This Was A Competition

Shun scowled, but he suddenly dropped his face and his eyes watered. Falling onto his seat, he covered his eyes and leaned his elbow on the table.

"Sorry," he apologized as tears fell down his eyes, "I'm sorry Taemeng. I did not mean to say those words. You are not emotionless. Forgive me."

His shoulders shook and he tried to stifle his cries. This was too much. He wanted to get up and hide under the covers, but his legs wouldn't move. All he could do was cry at the table while the entire world watched. How pathetic was he? This was not what an idol should do, this was not princely. Taemeng was right. He shouldn't get emotional, it would not help him succeed.

He felt arms around him and he leaned against the hold, loosening his tears. He cried into the shoulder and did his best to not sully the shirt. He didn't understand why he was crying right now. He knew this was a competition. People were going to leave and he should be glad it wasn't him, but… still…

"Go to the bathroom," Taemeng whispered, "There are no cameras or mic."

Nodding, he quickly rushed to the bathroom and slid down the door to pull his knees to his chest.

Kaiden just stared blankly at the camera in the confession room for a long time. How could he had gotten so low?! He was so close to leaving! It made him angry and disappointed in himself. He almost lost the only opportunity he had left. He was getting too old to stay as a trainee and his chance to be in a group was passing him by.

"I apologize," he bowed to the camera, "I will do better."

He stayed for another few moments before leaving to the kitchen for coffee. He saw Taemeng sitting there with a faraway look with a cup of cold coffee before him.

'Looks like everyone is in the same boat then.'

"Taemeng," Kaiden brought his cup to the table, "You're the only one representing your studio now, right?"

The boy nodded and drank the cold coffee.

"I was surprised to see you so low today," the dancer stated, "You are usually the top 3."

Kaiden squeezed his cup and nodded, offering a smile, "I am surprised as well, but I will take what was said. I will be better."

Taemeng nodded to the top trainee and glanced at Mikey lying on the couch staring at the ceiling, and then at Heeang and the others watching television. Footsteps entered the space and he turned to see Shun with red rimmed eyes and a smile.

"Shun?" Kaiden got up and Shun waved him off and said he was fine.

"Guess I needed that," he shrugged and poured another tea for himself, "I hope they are looking for a 10 person group."

"Shun," Kaiden spoke gently, "Did you not read the contract?"

"Uh…" He offered a smile.

"They want a 5-person group."

"…"

"…"

"Oh," Shun rubbed his eyes and sighed.

5. That meant 5 more people were going to leave and out of the 10 he was closest with Ping- obviously, Kaiden, and Taemeng. He hoped they all make it to the top and become a group. Humming to himself as he finished his tea, he said his goodnights and joined Ping in dreamland.

In the interweb, the official fan account had posted pictures of Shun crying and made compilations of live reactions from many online channels. The caption read: Shun deserves better. Make him number 1!

Another account was catching wind. It also had pictures of Shun crying in the arms of Taemeng, the dancer tagging Shun, and many of them looking at one another or not. This account was named: ShunTae Shippers.

Wen Dong's heart ached for both baby Ping and his good friend Shun. He reposted the picture Shun took of the three of them and wrote: When we dream, we dream together. When we fight, we fight together. Keep fighting @PingPingDarling and @XiongShunofficial.

Unfortunately for Suu Jin, he missed this episode. He missed the idol females, he missed Kiki leaving, he missed Ping Ping crying, and he missed Xiong Shun crying.

Why?

He was currently in a meeting with Manager Yaotzu beside him. Before him were his old group mates and his old manager. They did not spoke to one another, only the managers did about scheduling and figuring out the best time from their clients' schedule.

The producer of the Idol show had offered a few certain times that are opened and expressed they would pay a certain amount for the entire group to speak with the contestants. If it were any other show, Suu Jin would had passed, especially if it meant to reunite with his old team.

Yet, this show was the one with his cousin Ping and his- Xiong Shun.

"Nope, that day won't work. Jin has a promotional tour."

"This day won't work either. The group is traveling internationally," the former manager frowned, "This is the only date they are free until the evening."

"No can do, Jin has a photoshoot-"

"It is fine, Manager Yaotzu. We can push it back," Suu Jin stated without removing his eyes from the others.

"If we push it back, then you'd have an entire day full. You've done it before, but just making sure you know," his manager stated with his sunglasses hiding narrowed eyes.

"Mm," he nodded, "Are we all in agreement?"

"Hm? Thinking of others now, Ah Jin?" The brunette smirked, "There is no need to play with us. We know who you are."

"Pengu," Suu Jin smiled, "This is not a game. We will be helping the younger generation become the next group. Let us put our past behind us and-"

"It is not that easy," his former group member, Yanny, spoke up with a sigh, "What you did still left us with many scars, Jin. I am happy you are successful and Manager Yaotzu works well with you, but you shouldn't have just-"

"You don't have to talk so nice to him, Ah Yan," Pengu turned to Suu Jin and spoke as if spitting on his face, "You didn't even come to his funeral! What happened was your fault Suu Jin. That is unforgivable."