Jun and Juwon wanted the same Part, so their teammates watched them curiously.
Who in the country did not know yet that these two were the best of friends? They came from the same agency, went to the same school, started training simultaneously, and went to the same survival show, hoping to debut together. Nobody thought they would one day go for the same position.
"Let's fight for it fair and square," said Juwon.
"All right." Jun's lips curled into a grin.
The two immediately stood up and then took turns performing. The acting leader played the music for them.
Frankly speaking, the ones seated were not blind; they could see at a glance who was better. Jun's first line alone reminded everyone how he easily got Part 1 on the first mission - he 'instantly' mastered the song and the choreo that he supposedly heard for the first time.
Still, they were amazed at Juwon. This time, he proved he was also a strong participant who deserved his current rank. Besides his face, Juwon had good skills. He was not inferior to Min and Kato when it came to dance, and he could hold his notes without singing off-key.
So when the voting ended, which unsurprisingly favoured Jun, Daeho and the others comforted him, "Don't feel down, Juwon. You were also awesome."
"Thanks. I'm fine." Juwon still looked a bit sad. However, he sincerely congratulated his friend.
Xavi jokingly said, "If it will make you feel better, actually, you dance better than me."
"Does it mean you'd be willing to give up Part 1 to me?"
"Dream on," the Australian boy widened his eyes and furiously shook his head.
Juwon laughed and replied, "Xavi, don't worry, I'm just kidding. Part 1 seems tailor-made for you."
Xavi had an outgoing personality and loved to laugh a lot. However, if he stayed quiet and expressionless, his masculine face would make people assume he was confident, cool, and aloof. Also, he was great at controlling his facial expressions.
Jun clapped to get everyone's attention. Seong-Hun immediately understood the cue. "Time to move on to the next Part. Who wants to get Part 3?"
Then, a long silence ensued. The leader played the song twice, yet nobody raised their hands.
"Again, anybody who wants to volunteer for Part 3?" Seong-Hun glanced at his teammates.
Juwon nudged Seong-Hun and then commented, "It's a very important position. However, the high notes are too intimidating. We need a strong vocalist, and I believe only Hyeon-Ju can nail them. Or Jun if he tries using his head voice. But Jun can't hold two Parts at once."
"Obviously, Hyeon-Ju should get Part 3."
Xavi wrinkled his forehead since he really did not understand why these guys were hesitating. He could not be blamed, though. Xavi had never teamed up with Hyeon-Ju, and his impression of the other was limited to what he saw on stage or screen. In his opinion, the guy was quiet but had an amazing voice.
Jun did not want to appear meddlesome without the Leader title, so he did not speak at first. Now, after hearing Xavi, he smiled and nodded, "I actually agree with Xavi. Let's entrust Part 3 to Hyeon-ju, then. What do you guys think?"
'... We're doomed,' thought Daeho and the others.
Daeho hesitated. But after mulling it over, he finally chose to speak up. "Everyone, a friendly reminder. Part 3 has the most lines and demands the most vocal ability. But most importantly, whoever gets it must appear the coolest among us."
The coolest.
When the word was emphasized, the air surrounding them seemed to have turned heavier than ever.
The title might hint at a long-distance relationship or a sad love song. But in reality, the song's message was, 'I'm so great, I'm so hot. Stress and anxiety? They are so far away from me because nothing can shake my cool and strong mentality. I don't care what people think about me. I will praise myself.'
Cool and fierce, or perhaps one should say unparalleled arrogance, was the concept of the original song 'So Far Away'.
It was a song that, in Daeho, Seong-Hun, and even Juwon's mind, they could not associate with Hyeon-Ju's face, aura, and voice.
Xavi looked at Hyeon-Ju and said, "What's the matter then?"
Seong-Hun felt tired from the urging stares he was getting from Daeho. He finally explained, "Hyeon-ju will struggle not because of the high notes and belting but because of the concept."
"The concept? How do you know when we haven't seen him try? People say I have a bad boy's face, but Jun said my personality is that of a lively puppy. I hate the analogy, but what I mean is that you can't judge a book by its cover." The Australian teenager frowned. He had always been somebody vocal about his thoughts.
Seong-Hun kept quiet while Daeho wryly smiled and shook his head. "We have heard him sing already."
Xavi felt annoyed and bluntly said, "Honestly, I don't like where this is going. It's like in your mind, you have decided that our team has already lost when the battle has not even begun. Everyone agrees that Hyeon-ju is the only one who can sing this Part, but you don't want him to do it. What do you guys really want, then?"
Jun pressed his lips into a thin line. He stretched his hand with his palm open. "Stop it. Xavi, calm down. You too, Daeho. It's settled. Hyeon-Ju, if you agree, you will be our main vocalist."
Hyeon-Ju nodded. However, he did not look too happy. "Is it really settled?" He wondered.
In the team selection, the leader was reluctant to pick him, and now, the vocal Part that only he could do was deliberated so carefully before being given to him. Even when Hyeon-ju thought it was over and was about to utter the usual line, 'Thanks, I will do my best,' somebody interjected.
"Wait a minute. I have a proposal to make." Daeho refused to give up, suggesting, "How about Juwon do Part 2 and Jun Part 3?"
A long silence descended into the place. The warm atmosphere from about five minutes ago seemed to have disappeared entirely.
Jun could not find the words to say. The cameras were on, and he doubted that the other guys did not know it. Daeho... He was playing a dangerous game.
Yes, the point was there. Nothing has been finalized yet, so they could still switch parts. But people's feelings and opinions were being disregarded. The result of the previous audition was also being disrespected. Everything had been captured by the cameras, turning into clips that the editors would definitely twist into a depressing narrative.
[Inhabitant Daeho does not believe that the song suits Hyeon-ju, so he is against giving a significant part to him.]
[A disagreement arose in Team 'So Far Away' because of Hyeon-ju. Perhaps the members already think the leader made a mistake choosing him?]
[Hyeon-ju, isolated...]
Jun could already imagine the storm that these crazy subtitles would create outside.
It was scarily quiet. Until they heard somebody sigh.
Hyeon-ju forced a smile and said, "Sorry, I need to go to the breakroom. I will be back shortly."
Looking at the sudden turn of events, Jun regretted telling himself that he would be able to relax this time since it seemed to have jinxed it. When Hyeon-ju left, he also said, "I also need a break."
"Me too." Juwon immediately followed him.
Those left in the practice hall were Seong-Hun, Daeho, and Xavi. However, the latter found the place quite suffocating, so he stood up and walked out of the room without excusing himself. Nobody knew where he went.
"My concern is valid, right?" Daeho asked in a small voice.
Seong-Hun did not reply. He appeared worried since he did not expect things to turn out this way.