Chapter 94: Bomb? (5)
94. Bomb? (5)
The third mission was "Free Theme."
As long as we used the given items and special effects, everything else—from song selection to team name—was entirely up to us.
"Okay, so our team name will be..."
"Jung Si-woo and the Kids."
"Oh, come on."
"Then how about Kang Hajin and the Boys?"
At Hajin's mischievous joke, Si-woo let out a small sigh before relaying the team name they'd previously discussed to the youngest writer.
"Blue Flare."
"Got it. Oh, have you decided on a leader yet?"
"Me."
"Hajin agreed to take the role."
"Yep."
After leaving just the bare minimum of fixed cameras, the crew began preparing to withdraw. The assigned PD checked the time and announced to the scattered Blue Flare team members:
"You all know how to use the self-cams, right? We'll film the song selection and concept discussion separately tomorrow, but if you happen to have meetings or practice sessions today, just turn on the self-cams and record."
"Wait, so should we act like everything's already decided? Or pretend we're discussing it for the first time?"
Hajin, who had been playfully arm-wrestling Eun-chan on the practice room floor, suddenly sat up at this question.
Before rising, he'd effortlessly twisted Eun-chan's arm into a K.O. position, leaving the younger trainee with a devastated expression. The PD looked equally baffled by Hajin's question.
"Hajin-ssi, are you sure you haven't worked in broadcasting before? You're finishing my sentences."
"...Haha. I just really like variety shows. Watch a lot of them. A true viewer of our times."
"Anyway, this team already has established history [pre-existing dynamics], so meetings and such will probably go smoothly. So today you can discuss things privately, then act it out appropriately tomorrow. Can you handle that?"
"Absolutely. You just witnessed our team's exceptional acting skills, didn't you?"
Though the PD had unconsciously used industry jargon, Hajin effortlessly understood and deflected with a joke. Eun-chan, still lying stunned on the floor from his defeat, looked up at Hajin curiously.
"What does 'established history' mean...?"
"Huh? ...Oh, you know those VCRs they play before performances? It means we've already got enough material for one of those."
As Hajin naturally explained the jargon, the production staff's suspicion only deepened.
"...Hajin-ssi, you're really never worked in broadcasting?"
"Well, Yoo Tae-seok sunbaenim says things like 'opening's ruined' on variety shows..."
Hajin awkwardly averted his gaze. Of course, no one could possibly suspect that inside this 20-year-old trainee's body resided the reincarnated soul of a 29-year-old PD with four years of industry experience.
"Hmm. Anyway, filming's done for today—discuss whatever you need to, practice. We'll see you tomorrow~."
"Got it. Okay everyone, let's bow."
"Thank you for your hard work!"
"See you tomorrow, PD-nim!"
"Till tomorrow~."
At least the atmosphere ended more warmly than when they'd first gathered.
The staff, who had shattered the icy tension and created an intriguing narrative thanks to Hajin, shot him appreciative glances as they left the practice room.
"Wow, I'm really pinning all my hopes on Hajin-ssi..."
Blue Flare's assigned writer even grabbed Hajin privately before leaving, expressing gratitude in a tone that could've been replaced with twelve crying emojis.
Not that Hajin didn't deserve the praise—even he recognized his own contributions today. So he simply enjoyed the reactions and politely saw them off.
'They're probably scheduling separate meeting footage tomorrow because of our team dynamics.'
If even a slightly serious atmosphere took hold and Si-woo and Yu-geon's tension became visible, things could spiral out of control. Though the games had lightened the mood, Si-woo and Yu-geon still hadn't exchanged a single word.
With all staff gone, only Blue Flare remained in the practice room.
When Hajin turned around to plan their next practice session—
"...?"
"...?"
"...Yu-geon, what are you doing?"
"Isn't filming over?"
Yu-geon was packing up to leave.
In fact, he'd already reached the practice room door where Hajin stood.
"...Sigh."
As if expecting this, Si-woo exhaled heavily. Even Won-ho, who generally sided with Yu-geon, looked uncomfortable watching the two. Apparently Hajin was the only one confused by this situation.
"So... you're going to the dorm now? Without practicing?"
"Not the dorm, but I've got somewhere to be. We haven't even chosen a song yet, so we can't practice anyway."
"Then should we pick the song while you go play in the dorm?"
When Hajin stopped him to argue, Yu-geon scratched his chin thoughtfully before sighing deeply.
"Hyung, you watched last season, right?"
"What does that have to do with now?"
"I don't really care about parts—I can handle whatever you give me. So just give me whatever's left."
"......"
"If you really need my input, I'll text it. Use that as reference. And honestly..."
"...?"
"...Honestly, wouldn't it be easier to discuss things without me here?"
Well then, I'm off.
With a playful smile, Yu-geon shouldered his backpack and leisurely disappeared from the practice room.
Hajin didn't try to stop him.
Just because Yu-geon left didn't mean the remaining members could return to the dorm.
"Well, that happened. What does everyone else want to do?"
Hajin turned back with surprisingly nonchalant expression to ask the team. Naturally, everyone wanted to stay for discussion and practice, so Blue Flare decided to relocate.
They moved to the first-floor cafe in Miro's new building, each grabbing a drink before settling into plush chairs. (Eun-chan instinctively pulled out his hyung card, but Si-woo paid since you can't expect coffee from someone who hasn't even finished high school. During this, everyone except Si-woo glanced at Hajin.)
"First, I think we've settled on our concept?"
