The crowd was screaming outside, today was the day everyone was performing, the strangers outside were a new batch, a batch that had seen and already knew about 'NEXT' after being interviewed if they watched the first episode and the promotional video.
The producers were at a loss, it felt like it was someone's debut instead of a group performance among the contestants, they immediately knew who was the culprit.
"At this point should this be even a contest?"
Minsu asked the judges who didn't say anything, JYP who was usually happy if it came to Junho's performance looked off for some reason.
"It's a good thing but let's see how he responds to it."
"Alright Iet's start the program now and let's push Junho's group to the last."
-
Junho and his group were waiting they were told their song would be placed last, they didn't mind but as soon as the group performances piled up and everyone getting hyped after every song the bar set high.
"Damn you Jinyoung."
Junho said as he elbowed Jinyoung who laughed.
"Look it's Sungjae's turn next"
"Now it's my turn to ask, how did you do it?"
"I told them to practice harder"
"Is that really all?"
"No, I told them that if we win and upset you I'll recommend them to JYP."
Junho then pointed at the camera, Jinyoung laughed and whispered to him.
"I whispered so the camera's and microphones won't pick it up."
Junho rolled his eyes as he grabbed his group to meet outside.
"Tell me who is nervous here?"
The group looked at each other then nodded, they then unanimously raised their hands, as a previous manager he knew how to handle this but not really well as others could.
"Take a deep breath everyone and count one to three."
The group followed his orders as if they were his actual brother.
"Alright then close your eyes and imagine that your in front of the stage now, do you guys see it?"
"I see it Hyung"
"Yeah I can even hear them screaming."
Junho opened his eyes and looked at the number it was already performance number 9 and they were soon to be next, he then returned to attend to his group who were still closing their eyes and imagining things.
"Take everything in, Imagine this is your first world wide concert, imagine this is the sky dome."
"Now Imagine the smiles of the fans, the music, the people you are going to inspire, the money and the fame that comes with it."
Junho didn't like sugarcoating things when it came down to it, he told them some of the reasons why Idols became idols.
"Now Imagine it being gone in an instant when you fail, open your eyes and tell me you don't like it do you?"
"No we don't"
"Well if you put it like that."
Junho tapped everyone's shoulder and placed his hand in front, Seung-kwan followed suit so did Daniel, shortly everyone's hand was in the center.
"And I don't think I need to remind you guys, this is just the beginning of our dreams!"
"Hana Dul Set Fighting!"
The group then shook off their anxiousness and were now all in smiles, a staff then hurriedly came over and told them it was their turn, they then were placed in a waiting room, they saw the other group who played 'Replay'.
"Ugh."
"Don't get complacent."
"I understand Hyung."
After the performance Junho then gathered in the center once again and formed a huddle.
"What do we say?"
"We're Taking First Place!"
"Let's go!"
"I'm gonna get cramps but I don't care!"
"Ah screw this!"
Everyone was hyped up and immediately ran out of the tunnel with Junho leading them.
The Judges laughed as they saw their antics, they wanted to see how they perform under this pressure since this time there were fans, as Junho's and his group entered the stage, they saw posters, name cards, even a light stick it almost felt like it was a dream come true for them.
As soon as they placed themselves he soon felt like everyone was taken aback again, he sighed and gave them a smile and a tap on the shoulder."
"Do your best and leave it all on the stage."
The group nodded enthusiastically as soon as the lights turned on and the music started the fans who screamed earlier screamed even more louder as soon as they saw Junho, even the staff and trainee's were surprised as they heard shrieks.
"Ruler!"
"It's really Him!"
"Thank you for saving the best for the last!"
'Noona neomu yeppeoseo'
'Namjadeuri gaman an dwo'
'Heundeulrineun geunyeoye mam'
As they were having a great time outside performing meanwhile the judges, they had watched how the group performed, they loved it but.
"I see, he has 'that' problem."
JYP said, after observing Junho for weeks and how he interact he with everyone he knew why and where Junho was at a loss.
"Don't you think so as well Hyun-suk?"
"I don't know what you're talking about I'm just enjoying the performance."
"Does anyone else see it?"
"If you're talking about how good he is yeah he is, he's consistent, oh."
Soon the judges nodded and agreed, they kept observing but they didn't know what they he was referring to shortly the performance had ended, Heechul told them to vote which group they liked between the other.
As soon as the commotion was done, they were then gathered to where the fans were while the judges were at the stage this time.
"Today we will be revealing who won, the top three gets bonus points for the upcoming rankings, and before I reveal it I want to say congratulations."
Everyone clapped at Lee Hyori's words, she then nodded and soon the scores were revealed shocking everyone, some then looked at him and didn't know how to approach him as he currently looked cold and unattentive.
-
"What's the score now?"
"It's 22-13 still in your favor Junho."
"Congrats on obtaining first place Jinyoung, I guess I have to work on being cuter next time."
"Your group was the best out of there today, you guys did it like you owned the song as you usually would."
"You guys did too."
Jinyoung then tapped his shoulders to take him out of his stupor as he saw Junho's members come up to him, they then lined up in front of them, Jinyoung left them as he went to celebrated his win with his group.
"What with you guys?"
Seung-kwan looked at the rest of them, Seung-chol, Yugyeom and Daniel then bowed in front of him, the group then were recorded by a staff who noted their interactions.
"We're sorry for failing you Hyung!"
"You can hit any of us for dragging you down!"
"We promise to do better in the future!"
"You can berate us and we won't even say a thing we'll gladly accept it!"
Junho sighed and was taken aback by their attitude, he didn't imagine they would take this performance to heart but somehow he liked their attitude as it was sincere even Daniel looked like he was about to cry.
"I expected better from you guys."
The group of four flinched and tried to hold back their tears as they felt like they had failed their elder brother, during the entire week Junho had taken care of them as if they were his own brother as well.
They knew Junho sacrificed some of his personal time to practice so that he could have time to train them as well they liked this aspect very much which made them felt close to him and that's why they felt guilty for not taking first place as they had initially wanted.
"Not in that way, I thought you guys thought of me differently I guess I'm just another competitor for you."
"No! we think you're our actual Hyung and we felt guilty for failing you!"
"Yeah!"
Junho laughed as he knew this was the reason, he soon tapped their shoulders and straightened their backs for them.
"No matter what don't think this is the last time, think of it as another hurdle we have to overcome"
"We can't have everything we want on the first try, remember this is a process, this is a marathon, results aren't achieved immediately so who wants to eat?"
The group then hugged it out as Daniel cried, Junho sighed as he remembered they were still around 17 to 15 and that some of them hadn't been exposed too much experiences he just hoped they would learn from this experience especially him since he now had a problem to think about.
As soon as they were done.
"Hana dul set!"
"Let's go!"
Everyone immediately ran to the cafeteria with all smiles as if nothing had happened, since the camera was on them Minsu was informed and came over to look at it.
"He has good charisma, I wonder if he acquired it or was he born with it? Well to the editing room it is!"