Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: This is the First Lesson
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According to what the CEO had said about centering the schedule around dance, the very first class was a private dance lesson.
The one silver lining was that, being a private lesson, it would be one-on-one instruction. At least I wouldn't have to embarrass myself in front of everyone with my dancing.
"Han Sarang?"
While I was looking at myself in the mirror of the private practice room, someone called my name.
"Ah, yes…!"
A woman with a bright smile waved at me from the mirror. She wasn't the instructor I'd met before—this was an assistant trainer.
T-shirt and jogger pants. She was dressed in something that looked incredibly comfortable.
"Hi. Call me Hyeon-jeong Teacher. Starting today, I'm in charge of your dance training, so let's get along well."
Hyeon-jeong Teacher patted my shoulder, then clapped her hands sharply, just like the start of gym class.
"First, let's check out your current level. I'll play some music. Just move however your body feels like it."
"As I know how?"
"Yeah. I need to gauge where you're at, so don't try to show off or anything. Just go for it. Okay?"
Just going for it is the hardest thing. I'd rather have her teach me some moves first. But ignoring my inner grumbling, the speakers started thumping with a beat.
"Come on, give it a try."
"Uh… okay."
At Hyeon-jeong Teacher's urging, I awkwardly shuffled my feet. I swung my arms around and forced my shoulders to shake.
I had no idea what I was even doing. Self-loathing washed over me even as I was dancing.
"Stop."
Not much to see, apparently—Hyeon-jeong Teacher cut the music off after just a short while.
I started to come up with an excuse, but the words caught in my throat. I knew full well how pathetic my dancing was.
With skills like mine, she had every right to put on a stern face. I braced for the harsh criticism.
"Puhahat!"
Instead, Hyeon-jeong Teacher burst out laughing. There wasn't a trace of disappointment in that lighthearted chuckle.
"You're so serious, it's actually cute, Sarang."
"……That's an insult, right?"
"No. I mean it—you're cute."
At least she wasn't getting serious. I guess that was something to be grateful for.
"I've already heard about your dance experience, so no worries there."
"Yes…."
"Come on, chin up."
Hyeon-jeong Teacher stepped closer and suddenly smacked my butt twice with her palm.
"!!"
A sharp, tingling jolt shot up from my lower body, making my whole frame shudder once.
…This is sexual harassment.
Of course, she probably meant it to pep me up.
"Let's tackle the most basic issues first."
With a smile, Hyeon-jeong Teacher continued.
"First off, your body has zero isolation. It's like one solid lump."
Bodies aren't supposed to isolate in the first place.
"Second, you can't ride the rhythm at all. The beat hasn't sunk into your body even a little."
I shot Hyeon-jeong Teacher a slightly pouty look.
"And finally, your movements have no center."
Hyeon-jeong Teacher placed her hands on either side of my pelvis.
"For a woman, the pelvis is the pedestal that holds your center. Every time it tilts forward or rolls back, your balance wobbles."
When Hyeon-jeong Teacher pushed my pelvis front and back, my legs buckled on their own.
"Next up is your core. You need strength there to hold your lines. By the way, Sarang, your waist is insanely slim."
Now Hyeon-jeong Teacher ran both hands along my waist, adjusting my posture.
That butt smack earlier, and now this—isn't she being way too handsy?
Of course, it's normal for a dance trainer to correct your form. I didn't pick up any creepy vibes from her, and we're both girls anyway.
Still, it felt off. Even if I look like this, my core is a guy.
Uncomfortable.
"Um… Hyeon-jeong Teacher."
"Yeah? Got a question?"
My earlobes and cheeks heated up.
I looked up at Hyeon-jeong Teacher, letting faint tears glisten in my eyes.
"Um… could you not touch my body so much…? It's just… kind of embarrassing."
Her pupils dilated wildly at my downcast gaze and soft voice.
"Ah, s-sorry! It's just a habit from years of doing it, so I didn't think twice. Must've made you uncomfortable. My bad."
Hyeon-jeong Teacher coughed awkwardly, her own ear tips tinged pink.
"No, it's fine. Teacher, you're so pretty… I think my body tensed up on its own."
"Ahem. Sarang, you're a pro at flattery."
"It's not flattery."
I flashed an innocent, beaming smile to drive the point home. It landed—Hyeon-jeong Teacher just hesitated and didn't push back.
Anyway, after that, she never casually touched my waist or pelvis again.
