Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Trainee's First Day
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"It's Sarang. Han Sarang."
"Pretty name. I'm Lee Hyun-ah."
Lee Hyun-ah extended her hand. The sharp hostility from moments ago had vanished, replaced by a warm, friendly smile.
I grasped her hand firmly with both of mine. There was a noticeable height difference, so I had to tilt my head way back to meet her eyes properly.
"So... can I call you Hyun-ah unnie?"
"No reason not to. We're in the same class, after all."
Her attitude had flipped completely from before, but I brushed it off. People change their tune on a dime depending on the situation, after all.
Including me.
"It felt so awkward at first... but I'm really glad you talked to me. Thanks for looking out for me, unnie."
"N-no, it's not... Don't make it a big deal."
Lee Hyun-ah couldn't quite meet my gaze, like she had a guilty conscience.
"Hi, nice to meet you."
"You're so pretty! Let's be friends."
A couple of other trainees peeked out cautiously from behind. I flashed them smiles and nodded lightly.
Both were older than me. As we chatted about this and that, the awkwardness melted away in no time.
We'll be here together for the next three years, so building good relationships is key.
"Girls. You're not here to chat."
A firm voice cut our conversation short before long.
A woman with her hair tied back in a ponytail approached. What stood out were her eyes, faintly shimmering with a blue hue.
"You must be the friend Manager Park Sung-chul mentioned. Nice to meet you. I'm the B-Class leader, so feel free to ask me anything you don't know."
So there was a separate leader.
"Ah, thank you. Um... can I call you unnie too?"
"Call me however you like."
Her words were polite, but her tone drew a subtle line.
People like her don't let their guard down easily. Unlike Hyun-ah, she wouldn't be simple to get close to.
"Hyun-ah, you need to practice too."
"...I was just about to."
Even the fiery Lee Hyun-ah didn't argue back, just turned her head away.
I'd assumed Hyun-ah was the center of the group. Should've observed the dynamics more carefully. If I'd known, I'd have approached the ponytail first.
"It's self-practice time right now. The trainer will be here soon."
"Ah, got it. Thanks, unnie."
With the ponytail's words as the cue, the scattered trainees returned to their spots and began practicing individually.
One was sitting on a mat stretching, while another had propped her phone up in front of the mirror to record her dancing.
The dancers counted beats silently without music, repeating movements in steady rhythm. They'd do the same motion two or three times, fine-tuning their angles as they moved busily.
Meanwhile, I stood there awkwardly. I had nothing to practice and didn't know where to start. In the end, I retreated to the corner again and watched the lively group.
Luckily, the awkwardness didn't last. Soon the door opened, and a mature woman entered with a bright smile.
"How's the practice going, everyone?"
"Hello, teacher!"
She was BlueNMI Entertainment's dance trainer. Loose cargo pants and a short crop hoodie—clearly someone who worked with her body.
"Ah, you must be Sarang."
I gave a light bow in greeting.
"Just watch casually today. Starting tomorrow, we'll follow the training schedule."
Training already? I could feel my mind and body tiring out just thinking about it.
But I couldn't let it show. I quietly crouched in place and watched the trainees focus on their practice.
"Alright, why don't you each show the choreography you've been working on? Match it to eight counts."
The dance trainer carefully observed each of the ten or so trainees and gave them feedback.
"Still too much tension. Try easing up a bit."
"You're rushing a beat ahead. Think of it as dancing with a little more breathing room."
"Hyun-ah, your head always leads on the turns. You need to fix that."
Even the seemingly stubborn Lee Hyun-ah nodded earnestly and accepted the advice.
"Shall we try again?"
"Yes, teacher!"
I saw Lee Hyun-ah in a new light.
I'd pegged her as half-hearted, but her eyes burned with unexpected passion.
And it wasn't just her—the other trainees mostly listened intently, pouring their sincerity into it. A few looked a bit stung, though.
'...How does their body move like that?'
Honestly, I was impressed.
I'd expected trainees to be a bit clumsy, but no.
Their waists and hips flowed as if suspended by strings, hips undulating gracefully in sync.
It was like each joint moved independently yet wove together seamlessly. A fluid curve born of the unique flexibility only women possess—something no man's body could imitate.
That's the level it takes to call yourself an idol trainee.
