Chapter 10: The Trainee Who Refuses to Debut (1)
10. The Trainee Who Refuses to Debut (1)
On an ordinary workday, Mr. Park from Miro Entertainment's 3rd-year Content Team 1 nearly spat out his coffee upon hearing the office gossip.
"Zhuge Liang?"
"That's what they're saying."
The veterans were delighted by the arrival of a newbie. Any fresh face would've been interesting, but this one came with connections to several famous figures.
"Manager Kim, Team Leader Ji, even Seo Tae-il came to persuade him."
"Like the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage."
Once the rumor gained momentum, it began spawning all sorts of exaggerated tales.
"Is he really that special?"
"They say he was originally a trainee at Rene Entertainment."
"Jang Seo-yoon personally trained him?"
"No, I heard Team Leader Ji scouted him."
"What's this about him fighting with Tae-il during a Uphia guide recording?"
Marketing Team's Jung excitedly chimed in.
"You know that time Tae-il was comforting some boy?"
"Oh. That was him?"
"They fought? Not just Tae-il reprimanding him?"
"No, they had a full-blown fight. That's why he stormed out refusing to sign the trainee contract."
"Damn, he's got guts."
Mr. Park unconsciously marveled at the dramatic tale. Wow, Seo Tae-il's aura was terrifying. And he fought him?
"Oh my. There he is, look."
"Who? Him? Right now?"
"Damn, that mask can't hide his looks."
The cheerful chatter died down as the subject of their gossip appeared. Everyone pretended not to stare while sneaking glances.
Kang Hajin, who couldn't possibly miss those stares, thought:
'Fuck me.'
Starting off with a bang, aren't we?
An idol trainee should naturally grow accustomed to attention and gossip. Many dream of becoming idols precisely because they crave that spotlight. Better hate comments than silence—there's a reason "anti-fans" still contain the word "fan."
'But this is just empty hype.'
This level of attention for a brand-new trainee, not even in the debut lineup, was nothing but poison.
"Really? More ordinary than I expected."
See? They're already judging.
Human psychology is fascinating—even when someone else's success doesn't affect you, hearing praise about them instinctively makes you view them with resentment. It's not like they're paying for these evaluations anyway.
This newbie hype would fade with time, but time was precisely what I lacked. I had to debut within three months—if I made a bad impression now, everything would collapse.
I immediately changed course and approached the curious employees. Meeting the startled eyes of some, I flashed my most approachable smile.
"Hello. I'm Kang Hajin, starting as a trainee today."
"Oh, yes. Hello."
"Um, since it's my first day... They said to go to Practice Room 3, but I'm not sure where that is."
My awkward smile and fumbling manner made one employee who'd been sizing me up with crossed arms turn toward me, his posture relaxing visibly.
"Oh, it's this way."
"I'll show you. I was heading there anyway."
As expected, the now-disarmed employee eagerly gestured for me to follow. Want some coffee? Something to drink? Offering unrequested kindness.
Politely declining, I followed. Behind me, new evaluations immediately started circulating.
"Wow, seems nice."
"How can you tell from one meeting?"
"These days, good-looking kids are a dime a dozen. But manners like that? Rare."
The effect of shattering overblown expectations with a "polite, friendly newbie" was tremendous!
[System Alert: 'Multiple people' feel curiosity and goodwill toward you.]
[System Alert: 'Collective goodwill' is being converted to Skill System currency. (Conversion in progress...)]
The satisfying cha-ching of accumulating points made me smirk. Seeing last night's newly created skill work so effectively was downright gratifying.
'Right. Pay-to-win is always the answer.'
This "Cash Skill" was my hard-won creation after last penalty's brutal lesson—more a subsystem than a proper skill.
[System Alert: Skill <What's Your Price?> is active.]
[System Alert: Converts 'goodwill' from others into currency payable for skill creation/activation.]
[System Alert: 600 Cash accumulated. (Total∥1,000 Cash)]
'600's not bad.'
Though creating this skill cost me more mental stability points, leaving me whiny for half a day...
'Mom...'
'Missing mommy today? What's wrong?'
'Mommmm...'
To my mom, it might've seemed like her 20-year-old son being unusually clingy. To me, it was the shameful tantrum of a nearly thirty-year-old man. Just remembering made me cringe.
"Something wrong?"
"No, just nervous."
"Ah. Everyone is at first."
Burying that dark memory, I focused on reality. While organizing my thoughts, I observed the agency's sleek hallways. Unlike Rene's Greek temple aesthetic, this place took its name seriously—what kind of company needed this many hallways and practice rooms? One wrong turn and you'd get lost.
"Confusing layout, right?"
