gig."
"Ah, those guys..."
Yumi clenched a fist.
"Trash bastards. They watch my stage and don't even clap?"
Oh.
*That was the reason.*
Yeah, that'd piss anyone off.
Even at a celebration performance, no reaction?
"Real classy bunch."
Actors classy?
*People are people.*
Some might be, sure.
Then Yumi came over to me.
"Dowon!"
"Hey, sunbae."
"Aww, cutie pie! Owe you big time. Thanks!"
What? I was the one cashing in on her.
And cutie pie?
"The music video turned out great, so I benefited more."
"Quit pretending to be humble!"
Yumi burst out laughing.
No makeup made her look super youthful.
*Korea’s top songstress is different.*
Image flip.
I laughed along.
Yumi circled me once and said,
"But Dowon, you good at dancing?"
Same question again.
"What do you think?"
"Dunno."
I smiled brightly.
"You'll see."
Murmurs rippled around.
I gave a slight bow to the dancers, then straightened.
"Memorized the dance on the tablet. Mind taking a look?"
Ponytail guy's eyes flickered.
*Why so shocked.*
Plenty more shocks coming.
"Whoa! Whoa!"
"Sharp feedback, please."
Give me lots to fix.
Our stage has to be perfect.
Ponytail shook his head.
"Yeah, better to see it. Junseo, music."
The dancers pulled back to the walls in a flash.
I stood center.
Waited for the track.
Heavy bass dropped soon.
I followed the tablet moves one by one.
Bent my leg to the beat—ponytail grinned.
*Audience pleased?*
Then top it.
I stretched my arms further.
Light jump, drop low.
My lead-forward part kicked in.
Moved legs to the beat.
Left, down. Right, up.
Boom—slammed down, knees bent then popped.
Music ended.
Panting, I glanced around.
Everyone stared blankly.
*Satisfied?*
I smiled pretty.
One dancer said,
"Damn, makes me wanna curse."
"Kids these days are too much."
"Young, so joints like springs."
Dancers muttered among themselves.
"How was it? Mikey hyung?"
Ponytail answered.
"You saw it. Hey, kid, name again?"
Told you earlier. Amnesia, ponytail?
"Cha Dowon."
"You're decent."
I turned away, feigning shy.
Yumi's laugh rang out.
"Not just acting chops. Real job too."
Real job—idol trainee?
*Gotta sing then.*
Prep vocals like dance battle?
I said humbly,
"Good enough for the stage?"
"Uh? Well..."
Ponytail came close.
"You'll do fine."
"Nah, guide video was good."
A dancer raised a hand.
"That was me dancing it!"
Praise costs nothing. Fine.
I grinned wide.
"Thanks."
"Idol trainees these days are nuts. Who taught you?"
"Choreographer K."
*Even gave me a damn nickname.*
Ponytail sized me up.
"Taller than I thought, kiddo."
Then drop the kiddo. Ponytail.
"Probably late 170s."
Bit over, maybe.
"Small face, long legs. Lucky you."
Ponytail smirked.
"Gonna make it big?"
Duh.
"Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks for the well-wishes."
Then Yumi laughed behind her hand.
But that clear laugh leaked out.
"Yumi, why laugh?"
"Nah, Dowon’s funny. Takes compliments like 'duh' with just lips saying thanks."
Ah.
*Busted.*
I let out a small breath.
That obvious?
*Lost for real.*
I raised both hands in surrender.
Laughter erupted like they'd been waiting.
*Whatever. Laugh it up.*
Better than anger.
I whispered by Yumi.
"Why say it like that?"
"Trouble?"
"Lots."
"It's fine. Cocky, but not rude."
Praise?
"Tried acting humble to look good, got caught."
"Aw, sorry about that."
I sighed, and Yumi laughed brightly.
So genuine, so pretty, words failed.
"It's cool. Worked with this crew forever. Actually..."
Ponytail sidled up, smirking.
"You're a funny one!"
"They'll like it. Check this."
Weird tastes work out.
*Gotta work on poker face.*
Yumi's just sharp.
"Way better than celebrity disease types."
"Like I said, gotta be a celebrity first. Not yet."
"Liking that mindset. A lot."
Ponytail slung an arm around me, to Yumi.
"He'll manage fine. You?"
"Starting now."
"Time enough?"
"All-nighter if needed! Can't lose to those jerks again!"
"Korea’s top songstress Yumi—fierce winner, beautiful, but no time! Guess who suffers? Us!"
"Sorry."
Yumi eyed her quiet manager in back.
"My treat for food."
"Whoa! Guys, Yumi's buying! Eat first!"
Dancers swarmed the manager.
I quietly watched Yumi.
"Pulling an all-nighter?"
"Yeah. To nail it."
One song, all night?
"Got schedule at dawn."
Ah.
*Really jammed.*
Pro life, huh.
"Brace yourself. You'll be here soon."
"Busy's good."
"Say that when you're swamped."
I chuckled.
"Tell your manager what you want quick. Get it ordered."
I eyed Yumi.
*Still not eating.*
Always that strict with weight?
*Big deal too.*
Long as she doesn't crash.
*Ways around it.*
I shook my head approaching Yumi's manager.
Nosy meddling.