Chapter Text
"And the last member who will join the debuting team, 5W!RL, is…"
The Presenter, or known as The Dream Keeper, Alberu Crossman, whose voice was echoing loudly in the studio, was standing proudly with his signature– wicked–grin. He kept on repeating the same notion to create the tension– which everyone actually despised– like, why the hell would you spend 14 minutes to announce 1 member!?
Well, show duration, and self-satisfaction.
With a burning determination in his pair of aquamarines, he shouted; "Will it be The Nation's First Love, Uri Choi Han, or Shikannoin Heizou, The Nation's Heartstopper!?"
'Why did he shout really loud like we're in the middle of a boxing match?' Choi Han felt like losing another 3 years of his lifespan every time he heard the same sentences coming out from Alberu's mouth.
Alberu Crossman smiled– for the 21th time during the last 5 minutes. He brought the expensive-looking microphone closer to his mouth, seeming ready to finally announce the last spot.
Everyone held their breath
Every second passing felt like eternity for Choi Han, who was just standing awkwardly with his head down. He was way too focused on what the handsome gold–haired presenter would say.
"Congratulations….."
'Please say my name! Please my name! Please say Choi Han'
Call him desperate, call him pathetic, Choi Han didn't care a single bit. He sacrificed everything he had for this opportunity. It is not just a mere dream; he gave up half of his life to stand on this stage, under these blinding spotlights, wrapped in a fancy designer suit that almost looked way too good on him. He used to push himself until the point he acknowledged the limit of his own body, but still pushed himself further, he didn't want to fail, no–
–He can't fail.
He recalled his memories before joining this program. He wasn't a silver spoon, let alone making the ends meet, his family would be really grateful to get enough rice to eat for a day. That's the reason why the young Choi Han chose to become an idol.
"Eomma, we will live in glamor if I become an idol! I can appear on television! And Eomma can watch me everyday! Eomma wouldn't cry anymore because of hunger! I will take us out to eat fried chicken and sushi everyday! So don't be sad Eomma ! I promise you! I will buy the most beautiful jewels for you only, so no one will mock my beautiful Eomma!"
'Fuck' Choi Han grimaced, he didn't understand why those memories suddenly resurfaced.
Choi Han used to hop from one place to another just to collect enough money for an audition, just to feel another failure . He remembered the bitter smile on his Mom's tired face, giving every ounce of herself just to make him feel complete, even collecting every penny to support his dream.
"Han-ah, even if you fail to debut, Eomma is not going to be disappointed. Working hard is good, great even. But when the world feels too cruel for you, Eomma will always be here. What do you want to eat? Kimchi jjigae? Sure! Eomma will make it extra delicious for my handsome Han"
Drip
One stray tear fell from his face, earning a concerned look from the man beside him, who was holding his hand, Heizou. Without a glance, Choi Han quickly wiped his tears with his free hand. No, he doesn't want to cry in front of the camera, that is not an achievement. He wants to get recognized for his talent, not for his pity protagonist backstory.
Choi han is someone who is always trying to romanticize his life. He despises pity and sympathy from others. Hence, he never understood self-pity as an emotion. He believes that he has enough amount of time, it doesn't matter if it's short or long, life is to be lived.
'Live in life, die in death. Don't twist it'. This is what he always holds in his bitter life.
"Ahem, eager, are we?" A low baritone voice interrupted Choi Han's train of thought, it was Alberu.
"Boooooo!"
"Stop edging us!"
"Hurry up and announce it you fake white ass man"
Alberu's smile faltered.
'Served him right' Choi Han mentally cringed.
"Okay okay, since everyone is so determined! Let's announce it right away!" He smiled, again.
"The last trainee who will join their friends up there–" Alberu motioned his hand to the last empty chair "–is someone who's very talented, also, their names contained 2 words" he continued, seemingly satisfied with all of his bullshit.
Seeing Choi Han's glare, Alberu's smile twitched a bit.
"Ahem–" Alberu came back to his senses "This trainee received 1.702.129 votes in total". He dropped the bomb like it was nothing.
"Woahhh"
"That's literally a whole freaking nation"
Even Choi Han himself was also surprised with the amount of votes. Even if it's the last place, that is a lot of votes.
"The last trainee who is going to join as a member of The National Boygroup, 5W!RL, is…"
The background music seemed to get louder, but it couldn't defeat Choi Han's heartbeat. His heart was beating fast–no, that would be an understatement–His heart felt like it was going to explode. His focus was way over the top, his ears were buzzing.
