Chapter 7 : Debut Team Practice (4) fix
There are 16 of us, including me. But thinking about it, 16 is actually a lot. The number of people who can debut won't exceed 9, so more than half will be eliminated.
'It must feel like a bolt from the blue for them, with me suddenly added to the mix.'
For those who don't get selected, especially someone like Kang Gyeong-tae, leaving Honey Entertainment is the only option. That's why Kang Gyeong-tae showed such prickly caution when he first met me.
'Anyway, it's amazing. If these kids debut, they become idols, right?'
I thought idol trainees would have something special about them. But surprisingly, their behavior wasn't much different from ordinary teenagers. They laugh at silly things and curse freely. Who would think they're stars? They seemed like ordinary teenagers.
'There aren't many standout kids, but they seem decent thanks to management.'
Even so, the ones who stand out are Gi Woo-yeon and Kang Gyeong-tae, who I saw in the morning. And there's one more person who caught my eye. The only downside is that he's a bit short. My new body is 183cm tall, and he seems to be around 170cm. And surprisingly, I know his name.
"Kang Jun! Let's introduce ourselves."
"…I'm Kang Jun."
"Kang Jun?"
When I showed that I knew him, Gi Woo-yeon was surprised and asked,
"Do you know our Jun brother?"
"Yeah. He seems to be quite famous in the debut team."
"That's right!! Our Jun brother is the only one with a fan club."
I knew he was famous among fans, but I didn't know he had a fan club. Unlike Gi Woo-yeon, who actively introduced me, Kang Jun was reserved. After an awkward introduction, he avoided eye contact. Gi Woo-yeon explained on his behalf.
"Kang Jun is a bit shy. But once you get to know him, he's really great. It would be good if you two became friends."
"Do we have to?"
"Since we'll be seeing each other often, it's better to be friends, right?"
Gi Woo-yeon was actively recommending Kang Jun to me. I know why he's doing this.
'He's already figured out who will debut and who won't. That's why he's hinting for us to be friends.'
If we debut in the same group, it's better to start with some friendship. I don't find Gi Woo-yeon's actions annoying. Having someone smart like him in the debut team is an advantage for me. It's better than having a dull, annoying person as a colleague.
The reserved Kang Jun, the always bright Gi Woo-yeon, the trainees discreetly observing me, and finally, Kang Gyeong-tae and his group who seem disinterested. There was a subtle tension in the air. Soon, the teacher entered, and the class began.
"Why is he so bad?"
Shortly after the class started, the trainees couldn't help but comment. They were tense about the handsome newcomer, but his dancing skills were clearly those of a beginner.
"How did he even get in here?"
"Haha! Look at him stumbling."
"What? We were all nervous for nothing."
To join the debut team, you have to go through A-Class, B-Class, and C-Class. But I, a C-Class graduate, skipped straight to the debut team. The trainees naturally assumed I had some skill, but when they saw my poor dancing, they were disappointed. I ignored their harsh gazes. I didn't plan to stay at this level, so I could be confident.
'Laugh all you want. You won't have much time to laugh.'
What do I need to do to crush their egos?
'Sex!'
That was the only answer.
---------------
Jin Hae-sol's phone number was taken by Joo-ah, who had been a trainee. During her trainee days, she had completely cut off any interest in the opposite sex. Compared to male idols, female idols have to work harder to avoid being kicked out. Especially if a trainee is involved in a scandal with a man, she's immediately kicked out.
'I'm not a trainee anymore.'
But now, she doesn't have to worry about that. Her trainee contract will be terminated at the end of this month. No one can criticize her for dating a man. With her looks, she's more than qualified to date any man she wants.
'Do I seem too innocent? What should I say?'
Joo-ah had never expressed her feelings to a man before, so she was nervous. When she first saw him, she was shocked. She had seen many handsome men since joining Honey Entertainment at a young age, but Jin Hae-sol's beauty surpassed them all. She had never seen a man as handsome as him. She gathered her courage. Since she was leaving the trainee program, she felt desperate and reckless.
