Nerves on the Edge of the Audition
Haon was the type to get seriously nervous.
The performance ended.
After setting down the sticks, I let out a sigh of relief.
“…”
Sunbae closed her eyes softly and pressed her head against my chest, right over my heart.
“Sunbae…? It’s over now…”
“Shh.”
She showed no sign of moving.
Snore… snore…
In the silent band room, devoid of any music, only her breathing echoed.
About five minutes passed like that.
“…You did well.”
Sunbae lifted her head and stared straight at my face.
“You’re way too close.”
Our faces were so near, a fist wouldn’t fit between them.
Her cute face filled my vision, and I couldn’t help turning my head away.
Seeing that, sunbae…
Pat, pat.
…petted my head, just like last time.
“…See you tomorrow.”
By the time I snapped out of it, she was already leaving the band room, waving goodbye.
Bye-bye.
The day of the decisive battle had arrived.
The day when all my efforts up to now would bear fruit.
Maybe that’s why—my body felt like wilted petals, but my mind was a sturdy stem that wouldn’t break.
“Hm, perfect as always today.”
I grabbed my razor in front of the mirror and struck a pose from a famous soccer player’s ad.
Mmm, at this level, I could get street-cast no problem… Ugh, what do I do with this? I want to pass on skill, not looks.
After a flashy display in just my underwear, I got ready for school.
Nervous? Nah.
Nerves only hit the unprepared.
My current state was peak—nothing could stand in my way!
“Student, that’s your student ID spot.”
“Ah, sorry…”
For some reason, my bus card wouldn’t scan.
The driver uncle gave me a pitiful look.
My steps creaked like a puppet doll’s.
Mmm, this isn’t nerves… it’s, uh…
Yeah, just overthinking!
School was a 30-minute commute, but that day, I set a personal record of 50 minutes.
“What’s with the tardiness?”
After first period, Lee Wooju and Kim Taeyang eyed me suspiciously.
“Haha, everyone has off days.”
“Hm, something’s off with this guy.”
“Did you eat something bad yesterday? You look pale.”
Kim Taeyang checked my forehead for fever, while Lee Wooju pinned down my trembling leg with one of his to steady it.
Weird.
I’d never been like this the day before a tournament—why was my heart pounding like crazy?
Is this body scared of failure?
No way.
Even if I flunk, it’s no big deal, you lunatic—why am I…
“Whoa, your already pale skin’s gone full Dracula.”
“I think I know why this dude’s acting up.”
Lee Wooju donned a random butterfly tie and glasses from who-knows-where.
“Found the culprit!”
He pointed dramatically into the air.
“Lately, you’ve been at a crossroads we can’t even imagine. Kim Minji or Lee Jihye—one of them you gotta pick… and you’ve made your choice, but…!”
“But?”
“You’ve reached the point where you can’t let go of the other one either.”
Whoa, the canon male lead spouting this nonsense makes it sound legit?
“This guy’s been dreaming of a harem fantasy!!”
Kim Taeyang jumped on board, choking me in agreement.
You crazy bastards.
It’s not that…
As the chokehold tightened and I flailed,
“Probably not that.”
A welcome face greeted us.
“Oh, Seohwan, long time no see?”
“What brings you here?”
Lee Seohwan tossed back the gym clothes he’d borrowed from me and perched on a desk.
“This dude’s freaking out ’cause he might bomb the club interview.”
“Huh?”
“Baek Haon?”
Kim Taeyang finally released the headlock.
You maniac. I almost died!
“Wha.t the. Hell. Seo.hwan. I’d.ne.ver.”
“Haon-kun suddenly turned into a robot?”
“His reaction says it all.”
Nerves only hit the unprepared…
Fuck, fine, I admit it.
I’m scared shitless.
Maybe because it wasn’t just my effort—it included sunbae’s too?
The pressure to do well wouldn’t leave my head.
“Haa.”
I exhaled deeply from my core and flopped onto the chair like a paper doll.
“It’s not even college entrance—it’s a club interview. Why so tense?”
“Totally not like Baek Haon.”
Lee Wooju and Kim Taeyang’s words showed concern, but their faces were smirking.
Like they’d found a chink in perfect Baek Haon’s armor.
They’re gonna roast me hard…
“He’s always been like this. Wait ’til midterms—his face is a riot.”
Seohwan…
Don’t air my dirty laundry.
Just say I’ve got human charm!
“Anyway, what clubs you guys joining?”
Lee Wooju covered my face with his uniform vest and changed the subject, eyeing my half-corpse state.
“Thinking something chill like cooking club.”
“Cooking? Doesn’t suit you, Taeyang.”
Lee Wooju tilted his head, and
“Well… reasons.”
His expression peeking through the vest—blushing.
