Chapter 46: Survival Entertainment Show - Group Original Song (3)

We were all gathered in the living room, but I found myself hesitating to ask the trainees to join our performance as nothing had been officially confirmed yet. I didn’t want to come across as mocking them. After all, I wasn’t very familiar with everyone. Unlike Goh Yoo-Joon, who always had a phone in hand, I never really had a chance to talk to the trainees ever since joining the debut team.

“I really hope we can perform together as a group.”

“...Not as dancers?”

“Yes, that’s right. Of course, we don’t know if it will be possible, but we thought it would be a good idea to gather everyone’s opinions beforehand,” I explained, trying to sound optimistic.

When the trainees heard this, the positive expressions on their faces suddenly shifted in a different direction. It was as if they were contemplating something, their thoughts running wild.

“Isn’t this going to be your last round of the competition?” one of them finally asked, his voice tinged with concern.

“Well, that is true, but...”

“Then wouldn’t it be better for just Chronos to do it? We can join as dancers though.”

“Yeah, it could be burdensome for us to participate, and Chronos needs to shine the most!”

Even though they said this, disappointment was evident on their faces.

“Hey, hyungs. Can’t we just do it together? We are fine with it... Joo-Han hyung also said it’s fine.”

“Yeah, Joo-Han hyung already went to talk to the higher-ups.”

Lee Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon tried convincing the trainees, but it seemed to have no effect.

“I hope the main characters of the last stage would be Chronos, not all fourteen of us.”

“Your fans would want that too.”

These were the agreements among the trainees. However, there was one person who couldn’t express his opinion and seemed hesitant—Han Jun. He was likely torn between his own desire to stand on stage and the thought that Chronos had to get all the highlights.

I found myself wondering how I could convince all the trainees with my lack of persuasiveness. After a moment of contemplation, I explained, “The concept of the last round is history, friendship, and youth.”

Looking a bit puzzled, Il-Seong responded, “Huh? Oh, I’ve heard about that.”

I continued, “So, how can we discuss our history without mentioning all fourteen of us?”

My gaze shifted toward Han Jun as I asked, “Are you willing to let go of your ambition, even if this might be your last chance?”

This question caused all eyes in the room to focus on Han Jun. He then looked down, his head hanging low. It was clear that he was on the verge of giving up his dream, a dream he had pursued tirelessly for over five years. Han Jun’s ears reddened, a sign that he almost teared up.

“I do have ambitions... But this stage is crucial for you guys,” he confessed, his voice tinged with conflict. The room fell silent as everyone was aware of Han Jun's sacrifice over the past five years. He mulled it over, choosing his words carefully. “If you planned this because of me...”

In a firm tone, I quickly clarified, “No, that's not it. I suggested this concept because I want us to secure the top rank. It's not just about you.” While I acknowledged that Han Jun's departure had some influence on my decision, my suggestion was driven by the belief that we could achieve first place with this concept. If I hadn't been confident in this concept, I wouldn't have proposed it.

Picking up some paper and a pen, I started sketching out our plan. “As for the stage setup... We will enter according to the order we joined the agency. Once all fourteen of us are onstage, we'll perform a song. Then, in the second half of the next song, we will leave the stage one by one until only Chronos remains.”

My focus was on Chronos, but I worried the others would feel sidelined. Seeing my concern, the other trainees appeared reassured, and one of them said, “If that's the plan, I'm on board. I was just worried about overshadowing your parts, but this seems like a fair arrangement.”

Another member chimed in. “This concept fits us perfectly. I’m eager to participate. After all, it’s a great opportunity.” Everyone seemed to agree, feeling honored by the idea.

Just then, the front door swung open, and Joo-Han and our manager walked in. Joo-Han remarked, “Wow, it's lively here. It’s really nice to see you all. What's the discussion about?”

“We are just finalizing the stage setup,” I replied. Both of them then took their seats and placed as many coffees on the floor as there were trainees. Our manager said, “You've got good timing. We were just talking about the stage. Producer Do said that the song he’s given us would be perfect for it!”

“Really? That fast?” I expressed my surprise. The manager played the Music Recorded (MR) for us. It was a dance song with a sentimental melody, reminiscent of fan music. Even without lyrics, it conveyed a deep, touching emotion—a mix of sadness and longing.

