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His first ever team match during Idol Inc. might be one of the most traumatizing events he’d ever experienced. The moment he got grabbed by the collar by his teammate and pinned against the wall, he immediately broke out in a sweat.
He’d never even experienced this during high school as people were too intimidated by his facial expressions. Although timid, his dangerous vibe along with his piercings had people treating him like he’d beat them up if they’d ever crossed paths with him.
So, when Kim Raebin was being targeted and accused of being unfair during the first team match, he was taken aback.
“Did you assign me to this part on purpose?” His teammate confronted him during practice.
Kim Raebin could only give him a confused look at first. “No, I tried my best to consider each person’s strength.”
“Are you saying that I lack the skills?”
“No! I thought—”
His teammate cut his words and pushed him aside by the collar, “F*ck this!” and stormed out of their practice room, leaving Raebin staring at the door he left from.
With all the cameras around, he could only look down at his shoes as the staff told him that they’ll be taking a break and turned off the cameras.
“Just ignore that guy, Kim Raebin.” Eugene once told him when they met up to watch the first episode. Although days have passed, he still couldn’t get over the first team match. That man had kept looking at him with a scowl on his face whenever the camera wasn’t on him. “Let’s just watch the episode. [Look!] This dude’s so funny.”
Eugene pointed at a participant dancing to Marshmallow sunbaenim’s iconic song, momentarily distracting him from the unpleasant experience. But right after he finished watching, his mind had already started wandering about what happened before. Is he lacking teamwork and social relationships for his teammates to say that?
Raebin has once again started overthinking if he’s able to do well in the next team match.
Everything was going smoothly as activities continued throughout the show. Raebin felt relieved, knowing there hadn’t been any team matches yet. And most of the participants have been nice to him so far, thankfully.
Amidst the chaos, the scavenger hunt was quite enjoyable. He was able to initiate conversations with some of the people besides Eugene. Although he could sense the hesitation, he’s grateful they’d even made the effort to communicate with him, unlike the others who’d just scoffed at him from afar.
It’s not particularly hurtful to see those types of people around him. Still, Raebin hoped they wouldn’t judge him by his outward appearance. He would have preferred it if they’d judged his ability to produce music instead of these trivial things.
Shaking these thoughts off, Raebin prepared for the PR streaming next. It went well, he guessed, since the staff and directors were ecstatic about the theme song he made for the show. Another satisfying piece of music he produced, and he felt confident once again of his ability.
Only to have it crashing down when the writers announced that the second team match would commence after their break.
“Kim Raebin, are you still thinking about the bad dude from your first team?” Eugene who’s currently lounging on their couch at their company’s dorm.
Both had ended up watching Episode 3 together and to be honest, Raebin didn’t want to see the mess of a team match he had from the early episodes alone, so he asked Eugene to watch with him.
With his eyes focused on his fidgeting fingers, he uttered. “Yeah, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to reach others’ expectations at the upcoming team match. What if I mess it up again?”
Cha Eugene shrugged but gave Raebin a smirk. “Raebin, are you scared?”
Just hearing the word makes Raebin’s competitive spirit flare up, especially if it’s coming from his friend. “No, I’m not! It’s just what if my teammates think my skills are lacking and they don’t want to cooperate? What if—?
“You think too much, Kim Raebin! If your teammates are jerks, then, don’t pick them. Easy.” His friend’s simple mind was astonishing, really.
Raebin continued to worry, however, a sudden shift of the atmosphere in the scene they’re watching stopped his thoughts.
The dance coach was currently scolding the team due to their unsatisfactory dance practice. He was especially criticizing Seon Ahyeon, which noticeably dampened the already timid man’s mood.
Ahyeon, now having trouble focusing on their practice, had decided to sit in the far corner of the room, who was then followed by Moondae.
The two talked sincerely about his troubles.
“The only thing you need to think about is I’m gonna make this work.” Moondae advised.
Kim Raebin’s ears perked. This was a competition. People are not expected to help or even be kind to each other. It was a dog-eat-dog world.
But this man had neither belittled anyone nor was shown to be trying to one up his competitors. He was genuinely helping other people.
“Do you have a better idea, then? We’re running out of time, and you can’t just keep saying “No” to everything…” Choi Wongil, who’s becoming more irritable as Moondae continued giving them reasons why their ideas would not work.
As always, conflicts arose between teammates and Raebin felt afraid for Moondae who’s now being confronted. He could hear Eugene saying something beside him, but his focus was solely on this interesting man.
His heart trembled as Moondae opened his mouth. But instead of a defensive response, Moondae simply grinned. Anticipation blossomed within Raebin.
“Let’s go for horror.” The man stated.
As their performance continued playing on the monitor, a new inspiration overwhelmed his entire body. He didn’t know what to do with it.
He looked at Eugene, and unexpectedly, his best friend was oddly as focused on the screen as he was. Resembling a kid who just found a candy he wanted for himself.
Raebin didn’t need to ask because he knows. He felt the same way for the man on the screen. And it continued as they finished their performance with that powerful voice of his.
He knows what to do in the next team match.