"I couldn't let him go! I would have regretted it forever!"
Surprisingly, Joo-ah managed to get Jin Hae-sol's phone number. At first, she was excited, but then she worried about what to write in her message. She felt self-loathing for her inexperience in love.
[Joo-ah: Hello, this is Joo-ah, whom you met at lunch today.]
" too bland."
How can she capture his heart with a message? He's a busy debut team trainee, so he might not have much time. She didn't expect a serious relationship, but she wanted to experience something with him.
Gulp.
'I want my first time to be with someone like him.'
Before debuting as an actress, Joo-ah wanted to fulfill her desires for the opposite sex. But she had romantic ideals and didn't want her first time to be with just anyone.
"If he debuts successfully, he'll definitely be a star."
She could brag to her friends later. "That man was my first." They might laugh and call her a liar, but she would have proof.
'I must take a photo as evidence. Hehe!'
But for now, she was just a virgin who hadn't sent a single message.
♪♬♪♪~
"Eek?!"
Suddenly, her phone rang. Startled, she checked her phone.
"Oh my god!! What do I do?!"
It was him. She had been debating whether to send a message, and now he was calling her.
"H-h-hello?"
'Damn it, why am I stuttering? I'm not a loser. Come on, get a grip.'
- [ Hello, this is Jin Hae-sol. Do you remember me? We met at lunch today, with Woo-yeon ]
'His voice is so good. What do I say? Come on, think!'
"Yes, I was just about to contact you."
-[ Oh, really? ]
"...."
-....
Silence. Joo-ah's mind was racing.
'I need to take the lead!'
She couldn't disappoint him. Joo-ah gritted her teeth and spoke without catching her breath.
"W-what are you doing this weekend? I want to buy you dinner!"
Loudly!
- [ Oh, really? You don't have to shout, I can hear you fine. But really, you want to buy me dinner? Just like that? ]
"Why not? You're taking your precious time to meet me, so it's the least I can do. Even though I couldn't achieve my dream at the agency, I can still afford to buy you dinner."
She had saved money from part-time jobs during her busy trainee life. Most of her earnings went to her appearance, and the rest she saved. She didn't have time to spend money on friends or dates. She was glad she had saved money.
Thump!
'Something big is coming!!'
- [ Okay. But does it have to be the weekend? ]
Yes!!!!
"W-when is convenient for you? Just tell me!!"
She hoped he wouldn't say next year.
Her heart raced.
---
Meanwhile, I had called Joo-ah, the woman who took my phone number, and easily set up a date for that evening.
'A date with a real beauty, not a 2D one. This is crazy.'
Her stunning beauty was unforgettable, even after a long day of dancing and returning home to lie in bed. After much thought, I gathered the courage to call her, and to my surprise, she asked me out on a date.
'This reverse-gender world is amazing.'
I was starting to realize that I was in a man's paradise. Women initiating contact and asking for dates was unheard of on Earth. But here, it was normal. I was handsome enough to attract such attention. If I hadn't met Joo-ah, I might have given my number to some random woman on the street.
'I can't miss this opportunity.'
I needed to prepare for the date. My bank account with 20 million won was perfect for this. The most urgent need was clothes. The clothes in my closet were from my 30s, and they didn't fit my new body. I needed to buy new clothes.
"Thankfully, the fashion here isn't too different from Earth."
I wouldn't have to vomit.
Although I had a handsome face, my fashion sense was lacking. I needed to improve my fashion sense to look like an idol.
'I need to make a note of this. First, I'll raise my basic human decency, then work on my fashion sense.'
I had to use my coins wisely. My date with Joo-ah was the next day, so I planned to go shopping after lunch. No one would criticize me for not practicing. I just needed to be aware of the consequences during evaluations. Besides, I was already sure to debut, and improving my fashion sense was more efficient than practicing.
'I might as well go for a one-night stand!'
This was also why I didn't wait until the weekend for the date.
---