Chapter 9
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Coffee and Confessions
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kim Han-soo took a sip of the coffee in front of him before starting the meeting.
It wasn't something they could decide lightly, so he couldn't voice an opinion recklessly. But if he, as the team leader, stayed silent, the meeting wouldn't move forward.
In the end, Kim Han-soo let out a deep sigh and tossed out the main topic.
"What do you all think?"
"Is there even anything to think about? We signed him intending to debut him as an idol anyway."
The vocal trainer spoke up first.
It was the straight answer. They'd scouted and recruited Do-jun from the start with B.O.Y in mind.
"But Team Leader, you're asking because you have different thoughts too, right?"
The acting trainer saw it differently, though.
"Just debut him as an actor first, and he can do idol stuff later."
"It's not that simple."
"There are precedents, so why not?"
The acting trainer didn't back down, responding sharply to the vocal trainer's retort and stating his case clearly.
"Honestly, Do-jun has a higher chance of success debuting as an actor. You know how thin the pool of young male actors is these days."
The vocal trainer squinted one eye in rebuttal.
"That's why debut as an idol first, then actor. That's the standard path."
"Then he'll get labeled as an 'idol alum' from the start."
"That's solvable with skill. Not every idol alum gets hate."
"Why risk hate he doesn't need to?"
"You haven't heard him sing. The guy's a natural."
"Same goes for acting."
Opinions flew back and forth, but the gap in views only repeated without closing.
The trainers' gazes eventually converged on Kim Han-soo, the decision-maker.
'This doesn't make sense.'
He was from GH, and they'd investigated and recruited him beforehand, so they expected at least baseline competence.
But this exceeded expectations by a mile.
Top-tier singing, solid dancing, and now great acting too?
Even with Flame's success, slotting him in later would be no issue.
If anything, long-term, it'd expand the group's external activities. So why the dilemma?
'The more I think, the less sense it makes.'
Why would GH raise a kid like this and just let him go? Was there some hidden issue they didn't know about?
Of course, they'd checked thoroughly before recruiting, so unlikely. Still, the suspicion lingered.
Otherwise, it was hard to explain why Do-jun hadn't debuted yet.
'Well, it's good for us.'
Either way, he had to make the initial call and report up.
"Who'd have thought talent would be the problem."
"Right?"
"Anyway, the issue is which to prioritize."
The acting trainer quickly picked up on Kim Han-soo's words.
"The young male actor pool is so thin right now; he'll get picked up fast. Lead roles might be tough at first, but what production wouldn't cast him in a supporting one?"
"But then idol activities get delayed."
"Prep isn't done anyway. Coming in with buzz would be even better."
"What if it flops? A failed drama could just leave a bad image."
"Pick the right project, then."
"You think it's that easy?!"
"Enough, both of you."
Kim Han-soo hurriedly cut them off. Left alone, the argument would reignite for sure.
"I heard your opinions. I'll discuss it with the executive director first."
More talk would just loop the same points, so he ended it there, but Kim Han-soo's mind remained tangled.
A few hours ago, he'd even passed Go Moo-seo's contact from a drama production to him.
What was he supposed to say this time?
Based on past experience, he'd get yelled at for botching one thing and needing a redo.
'Better than if Do-jun were the problem, though.'
A faint smile tugged at Kim Han-soo's lips as he shook his head.
"...580 hours."
It looks long in numbers, but it's not really. Good thing the trainers gave some likes, boosting my coins.
Combining buyable time from coins and remaining time...
'Roughly two months?'
Factoring in accumulating likes might stretch it past two months, but it won't change much.
'...Still anxious.'
Can I hold out until debut? What if I can't?
What can I do? Just die.
"Ahaha."
I let out a hollow laugh and dragged my exhausted practice-worn body to a nearby cafe.
Break time doesn't mean full rest. Gotta hit the cafe, snap pics, and post.
'Might as well grab coffee on the way.'
No empty practice rooms in the office.
Jealous. They can just focus on practice. Never thought I'd envy undebuted trainees.
Maybe because my head's a mess—my steps felt heavy all the way to the cafe.
"Welcome!"
I exchanged light greetings with the now-familiar part-timer, ordered a coffee, and took a window seat.
"...Need a different background."
Practice rooms aside, I'd shot enough here too. Time for new spots. If only I had time to go somewhere.
Still beats not posting.