“I choose contestant Park Moondae.” Raebin felt like he won life when he uttered these words to the mic. Despite the confusion etched across his face, Moondae still stepped toward Raebin, bowing at the man who unexpectedly chose him.
Raebin’s fists unknowingly clenched in joy as he bowed in return. A full 90 degrees as if he was greeting a senior artist.
Long after the member selection event was over, Raebin still felt thrilled to be in the same team as this man.
Though he wore his usual dark expression, Eugene clearly understood what he was thinking. Slinging an arm over his friend’s shoulders, he excitedly whispered, “Good job, Raebin!”
Raebin broke into a huge smile.
Finally!
“Who was in charge of the rearrangement?” Youngrin sunbaenim coldly asked.
Raebin felt the weight of everyone’s gaze as cold sweat prickled along his skin, but he kept his eyes fixed on the floor.
“Was it you, Raebin?”
Chungwoo hyungnim immediately intervened and as their leader, he was able to shift the situation into something that made the whole team accountable instead of just one.
However, Raebin didn’t expect that one would drop the ball and put the blame entirely on him. Cold sweat formed on his forehead and his heart thumped against his chest as soon as all eyes were on him.
Silence surrounded the room until a firm voice echoed beside him. “Yes, Raebin is great at playing instruments and knows how to work with composing programs.”
His heart beat pounding against his ears immediately stopped.
“And since he’s capable of doing those things, he was able to discuss the song in detail with our producer. But the basic idea of the rearrangement is what we came up with as a team.”
Raebin couldn’t believe it. He was saved by the man he just recently got acquainted with, wearing an indifferent expression, as though stepping in to help during a competition was nothing out of the ordinary.
After that was a blur of sentences and phrases and all he could think of was him. Of what he had done. Some might say that it’s bare minimum to be a decent human being even amidst this contest. But no, it was everything to him.
He waited until everyone had gone back to the practice room before walking over and kneeling in front of him.
Talking to him felt calming. It was the same kind of comfort he felt around older people, something he’d always been used to. Without realizing it, he stopped tensing his shoulders.
He knew arranging the song was his responsibility, but he still wanted to hear his thoughts. Not because he expected an answer right away but he was just glad for the chance to get closer to a respectable person.
So when an unexpectedly brilliant idea came up, Raebin blinked in surprise before a rush of energy hit him. He hurried back to his keyboard and started playing, his heart racing again. This time, not from nerves, but excitement.
Park Moondae-hyungnim really is amazing.
He still remembers that performance vividly, and all the ones that came after. The rush of hearing his arrangement that came from Moondae's idea was unlike anything he'd ever felt before. Would any of this have even happened if Moondae-hyung hadn't shown up at this competition?
So, when something happened that made Moondae think of dropping out of the show, Raebin felt devastated and useless. As both of the same-age line dragged his hyung back to the bed, he wanted to wrap his arms around him too. Comfort Moondae as he comforted him.
Imagine his surprise and immense relief when all was resolved.
He thanked the higher beings up there that helped his hyung. And after that, he profusely gave his thanks once more when he watched as they both debuted together under the same team.
There’s so many possibilities of what kind of arrangements he will do with him. And so much time to spend performing with Moondae. Again, Raebin can’t wait to be with this hyung.
Raebin was right. Having Moondae in the group made producing music feel a lot more fulfilling… and honestly, just happier. He likes it. Maybe a little too much, now that he’s realizing he’s kind of been putting Moondae on a pedestal without noticing.
Even with how bad he is at picking up social cues (which, yeah, he admits), he can still tell Eugene’s pretty much the same. The way Eugene looks at their hyung is… kind of like he’s worshipping him. There’s just something about Moondae hyung that pulls people in. It’s obvious, especially with the maknaes, they’re completely taken with him.
“Say, Eugene. I couldn’t help but notice you seem quite set on being in a unit with Moondae hyung. It almost feels like an obsession, honestly. Especially with the way you look at him… it’s the same look you give your food, like you want to claim it for yourself.”
Eugene, who’s currently on his phone at his bed, didn’t even look up at Raebin and simply gave him a grin with this fanged tooth. “Like you’re not the same, stupid Raebin. I can see it in your eyes, too. Don’t lie.”
A blush formed on his face, obviously taken aback. He was so sure that he’s keeping it under wraps. But he guessed since he’s been friends with Eugene for so many years, he knows he’ll notice it eventually. Though he’s expecting that the others, and especially Moondae hyung, wouldn’t even think of it. He hopes.
He covered his face with both hands, voice muffled but still loud enough for Eugene to hear. “You’re worse… You don’t even try to hide it.”
“Why would I?” Eugene said, completely unfazed. “I actually want people to know I like him.”
Raebin slowly lowered his hands. “You like his ideas.”
“Nope. Him.” Eugene finally looked away from his screen and met his eyes. “You like him too, Kim Raebin. Don’t even try to deny it.”
His hands went right back to his face. There was a slight pause before he answered, groaning under his breath. “Ugh… yeah, I do…”
Eugene just grinned like he’d known the whole time. Raebin stayed like that, face buried in his hands, trying to hide how red he’d gotten.
There’s no way he’s letting Moondae hyung find out about this. “You better keep your mouth shut, Cha Eugene.”