"Let's start with the basics. For the time being, we'll cover bounce, isolation, and centering."
"Yes… I'll work hard."
"Hehe, that's the spirit. Bounce it is."
One, two, three, four.
To the trainer's repeating count, my first lesson kicked off.
※
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Is this what neurosis feels like?
The dance lesson was over, but Hyeon-jeong Teacher's voice lingered in my ears like an auditory hallucination. I never imagined I'd be hearing nothing but those numbers for a full two hours.
Repeating one through eight to etch the rhythm into your body—that's bounce training.
Thinking I'd have to keep this up made a sigh slip out on its own.
"Something wrong?"
In the BlueNMI Entertainment cafeteria, Lee Seo-yoon noticed the shadow on my face and asked.
"Nothing…."
If I said I wanted to quit on day one, I'd just get chewed out.
Still, my tired body made the food taste amazing. I speared a piece of chicken and some lettuce together and popped it in my mouth.
Ah, right.
"Seo-yoon unnie. Let's swap numbers."
"Huh? Out of nowhere?"
"I got a new phone yesterday."
I figured I'd gradually collect numbers from all the promising debut hopefuls. Down the line, when broadcasts ran short on content, I could trot them out one by one.
"Well… sure. If it's you, Sarang."
Lee Seo-yoon handed over her contact without a second thought, oblivious to my ulterior motives.
Seeing the number saved on my phone brought a smug, materialistic smile to my lips. I quickly hid my mouth behind my phone and smiled with just my eyes at Lee Seo-yoon.
"You're the first, unnie. Person I've ever asked for their number."
"Huh?"
Implant the idea that she's special to me. Easiest way in the book to win someone over.
And it wasn't even a total lie. This was my first phone ever. The CEO's number was pre-saved, but I didn't add it myself—no count.
"W-why say it like that with such a shy face."
Lee Seo-yoon was stammering—mission accomplished.
"It's true."
"More importantly, Sarang. Your sense of distance feels kinda weird."
Ek.
I'd fed her a compliment, and it's weird?
The weird one here is you, Lee Seo-yoon.
"Does it bother you, unnie?"
"Not really."
"Then we're good."
Oh, and there was something I'd been meaning to ask Lee Seo-yoon privately.
"Unnie. Why did you want to become an idol?"
No matter how I sliced it, this gig had way more downsides than upsides.
I'd only stepped into it out of necessity, but people who chose this hell willingly? Total mystery.
"You know Han Sea-ah?"
A familiar name tumbled from Lee Seo-yoon's lips.
"Yeah. Obviously."
"When I was little, I saw her stage… and I was totally hooked."
The perpetual blank mask lifted from Lee Seo-yoon's face. In its place sat an awkward blush—a expression I'd never seen from her before.
"I wanted to shine on stage like her. Idols became my dream from then on… and somehow, here I am."
One thing was crystal clear: Lee Seo-yoon was dead serious about her idol dream—more than anyone.
The girl's eyes, as she spoke of it, gleamed greener than ever.
Staring into those eyes.
My mood soured fast.
"What if you crash and burn?"
Maybe that's why my voice came out cold without thinking.
"Huh?"
Those blue eyes flinched right in front of me. I flashed a smile and shook my head.
"Anyway, unnie, you seem really cool!"
"Huh? Outta nowhere… what…."
"You're basically living your dream. A-Class next year and all."
I shifted my tray and slid in right next to Lee Seo-yoon. I sat extra close, making sure our thighs pressed together.
"S-Sarang?"
I leaned my head on Lee Seo-yoon's shoulder. Twitch. It trembled ever so slightly.
"But unnie, if you go to A-Class, who am I gonna eat lunch with?"
"…Even in A-Class, I'll eat every day."
"Hehe, phew."
"U-um, Sarang. Sweat and all… mind scooting over a bit?"
Lee Seo-yoon tried to pull away. Instead, I leaned into her nape, blowing a deliberate puff of breath.
"Hiiak?"
A surprisingly cute squeak escaped Lee Seo-yoon.
Soon, those blue eyes stared at me in utter bewilderment. I met them with a soft eye-smile.
"Unnie, you smell good."
Hehe. My pure-as-driven-snow grin drew a deep sigh from Lee Seo-yoon.
"……Fine. Do whatever. Don't blame me if I stink."
My win.
In the end, Lee Seo-yoon let me claim her left shoulder all through lunch.