ALL NOVEL Chapter 94
Chapter 94. Bomb? (5)
The third mission was “Free Topic.”
As long as we used the provided items and special effects, everything else—from song selection to even the team name—was entirely “up to us.”
“Yes, so the team name is….”
“Jung Siwoo and the Kids.”
“Ah, come on.”
“Then how about Kang Hajin and the Boys?”
At Hajin’s sly joke, Siwoo let out a small sigh. Then, he conveyed the team name they had discussed earlier to the assistant writer.
“Blue Flare.”
“Got it. Oh, have you decided on a leader?”
“Me.”
“Hajin will be the leader.”
“Alright.”
Leaving just the minimal setup cameras, the rest of the cameras were prepared to withdraw. The PD in charge, who had been checking the time, announced to the scattered members of Blue Flare.
“You all know how to use the self-cams, right? We’ll be recording the song selection and concept decision tomorrow, but if you have any meetings or practice today, just turn on the self-cams and record them.”
“Oh, so should we act as if everything’s already decided, or do we need to pretend like we’re deciding for the first time?”
Hajin, who was lying on the practice room floor, teasing Eunchan in an arm-wrestling match, suddenly got up and asked the PD.
Before Hajin stood up, Eunchan, whose arm had been twisted in an instant, looked dejected. The PD, who had heard Hajin’s question, looked equally dumbfounded and asked back.
“Hajin, you didn’t secretly work in broadcasting before, did you? You’re saying everything I was about to.”
“…Haha, I just like watching shows. I watch a lot. A true viewer of our times.”
“Anyway, since this team has already broken its previous structure, I think we’ll just go over the meetings briefly. So, if you can, decide on things among yourselves today and act it out a bit tomorrow. Can you do that?”
“I’m confident. You saw earlier, right? Our team has a natural talent for acting.”
Although the PD unconsciously used broadcasting jargon, Hajin understood the conversation without any issue and turned it into a joke. Eunchan, still lying on the floor after being defeated by Hajin, looked up at him with a curious expression.
“What does it mean… that the previous structure broke?”
“Hmm? …Ah, you know those VCRs that play before the stage? It means that everything has been decided to the extent that a structure could be created.”
Hajin’s casual explanation of the jargon deepened the production crew’s suspicions.
“…Hajin, are you sure you’ve never been in broadcasting?”
“Well, senior Yoo Taesuk said something similar in a variety show. Something like, ‘Did the opening break?’….”
Hajin awkwardly avoided eye contact. But no one would have imagined that inside the body of this 20-year-old trainee was the past life of a 29-year-old, four-year veteran broadcast PD.
“Hmm. Anyway, today’s shooting is over, so continue your meetings and practice if you want. We’ll see you tomorrow~.”
“Understood. Alright, everyone, let’s say goodbye.”
“Good work!”
“See you tomorrow, PDs!”
“See you tomorrow~.”
At least the day ended with a warmer atmosphere than when they first gathered.
The staff left the practice room, giving Hajin, who had not only broken the ice but turned it into an exciting development, curious looks.
“Oh wow, Hajin, I’m really counting on you….”
The writer in charge of the Blue Flare team, just before leaving, secretly thanked Hajin with a tone that could be replaced with twelve sad face emojis.
Of course, Hajin thought his contribution today was well-deserving of praise. So he simply enjoyed the reactions and politely told them to go home safely.
‘They’re probably filming tomorrow’s meeting scene separately because of the team’s atmosphere.’
If even a slightly serious atmosphere developed and the power struggle between Siwoo and Yugeon became visible, it would become uncontrollable. Although the mood lightened thanks to the game, Siwoo and Yugeon still hadn’t exchanged a word.
Once all the staff had withdrawn, leaving only the Blue Flare team in the practice room, Hajin turned around to plan the upcoming practice.
“……?”
“……?”
“…Yugeon, what are you doing?”
“Isn’t the shoot over?”
Yugeon was packing up, getting ready to leave.
No, he was already at the exit of the practice room, where Hajin stood.
“…Sigh.”
