Vocal Trainer Rose (8)
Following Jua noona's advice, I headed to the district office to claim a 1.5 million won subsidy. Shockingly, they really did hand out money just for being a guy. And since I was an orphan, it came out to 1.83 million won. That covered the back payments from January, when I turned 20, up to April—7.32 million won total deposited straight into my account.
I'd had 15.61 million won in there before, so now it was up to 22.93 million won.
What the hell? It's like the money duplicated itself?
I was so stunned I couldn't even speak.
"I think I can actually love this world now."
"What're you talking about, hyung?"
"Just... life is so beautiful."
"You must've zoned out during practice or something."
These guys were born into this paradise from the start, so they couldn't grasp how insane a subsidy like this was. It was like, "Of course they give it—what's the big deal?"
"You spoiled brats."
If they got isekai'd to Earth and ground down for a bit, they'd realize how lucky they are here. Hell, no need to bring Earthlings over—just ship these dudes there and grind 'em for a year. Especially if you tossed 'em into the military? They'd probably pop boners at the sight of a skirt and boost the male population single-handedly.
"Luck? Did you get your fortune read? Take me with you!!"
"What're you on about? Kid's already hunting down fortune tellers."
"Don't dismiss it as superstition. They nail it for real. I was gonna go anyway—wanna get ours done together? We could check our compatibility too."
I quickly distanced myself from Ki Uyeon.
"What good's compatibility with you?"
"Hyung, you don't have to look down on it like that! You're being mean~! We're debuting together, so our synergy's gotta be good. That's what I meant!!"
"...Fair point. Sorry for misunderstanding."
Ki Uyeon pouted playfully, but I shut it down with an iron wall. I might tease guys, but I wasn't about to be the teasee.
"Hyung, break's over—ready to start?"
"Hoo~ Okay!"
I jumped up, reformed the group formation, and got back to it. As a debut team trainee, I couldn't skip the end-of-month eval either.
Dun dun ru ru dung~ dun dun ru ru dung~
The hottest male idol track right now blasted through the speakers. Even grinding coins to boost my dance stats couldn't let me skip the time investment. Not a single trainee here was worse than me—take Jaehoon, the guy I'd had that ankle-bump tension with while dancing; he still outdanced me.
But I wasn't anxious. I'd gone from barely keeping up with footwork to blending in and pulling off a solid performance alongside them. And get this—I'd only been in the debut group for three weeks.
"Whoa~ Better than yesterday."
"...Yeah, definitely improved."
"Today's the day!!"
The music cut out, and while everyone caught their breath, the trainees who'd danced with me turned their eyes my way.
Lately, their hobby was "Observing Jin Haesol's Growth." They were fascinated by my rapid progress, charting my skill spikes like scientists.
Too damn perceptive for your own good.
Ki Uyeon had clocked my pattern: slow crawl, then boom—sudden leap. He started calling those leaps "the day."
"Man, I'm jealous. Wish I grew like that."
"Like bean sprouts shooting up."
"At this rate, hyung's gonna catch up for real."
"Hey, quit gilding the lily. I know my place. I'm just flailing to avoid dragging you down."
I couldn't brush off their hype with cocky jokes. They meant it, even if said lightly. At first, they'd been wary; then relieved at my crap skills; now, my fast growth was hitting their nerves. I had to watch my back until debut—and after.
Honey Enter's trainee ecosystem was brutal: one slip in the breeze, and you were swept away.
Ki Uyeon had my back, helping me read the room.
"I'm still seriously lacking, yeah."
Ki Uyeon chimed in supportively, then added quick reassurance in case I got bummed.
"But you're growing for real. Yesterday in solo practice, hyung, your arm angles were off. Today? Nailed 'em."
Anyone can mimic a dance with time and effort. But stack it against a pro, and bam—you see the real "dancer's dance."
"Focus on the details more, hyung. It'll look way sharper~."
"Got it. Seriously, Uyeon, you're saving my ass."
"Ehehe!"
Ki Uyeon preened at the praise storm, nose in the air.
"Uyeon's the best."
"He stuck by me when I was struggling to adjust—made it easy."
"Kya~ Good deeds everywhere. Guess I'm a big deal~."
Ki Uyeon crossed his arms, chin up, basking—no rejections. The other trainees piled on the babying.
"Ki Uyeon! Ki Uyeon!"
"Ki Uyeon! Ki Uyeon!"
"Ooooh! Ki Uyeon!"
"Aww, stop! You're embarrassing me. Hehe."
We cracked up at his satisfied bashfulness after the chants. Playtime over, we buckled down for intense practice.
Clunk!
"Jin Haesol."
"Yes?"
"Out."
The manager director had shown up to call me. Not my first time, so I casually halted practice and stepped out of line.
"Ki Uyeon too."
"Huh? Me?! Yep!"
"Kang Jun, Jeki, Kyungtae—out."
"Yes."
"Hm."
We filed out after me. The manager director eyed our lineup with a sharp gaze.
Gulp. No idea why that look spooked everyone so bad. Even I tensed up a bit.
"Group photo today."
"Profile pics?"
"You'll see."
She brushed off my question and led us on. But seeing who she'd called? Debut lineup was finalizing up top.
This the group?
Jin Haesol, Ki Uyeon, Kang Jun, Jeki, Kang Kyungtae.
Too few.
I'd figured at least eight. Recalling the others' skills, squeezing in here felt miraculous.
Visuals are power!!
As we scurried after her, the guys exchanged glances.
"This it, right?"
"Obviously. But five? Didn't see that coming."
"Shocking how small."
"Hm."
"Hyung Kyungtae looks thrilled."
"Damn right."
Kang Kyungtae was debut-hungry. Rare guy with that drive in a world soft on males.
"Not official yet."
"Group shot to vibe-check us, probably."
"Mismatch here, and debut's toast? Eek, scary."
"Chills just thinking."
Making debut was joy—but the road ahead was rough. Even skilled, a bad fit could boot you. Ki Uyeon spilled all the horror stories; as a newbie, I soaked 'em up. Now I was tense too.
First time in front of a camera?
Gulp. My body stiffened.
Big agency's perks: full photo studio inside.
"Where's this?"
"For trainees to practice camera comfort."
Ki Uyeon explained quick.
Kid's a straight-up explainer.
"First time seeing it. You been?"
"Yeah, once or twice a month."
"Me?"
"Bad luck. They did it the week before you joined."
"I trained a month in C-class...?"
"Uh... C-class skips it. Debut team only."
Brutal hierarchy. Gear looked pricey anyway. Keeps the drive to climb classes.
"Any tips? First time—nervous."
"Loosen your face muscles. Just follow directions hard. Overdo it trying to impress, and it looks weird. Stick to basics—no overacting."
"No overacting. Got it, thanks."
"Hyung's face carries it. Basics'll shine. Director knows it's your first."
"Yeah."
Leaning on a 17-year-old when I'm pushing 30? Awkward. But shameless it is.
Three weeks in—fair game.
Manager director returned as we wrapped tips, having ditched us in the studio.
"Haesol, you last. First time, right?"
"Yes."
"Watch the others, get the feel. No goofing off."
"Yes!"
Smart move bumping me back—time gained!
"Kyungtae first."
"Yes."
Kang Kyungtae headed for makeup. We waited.
Face stings. Why the stares?
Seemed like profile photo staff, but eyes flicked my way nonstop. Camera woman especially—devouring me with heat.
She into me?
Old Earth habit. But not now. Jua noona raised my bar sky-high, plus I clocked it: not sexual.
Tch. Feeling picky here—weird much?