This song perfectly reflected the theme of unripe youth. “We've already selected a dreamy concept for the first song. It’s a top-tier piece. And for the second, we will use the one made by Producer Do based on your preference.”

“Have they approved of all fourteen of us performing on stage?” I asked the manager, and he nodded affirmatively. “They said they'd consider it, but it only took a minute to get the okay. They believe it will work out well.”

With this approval, we could reunite as a complete group of fourteen, even if only temporarily. The manager instructed, “We’ll have a practice room ready soon. Let’s meet up according to the schedule. Oh yes, there will be cameras, and we might even conduct some interviews, so be prepared.”

The members responded in unison, “Okay!”

When the manager got ready to leave, he asked, “Alright, I'm heading out. You guys are going to hang out here a bit longer, right? I can give you a ride if you’re leaving now.” All of us shook our heads, and with a chuckle, the manager left the dorm.

Once he was gone, the members erupted into a frenzy.

“Hey, hyung is gone!” one exclaimed.

“Let's make a mess before we leave!” another suggested.

“Are these guys crazy?”' Joo-Han muttered, looking at them with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

With a look of disgust, Joo-Han started to playfully kick the trainees. Each time they were smacked, they dramatically collapsed like paper dolls in a slapstick comedy, only to bounce back up with the resilience of Weebles.

Their exaggerated acts seemed to enliven the atmosphere of the dorm. This was indeed our typical vibe, always vibrant and far from quiet. I had become accustomed to the more subdued energy of just five members, all weary from relentless practice sessions, and had nearly forgotten this exuberant side of our group.

"Hey, you brats, stop it and sit down! I still have things to say!" Joo-Han's authoritative voice cut through the chaos. Using this chance to take a break, Park Yoon-Chan and I casually turned on the TV and settled comfortably on the couch.

"Ah, now that everyone's here, should we order some chicken?" I asked casually.

"Really? Should we?" we whispered among ourselves.

"What! Chicken?" Then, the sudden shout from one of the trainees echoed across the room.

"Who said we're ordering chicken? And who's footing the bill?"

"Suh Hyun-Woo is paying for it!" someone called out mischievously.

"When did I say that?" I protested, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events.

Attempting to regain control, Joo-Han raised his voice. "Can't you guys stay still for a moment? We haven't finished discussing the stage plans yet!"

After a prolonged commotion, all of us finally settled down. Exhausted from the effort, Joo-Han collapsed onto the couch with a heavy sigh, looking somewhat frustrated.

"Don't even think about coming here again," he grumbled half-seriously.

"Hyung, you've become too mild in our absence," someone teased, lightening the mood.

"Quiet, now. Let's start the meeting and focus," Joo-Han commanded, regaining his composure.

Fortunately, everyone shifted into a more serious mode for the meeting.

"Hyun-Woo will enter first, followed by me. Who's next? Was it Il-Seong?"

"Yes.”

"Everyone will enter according to the order they joined the agency," Joo-Han explained, diligently noting down the order.

"Our performance will feature an original song with a dreamy concept, similar to ‘Moon Sea.’ Chronos will handle the vocals for the most part, while the others will focus on dancing." Joo-Han was very thoughtful. He knew that despite our unity as a group, the expectations of fans and broadcasters couldn't be ignored. The fans especially would expect Chronos members to dominate the vocal parts of the album tracks.

"Next, for the second song, we'll include Producer Do's piece, and we will perform it together. However, the lyrics haven't been finalized yet." As Joo-Han said this, his gaze swept through all of us.

"What if each of you writes your own part in the lyrics?" he suggested, sparking immediate murmurs of surprise among the members. Despite their efforts to keep their voices low, the sheer number made the collective whispering quite audible.

"Can we do that? Is that really okay?"

Joo-Han nodded affirmatively. "I may have pushed this idea a bit too much during the meeting with the higher-ups, but I believe this approach will add more meaning to the performance."

Inspired by the idea, Goh Yoo-Joon exclaimed, "Oh, that’s brilliant! What if we write lyrics expressing what we want to say to each other?" The suggestion was for the Chronos members to write messages to the other trainees and vice versa.