Siwoo let out a sigh, as if he had expected this. Even Wonho, who was somewhat on Yugeon’s side, looked at the two with a troubled expression. It seemed like Hajin was the only one who didn’t understand the situation.
“So, you’re saying you’re going back to the dorm? Without practicing?”
“I’m not going back to the dorm, but I have somewhere to go. Besides, since we haven’t chosen a song yet, we can’t practice anyway, right?”
“Then should we pick the song on our own? While you just go back and relax?”
When Hajin pressed Yugeon, Yugeon scratched his chin with his index finger, looking at Hajin as if he, too, found the situation difficult.
“Hyung, you saw the last broadcast, right?”
“What does that have to do with this?”
“I’m not particularly greedy for parts, and I can handle whatever I’m given. So just give me whatever’s left.”
“…….”
“If you really need my input, I’ll text you. You can use that as a reference. And honestly….”
“……?”
“…Honestly, it’s easier for you guys to talk without me around, isn’t it?”
Well then, I’ll be off.
Yugeon grinned playfully, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and leisurely walked out of the practice room.
Hajin didn’t try to stop him.
* * *
Just because Yugeon left didn’t mean the remaining members could head back to the dorm.
“So, what will the rest of you do?”
With a face more composed than expected, Hajin turned back and asked the remaining members for their opinions. Since everyone preferred to stay and continue the meeting and practice, the Blue Flare team decided to move locations.
They went down to the café on the first floor of Miro’s new building, each grabbing a drink of their choice and settling into the comfortable, cushioned chairs. (Eunchan instinctively pulled out his older brother’s card, but Siwoo insisted on paying, saying there was no way he could accept coffee from someone who hadn’t even graduated high school yet. Throughout the process, everyone except Siwoo kept looking at Hajin.)
“So, it seems like we’ve got the concept, right?”
Hajin wrote two large characters on a sheet of paper he tore out of Doha’s notebook (which Doha carried everywhere in case inspiration struck).
**
“After getting a harness and laser, it would be ridiculous to suddenly go for something cute and fresh.”
“…I’m not sure if sexy and harnesses are appropriate for an 18-year-old, though.”
Siwoo gestured towards Eunchan with a half-worried, half-joking tone. Sure, Eunchan might have a strong physique and a somewhat intimidating appearance for his age, but it was still clear he hadn’t quite shed his high school image.
With all the attention suddenly on him, Eunchan hesitated, biting his lip before clenching his fist in determination. (He learned this from Hajin.)
“I’ll work hard to learn.”
But the problem was that there wasn’t really anyone on the team qualified to teach him.
‘I’m not exactly an expert in sexy concepts either.’
Hajin quietly shook his head, a bit daunted.
‘Honestly, this kind of thing might be better suited for someone like Shin Kyungho, who’s overly confident without really knowing what’s sexy.’
You know, the type who thinks licking their lips makes them look seductive. Hajin silently assessed the team and focused on the person who seemed the least suited for this keyword.
“No, but. Eunchan not knowing about harnesses is one thing, but why are you here? You knew what a harness was.”
The targeted Siwoo sipped his hot herbal tea and answered.
“This was the best option of the three.”
“What were the other two? I can’t even enjoy my tiramisu out of curiosity because I’m upset that I didn’t get a hint.”
“Hyung, you already finished it.”
“Shh, Eunchan. It’s just a figure of speech. Ever heard of metaphor?”
“Are you two doing a comedy skit? Is this what roommates’ chemistry looks like?”
While Hajin and Eunchan bantered, Siwoo pulled out the keyword cards he received and laid them on the table. He then calmly explained why he had chosen Room 1.
**
**
**
“I was second, and Taehyun was first. The moment I saw him enter Room 2, I knew I had to avoid it. It was obvious what kind of team Taehyun wanted to form.”
“Yeah. If it were just flowers, maybe, but Seo Taehyun and flowers?”
It was obvious he’d want to show off his specialty. The perfect representative of the fresh, vibrant, kitschy, and colorful style: Cherry Boy.
“Airshot wasn’t bad either…. But harnesses seemed to fit my image better than goggles. Plus, I was second, so I
had to consider which team members might join where.”