I snapped away, tweaking expressions. Wider eyes? Curl lips up like a smile...
Ding.
"...?"
The door chime made me glance over unconsciously. My eyes locked with Lee Jae-ha, who had just walked in.
'Of all times.'
Lee Jae-ha froze mid-step, as flustered as me.
But only briefly—he schooled his face cold and headed to the counter.
'Ugh, embarrassing.'
I'd been posing every handsome trick in the book, and he shows up now.
I stared at his back as he scanned the menu overhead, pondering.
"Hmm."
In the end, I stood up.
We were debuting together, after all. Couldn't keep being strangers.
No way he'd spit in a smiling face. I plastered on my softest smile and approached.
"Here for coffee?"
But Lee Jae-ha dashed hopes, eyes fixed on the menu, replying dryly.
"Yeah."
Then he turned to the staff and ordered.
"Iced Americano, two shots."
"I'll cover it."
I whipped out my card quick. But he ignored me like I was invisible and pulled out his own.
"Uh, which card...?"
"Mine."
"This one."
The staff hesitated, eyes darting in clear conflict.
Sensing the awkwardness, Lee Jae-ha glanced at me.
"Don't interfere with my business. The receiver doesn't want it..."
"This one."
In that split second, my card was in the staff's hand.
"H-Hey...!"
Too late, man.
The flustered staff seized the chance and rang it up fast. Looked relieved, even.
Soon, the beep sounded, and a white receipt printed.
Why'd you turn away then?
"...What the hell are you doing?"
"Just saying let's have a coffee."
"No."
Rejection hit before I finished. At least pretend to think.
"We're here by chance—let's talk? Gonna keep this up forever?"
A sharp glare answered instead.
Our eyes tangled briefly.
"Your iced Americano two shots is ready."
Only after the staff's tentative whisper did Lee Jae-ha wordlessly grab his coffee.
'Done for today.'
But then he plopped down opposite where I'd been shooting pics.
Not totally hostile. I smirked and sat across.
He sipped through the straw, staring out the window. Sat down, but not conversation-ready.
"Straight talk: You hate me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Without turning, an unexpected question popped from Lee Jae-ha.
"Why'd you leave GH?"
His gaze shifted to me.
'Huh?'
His eyes were calmer than expected. Up close, he didn't seem all icy.
"Does it matter?"
"It does."
He took another sip before continuing.
The full cup had noticeably emptied.
"Someone that good not debuting means issues elsewhere. Personality, relationships, that stuff."
"Hahaha."
I burst out laughing unwittingly. Two reasons.
One, he acknowledged my skills. Two, suspecting my character over it was ridiculous.
Mistaking it for mockery, his tone sharpened.
"What's funny?"
"Didn't Team Leader tell you? I was in Flame's debut lineup."
"That an answer? You still didn't debut..."
Irked, I cut off his snap.
"Accident on MV shoot day. Out cold for half a year, woke up to the company kicking me out."
"...What?"
First he'd heard, judging by his blank face. Then skeptical.
"...Never heard that."
"Ask Team Leader."
"Why the casual speech all sudden?"
"Do it too if you're mad. How long you gonna formal with me? Debuting together anyway."
Flustered, face reddening, he flapped his lips uselessly.
"Wha— This isn't..."
"Not letting this second chance slip. Wanna debut, succeed this time. Gotta get along, right? First impressions aside."
Groups succeed despite bad vibes, sure, but we'd share dorms later. Better comfy than awkward.
No need to growl like dog and cat on sight.
I sighed inwardly and extended my hand.
"Let's get along from now on, Lee Jae-ha."
After a beat, he silently offered his. Pale like he avoided sun, our hands met awkwardly.
Handshake done, he hesitated before mumbling.
"Well... your singing's good."
"Just practiced long. Lemme hear yours sometime."
Casual toss, but cat-bristling reply came.
"Why mine?"
"You came to my eval."
"..."
No answer—he whipped his head aside and slurped the rest.
'Handsome, alright.'
Natural light from the window showed why he made debut lineup first.
Idol trainee or not, SNS-famous looks.
'Right!'
I yanked my phone from my pocket and held it out. He said, "Number?"—I shook my head.
"You on Goodstar?"
"...Huh?"
"Follow me and like all my pics if you are."
"..."
"Call it coffee payback."
Deep furrows creased Lee Jae-ha's brow.