HOW BEAUTIFUL THEY WERE

AFTER 90 participants finished their performance, the staff gave the remaining people who still hadn't performed an hour break to have lunch. They also told those who had already performed that there's no need for them to return and that they would receive an email and a call as well if they passed the audition.

Haneul found the production team's overall process for this public audition very efficient. From the registration - giving a number beforehand to the contestants and asking what they would perform so they could prepare the music beforehand - to the audition itself where the contestants didn't have to introduce themselves and just had to go straight to performing.

Since everything was being recorded anyway, the judges could easily review the performances of the contestants and match their identity to the registration form they signed before. So, there was really no need for an introduction. It would only add more time to the already tight schedule. Which was inefficient.

"Haneul, do you want to eat lunch together?"

Haneul heard Robin asked as he stood up and picked up his guitar case. He turned to the other with an awkward expression. But since he was wearing a mask, Robin probably didn't see it.

"My mother actually accompanied me here..." When he said that, visible disappointment appeared on Robin's face. He felt his conscience pricked when he saw that, so he quickly added, "If Hyung doesn't mind, you can join us for lunch."

As soon as he spoke, Robin's face lit up instantly, his expression changing so rapidly that it nearly made Haneul laugh. Really, what an adorable person.

"I would love to!" Robin said with a bright smile. Then a worried frown appeared on his face. "But would that be alright with your mom?"

"Yeah, it's fine."

No, not really. If this was his original world, there probably wouldn't be any problems. But in this world, where there were secondary genders, and he just happened to manifest as an Omega, it would be a totally different case. Especially since Robin looked like he's an Alpha.

But he had already invited the other, so there's no use taking it back. Besides, Robin probably didn't know anyone here other than him. Letting him eat alone just because he's worried that he might be an Alpha just didn't sit right with Haneul.

"Then, I'll gladly accept your invitation," Robin said, the bright smile on his face was back.

The two of them walked out of the hall. Since there were many others who were walking out of the hall, it took them a while to leave. Once they did, the first thing that caught Haneul's eyes was a familiar figure walking ahead.

It was Jung Taeyang.

Robin seemed to have seen the other as well because Haneul heard him comment, "Oh, look, it's Mr. Number 1. He's really amazing, right? I think out of everyone who had performed so far, he's the best one."

Haneul gave a vague nod while continuing to stare at Jung Taeyang's back. With the distance between them no longer as far as the stage, he could clearly see just how well-proportioned Jung Taeyang was. Even in loose clothes, that wonderful proportion was unmistakable.

In fact, the other seemed to look even better than what he remembered. He just seemed bigger and taller, and yes, much more handsome. If that was even possible.

Could it be that Jung Taeyang was an Alpha in this world? Maybe a dominant one, even. Remembering how his younger sister seemed to have a better physique in this world, his guess was certainly possible.

"His eyes are gray, right? Do you think they're real or just a contact lens?" Robin asked with curiosity.

"They're real," Haneul answered almost immediately. Then, realizing that he answered that a bit too quickly, he added, "I mean, they look real."

The reason he answered almost automatically was because he knew that the color of Jung Taeyang's eyes were real. In one of his interviews, he said that he got it from his father's side of the family.

In a country with a very homogenous society, a mixed-race person with obvious foreign features, such as distinctive eyes, would find it hard to succeed in the entertainment or music industry. However, his musical talent overshadowed these challenges.

Haneul continued to stare at Jung Taeyang's back. He couldn't help but think that some people really just had it all.

Then the other suddenly glanced back.

Haneul's eyes widened, and he avoided his gaze without thinking. He bit his lower lip as soon as he did that. His set of action just made it more obvious that he was staring at the other.

He took a deep breath and then turned his gaze back, just to show that he's not feeling guilty or something.

But Jung Taeyang was no longer there.

***

Taeyang got into the backseat of the car as soon as the driver opened the door for him. The moment the car drove off, his smartphone rang. Seeing the name 'Annoying Cousin' on the caller ID, he resisted the urge to reject the call. At the end, he could only sigh and answer it.

"What?"

- Is that how you talk to your Hyung?

"What is it, Hyung?" he said again in a dry tone.

- How did the audition go?

"As well as it could be," he answered with disinterest.

Taeyang heard a sigh from the other end of the phone.

- Why do you even have to audition, anyway? If you really want to join this survival program, I can just put you in it. After all, I'm the CEO of the entertainment company Vnet is collaborating with.

"And I told you, I don't want to win this program using your influence. Besides, have you forgotten already? You're no longer the CEO."

There was silence from the other side at first, and then an endless tirade started.

- I'm still the chairman and I still own the company! Have you already forgotten that it's because of you that I have to give the position of CEO to that woman...

Taeyang put the phone away from his ear and just let his cousin nag into the air. He glanced out of the car window, taking a candy from his pocket and eating it. And as he looked outside, the guy he caught staring at him earlier suddenly came to mind.

It was rare for him to remember a stranger, especially when the other was even wearing a mask. Maybe it's because of how comical that person's eyes widened when he caught him staring.

Remembering those pair of light-colored eyes that looked almost golden under the sun, his only thought at that moment was how beautiful they were.