This punk’s into a girl.
“Totally a girl.”
“Yup, guilty.”
A senior girl in the cooking club caught his eye!
“No, you lunatics. Just thought a hobby’d be nice.”
Kim Taeyang freaked out at that, sputtering, and we nodded sympathetically.
“Fuckers… What about you?”
“Soccer or broadcasting for me.”
“Wooju in soccer? Doesn’t fit.”
I bit him quick like a granny,
“Looks the part, but he’s good. Starter through middle school.”
Kim Taeyang’s shield left me speechless.
No such thing in canon, boo-hoo…
Canon had him in broadcasting…
“Ha, might face off in the class 10 inter-class match then.”
Seohwan clicked his tongue, looking down at me.
“Haon good at soccer too?”
“From infamous Baekgok Middle, he took down all the punks with one soccer ball. Says it all.”
“Ooh…”
This guy… casually spilling my past.
Yeah, I cleaned house.
With my kicking leg, not the ball.
“So what club for you?”
At my question, Seohwan coughed twice.
“Thinking literature club.”
He scratched his head sheepishly.
“Literature club?”
“Reading books, writing stuff?”
“Yup.”
Lee Wooju, Kim Taeyang, and I gave him meaningful looks.
“How pretty’s the senior there?”
“Seohwan… finally dating?”
“You guys always assume girls…”
Seohwan shook his head pitifully.
Acting innocent—you hyped Taeyang earlier.
“Just wanna write something.”
Seohwan stated plainly, then
“Anyway, hope we all get our picks. Baek Haon, flunk hard so I can roast you.”
Dumped the curse and headed back to his class.
“Fucker…”
Still, chatting with these idiots helped.
Mind felt lighter than before.
If it’s fate, practice is my salvation!
Grabbing two pens,
“Behold, I’ll show you my song early.”
Pretending Lee Wooju and Kim Taeyang were interviewers, I slammed the desk.
“O?”
“This guy?”
Heh. Behold the fruits of my labor!
“Better than…”
“Expected, right…?”
They stared seriously, then
“Fucking sucks.”
Synchronized pity in their eyes.
You little shits…
The long-awaited 6th period.
Students rushed everywhere for club interviews.
“Kuhhh…”
“Haon, hang in there. If you fail, just shrug it off like a man.”
Lee Wooju patted my slumping shoulder.
Wooju-kun…
That’s the protagonist caliber.
As tears welled,
“That’s exactly your level!”
He fact-bombed my bones and breezed out.
Aaah, nooo.
The sealed Baek Haon will inside me stirs!!
“Shaking over this?”
I shook off my trembling hands and stood.
Desk practice earlier was the issue.
Drum sunbae petted me, said I did well!
A girl reacting like that means skill.
Confidence!
Trash those shits’ words in the bin!
Heading to the band room, steps still creaky—but whatever.
Once this ends, all back to normal…
Arriving at the band room,
“Huh…?”
Surprisingly few interviewees.
Maybe 8? Exclude chit-chatting friends—down to 5.
Band club this unpopular? They went wild at the show.
Other rooms swarmed: 20 at dance, more at hip-hop.
Even this elite school craves rebellion in club time, but…
Never dreamed band had so few.
Maybe hope…?
Parachute pass fine.
Results prove all.
Deep breaths twenty times to calm,
“Next interviewee, come in.”
I flung open the band room door boldly.
“Better looking than expected?”
“Drums applicant… President must be relieved?”
“Skill’s a bit iffy, though…”
“…Quiet.”
After the last interview, band members debated passes.
Baek Haon dominated talk.
Face was face, but skill ambiguous.
“Drums anyway—president’s call.”
“No other applicants.”
Baek Soyoung smirked at that.
“…One week of practice. Kid never held sticks before…”
“What?”
“That in one week?”
Members gawked at Baek Soyoung.
“Changes things.”
“Who taught him…? That song needs half a year minimum.”
Baek Soyoung listened silently.
Blank face.
But her lips twitched wildly.
“No way… President personally?”
“When’d you scout a successor? Wow…”
“…Basic stuff.”
“Uncovery raw talent.”
They thumbs-upped her; she crossed arms, cleared throat proudly.
Truth: even Baek Soyoung was a bit shocked by Baek Haon’s skill.
Practiced together till yesterday, but today’s was stage-ready with polish.
Beyond expectations.
She’d given a tough song just in case; he exceeded baseline.
Too easy wouldn’t satisfy members. Lied it was beginner song—perfect ploy.
“Then outcome’s set.”
“Band club saved~”
“President’s pick—worst case break even. Curious for year one?”
Nod.
Baek Soyoung nodded wordlessly.
“Send acceptance texts and head home!”
Quickly inputted Baek Haon’s number and sent the message.