“So, did your predictions come true?”
“Want me to be honest?”
Hajin mimicked a microphone with his fist and held it up to Siwoo, as if interviewing him. Siwoo, confirming that the self-cam wasn’t on, shrugged.
“Except for Yugeon, everyone who joined was who I expected. I thought he’d choose goggles, but then I realized he didn’t get a hint because he’s a Feather. That was my mistake.”
“Then couldn’t you have just closed the team before Yugeon joined? After all, I was next in line after Doha, Yugeon, and Parang.”
“…Ahem.”
This time, Wonho cleared his throat awkwardly.
“I suggested waiting, just in case you might join.”
“Me?”
“Well, we needed another solid vocal member besides Siwoo hyung. Plus, our dance was looking a bit weak.”
“But instead of me, Yugeon joined?”
“Yeah. He seemed surprised too. …You know, because things weren’t exactly smooth between him and Siwoo hyung at the time.”
As he cautiously mentioned this, Siwoo leaned his chin on his hand, smiling lazily as if he didn’t mind.
“Feel free to say what you want. It’s not that I dislike Yugeon; it’s just that his attitude as a teammate wasn’t great.”
“……!”
He spoke in a tone that clearly separated business from personal matters. In fact, during filming, Siwoo had no trouble speaking to Yugeon without any discomfort.
Hearing this, Eunchan had a moment of realization, his pupils shaking slightly, but no one noticed. Siwoo continued.
“Well, anyway, once Yugeon joined, we couldn’t close the team immediately. Since his participation would likely be minimal, I thought it was worth the gamble if someone like you or Jaeyoung joined.”
“But then Room 2, where Parang went, closed the team, and I joined Room 1?”
“I was planning to close the team once one more person joined, no matter who it was. No one wanted to risk ending up with all the leftover members, right? But since it was you, I had no reason not to close it.”
Siwoo’s hurried “triple closure” earlier seemed to stem from that calculation.
Thanks to that, this hopeless party didn’t have to drag along any extra baggage (like Shin Kyungho, Shin Kyungho, or Shin Kyungho).
‘Shin Kyungho was next in line after me.’
The remaining Feather-level trainees were automatically assigned to Room 3. Hajin imagined Gong Seok, who was probably enduring being bossed around by the minions of the notorious Han Sungwoo.
‘At least Jaiden’s there, thank goodness. I’ll buy him some cocoa when I see him at the dorm later.’
If necessary, Hajin even considered sharing the screenshots he still had of Shin Kyungho’s KakaoTalk messages with Gong Seok.
“Alright. So, shall we start our meeting now? We’ve settled on the concept being ‘sexy,’ and we can take some time to find the right song, right?”
“Yes. I don’t have high hopes, but Yugeon did say he’d send a text, so….”
“Then should we solidify our roles first? Once each of us is clear on our strengths, it’ll help narrow down our song choices.”
Siwoo, being the oldest, calmly shared his thoughts and guided the direction of the meeting. It was the first time since joining Miro that a meeting had progressed naturally without Hajin having to lead.
‘Finally, a top-notch bus driver in my life?’
That alone was a relief, but Siwoo also showed consideration for Hajin, the official leader.
“Of course, if you have an agenda in mind, Hajin, we can follow that. I’m just used to analyzing the team members’ strengths first.”
“No, that sounds good. Since ‘sexy’ is a pretty broad concept, let’s follow your lead and have everyone share the point they want to emphasize.”
But honestly, Hajin felt like he already knew everyone’s answers without having to ask.
‘Doha will focus on rap, Wonho and Yugeon on dance. Siwoo hyung can take the main vocal. Eunchan, maybe dance or rap.’
Just then, Eunchan, who had been quietly listening to his hyungs’ conversation, mustered the courage and raised his hand.
“Hyung.”
“Yes, Chan? I was just about to ask, do you want to do rap or dance….”
“I want to do vocals.”
“Okay, so you’ll do… wait, what?”
All eyes turned to Eunchan.
Eunchan, with a composed and confident voice, looked directly at Hajin and Siwoo and spoke clearly.
“I want to do vocals. Please give me a vocal part.”