On a sheet torn from Do-ha's ever-present notebook, Hajin wrote two large characters:
<SEXY>
"Getting harnesses and lasers, then suddenly going cute and refreshing would be weird."
"...Does 'harness sexy' really suit an 18-year-old?" Si-woo half-joked, half-worried as he gestured toward Eun-chan. While Eun-chan had good physique and intimidating looks for his age, he still couldn't shake off that high schooler vibe.
Suddenly becoming the center of attention, Eun-chan nervously pursed his lips before clenching his fists. (A move he learned from Hajin.)
"I-I'll study hard."
The problem was, no one on the team could really teach him.
'I'm not exactly a "sexy" expert either.'
Hajin shook his head slightly with some uncertainty.
'Maybe someone like Kyoungho—all confidence and no awareness—would be better at this.'
You know, the type who sticks their tongue out thinking it's sexy. Silently assessing the team, Hajin's gaze landed on the person least suited for this concept.
"Wait, Eun-chan gets a pass since he doesn't know harnesses. But hyung, why did you choose this? You knew what harnesses were."
The addressed Si-woo took a sip of his hot herbal tea before answering.
"Better than the other two options."
"What were the other options? I'm so deprived as a Feather rank that I can't even enjoy tiramisu."
"Hyung, you already ate it all."
"Eun-chan, shh. It's a metaphor. Ever heard of figurative language?"
"Are you two doing a comedy bit? Is this your roommate chemistry?"
While Hajin and Eun-chan bantered, Si-woo placed his keyword card on the table and calmly explained his choice.
<Room 1 - Harness/Laser>
<Room 2 - Flowers/Confetti>
<Room 3 - Goggles/Airshot>
"I was second place after Tae-hyun. When I saw Room 2's theme, I immediately ruled it out. Could clearly picture what kind of team Tae-hyun wanted."
"True. Flowers alone might've worked, but Seo Tae-hyun plus flowers?"
Obviously he'd choose his specialty—Mr. Cherry Boy himself, epitome of fresh, bright, kitschy glamour.
"Airshot wasn't bad either... But harness suited my image better than goggles. Plus, as second place, I had to consider where potential teammates might go."
"So was your prediction successful?"
"Honestly?"
Hajin mimed holding a microphone interview-style near Si-woo, who shrugged after confirming the self-cam wasn't on.
"Aside from Yu-geon, everyone matched my expectations. Thought he'd pick goggles, but realized too late that Feathers don't get keyword hints. My mistake."
"Couldn't you have closed recruitment before Yu-geon joined? It was Do-ha, Yu-geon, Yi-parang, then me."
"...Ahem."
At Hajin's question, Won-ho coughed awkwardly.
"I suggested waiting since you might come, hyung."
"Me?"
"We needed at least one more decent vocalist besides Si-woo hyung. Dancing seemed slightly weak too."
"But instead of me, Yu-geon came?"
"Yep. Even Yu-geon looked surprised... Well, this was before things smoothed over with Si-woo hyung."
At this cautious mention, Si-woo rested his chin on his hand and smiled lazily.
"Speak freely. It's about his attitude as a teammate, not personal dislike."
"......!"
His tone made clear he separated personal and professional matters. Indeed, during filming, Si-woo had spoken to Yu-geon without visible discomfort.
Eun-chan's pupils shook slightly at this, though no one noticed, as Si-woo continued:
"Anyway, with Yu-geon in, we couldn't just close recruitment. Figured we could manage if someone like you or Jae-young joined."
"But Yi-parang's Room 2 closed first, then I joined Room 1?"
"Would've closed after one more member regardless. No one wants to get stuck accepting all remaining applicants. Since it turned out to be you as planned, why not close it?"
That explained Si-woo's desperate "three closes" earlier.
At least this hopeless team avoided worse additions (like Kyoungho, or Kyoungho, or perhaps Kyoungho).
'Kyoungho was right after me in line.'
Remaining Feather-ranked trainees were automatically assigned to Room 3. Hajin imagined Gong Seok—currently playing lackey to Han Seong-woo's bully squad—handing over his lunch money.
'Thank god for Jayden. Should buy him cocoa later.'
Hajin even considered sending Seok his Kyoungho KakaoTalk screenshots if needed.
"Right. So, shall we discuss? Concept's set as sexy, but we should take time choosing the song."
"Right. Not getting my hopes up, but Yu-geon said he'd text ideas."
"Then let's solidify positions first? Knowing everyone's strengths will help narrow song choices."
Si-woo, ever the senior, efficiently guided the discussion—the first time at Miro that a meeting flowed naturally without Hajin leading.
'Do I finally have a skilled bus driver in my life?'
That alone felt like a blessing, but Si-woo even showed consideration for Hajin as official leader.
"Of course, Hajin, if you've got a meeting outline, we can follow that. I just usually start by analyzing member capabilities."
"No, this is good. 'Sexy' is broad, so let's each share what we want to emphasize."
Truthfully, Hajin already knew their answers.
'Do-ha's rap, Won-ho and Yu-geon's dance, Si-woo hyung's main vocal... Eun-chan's probably dance or rap.'
Just then, Eun-chan—who'd been quietly listening—suddenly mustered courage and raised his hand.
"Hyung."
"Yeah, Eun-chan. Was about to ask—want rap or dance for your—"
"I want to do vocals."
"Sure, then... Huh?"
All eyes turned to Eun-chan.
With the same calm confidence he'd shown when pranking Seong-woo that day, Eun-chan met Hajin and Si-woo's gazes squarely.
"I want to do vocals. Please give me vocal parts."