"Congratulations…" Alberu shouted
Choi Han couldn't breathe, he was overwhelmed.
What if he failed? How could he face his mom?
"SHIKANNOIN HEIZOU FROM INAZUMA ENTERTAINMENT!"
Fuck
"AAAAAAHHHHHH"
"HEIZOU!"
"URI HEIZOU MADE IT"
"HEIZOU! KING OF REVERSAL! YOU MADE IT"
All the cheering from the crowds wasn't even comprehensible for Choi Han. Even when Heizou hugged him, he wasn't quite sure about it. Was he hallucinating? He didn't know. All the encouraging words from the other failed trainees couldn't get into his mind. He just kept repeating the same words, over and over like it was a prayer.
'I failed'.
He was quite sure that Alberu called his name a few times, maybe for his final speech; some nonsense about how he would stand tall and keep working hard for his dreams. He won't buy all of that, of course. This was his final chance. For a trainee without an agency like him, it was quite awesome that he ranked sixth, but still, he failed to debut. He lost his last chance. He didn't even know what he should do after this. Working at the convenience store? at a construction site?
He saw Alberu's concerned face, he wanted to tell him that it was fine, and smile the pain away. This time, he couldn't. He didn't even have the strength to curl up his mouth. Alberu had been everything but kind to him. During his day in this show, Alberu always encouraged him, stayed beside him during those exhausting times. It was a common sight for everyone, because Dream Keeper, or the MC of the show, should act like the guardian angel for the trainees, to protect their dreams, to accompany them. Choi Han always thought that this job suited Alberu, his kind hyung, the most.
If a certain redhead heard Choi Han's thoughts, he would definitely get a seizure.
"Choi Han…" Alberu muttered, his aquamarine eyes showed nothing but concern for him.
Choi Han knew that look. It was a look of pity, sympathy; emotions that he despised the most.
He tried to smile; "it's okay Alberu Sunbaenim" it is not. Choi Han knew that it's far from fine, but of course, as someone who understands the burden of worry, he didn't want to affect everyone with his emotions. He maintained his smile, and walked to the center of the stage, ready to deliver his final speech.
Maybe this is going to be his last time standing on a stage, after all.
His final speech had nothing special, just a common collective thank yous for his supporters and a train of apologies.
In the end, Choi Han just stood awkwardly with empty eyes. Under the blinding lights, wrapped in a fancy suit, standing on the stage, being hugged by all of the remaining trainees, he never felt more alone. Even when Alberu hugged him, while whispering some encouraging words, he felt nothing.
Choi Han fell into despair.
☆☆☆
"Aigoo… That punk placed 6th" A certain young adult grasped his short vermilion bangs with frustration. He had been watching ' Produce 5!' since the start of the show and taking interest in this one dense trainee named Choi Han.
No, taking interest was an understatement.
Ahem, in fact, this crimson-eyed young man was obsessed –yes, obsessed with italic– with Choi Han. He even asked all of the employees under Henituse Corporation to vote for Choi Han, which was commanded under Basen's name, of course; he held his pride way higher than that.
This vermilion haired young man who's currently staring at the smart television menacingly is Cale Henituse. The firstborn of the multinational company, Henituse Corporation. Unlike his half younger brother who's naturally talented in the business sector, Cale preferred to embrace his actually made-up talent, music and singing. In fact, he was considered as Korea's music prodigy due to his musicality and all of the grand competitions he won, both national and international.
Little did everyone know, during the olden days, Cale Henituse didn't even want to spare a glance to the poor vocal coach, even avoiding his lesson like plague.
"I mean, if possible, I don't even want to talk anymore for the rest of my life. So bold of you all thinking that I want to sing"
That was his one and only reasoning, which strangely, managed to convince every single soul in the Henituse household. Everyone thought it was because of his late mom who used to sing with him during his childhood. They thought singing would be too painful for Cale, so they won't force their traumatized young master. Little did they know, Cale actually meant his words.
So how did this sloth incarnate become Korea's music prodigy?
The answer lied during the family dinner 3 years ago…
"Cale, my dear son, how is the dinner?" His deep voice was filled with fondness. Eyes radiating warmth for his firstborn son.
Cale smiled; "Magnificent like always, Dad. Beacrox is truly blessed by The Zaoshen*" He cut his perfectly cooked steak with elegance. Even when he's stuffing his mouth with a large amount of food, he always managed to look elegant.
