Roomies (11)

The list read:

"Forgetteries – RIZEE

Just Wrong – GOT6

If You Do – GOT6

MANIAC – WildBoyz

Alarm – J2Harmony

keep plot – SWT"

Joon-woo looked at the list and mentally crossed out GOT6. They had rap heavy songs, rap that would make Baek Du-Ho stand out more than Joon-woo would like. Alarm by J2Harmony was also quite rap heavy, but it had impressive vocal points that, if Joon-woo got the parts, people would surely take notice. 

Any WildBoyz's song was traumatizing to Joon-woo. It reminded him of the long hours he had put into fixing the less than competent flow of his dance. So MANIAC was mentally ripped from the paper and out of Joon-woo's sight. 

That left RIZEE and SWT's songs. SWT was singing-heavy, so Joon-woo figured that Du-Ho would vote against it, and with him, Rank 26 and 21. But RIZEE's song was… balanced? It was a singing-heavy beginning, sure, but there was a long rap verse in the song that covered enough ground for what Joon-woo hoped, Du-Ho was satisfied with. Not to mention the song was quite the masterpiece.

Joon-woo looked around to see his team's reactions. They took a moment longer to remove their eyes from the list and to Teacher Nam, who looked at the group anxiously. 

"I like Forgetteries." Joon-woo said, "I think Du-Ho Sunbae's rap skills can also be highlighted but also our vocal range with the many adlibs." He reasoned, not looking to his team for support he knew they wouldn't give. 

Teacher Nam nodded at Joon-woo, "Ehh, you're a smart kid, huh?" He commented with a large smile. Joon-woo grimaced.

"I think Just Wrong is a good pick for our team." Baek Du-Ho added. 

'Good for the team? More like you…' Joon-woo thought, as Du-Ho rambled on about whatever reasons. 

"Sure it has a large rap portion, but the vocals in between are impressive…" Baek Do-Ho reasoned. 

Teacher Nam rubbed at his chin, "I think they are both good options, yes… What about you two?" He gestured to Rank 21 and 26, who had been silent for at least a minute already.

They exchanged glances, before sighing. Rank 21 took the lead, "I like all the songs, it's so hard to choose!" He exclaimed, sulking as if five. Was this fucker tyring to look cute for the camera? 

Rank 26 nodded, patting Rank 21 on the back, "Yes, yes… I agree with my Dongseang here. I think you did a great job of making a list, Teacher Nam." He spoke, his face that previously twisted into a shit-eating grin going soft. 

'If that much of pushovers they should just get on their knees and suck Teacher Nam off at this point…' Joon-woo thought with a less than amused face.

Teacher Nam got a bit flustered at the conventionally attractive men appreciating him like such. He cleared his throat and turned around for a second as if to hide his flustered expression. "While I appreciate the love we do have to decide on a song so we can get to practicing as soon as possible." Teacher Nam said. 

"Ehh– But how can we eliminate songs off a list you worked so hard on?" Rank 21 continued, and Joon-woo swore it was worse than watching a male idol doing aegyo. 

Joon-woo scoffed, and opened his mouth to resume the conversation, but was beaten to it. And to his surprise, it wasn't Teacher Nam, but Baek Du-Ho. 

"Forgetteries or Just Wrong?" Du-Ho asked, everyone snapping their heads to the less than loud contestant. 

"Ehh?" Rank 26 had the audacity to say in surprise. 

"As a leader I need to make sure we get things done. This is the easy part, so let's just vote now." He stressed, voice cold. The others' looked a bit frightened, but Joon-woo couldn't help but be overjoyed. Du-Ho was finally stepping up!

Teacher Nam nodded in acknowledgement. 

"So raise your hand for Forgetteries." Baek Du-Ho instructed. 

Joon-woo raised his hand, and though he thought himself to be alone in such a want, Rank 21 also raised his hand. He looked to the younger, surprised, but looked away when Rank 26 caught wind of Joon-woo's look. 

"Okay so two. What about Just Wrong?" Baek Du-Ho continued.

He himself raised his hand, followed by Rank 26. Two to two. 

They were tied. 

Baek Du-Ho blew at his lips, "Great, a tie." He huffed. 

Joon-woo licked his lips and looked around the room as it was engulfed in silence. It was awkward, too awkward. 

Teacher Nam suddenly raised, "I could vote!" He exclaimed, "No tie could happen with 5."

Joon-woo flinched up, but nodded in agreement. 

"You can vote." Baek Du-Ho said, without confirmation from the others', but as long as he was a leader now, Joon-woo thought. 

Teacher Nam nodded confidently, "Then I vote Just Wrong!" He exclaimed with a smile. 

Ah, Joon-woo froze, of fucking course.

–+–

Joon-woo's vocals were about as useless as could be, and they felt underused as he exited the recording room. He was sure Baek Du-Ho's were plenty tired, having sung half the song about fifteen times. 

Really, what was Teacher Nam thinking? Baek Du-Ho had about 50% of the song to himself, while Joon-woo, Rank 26, and Rank 21 had to split the second half among the three of them. He was beyond frustrated. 

It wasn't even a matter of Joon-woo not getting to show off as much. Hell, he had consented to Teacher Nam getting a say. But he was just– annoyed. Wasn't he allowed to be?

Rank 26 and 21 contributed nothing but weightless compliments and Joon-woo had practically ran out of that recording room the moment they were dismissed. His wrist was still bruised and he was still slightly terrified of Rank 26. 

He was annoyed and fatigued from a lack of sleep. Gosh– why couldn't the day just end? It was 6:38 P.M., and as much as Joon-woo wasn't fond of admitting it, he missed his roommates, he missed Reggie. Would he ever get to team with them?

Just then, as he approached the door to his dorm, he was snatched in. He was snatched by his collar and pulled with a force that shocked him out of his anger. 

"Hey!" He called, protesting the grip by dipping onto the floor. He was about to swing, to hit the person. Because who the fuck would grab him like that? 

"Woah, woah!" A familiar voice yelped, releasing Joon-woo frantically, as Joon-woo's foot was about to kick this gut where the sun didn't shine. 

It was Bo Jaesang. Joon-woo furrowed his brows. He looked disheveled, his hands up as if to surrender. His face was pale, as if winded. 

"What– what the fuck?" Joon-woo stammered, shaking his head and looking at Jaesang fearfully. 

Bo Jaesang shook his head, placing a finger at his own mouth as if to silence Joon-woo. He pointed behind Joon-woo to the small window in the dorm room. 

It was wide open, a cold breeze from outside blowing against the two. 

Joon-woo turned to Bo Jaesang, confused. He looked around the room to find no one but them. 

"What– Where're Hyun-Ok Hyung and Hyun Hyung?" He asked, a cautious step away from Bo Jaesang. 

Bo Jaesang rubbed the back of his neck, as if guilty. "They're– out..?" 

"What do you mean, 'out'?" Joon-woo asked, quite worried as if these guys got caught they would be in quite the trouble.

"Getting snacks…" Bo Jaesang admitted quietly. 

Joon-woo's face dropped. "You're joking." He grimaced. 

How irresponsible were these guys?