45 Debut at sight

— Well little guys, the boss have been waiting for you all morning, there is some big news today — Byung Hee Noona said, a little nervous.

— So... It's finally the day, huh? — I couldn't' help but say, as all three Hyungs and I have been waiting for this day for a lot of time now.

The hyungs and I were just getting off Byung Hee Noona's car, all in silence, as we guessed today we were going to be given some details about the survival show we're going to be in.

I guess we all felt excitement, but also frustration, as we've already been told, at least two other random guys would participate.

— Now, little guys, I want to see some big smiles, and listen to everything the boss is going to say, understood? — Byung Hee-Noona interrupted my thoughts with that comment, and before I could say anything, Tempo-hyung was already joking with a military salute.

— Roger, madam! — said Tempo-hyung quite seriously. I couldn't help but imitate him with half a smile on my face, not that they could see it as I was wearing my usual setup. I have to admit, though, the King Cobra mask that Father gave me has resisted the years.

With all the jokes aside, the ambient was still heavy between us as we walked towards our usual practice room, Jiyong-hyung was still mad at everyone because of the agency's decision, Young Bae-hyung was still frustrated at me because of my part-time job, and Tempo-hyung was still trying to make me laugh at every possible time, trying to alleviate my worries a little bit, I guess.

When we arrived, we noticed the crowded practice room. But still, immediately entered, and as we just did it, the voice we hate so much sounded out loud.

— Oh! The big stars have come, they haven't even debuted and they're already being late to the reunions, huh? — our "favorite" dance trainer was already waiting for us inside, with Yang Hyun Suk-nim that was talking to some young guys.

— Oh Sang Kyung-hyung, how are you? We were waiting for you this morning to give you some breakfast, but it seems you never came yesterday? — I said with the sweetest voice I could pull off, almost making me throw up. But still, we had to maintain appearances as much as we could, but that didn't mean I couldn't glare at him whenever PD-nim wasn't watching.

— Well little guys, you're here — before I could continue my silent gaze battle with that Sang Kyung, PD-nim's particular voice sounded — as I've said before, here are the three other members of the survival program, he finished while pointing at the three young men by his side.

— He's Lee Seung Hyun, I guess we'll need another name for him so that we're not getting confused with little Seung Hyun, I hope you recognize him as he participated in a show to create a new Shinhwa, as a dancer — he said as he pointed at the youngest one of the kids by his side, the one that had worryingly black spots under his eyes.

The kid bowed at us while PD-nim continued.

— This one is Kang Dae Sung, this one was cast by us, a pretty good singer but still needs to train a little bit more in his technique — this time, he pointed at the one at the middle, a short guy with messy hair and really small eyes.

— Finally, this one is Jang Hyun Seung, I think you've seen him a couple of times as he's been training for a couple of months with us already, he goes by the name of SO-1. — he finally pointed at the most feminine-looking man of the bunch. The guy sported a quite beautiful face for a man and a quite common Korean bowl cut.

— Now, I'll let you introduce yourselves while I handle some other things — just as PD-nim finished saying that, Jiyong-hyung said.

— Sorry to bother you PD-nim, but I don't think we need- — just as he started to talk, I had already signaled to Tempo-hyung to shut him up, while I quickly interrupted.

— Sorry, PD-nim, I think Jiyong and all of us are a little bit confused, weren't we supposed to be debriefed a little bit about the survival show? — I said while trying to cover up Jiyong-hyung being physically shut up by tempo-hyung. A little bit hard, as his muffled voice could still be heard.

PD-nim skeptically looked at me at first, but then said.

— Ah! Thanks, Chris-ah, almost forgot about it. You're not going to be informed of a lot of details, but still, we expect at least 10 chapters, and each of you will have his own chapter, kind of an introduction chapter for each one of you, other than that, I hope all of you act the same as always — I was kinda relieved at the instructions, as they didn't seem that hard, that was until PD-nim continued — BUT, our monthly performance evaluations will be now weekly until the end, and the ones that do not debut will be fired up.

PD-nim loved to give us those sudden bombs every time, and this one was big. Basically, no other opportunities, we debut, or we'll be looking for opportunities in other agencies, meaning, starting from zero once again.

