46 Debut at sight Part II

Well, today's the day all of the Hyung and I will finally be comfortable in the apartment we've been living in for quite some time now.

By the end of yesterday, we were notified that all of the new members will be moving into the apartment today and that recordings for the survival program will start next week.

With that being said, here I was, preparing a big breakfast for all of the residents of our little home. Today was kinda special, so, I planned to spend a lot of money on this breakfast. All of the hyungs loved spicy food, so for them, I was preparing some fish cakes in a spicy sauce, some chili bean paste, and some classic kimchi that Jiyong-hyung's mom brought some time ago. Finally, the main dish was a Soy Bean soup that I was actually doing for the first time.

For this super breakfast, I had to spend quite a lot of money that I was saving from my part-time job, but still, I think it's worth it. Also, I've been working on this for some time, so I had to wake up early today so that I was the only one awake right now.

Just as I was tasting the soup, I could hear some footsteps from behind.

— Tempo-hyung, you're up? — I immediately said without even turning. All of the Hyungs had an easily discernible and quite specific footstep sound, even more in this wood flooring that we had.

— Yo! Chris-ah, what are you doing? It smells heavenly — He said, while carefully staring at me.

I was wearing a pink kitchen apron, coupled with my cobra mask and a chef's hat that tempo-hyung gave me some time ago as a joke. But still, the image was quite funny I have to admit.

— Hyung, I planned a surprise for the new guys, so... big breakfast for everyone — as I gazed at Hyung's eyes, I could see how they brightened when I said "Big Breakfast". Funnily, he kept quiet and approached me while taking my hand.

— Chris-ah, please marry me — he said with a serious expression plastered on his face.

I couldn't help but laugh but continued.

— Didn't you promise to marry Byung Hee-noona already? — I replied, jokingly.

— Oh, that's true — he faked realization and continued with his usual silly face — still, I'll wake the other guys so that they can get ready.

I simply nodded, but before he went away to get ready and wake the other hyungs I asked.

— Before you go, can you taste the soup — he immediately took the spoon from my hand and quickly tasted the soup.

He frowned and said.

— There's something wrong... — just when I was starting to get a little bit worried about the taste, he continued — too good for this world — and finished with a wink.

— F**k off — I said, while laughing — now, go ahead and get ready.

That way, Tempo-hyung woke up all of the other hyungs, and before I noticed, all of the hyungs were helping me set up the table for the breakfast. A really unusual view, as we usually woke up at different times, and to be honest it was me the one that usually woke up later.

— Young Bae-hyung, can you help me with the rice? — I hurriedly asked hyung, as I noticed I forgot to prepare the rice for the food.

— Sure, we bought a couple of bags the day before yesterday, right?— he asked back.

— Yes, Byung Hee-noona helped us with that, I think I put it there — I said while pointing at the place I put it some days before.

Young Bae-hyung proceeded to look at the kitchen cabinet where I pointed, but to my surprise, Hyung's voice sounded once again.

— Are you sure, Chris-ah? I don't see any rice there — he asserted.

Frowning, I couldn't help but look personally into the cabinet, only to find out that just as he said, there wasn't any bag of rice at all.

— Are you confused? — Tempo-hyung interrupted, to which I immediately answered.

— Impossible, Jiyong himself helped me put the bags in there. Look, I still have the receipt for it — I said while pulling out a piece of paper from one of the kitchen drawers, and passed it to Tempo-hyung who carefully read it.

Suddenly, an outrageous idea crossed my mind.

"Could it be... that bastard..."

I immediately expressed my idea, only to be surprised.

— Sang Kyung — both Jiyong-hyung and me said at the same time.

Tempo-hyung, straight away went to what used to be Sang Kyung's room, furiously smashing the door.

— Open up!! We know you're there!! — I shook my head and immediately told Hyung.

— Tempo-hyung, I don't think he's there — I said, clearly frustrated.

He tried to open the door, noticing it opened at once.

Jiyong-hyung entered the room and after a while went out and said while shaking his head.

— Empty...

Finally, I sighed and told Young Bae-hyung once again.

— Hyung, I still have some money saved up, it's in the room, take it and buy some bags of rice, Tempo-hyung can you help him? — both of the hyungs nodded, clearly annoyed.

Both of them, immediately went out to buy some bags of rice off in a near market, hoping that it was opened already as it wasn't that early.

— THAT BASTARD! — Jiyong-hyung who was seated by the table punched the floor by his side.

— JIYONG! — I angrily said — let's not ruin the day already, that was probably his intention.

Jiyong-hyung managed to calm down a little bit but was still worked up as he continued.

— It's not even the first time he steals food from us — he said, ending it almost in a whisper that I managed to hear.

— You know the agency won't do anything about it before we debut, let's just forget it and take it as his parting gift as we won't see him more.

Another round of expletives came from Jiyong-hyung, ending with a chilling phrase.

— ... I think it isn't the last time we'll see him, that's what worries me.