Maybe if Choi Jung Soo, one of his friends, was here, he would scream all of his weird vocabularies that he learned from God–knows–where. Which mainly contains the word 'slay', and 'boots house down'. Like... Why would he want to slay Cale and his house?
Deruth nodded; "That is good to hear." He stared at his two sons "Cale, Basen, you both know how far our company reaches right? You may hear about many things, and of course, I won't be able to handle it forever."
'Here we go again' Cale grimaced.
"So I've been thinking about this for a while. Cale, what do you think about inheriting this company?" Deruth smiled.
'Fuuuuuuck'
Cale closed his eyes, refraining his sigh "I'm afraid i can't, father." He looked at his half-eaten steak, then moved his eyes to his 15 years old brother "I… have something else I wanted to do Father. Also, I'm sure my brother Basen is more than capable, our company's future is shining bright in his hand"
Basen, who really loves his hyung more than anything, thought that his hyung was sacrificing himself for him. He put his fork and knife to his place, a little too loud, which gained everyone's attention.
"No! Cale hyung-nim is the only one who should take the position! Hyung-nim is smart, kind, and reliable! I'm sure he will do an even better job than me" Basen literally said everything in one breath.
'This little punk' Cale secretly cringed. What Cale hated the most is what Basen has said was actually true–aside from being kind of course. He is intelligent, no, he is a genius. He has photographic memory which allows him to remember everything. His social skill is not lacking either, he is a hypocritical bastard who knows how to scam his rivals. Have we mentioned his look? Saying handsome is an understatement. Cale Henituse is the walking embodiment of gorgeous. With his smooth tongue, his big ass brain, and his radiant look, he is truly unbeatable.
The only problem? Cale Henituse wants to be a rich slacker. He is lazy, a true sloth. He spent most of his time sleeping, if not, he would stare into nothing for hours. He despised working, moreover, paperwork. Just imagining that he will work every single day, dealing with paperwork, and people–especially people! made him shiver. No, no! He should get his slacker life, no matter what!
With a tongue more oiled than the whole estate, Cale started to speak: "Basen, this hyung can see your potential. What makes you think that you won't do a better job than me?"
"Hyung-nim! You are far smarter than me! You are the one who taught me everything! Also, you're the real Henituse so–"
"Basen, what are you saying?" Deruth cut him before he could continue. It hurts his heart seeing his son feeling so unworthy like this.
"I.. it's true father, Hyung-nim is the real Henituse, I'm just.. his half brother. I don't have any right to stand as a successor" Basen's voice was getting smaller, as if he was mumbling to himself.
"Basen, once a Henituse, always a Henituse '' Cale stared at his younger brother "So what if you're my half brother? Do you think I don't see you as my brother just because we are not related by blood?" He continued.
Basen's eyes shook, he opened and closed his mouth multiple times, unable to say anything
Cale continued; "Basen, whatever they say, whatever runs in your mind right now, it's all not true. You're my younger brother, and you're a part of this Henituse household, your last name is Henituse right? So be proud of it. You have the exact same right as everyone in this household."
"But…" there was a little hesitation in Basen's tone
"No buts. Basen, if you keep looking down on yourself, i would assume you're looking down on our household"
Basen flinched hard. He immediately responded "No! Hyung-nim! I would never! I'm.. proud to be a Henituse!"
Watching his sons interaction, Deruth glanced at Violan, just to find his wife smiling fondly towards Cale. 'Haaaaa' He let out a fond huft. Really, Cale grew really well. While Cale isn't an openly affectionate person, he has a heart wider than The Ocean.
Tough love. That is the perfect words to describe Cale's affection. He may seem distant and emotionless, but he held everyone he cares close to his heart.
Seeing his wife, Violan, nodded, Deruth asked Cale once again "Are you sure, Cale? It's no doubt that young Basen would also do magnificent, our company would only meet the bright things with you two. But still, you're the oldest son, don't you want the position? Think of all the innovations you can bring Cale"
While Basen nodded vigorously, Cale held the urge to bang his head.
"Father… I'm not interested. I want to live a peaceful life, and i truly have the other things i wanted to do" Cale answered
"What may it be Cale?" This time, Violan asked her stepson, unable to hold her curiosity.
'Being a slacker and doing nothing except for rolling on my bed' He truly wanted to say that, but Cale has enough common sense to understand that no one will buy it. He had to make another reasonable answer.
