Chapter 94
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 94
Chapter Title Evening of Apology and Resolve
That evening after the midevaluation.
After a simple meal, we gathered back in the practice room and continued rehearsing amid a faint tension.
You need to pull your foot back just a bit more here.
LLike this?
Yeah.
Heo Yubin, who knew better than anyone that his dance skills lagged behind the other team members, practiced with fierce determination.
He kept asking Yu Minha about the parts he didnt know, working hard to cut down on his mistakes.
Even though it had to be physically exhausting, he wiped his sweat and repeated the same moves without a break.
Yu Minha steadily helped the passionate Heo Yubin, but his gaze kept drifting toward the practice room door.
He was probably waiting for the one person who wasnt here.
Ive spoken to him, so dont worry.
I said calmly as I tied my shoelaces.
Yu Minha, who had already heard this reassurance three times or so, nodded but couldnt shake the worried look in his eyes.
About an hour into our practice just among ourselves.
The door opened with a rustling sound.
Did I keep you waiting long? Sorry, guys.
Eungyu hyung!
Hyung!
Hyung, why are you so late!
The team leader wed all been anxiously awaiting, Chae Eungyu, finally appeared in the practice room.
Surprised by the team members enthusiastic welcome, Chae Eungyu gave an awkward smile.
You all look like you skipped proper meals and came straight to practice. I brought ice cream.
Awesome!
Perfect timing, it was so hot. Thanks, hyung!
Hyung, thank you!
Thanks for the food.
Even Ji Yooncheol, who had stayed silent throughout practice, succumbed to the power of ice cream.
He chose the soda flavor, glanced around briefly, then sat a little distance away from me.
His footsteps were almost silent when he walked, and he sat down smoothly without making a sound.
Every action was so catlikeit was fascinating.
You like soda flavor, huh.
Yeah.
Have you always liked it since before?
Ive loved this ice cream since elementary school.
Oh ho.
I tossed out the question thinking maybe light chitchat was possible, and surprisingly, I got a decent response.
Ji Yooncheol glanced at me, then started pressing and eating his ice cream diligently.
The corner of his mouth curved up slightly in a satisfied smile.
Meanwhile, Chae Eungyu finished handing out the ice cream, hesitated a bit, then cleared his throat.
Ahem. Guys, I have something to say.
Everyone looked up at him with sparkling eyes, making Chae Eungyu even more embarrassed as his cheeks flushed.
I chuckled inwardly.
From the way he talked earlier, it seemed like hed never experienced a situation like this. But I didnt expect him to be this shy about it.
He probably had no experience formally apologizing to anyone, and now he had to bare his heart to six people, not just one.
It was a situation that could easily burden Chae Eungyu, but I was grateful hed made the decision anyway.
First off, I want to apologize for failing to control my own emotions despite being the leader. Especially to MinhaIm really sorry. I shouldnt have done that I knew you didnt mean it that way, but I still lost my temper. Im sorry.
No, hyung. I shouldve been more careful with the atmosphere before speaking.
No. This is entirely my fault, so you dont need to say that.
Chae Eungyu gripped Yu Minhas hand tightly.
Yu Minhas already large eyes grew even wider.
He looked like he might burst into tears any second.
I think I was feeling too impatient with myself. Some of you might know, but Ive already failed to debut once before. We were right on the verge, but the agency went bankrupt Back then, Id already been training for a while, so I was incredibly anxious. It felt so hopeless wondering if Id have to find another agency, start over as a trainee, and chase debut again.
Everyone held their breath, listening to Chae Eungyu.
At first, he hesitated a bit about sharing his story, but he gradually opened up with a more candid tone.
Then, by some stroke of luck, I got the chance to join Idol Training Simulation. At 26, as what people call a used trainee, I was shaking with nerves and anxiety at first. I knew plenty of people would look down on me. Could I really achieve my debut dream while enduring that? But as the show went on, making stages with great friends and dongsaengs, I started getting greedy. My desire for debut grew even stronger than before.
Chae Eungyu took a small breath and let out a hearty laugh.
But the human heart is a funny thingthe more motivated I got, the more negative thoughts crept in. The bigger my longing for debut, the stronger the anxiety that this show was my last shot. I tried to ignore it, but there were lots of people watching me critically because of my age. Objectively speaking, I realized that if I failed this time, preparing again would be really tough. And when my rankings actually started slipping a bit, I got more desperate without realizing it. Of course, I knew it was the wrong mindset and tried my best to hide it.
And then you heard the judges words today and it all came bursting out.
Yeah, thats what happened.
Chae Eungyu agreed with Kang Donghwis words.
Then, he dropped his head slightly and continued in a faintly trembling voice.
I know better than anyone. Words that hurt others cant be excused no matter the reason. No matter how anxious I was or how crushed by pressure, that behavior cant be justified. I knew that, and Im truly sorry for failing to control my emotions.
A brief silence fell again.
I couldnt see Chae Eungyus face, but his continuously trembling shoulders spoke volumes about what he was feeling.