I couldn't help but sigh at the comment. If Jiyong-hyung has that kind of hunch, it'll probably happen.

Some time passed while both of us were quiet, until some knocking on the door interrupted our thoughts.

The other Hyungs were back already, a little breathless as it seems they rushed to the market and back. With the newly bought rice, finally, Jiyong-hyung proceeded to cook some rice, as Young Bae-hyung, who was supposed to help me, was still tired.

Finally, as I was giving the final touches to the breakfast, I could hear some commotion on the door.

— Hey little kids, I brought the new ones — Byung Hee-noona happily said while entering with the guys.

— Noona! Good morning, will you stay for some breakfast? — I instantly said, while Tempo-hyung whispered something in my ear.

— Should we tell Noona about the incident? — I discreetly shook my head, as we shouldn't bother Byung Hee-noona about that.

— Oh! The new guys have the honor of tasting King C's food on the same day they arrive? Lucky guys, aren't they? — Noona jokingly said.

With the exciting atmosphere, all of us gathered to eat breakfast, earning me some compliments about the food from the new guys.

After some time, Byung Hee-noona left, leaving an awkward ambient between us and the new guys.

— So, we should distribute the rooms again — I squeezed out under the uncomfortable situation.

— Seung Hyun-hyung and Chris' room still have some space, should we squeeze someone else in, and let the other two guys take the other room?

The new guys were silent, not sure if they were intimidated by Jiyong-hyung or by me staring at them. But still, as nobody said anything, I commented.

— Well, that seems pretty straightforward for me, who's going in which room? — I continued — If I may suggest, let's just get the two Seung Hyun to share a room.

Once again, the new guys didn't say a thing, but I could see the youngest one visibly nervous once again.

This way, Tempo-hyung and I got a new roommate, and the recently emptied room was occupied by the other two guys.

After that little decision, silence once again came onto us. That was until Tempo-hyung managed to break the ice.

— Why don't you introduce yourselves once again?

— I'm SO-1, my real name is Jang Hyun Seung, and I want to be a singer — the most feminine-looking one was the first one to introduce himself, quite confidently if I must say.

— My name is Kang Dae Sung, I was scouted as a singer too — this one was more nervous, it seems he hasn't been training for long.

Finally, the youngest one introduced himself nervously.

— My-my-my name is Lee Seung Hyun, I-I-I'm a dancer — I turned to stare at him, and he instantly recoiled. I said, thoughtfully.

— Well, that'll be a little bit confusing, we should find a name for you, but for now, I'll call you little Seung Hyun — I said while pulling my best amicable smile.

It seems it worked a little bit as he got a little bit calmer.

— Any question? — Jiyong-hyung finished by asking but nobody asked anything so he continued.

— Now, we'll be training together from now on. We have just one rule while training: Every time you make a mistake, you'll pull out a piece of cloth from yourself.

The new guys were visibly puzzled, while all of the hyungs and I were laughing. Young Bae-hyung interrupted to explain.

— It's just the only way Seung Hyun-hyung can concentrate. As we've told you, he's the worst one at dancing, and he also hates to show skin, so we came with that idea.

Finally, all of the old members laughed out loud, even Tempo-hyung.

As we were laughing, the question I expected the most finally came, from the youngest one of all.

— Why do you wear a mask? — that was the most confidently he's talked since we met, but still, I had to thought a little bit about how to answer the question.

I sighed but managed to ask back.

— What kind of rumors have you heard?

— That you're disfigured — Dae Sung, the one with small eyes immediately replied, managing to make all of the hyungs laugh out loud.

— A lie — that was the only thing I could answer.

— You're trying to hide your age because you're too old to be an idol — once again, laughs came.

— I'm... not that old, let's just leave it at that, Tempo-hyung is the oldest one — I speechlessly said.

— You offended someone you shouldn't — finally the little panda said, surprising me a little bit.

— Well, it seems rumors are not that far from the truth — I said while smiling. Tempo-hyung seemed as if he wanted to interrupt me, but I confidently continued — I'm gonna say this because if we debut together, that's something you'll have to live with, the possibility of me being pulled out of the group. My deal with PD-nim is as follows: If the audience does not like me hiding my face, I'm going out, and if my identity ever gets revealed and it affects the group, I'll also be pulled out.

The new guys were surprised at all of the "ifs", while the hyungs were once again depressed.

— As you've seen, the topic is kind of taboo in this group, but I want you to know, if I consider you're apt, I'll show you my face. Meanwhile, let's just say I'm Park Chris, I'm a dancer, but I won't take that role if I ever debut, because of the possibility of me being pulled out. Understand?

All of the new guys simply nodded.

— Well then, make yourself comfortable, as the following days will be quite hard for all of us — I said while leaving for the kitchen to wash the dishes, finally leaving the awkward atmosphere by the table.

That was the last conversation we had with the new guys that day... Things were still awkward.

6 days before the start of the survival show.