Han Baekya spent the past week just like any other—an endless cycle of school, practice room, and home.
And today was the long-awaited day of the monthly evaluation.
[Shin Jaehyun: It hasn’t even been that long since we joined, and already an evaluation….]
[Shin Jaehyun: Trainees really work hardㅠㅠ]
[Kim Yugyeong: Yamen!!! You can do it!!!!]
[Kim Yugyeong: Go crush it, Han Baekya (thumbs-up emoji)]
“What the hell do you mean ‘crush it.’ I’d be lucky if I don’t get crushed.”
Baekya muttered as he looked at his phone. Maybe because it was the weekend, the area in front of the company was crowded with people. Judging by some slogans here and there, it looked like fans of the agency’s artists had gathered.
Baekya pushed through the crowd and barely made it inside the door. The lobby he just entered was more chaotic than usual.
‘They said people from other companies would come, maybe that’s why?’
Watching the busy employees rushing around, Baekya headed toward the practice room. But it was just as hectic there.
Some female trainees were already crying in a corner, seemingly terrified.
‘The atmosphere is pretty brutal….’
Even the ones who usually didn’t show any tension had gathered with serious faces.
“Everyone’s here early.”
Baekya approached the group he had grown somewhat close to by now. One of them, who was listening with a serious expression, quickly grabbed him.
“Hyung, this is a huge incident.”
“What is it?”
Could an entertainer even be coming as a judge? Baekya asked calmly.
“They’re kicking out one member from the debut team.”
“Huh?”
A face flashed through his mind quickly.
“…W-why all of a sudden?”
His voice trembled slightly, but no one thought it was strange. They just figured Baekya was shocked too.
‘Did they get caught dating?’
Of course, dating was prohibited, but it didn’t seem like a mistake bad enough to overturn a debut team that was fully prepared. It felt strange.
‘Honestly, it’s just that it hasn’t been caught yet. If you dig around, at least three secret dating couples would probably come out.’
While thinking the punishment seemed too harsh for the offense, Baekya doubted his ears.
“He drank at night and rode a motorcycle, then got into an accident, and the female trainee who was riding with him is now in intensive care.”
“Crazy bastard? Hup.”
Baekya, cursing unconsciously, quickly covered his mouth with a shocked look. But everyone seemed to understand. They all looked startled, saying they were shocked when they heard it.
“But I heard that guy is a Mebora (top trainee). So will the debut get canceled too?”
“They might exclude him. They already leaked news about a new rookie coming out.”
“Is that important now? Because of that guy, someone’s life is practically over.”
“But why were those two together in the first place?”
After that, all sorts of speculation about the debut team ran rampant among the trainees.
‘So that’s why he wasn’t around.’
The guy Baekya saw at the emergency exit, Park Harang. He’d caused a big accident right before debut and was kicked out.
Regardless of the noisy internal matters, the monthly evaluation proceeded as scheduled.
The evaluation method was like this:
Among randomly called trainees, one would point to a trainee from the opposing company they wanted to compete against.
The person pointed at would have a one-on-one battle with the trainee who called them out. If this were a normal monthly evaluation, they would be judged on individual vocals and dance, but today it was held together with another company.
Moreover, although they didn’t show it openly, there seemed to be some unspeakable internal reasons, and ID’s staff seemed eager to finish the evaluation as soon as possible.
“The evaluation will proceed in the category chosen by the first called trainee.”
And then the first name was called.
“US Trainee number 7.”
A brown-haired boy stood up from the opposite side.
The oversized hoodie, two sizes too big, had a number sticker on it. US number 7 looked like someone who would definitely dance well.
Baekya, having scanned the opponent as soon as his name was called, averted his eyes to avoid eye contact. Just quietly moving his eyeballs.
‘Please, anyone but me.’
While Baekya prayed silently, number 7 pointed to another trainee.
“I choose ID trainee number 7.”
Who’s our number 7! Number 7!
Relieved, Baekya looked around for the pointed trainee. Fortunately, a friend known for good dancing stood up.
The two trainees stood side by side in the center of the practice room. When asked what category they would compete in, US number 7 chose dance as expected.
The evaluation song they had submitted beforehand was prepared, and US number 7’s music began to play first.
“Let’s begin.”
A fast-tempo hip-hop beat. Number 7 slowly moved his feet to the rhythm, gradually making bigger moves, finishing with a flashy windmill.
Using his upper body and arms to support himself while spinning his legs rapidly, it was a move Baekya would never be able to do.
‘That guy is truly a dance magician on stage.’
While Baekya was lost in useless thoughts, ID number 7’s song started.
He was the one who had struggled to hold back laughter watching Baekya’s Dance of Courtship on his first day.
But today, given the circumstances, Baekya decided to put aside his dislike for a moment.
‘It’s actually not bad.’
The song was a contrast to the previous one.
Our number 7’s choice was dance-pop mixed with strong R&B vibes. Instead of large, intense moves, it focused on soft choreography that showed off his strength—his dance lines.
After both trainees finished their performances and gathered back in the center, applause broke out. It wasn’t because the stage was amazing but more a sign of respect for the hard work of their peers.