He had to commit the act of guilt tripping
"Mother, Father, it's been engrossing in my mind for a while… but it won't hurt to try singing like Mom Jour.." A lie. "I want to be like her, warming the toughest frost with a melody calmer than the spring breeze. Reminiscing those moments has made me realize, maybe this is a way to embrace our memories forever." To sum up his act, he smiled bitterly, as if he finally resigned in acceptance.
Of course, he was just spewing bullshit. He has long accepted her mother's death. He was just spewing those things because it was the most reasonable thing he could think of. Seeing the change of the atmosphere, he smiled, happy that his plan succeeded. He opened his eyes, just to see some complicated gaze from everyone.
Deruth felt a burning sensation pricking in his eyes, thinking that his son, his little Cale, has finally moved on. On the other hand, Violan, who spent most of her life dealing with arts and culture, couldn't be happier. Cale swore that Violan was literally vibrating in her seat.
Fuck, he made a mistake.
After collecting herself, Violan spoke with a glittering gaze; "Cale, if that's where your heart is drawn to, we will support you fully. Starting from tomorrow, we will assign the best vocal coach we can find, so expect nothing less. Of course, i will be there too, i want to see your talent and potential"
Really, Cale thought everyone was going to leave him alone, at least from the successor bullshit. He didn't realize that his step mother and her art fetish won't leave him undisturbed after hearing that his son took interest in the art field.
That night, right after dinner, Cale spent his whole night practicing his vocal from YouTube videos and any kind of music book he could find. Accompanied by his photographic memory and his roaring adrenaline due to the fear of being caught up, Cale managed to get a standing applause from both his mother and his vocal coach after his vocal assessment the next morning.
Within the last three years, Cale's name had soared high in Korea's entertainment world. The firstborn of Henituse family with marvelous vocal ability, to the point that he could obliterate Alberu Crossman in a singing contest called 'The Masked Singer'. Moreover, he has sung for various drama ost, which made him one of the most wanted singer for many producers. Sadly, he never made his official debut, hence, he doesn't even have a company. He is often described as a passing storm, spawning out of nowhere to sing and then disappear to God-knows-where.
Now, this said person was being busy cursing the so-said rigged survival program. With his butler, Ron, and his three adopted children accompanying him.
"Young master Cale, it's quite late, why don't you finish cursing this program tomorrow?" Showing his benign smile, Ron showed his concern to his puppy young master and his children.
"You know what, fuck this shitty program" Cale cursed, loudly.
"Yeah! Fuck this program human!"
"Fuck this program!"
"Sigh… "
Cale flinched hard, he forgot his children were here as well.
"Raon-nim, Hong-nim, please refrain taking after Young Master Cale's habit to use foul language" Ron smiled "Also, Young master Cale, it seems like we will have a very long and warm conversation, hohoho"
Cale was truly afraid for his life. He was quite sure that he will be served the most bitter warm lemonade tomorrow. He was so ready to get lectured by Ron until–
'Drrrrrrt…. Drrrrrt…..'
"Huh.. Human! Someone is calling!" Raon was pointing to his vibrating phone. After the annoying vibrating noise, a deep, soothing voice could be heard echoing through the room.
'Sesange moseori gubujeonghage keobeorin golchitgeori outsider'
"Waah! Human! It is the cookie uncle!" Raon chimed excitedly.
Cale immediately grabbed his smartphone. Raon was right, it was his narcissistic Hyung-nim, Alberu Crossman. The ringtone was his own hit song, Celebrity, it can't be anyone else. He picked up the phone just to see his Hyung smiling brightly, still wearing the same expensive suit from that cursed program.
"Greetings to the brightest sun in Korean Entertainment, even in this starless night you still look as radiant as ever, this humble Cale is truly in awe and pleasure seeing your handsome face, truly bringing the feeling of–"
"Enough" Alberu cut him, his mouth was twitching, which made Cale smile from satisfaction. Cale asked; "Hyung, aren't you supposed to… I don't know, comforting those poor souls who didn't make the end cut? Aren't you their guardian angel or something?"
"Haaaaa" Alberu sighed "I always do my job perfectly, excuse you"
"I know hyung, just want to see how far your patience goes" Cale answered with his charming– scamming smile. "Anyway, what do you need Hyung? I know you want something"
"Aigoo, you made it sounds like i'm using you all the time"
"Sir Alberu Crossman it sounds really wrong"
"Can't this handsome hyung call his cute dongsaeng when he misses him? Hm?"