Im really, really sorry.
Chae Eungyus apology echoed softly in the practice room.
And at that moment, Yu Minha quietly stood up and gave Chae Eungyu a light hug.
We shouldve worked hardersorry, hyung. We shouldve practiced more, but it feels like we just burdened our leader too much. Were so sorry.
No, why are you apologizing.
Im sorry too for not understanding your feelings better.
IIm sorry we couldnt practice more. SSniff! I wanted to show a better performance at the midevaluation!
Its not your fault, hyung. If wed synced up properly from the start, this wouldnt have happened.
One by one, everyone stood and approached Chae Eungyu.
I watched the scene, feeling a warm emotion.
Theyre not blaming just one persontheyre taking it as everyones responsibility and comforting the leader.
It was the ideal picture of a team overcoming hardship together.
Well work harder. Well share the burden on your shoulders, hyung.
Hearing my words, Chae Eungyu finally let his heldback tears flow gently.
The whole team gathered around him, soothing him.
Even Baek Sihwa, who had been hesitating and watching, approached him.
And Ji Yooncheol, maintaining his poker face, wrapped his long arm around Chae Eungyus shoulders.
It was truly a rare sight.
I want to prove it. That were trainees worthy of reaching the finale. That we have the power to turn around everything the judges said in one go.
We feel the same!
Lets practice even harder!
No sleeping at all.
ThThat wont work.
Ji Yooncheol frowned at Heo Yubins serious declaration.
The whole team burst into laughter.
Yubin, I appreciate the spirit, but we need some sleep. If we pull allnighters completely, well turn into zombies.
RReally, too much?
I want to sleep five hours.
Ignoring Ji Yooncheols weak, drained voice, Chae Eungyu spoke up.
Thanks, everyone.
Chae Eungyu patted Heo Yubins head and smiled as he looked over the team.
When his eyes finally met mine, he gave a very slight nod.
He didnt say it out loud, but it felt like he was thanking me.
I nodded back at him with a smirk.
Good thing it worked out.
Chae Eungyu, who had never opened his heart in front of others, mustered great courage to share his circumstances.
And the team, hearing his story and apology, understood him and even took on the burden themselves, vowing to do better.
It was a beautiful ending born from courage on both sides.
Chae Eungyu wiped his eyes with his sleeve and cleared his slightly choked throat.
Ahem. So, shall we get back to practice? How far did we get?
Oh, we were reviewing the parts we did before you came, hyung. I thought we should perfect the choreography we find most difficult first.
Okay. Lets start from there again.
Yes!
After stretching to loosen our stiff bodies, we scattered to our positions.
Just as we were about to resume choreography practice under Chae Eungyu and Yu Minhas guidance.
I have something to say.
The one least likely to speak up during practice sessions raised his hand.
Whats this situation?
I looked at Ji Yooncheol in surprise inwardly.
The other trainees didnt hide their shock, mouths agape.
Even Chae Eungyu blinked several times, stammering.
Uh, YYooncheol? You have something to say?
Yes. Im not sure if itll work, but it might help those struggling with the chorus choreography.
Itll help?
To be precise I think I can show you how to dance it to get the right feel.
Silence enveloped the room.
I was a bit dumbfounded too.
Is it really okay for Yooncheol to demonstrate it himself?
When Chae Eungyu asked again, Ji Yooncheol silently nodded.
Its not hard for me. I think the most important thing right now is making a perfect stage. I want to help with the best I can do.
Ji Yooncheol always kept a poker face.
He never showed any emotional changes.
Even at ranking announcements where his survival was on the line, he maintained a perfect blank expressionan unreadable character.
Up to now, hed quietly handled only his own parts in practice sessions without saying much.
And his first real input was offering to show how to dance it properly.
Chae Eungyu turned the idea over in his head a few times before asking the team.
Yubin, Donghwi. Think you can follow if Yooncheol teaches you?
Ill teach as slowly as possible. But. Itll be detailed and take a while. Is that okay?
Ji Yooncheol added in a small voice.
Heo Yubin and Kang Donghwi exchanged glances, then nodded vigorously.
If we can learn it, itll be a huge help.
MMe too!
Ji Yooncheol gave a slight nod at their answer.
Then Ill focus on teaching the chorus choreography first.
As he took the two trainees to the back of the practice room, Chae Eungyu stared blankly, then shook his head.
He still couldnt believe it.
Alright, while Yooncheols teaching, lets review the next formations again. Okay?
Yes!
Even as I danced the second verse choreography, I couldnt shake off the fresh shock.
Even Ji Yooncheol, who seemed like hed never step up first, is making a move.
Of course, I had no idea why he decided this.
But surely something in Chae Eungyus words resonated with him.
Ji Yooncheol was a toptier trainee under heavy expectations, just like Chae Eungyu.
Having experienced dropping in rankings himself, he might understand the pressure Chae Eungyu felt all too well.
Still, to get even this silent guy to take action.
The flame of resolve ignited by Chae Eungyus story was burning brighter than expected.