“Both sides clearly prepared a lot.”
Starting with the US CEO attending as a judge, ID’s staff also gave a review mixing praise and criticism.
They didn’t outright say which trainee did better, but from the feedback, it was easy to tell who gave a better performance.
‘I feel like throwing up. To think we have to repeat this every month until debut.’
Not just the trainees, but suddenly the idols who survived this process and debuted seemed incredibly admirable.
Meanwhile, the second name was called.
“ID trainee number 10.”
Why is no one standing?
Baekya looked around. But everyone was looking at him.
“What? Who?”
“You’re number 10.”
A same-age trainee sitting next to him poked his side. Only then did Baekya check the number sticker on his clothes and hurriedly stand.
“Y-yes! That’s me, number 10!”
When asked to choose an opponent trainee, Baekya picked the friend who looked the most average.
And the category was—
“I’ll do singing.”
The only field he was confident in.
Standing in the center of the practice room, Baekya faced the judges. Unlike the US staff, ID employees looked unhappy.
Well, for them, the debut team at risk of being overturned was probably more important than any monthly evaluation.
But the debut team would debut without changes—if the future he knew was correct.
‘So I just need to impress the US side.’
The staff in charge of sound flipped through the list of songs the trainees had submitted beforehand. Then they noticed a blank spot and raised their head in confusion.
But Baekya’s voice was just starting to flow through the microphone.
Suddenly thinking of you, I opened the window
Stars blooming in the moonlight fall
Unaccompanied live.
Everyone there was surprised. The comfortable yet unique tone captured the ears of the listeners. No accompaniment was needed.
I feel shy
I like you
And what about the smoothly rising high notes? Baekya never missed a beat or sped up until the song ended. A perfect triple kill.
“Thank you.”
Baekya bowed after finishing. Seeing him, ID’s vocal trainer shook his head in disbelief.
A satisfied smile was on his face, so it seemed Baekya had done well.
Baekya stepped back briefly to make way for the next trainee’s stage. The US staff’s eyes shone looking at him.
“Got it!”
Unlike his own CEO, who never showed up, look at the US CEO coming all the way to another company!
The rumors about assembling a debut team weren’t just rumors after all. Otherwise, such a big shot wouldn’t be moving personally.
Baekya turned his head to hide the corner of his rising mouth. Then his eyes met Jiho’s, who was watching him.
Jiho stared blankly with his mouth slightly open, and the expression was quite cute.
‘I was worried I was taking a reckless risk trying to get noticed... but the reaction’s good, so that’s a relief.’
For the first time, Baekya felt like things might go well.
‘But was it just my illusion?’
As soon as the evaluation ended, a mysterious man appeared and kidnapped Baekya.
“Baekya! Come up with me for a moment!”
“N-no, I…”
Dongman suddenly grabbed Baekya’s wrist. The approaching US staff stopped in surprise.
During the conversation, the US CEO, ID staff, and the approaching employee kept glancing at Baekya. This was definitely a trade offer with a very high probability.
‘I can feel it! I feel it at once!’
But Baekya couldn’t say it out loud. He just hoped the US CEO wouldn’t leave until he returned.
‘But why am I suddenly being called?’
They rushed him away quickly but left him locked in a large conference room.
‘Maybe I acted too obviously.’
Baekya, lying face down on the desk, reflected on his behavior. He was quite a good Sunfish.
‘I did glance at the US side often, but isn’t that allowed...?’
All trainees were fighting desperately to debut, but for him, it was truly a matter of life and death. He didn’t care if they called him disloyal.
‘I might have tried harder if ID hadn’t finalized the debut team so fast.’
At that moment, the door opened, and a familiar face appeared. It was Dongman, the head of the rookie development team, about to be promoted.
“I didn’t expect to see you again this soon, Baekya. How have you been?”
“Ah, hello.”
Baekya stood and bowed. Dongman had been staring intently since he appeared, eager to share the news.
But Baekya’s feelings were different.
‘Huge pressure. Massive burden.’
First impressions really do last. Baekya’s face noticeably stiffened.
“Make yourself comfortable.”
“Y-yes….”
At the team leader’s words, Baekya sat back down.
“It’s nothing else, but we need to rewrite your contract.”
A trainee contract termination form was pushed in front of him. Baekya’s eyes filled with betrayal as he looked at Dongman.
‘You chased me so hard before, and now this…!’
Dongman winked, seemingly oblivious to Baekya’s feelings.
‘He just wants to see me again!’
Baekya’s lips twitched with rising blood pressure.
“Termination of contract... Did I do something wrong?”
Maybe the Dance of Courtship was the problem. Since the skill was still D grade, maybe they thought he had no charm….
Suddenly Baekya’s face went pale. Seeing this, the team leader quickly handed him another sheet of paper. He hadn’t meant to scare him but felt a bit embarrassed for doing so.
“And this is the new contract we’re going to write today. Would you read it?”
It was ID Entertainment’s exclusive artist contract. Baekya’s eyes went wide.
“Baekya, you’re debuting. Congratulations.”
“Waa~! Congratulations, Baekya!”
The team leader and Dongman clapped as if rehearsed.