I could hear every one gulping hard, while PD-nim and the bastard trainer quickly exited the room while talking between themselves. The room was in silence before Jiyong-hyung angrily asked tempo-hyung.

— Why did you do that?!! — of course, I immediately replied.

— I haven't even scolded you because of that mess you almost caused and you're already angry? What's your deal? — I seriously asked — you think you're the owner of this shit, huh? Do you think you're the one who makes decisions? If the company decides to add more members to the roster, you should just shut the hell up and follow instructions. I'm as frustrated as you, but still, you don't see me messing things up. — By the end, I was grabbing Jiyong-hyung by the collar of his shirt.

Jiyong-hyung couldn't help but snort, and managed to not say a thing. I mean, both Jiyong-hyung and I have been training for the longest, I entered YG a lot later, but he knows how much I've been training before.

— Kids, don't get your hopes up too much, you won't get to debut — just as I thought he'd suck up his comments, he goes and acts all mighty in front of the new guys. I couldn't help but shake my head while looking at Young Bae-hyung who was doing the same.

Just after he said that he proceeded to go and sit in the farthest corner of the room alone.

— Don't worry too much about him, he's just like that — I tried to comfort all the new guys that were visibly shaken up, I guess they were afraid of Hyung.

Or so I thought before I noticed that the youngest one of them was visibly trembling while looking at me...

— HAHAHAHAHAHAAH!! — the obnoxious laugh came from Tempo-hyung, who rapidly say — Chris-ah, I think they're more afraid of you after that scolding. — Hyung just barely managed to contain his laughter while explaining.

Frustrated, I could only continue while sighing.

— *sigh* Anyway, I go by the name of King C as of now, though you can call me Chris in private. I can't show you my face yet, and I think you've heard some rumors about it, I can say, none of them are true. — I said, trying to make them a little bit more comfortable, but judging by Tempo-hyung laughter, it seems I failed.

— The one that thinks he's so funny is Tempo-hyung, Choi Seung Hyun's his name, a rapper, and worst dancer of us — the shade wasn't enough to stop Hyung's laughter, so I continued — the one with snakes on his hair is Young Bae-hyung, dancer and singer.

This time, me poking fun at Young Bae-hyung's new hair was enough to at least stop the youngest member shaking.

— Finally, the sulky guy at the corner is Jiyong-hyung, another rapper, he's being training for a long time, that's why he's being like that, but he's just a softie on the inside — I laughingly said when a loud snort came from the corner but I ignored it.

— Wh-Wh-What is your position? — I was surprised to be interrupted by the youngest one, and to everything he could ask, be asked that. The whole room got silent immediately, while the new guys were kind of confused at the reaction — Did-did I ask something wrong? — He asked once again, visibly nervous.

I shook my head and replied.

— Don't worry, it's kind of a sensitive topic here, but I'll explain it to you later, let's just say I'm in charge of ad-libs. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to calm down the raging storm by the corner — I said while whispering at the new guys, earning myself the first smile coming from them.

Immediately, I signaled to Tempo-hyung to talk with the guys, while I walked towards Jiyong-hyung and sat down by his side.

— Still mad? — I asked.

— You know the reason I'm mad — he unhesitatingly said.

— I do. But still, you can't do anything about it. Let's just go along with it — I calmly responded.

— I know... that's what makes it even more frustrating. Why can't just the four of us debut, together? Why can't you just throw that mask away? — he said, crestfallen.

I stayed silent for a while, concentrating on the conversation ongoing between the hyungs and the new guys.

— It seems, life is just after all. I'm just paying for the wrong things I've done — I hesitated to say, but still managed to.

— Haven't you paid enough already? — Jiyong-Hyung said, while quietly staring at my back.

They've seen it, of course...

I sighed while shaking my head, and both of us stayed like that for a couple of minutes. The two of us, the ones that have been training for the longest, just there, thinking about our future.

Then, after some time, I finally said while managing the best smile I could.

— Now, leader, try to warm up a little bit to the new guys, if they debut, you'll be working together after all — I got to my feet and started to walk towards the new guys. But still, I could hear.

— I guess I have to apologize — he sighed and put on a really bitter smile.

Later, he finally came into the conversation with the new guys.

It seems I managed to convince him...

That was a week before the start of the survival show...