"That sounds wonderful. It's likely to evoke a lot of emotion." Joo-Han agreed, nodding in approval. "Alright, since this kind of lyricism allows for more freedom, don't worry if the sentences don't flow perfectly. Just bring your heartfelt messages."

Han Jun had been silent for a while, but now he raised his hand. "Hyung, how many parts will each of us get?"

Joo-Han pondered for a moment and replied, "Considering the number of members and the fact that Chronos members will have slightly more parts, perhaps about one line each? And we'll all come together for the chorus..."

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Wearing a sly smile on his lips, Joo-Han then pointed at Han Jun and said, "Jun, you will have two parts."

"Me?" Han Jun's response was a mix of surprise and confusion, a sentiment echoed by the other members. We were equally puzzled by Joo-Han's unexpected decision.

"Jun, you just need to come up with one line for the lyrics. There’s a special part I have in mind for you.”

"Okay, got it," Han Jun replied, though his expression was less than enthusiastic. Ignoring Han Jun's apparent reluctance, Joo-Han continued with the discussion.

"I'm going to quit being a trainee anyway," Han Jun muttered under his breath. It seemed he had agreed to perform on stage more out of friendship than desire. Giving up the trainee life and performing on stage probably felt like torture for him since he had already decided to quit.

"Come on, let's give it one more shot," I encouraged him and patted his back. After five years of hard work, it seemed a waste for him to give up now when he still had so much potential.

"That's all for now. Any more questions?" Joo-Han concluded his words.

One of the hesitant members raised a hand and asked, "When do we start practicing?"

"Practice starts tomorrow. And remember, cameras will be present during the sessions. Anything else?" Joo-Han inquired, scanning the group for further questions.

The trainees shook their heads, remaining silent. After that, Joo-Han let out a small laugh and nodded in acknowledgment. "That's it then!" After handing over the paper he had been writing to Il-Seong, he stood up.

"I'm exhausted, so I'll take a nap first. Oh, I will get you guys some chicken. Have fun."

"Yay, chicken!" The members erupted into excited chatter.

"If we get on stage and become popular, does that mean we can eat chicken every day? Wow, I'm so jealous."

"Not really. It’s been a while for us too. We usually eat black bean noodles or lunch boxes just like you," I answered.

"Can I check out your room? Show me around your place, Jin-Sung."

"Sure. But there's not much to see. We barely have time to be in the dorm."

While the members chattered away, a heavy hand suddenly landed on my shoulder. "Ah! What the...?"

Frowning, I turned around, only to find Go Yoo-Joon holding Han Jun by the collar while looking right at me.

"Hey, let's go to our room and have a serious talk," Yoo-Joon said.

"Okay, sure."

"Ahh! Why are you doing this-!" Han Jun protested, struggling.

I pushed Goh Yoo-Joon's hand away and headed to the room first. Goh Yoo-Joon was dragging Han Jun in after me. After the door closed behind us, we sat Han Jun down on the bed opposite us, looking at him as if we were about to interrogate him.

Han Jun awkwardly rubbed his neck. "What is it?"

"Come on, spill it. Why are you quitting?" I pressed.

"I told you already. I don't think idol life suits me. I'm just not good enough," Han Jun replied, his voice lacking conviction.

Goh Yoo-Joon ruffled his hair in frustration. Seeing this, I calmed him down and sat him beside me. After that, I turned to Han Jun and asked in a calm tone, "Why do you think like that? If you've survived the monthly evaluations for five years, you can't just say you're not cut out for this."

‘If you are recognized for your talent, perseverance is the key. Look at me, I barely get the chance to debut after ten years. Of course, some trainees are just so lacking that people wonder why they were chosen at all, but Han Jun isn't one of them.’

"I feel like I'm lagging behind you guys, and watching your performances makes me proud but also reminds me of what I'm lacking... I don't know. I'm just struggling right now, and I feel quite devastated."

Han Jun's smile faded. It seemed our success as Chronos hit him hard, almost like a slump. It was heartbreaking—both as a friend and as a former trainer—to see a talented and hardworking trainee being unable to seize opportunities and contemplating giving up.