"Oh right, I think you probably want to meet my other friends as well. They also seem interested in talking with you." Soohyun said.
"That's a good idea." I nodded. It would have been nice to get to know other people. Plus, no one here knows about my status. The Park surname is a common surname that everyone has. No one could have guessed that I came from an influential family in Korea.
"If so, come on. They're standing there." Soohyun pointed to the direction where the four men were standing, as they waved and smiled as well.
I gave them a slight smile and followed Soohyun towards the group of men.
"Hey hyung! this is my new friend Park Injae." Soohyun put his arm on my shoulder intimately. Which I didn't say anything.
"Hello." I bowed my head slightly to them politely.
"No need to formal formalities, my name is Kang Taeil, nice to meet you." The platinum haired man said in a friendly tone. He felt like the eldest brother of the family.
"My name is Seo Hosoo, nice to meet you!" This guy seems to be a maknae. He has strawberry pink hair and his face looks like Huening Kai from TXT.
"Bai Jian…" He had black hair, very good-looking and he was probably Chinese. Anyway, he doesn't seem to be a talkative person. He's a good fit for the visual position. Mysterious surroundings that most women would probably like.
"Hello, my name is Bright." He looked polite and slightly arrogant but he doesn't seem like a bad person. His name... seems not Korean, Chinese or Japanese and definitely not European. What country did he come from?
"Hyung, don't make such a tense face. Isn't it normal for you to talk so much?!" Soohyun walked over to Bright and gently punched him on the shoulder.
"The first time people met, it had to be something like this, wasn't it? And when we're close then we probably can reveal ourself freely." Bright said with a slight smile.
"..." Bai Jian nodded in agreement.
"Still..." Soohyun
"No, I think it's true what he said. Then we should get to know each other more."
"Well said, Injae. However, I'm very impressed. You are really talented. Just like a professional dancer." Taeil said.
"Thank you, you also sing very well. Especially that high note part. It really gave me goosebumps." I nodded in acceptance. I've definitely seen their performance and their team are really talented. Everyone can support and hide each other weak points very well. They are undoubtedly suitable for Rank A positions.
"But I really doubt that you guys have this kind of talent, why didn't you debut?" Oh...I'm thinking out loud.
"..." The four of them looked at each other awkwardly.
"Ah, about that... Do you remember when I said that my company was low on budget? Debut use a lot of money. The hyungs are in the same company as me. It's hard enough to just advertise Hena noona so our company sent us here to try our luck. If we debuted, we will be able to earn money into the company and when the contract expires. The company will use that money for our debut again." Soohyun explained to me.
"Oh..." I nodded. "So it's the same as me."
"Lapis has no budget too? That's strange." Hosoo said.
"Oh no. What we need is not budget but the fame." I replied.
"Ah, right. it's about a rumor..." Bright nodded and smiled. "To be honest, I think that rumor is so fake, there's no way Lapis would do something so bad like that." he whispered.
"Of course it's not true but that rumor has caused a lot of damage to the company anyway." I smiled.
"Every company has it's own difficulties.. but it made me feel closer to you since we encountered a similar situation, let's help each other. We will get through this together." Taeil lightly patted my shoulder. He really is older brother type.
"Trainees! Please gather in the main hall." Before I could say anything more. The voice of the staff called for all the trainees to go to the central hall.
"What will they announce? Let's go." Soohyun put his arm over my shoulder and dragged me in the direction of the center hall.
...
"Alright, are you here done yet? I will start explain everything."
Every trainees stop chatting. Kim Soyoung continue to explain.
"Rank F shares a room with 12 people Rank E shares a room with 9 people
Rank D shares a room with 6 people
Rank C shares a room with 4 people
Rank B shares a room for 2 people
Rank A has a bedroom and a private bathroom, including basic amenities. A private dance practice and recording studio shared with all Rank A participants.
Rank S with a bedroom and private bathroom. The best facilities. There is a dance practice room and a private recording room which other trainees are not allowed to enter." mentor and referee Kim Soyoung said.
'Wow, Rank S room is sound super comfortable. Will Park Injae change his mind?'
'I just want Rank C and I'll satisfied but unfortunately I got Rank E instead.'
'What about me in Rank F? Isn't that worse? I hope there's no one snore loudly.'
The sound of the trainees talking non-stop. Some were sad and happy. All the emotions were mixed up and Soohyun couldn't help but turn and talk to me.
"You're not going to change your mind, are you? Don't want to be in the S-Rank's room? It seems to be the most comfortable and luxurious." Soohyun
"Nah." I shook my head. In my mind I was thinking something like 'No matter how good the Rank S room was, it wouldn't be able to compete with my home.' Plus everything personal, aren't people going to think I'm arrogant?