"Cut the crap hyung" really, he is really tired with Alberu and his hyung kink, he wanted to end this conversation as soon as he can.
"Cale" Alberu suddenly turned serious, and Cale shuddered. "Do you trust me, Cale?" Okay , Alberu was dead serious, and Cale, being a self proclaimed shaman, could really feel that Alberu is going to drag him into something troubling.
"I trust you Alberu-nim"
"Call me hyung" this hyung kink again
"Of course hyung"
"So Cale, what do you think about Choi Han?"
'Why is he suddenly bringing Choi Han' Cale stiffened. "I do watch some clips about him"– lie , he watched every single fancam of Choi Han–"He is genuinely gifted. He has the talent for dancing, and his stage presence is no joke. He is the type of person who could suddenly dance in the middle of Myeongdong and instead of being mad, people will gather and throw some money to him"
Alberu wheezed, he is always amused with his dongsaeng. "Is that so? Then why do you think he failed to debut?"
"That show is fucking rigged"
"Please refrain from using harsh words, Young master" it was Ron. His low voice sending shivers down to his spine.
Silence
"... you know you could get a lawsuit because of that right"
"I trust you hyung-nim"
'The audacity of this punk' Alberu could feel that he is close to getting a headache. "I'm being serious here dongsaeng"
"Do you think I'm joking hyung?" Cale deadpanned, looking at his hyung with a bemused gaze.
"Aigoo, what should i do with you dongsaeng"
"Well, his vocal may be a little lacking but it's not that severe. My instinct as a vocal coach said that he would survive in this industry. There is always a room for improvement"
"Haaaa, You finally got it. It's true that his vocal isn't that bad, but still, as a trainee from Roan Entertainment, he has to fix it"
'Wait, isn't Choi Han an individual trainee?' Cale blinked. "What.. Do you mean being a trainee at Roan Entertainment?" He looked at Alberu like he had grown another head.
"Well, i like him"
"Romantically?"
"Of course not. Don't worry dongsaeng, you will always be my priority"
"... what crap are you saying right now"
"Haaaa my oblivious dongsaeng" Alberu sighed. "Cale, what are we?"
Silence
".... what?"
"What are we Cale?"
".... korean?" Cale blinked.
Another long silence
"... right" Alberu looked like he wanted to cry. "So about Choi Han, yes, you heard right. I personally picked him, and it's not due to pity or my personal feelings. Sure, I do pity him, especially after seeing the despair in his eyes, but my decision is based on his potential. As you said, his aura and stage presence is no joke"
Alberu could see Cale's eyes were literally glittering with happiness, it's quite funny seeing this stoic-faced-man being so excited about a random trainee.
"That's why–" he continued "I want to hire you as his vocal trainer, Sir Cale" Alberu was smiling with his usual grin, he knew how talented Cale is. He is not called Korea music prodigy for nothing.
Cale could swear he was literally vibrating from happiness. Of course, he maintained his cool exterior. Cale has always liked a rough diamond like Choi Han. He had seen Choi Han's rapid growth since the beginning of the show. He could see that he was inexperienced, and that is his only limit. He is inexperienced, but not untalented. He is secretly thankful for his Hyung. His hyung always gave him a great deal.
"Why, thank you. You truly trust me, aren't you?"
"Of course, i would forever thankful for Young master Cale, a true treasure of korea's musical history and keep paving the way as a music prodigy himself"
"Cut the crap Hyung, i accept your deal. I'm certain the payment would be good, no?"
Alberu smiled in satisfaction
"Hoo, i didn't expect you would agree this fast, and of course, expect much since we are the richest entertainment company in Korea"
"Well, I couldn't say no for money. Also Hyung, you do aware that I complete my task with 120 percent efficiency right?"
"Why of course, that's why i call you first"
"Then, it's a deal. I will go to Roan Entertainment tomorrow for the contract" Cale smiled in satisfaction, 'finally! Meeting with Choi Han!'
"It's a deal then, see you my handsome yet cute dongsaeng ! This hyung will–"
Cale hung up and threw his phone away, he couldn't deal with Alberu's glib tongue much longer. He felt like losing his life expectancy whenever he talked to Alberu.
With tired eyes, he glanced at Ron; "Ron, please prepare my bed right away"
"Hoho, of course Young master, do you have any plans tomorrow?"
Cale smiled
"Yes Ron, there will be something big tomorrow"
(*The Zaoshen is Stove God in Chinese Mythology)