Sweat-soaked breaths and ceaseless motion. Watching it, I couldn't help but let out an admiring sigh.
"...Pretty."
...What did I just say?
I whipped my gaze sideways in embarrassment.
An unpleasant feeling squirmed somewhere below my chest.
Pity, probably. Definitely pity. Sympathy for these trainees charging headlong toward their dreams without hesitation.
How many of them would actually make it? Maybe not even one would see the light.
In the end, time would pass, and they'd regret even dreaming it—mocking themselves amid doubt and emptiness.
'...So foolish.'
By the time the trainees' clothes were drenched in sweat, the trainer glanced at her watch and spoke up.
"Dinner time. Those who want to eat, go ahead and regroup after."
My ears perked up at "dinner."
Right, they provide dinner here. Looked like I'd be handling all my meals in-house from now on.
Not bad at all. Hot meals instead of leftover snacks or cold rice.
Eating alone felt lame, so I figured I'd stick with the newly friendly Hyun-ah.
"Ah, sorry. I skip dinner."
But true to form for trainees, most were passing on dinner for weight control.
Even free food, though?
Well, they weren't scraping by on scraps like me.
"Ah! Eat with Seo-yoon then."
One from Hyun-ah's group spoke up. She nodded toward the ponytail girl—the B-Class leader who'd introduced herself earlier.
"Seo-yoon always has dinner."
Sure enough, after catching her breath, the ponytail headed out of the practice room. Perfect timing—I'd been waiting for a chance to talk.
"Thanks for the tip, unnie."
I left Hyun-ah's group without a second thought and followed the ponytail out.
"Unnie!"
Her eyes, shimmering faintly blue, turned back to me.
"Hm...? Something wrong?"
I hurried to catch up beside her.
"Are you... heading to eat?"
"Yeah."
"Yay, perfect! Eat with me, unnie."
Normally, she'd smile or look pleased, but the ponytail's expression stayed flat. She didn't seem thrilled.
"Sure. Let's go."
She wasn't rude about it, though, so she seemed decent inside. At her okay, I beamed and matched her pace.
"Why eat alone, unnie?"
"Most skip dinner for weight management. If they eat, it's just salad from home."
"Ah..."
"I... can't handle being hungry, so I just eat."
Even saying that, she was pretty slim. Must be one of those who doesn't gain weight easily. Girls must envy her.
"Awesome. Eat dinner with me from now on, unnie."
I sidled up with a grin and linked arms naturally. But when my arm brushed her clothes, she flinched and stepped back.
"Ah... sorry if you didn't like it, unnie."
I rubbed my awkward arm.
"Don't misunderstand. It's the sweat smell."
The ponytail sighed and straightened her clothes.
Sweat smell, huh. Her hair and clothes were definitely soaked.
But strangely, no odor at all. Maybe my nose was off? If anything, there was a faint sweet scent.
They say good care turns sweat into fragrance. Guess it's true.
"You don't dislike me, right, unnie?"
"Why would I dislike you? It's not that."
Not exactly welcoming, either—a tone that subtly kept distance.
I stuck close again and slyly looped my arm through hers. Her shoulder twitched. This time, I gently tugged her arm toward me so she couldn't slip away easily.
"W-wait...!"
Flustered for the first time, it showed on her face. Sweat smell really got to her, apparently.
"Not okay? I... want to get close to you, unnie."
"I-it's the smell right now."
"But you only smell good to me."
"Huh?"
Seizing her blank blink, I went up on tiptoes and nuzzled her neck lightly.
Sniff sniff—
"Eek?!"
The ponytail freaked and tried to push me away, but I preempted with an innocent, beaming smile.
"Smells really nice? You must take great care of yourself."
"Th-that's..."
"Arm link... okay? I'll stop if you hate it."
If she refused now, I'd back off. Pushing further would be a bother.
Even among girls okay with skinship, there are boundaries. Gotta tread carefully.
"...Warn me next time. You startled me."
Thankfully, she let out a long sigh and relented. I carefully pulled her resigned arm into an embrace.
"Thanks, unnie. Looking forward to getting along."
"It's just dinner... Aren't you a bit too friendly, Sarang?"
"I hear that a lot."
"...Kinda weird."
Eh.
Weird?
Everyone else likes it.
This unnie's a little unique.