"You are so hard hearted." Soohyun gave me a thumbs up.
"Ahem! You can ask for the keys in that room." Kim Soyoung spread her hand to her right. "As for Park Injae who asked to stay in Rank A, will be able to stay in Rank A room and get Rank A facilities." Kim Soyoung looked at me while speak. Her smile was still frightening as always.
"..." I nodded slightly.
"You can pick up your uniform there and remember not to lose the clasp. Because if you lose it... that means you're just someone who doesn't have a rank and must leave the show unfortunately.." A poison coated smile and intimidating words again.
'Crazy! This is too brutal. Did the previous season have this rule?'
'Yes, there's someone that had to leave the show because they lost it last season.'
'Ah, I have to carefully keep it!'
"The rules of this show are brutal. Looks like we need to take good care of the clasp." Taeil said in a serious tone.
"Hyung… I think I have to leave it to hyung!" Hosoo turned to Taeil.
"Okay." Taeil nodded.
"Hosoo always likes to lose things, haha." Bright said and laughed.
"..." Bai Jian nodded in agreement silently.
"Bright hyung, don't talk too much." Hosoo rolled his eyes.
"Let's go get the key first." Soohyun said.
"Okay." I nodded and followed Soohyun. The others started to follow as well.
...
I'm in my own room now. Which by chance, my new friends' rooms are all close to mine.
I slowly picked things up from my suitcase.
"Skincare...combs...lip gloss...perfume...pyjamas. Well, nothing's missing." I nodded in comfort. It's worth asking Jangmi to help me pack. She is as thoughtful as ever.
I check my uniform. My uniform is merigold and there's a gold S shaped clasp that neatly fits over the sweater. I hope I can find some glue. I don't want to lose it. Since I had to leave the show if I lost my clasp, I would definitely be humiliated.
Knock knock
There was a knock on the door of my room. The knocker was probably Soohyun because his room was closest to me.
"Injae, have you finished yet? Let's go have lunch." It's really Soohyun.
I looked at the things that were still scattered on the bed. Um...so messy but food was more important.
"Done, wait a moment." I quickly combed and sprayed my hair to keep it in place like Lisa's bangs in my past life.
I ran to open the door and saw Soohyun standing quietly with his feet on the ground.
"Oh, it's done? But why your hair still look good? Didn't you just run to open the door?" Soohyun had a surprised expression.
"Hmm, secret." I smiled.
"Forget it then! Let's go have lunch. The cafeteria must have a lot of buffet of delicious food!" Soohyun
"Alright."
On the first day there wasn't much to do. Time passed and it was late so everyone dispersed into their own rooms.
...
There were no phones or any electronic devices to use so I immediately took a shower and thought of going to bed. Tomorrow I have to wake up early. As it was announced that all the trainees will be gathered in front of the dormitory tomorrow.
What will they announce or have the trainees do? There was nothing in the dorm area. Definitely not a challenge.
I lay down on the bed and was a little distracted. Hopefully my image isn't funny on tv because I want them to see that I'm more serious person than funny.
I close my eyes slowly and while I was about to fall asleep. All of a sudden...
Knock knock
Who!!?
I jumped out of bed in frustration but immediately walked over to open the door.
'Injae!' Hosoo waved a hand to me while the others stood behind him with a sneaky expression.
'What are you guys doing here?' I whispered.
'Sleep early is boring, isn't it? So we want to invite you to play UNO with us.' Soohyun holds up the UNO box in his hand.
'And there's snacks...' Bai Jian whispered with a happy expression on his face.
"And drinks too! It's a shame th-" Taeil's voice was normal and rather loud so Bright with his empty hand hurriedly covered Taeil's mouth with his hand.
'Don't make noise. Do you want us to get caught? What if they takes things back?' Bright
'...' Taeil nodded apologetically.
'But where did hyung get these things from?' I raised my eyebrows curiously.
'I found UNO on the staff table.' Soohyun
'Snacks and drinks from the kitchen...' Bai Jian
'So... hyungs stole it?!'
'Yes.' Soohyun nodded proudly.
'It's boring, isn't it? So are you going to play with us?' Hosoo
'...Okay.' I nodded. They had already arrived in front of my room. If I don't play, I kinda feel bad for make them walk all the way to my room. It's not like I want to play or anything!
'We'll play in your room.' Hosoo said and gently pushing my arm like 'Stop standing in front of the door and block our way!'
'But why my room?' I asked.
'...I don't know either.' Hosoo shrugged.
'...' Me