TAEYANG grabbed the pull-up bar, his fingers curling around the metal firmly. As he pulled himself up, his biceps swelled, showing off the strong muscles under his skin. Sweat rolled down his forehead, glistening as it slid down his sharp jawline and dripped from his chin. His dark, damp hair stuck to his forehead. Each pull-up highlighted the defined muscles of his back.
His broad chest expanded with each breath, the fabric of his shirt slightly wet and clinging to his torso. His abs were tight, the lines and ridges visible through the thin material. His shorts hung low on his hips, showing a glimpse of his V-line.
Sweat continued to slide down his neck and disappeared into the collar of his shirt, adding a shine to his skin. Each pull-up was smooth and powerful, showing off his strength.
Just as he was about to start another set, his cellphone rang, interrupting his workout. Taeyang let go of the bar and walked to the center table of his apartment's living room. The open layout of his apartment was evident as he moved; there were no doors separating the kitchen, living room, and dining area. He had a separate area for his workout equipment, neatly organized with various weights, a bench, and the pull-up bar he had just been using.
He picked up his phone and saw Choi Jiyeon's name on the screen. His brows furrowed slightly, curious about the unexpected call. Despite his curiosity, he answered promptly; after all, she was the CEO of the company he was planning to sign with in the near future.
"Is there a problem?" he asked.
- Have you checked your email?
"Not yet. Why?"
- Then, let me be the first to share the good news. You've passed the audition.
Taeyang blinked. "Oh."
- 'Oh'? That's your only reaction?
"Not to sound arrogant, but I already expected to pass," he said in an indifferent tone.
He heard a chuckle from the other side of the line.
- What amazing confidence.
Taeyang was about to say a casual 'thank you' when a sudden thought crossed his mind. No, rather than a thought, it was a person. Someone with a pair of beautiful amber-colored eyes.
"Representative Choi, do you have the list of all the applicants who passed the public audition?"
- Yes, why are you asking?
"Can you look if someone with amber-colored eyes and a tear drop mole at the corner of his left eye passed?"
- I remember him. I was there when the production team reviewed the audition reels. He left quite the deep impression on me.
That's understandable. With an aura like that, it would be hard not to leave a deep impression on anyone, Taeyang thought.
- His voice is heavenly. In my opinion, out of the hundreds of participants in that public audition, he had the best vocals.
Now that made Taeyang pause. His vocal and not his visual? Since Taeyang left at lunch, he didn't watch the next performances after that. So, naturally, he also didn't see that person's performance.
"He's really good at singing?" he couldn't help but ask.
- Yes. Wait—you didn't know? I thought you were asking because you wanted to know the name of your competition. Don't tell me you asked because you found him pretty?
Taeyang was so surprised by the question that he couldn't answer immediately. His silence likely made Choi Jiyeon think her guess was correct.
- Wow. Now, this is unexpected.
"It's not like that. I met him by chance a few days ago. He saved my cousin, so I remembered him."
- Right...
Taeyang sighed. Even to his own ears, his explanation sounded like a lame excuse. It was no surprise that Choi Jiyeon spoke as if she didn't believe him.
- The name of your cousin's savior is Kang Haneul. And by the way, he also passed the audition.
"Thank you for informing me that I pass the audition."
After Taeyang said that, he hung up the phone, knowing that if he continued the conversation, she would only make more insinuating remarks. He set the phone down and slumped onto his couch, looking up at the ceiling. Once again, those amber-colored eyes flashed in his mind.
"So his name is Kang Haneul..."
Choi Jiyeon had mentioned that he also passed the audition, which meant they would see each other again soon. For some reason, the thought filled him with sudden anticipation.
Taeyang shook his head. He shouldn't be feeling excited about this. Especially since there were much more important things he had to focus on.
But despite his efforts of pushing that aside, a flicker of excitement remained, stubbornly lingering in the back of his mind.