Apparently I wasn't the only one thinking this, as my guide chuckled awkwardly. I was about to nod when—
"Excuse me!"
Someone burst urgently from an office ahead. How is his face that small? The moment I saw that poker-faced boy with impossibly black hair (no salon could achieve that shade), an involuntary "Whoa" escaped. This was the face Miro would kidnap at birth.
"Ah, Eun-chan."
"...Hello."
Damn, that voice.
Born with a cry of
"Hello, I'm destined to be a Miro idol,"
the boy quickly bowed upon seeing us before striding away.
His long legs carried him out of sight in moments. As I absently watched him disappear, the office door opened again.
"Hey, don't just leave me—"
"Oh, Ha-ru."
"...Ah, um. Hello, haha."
Whoa, sparkles.
No other word fit those huge, slightly moist eyes. His entire face screamed "Is something wrong?" Spotting us, he flashed an awkward smile.
"Director called you?"
"Yes, during practice... Um, noona, have you seen Eun-chan hyung?"
"He went that way. Nothing wrong, I hope?"
"N-no! I'll, uh, go now!"
Sparkles (I lacked a better name) bolted like a hunted rabbit. Seeing two handsome faces back-to-back made my efforts to avoid Rene's Greek gods seem pointless, but that wasn't important now.
'He said director just now?'
Peering through the semi-transparent glass, I recognized that familiarly ugly face—definitely the director from before. My neck prickled with sudden intuition. Something's up.
'Should gather intel.'
"Wow, everyone's so good-looking."
"Ah, Ha-ru? Adorable. Dan Ha-ru—unusual name."
"Ha-ru... Dan Ha-ru."
That name alone screams "trouble magnet." First day—better take it slow. Mentally noting the director's office location, I followed my guide.
"You've all heard? He'll be practicing with us starting today."
"I'm Kang Hajin. Pleasure to meet you."
Soul-crushingly empty applause filled the practice room. After introductions, the dance trainer declared a 30-minute break ("since we have a newbie") and left with my guide.
That bastard's totally slacking off with coffee. My first day and they ditch me already? Seriously?
"......"
"......"
Still gauging the atmosphere, I hesitated to speak first. The oldest-looking trainee (clearly an adult) broke the silence.
"Hey, what're you doing? Let's gather round—introductions first. Hajin, sit here."
His natural leadership marked him as the de facto captain. The disorganized mood instantly focused at his words.
The alpha male? Assessing the hierarchy, I obediently sat where indicated.
"Sorry we're late!"
"Apologies!"
"...Ah."
The fragile atmosphere shattered as Sparkles and Miro Guy (never got his name) tumbled in. Their hurried approach disrupted our circle.
The alpha's perpetually warm smile developed microscopic cracks. Huh?
"Ah, Eun-chan, Ha-ru, hurry and join. We're introducing our new member."
"Yes."
"Okay!"
Did I imagine that? When I looked again, his smile was perfectly pleasant again. Must've been my eyes. Turning toward Sparkles—
"Still, punctuality matters. This is group life—can't inconvenience others."
His smiling remark instantly chilled the room. A defining moment revealing his true position.
All eyes turned to the latecomers. They apologized repeatedly, but the frosty atmosphere remained.
Well well.
"Sorry, chaotic first day? I'll start—I'm Han Seong-woo, 22. Oldest here, so B-Class leader. Ask me anything. Pleasure."
As expected, the self-proclaimed leader finished to enthusiastic applause. Whoa! Cool Seong-woo hyung! Our leader's so handsome!
'Not my focus anyway.'
Awkwardly shifting my gaze, I locked eyes with Sparkles again. Playing dumb, I maintained eye contact—his slight hesitation confirmed he recognized me from the hallway.
"...Joo Eun-chan, 18."
That voice—still jarring.
Miro Guy introduced himself with stunning baritone. Studying his features for past-life recognition yielded nothing. How'd this guy not debut? Life's mysteries. Noticing my stare, he glared back with those dead eyes.
'Stared too long.'
Quickly equipping my professional smile, I beamed warmly. He looked away first. A strange sense of victory warmed me, but I'm professional—no gloating. Then Sparkles spoke.
"Hi, I'm Dan Ha-ru... 17."
"Someone introduced you earlier. Dan Ha-ru. Unusual name—memorable."
"Huh? Ah... yes. We, um, met earlier, right?"
"Earlier? Where?"
Sparkles tensed as I preempted with friendly tone. Seong-woo looked curious.
"Did you two meet?"
Sparkles visibly flinched, glancing at me nervously. Those huge, darting eyes confirmed it.
See? Told you he's hiding something.