BTS - The Eighth Member

TXT

I could hear music blaring down the hall as I made my way towards my studio. I recognised the song. It was TXT's new hit Crown. Truly a bop.

I'd seen the boys in and around the studio but I'd never had a chance to properly introduce myself. Yeonjun and I had met each other a couple of times when we were trainees as I'm only a couple years older than him but it wasn't enough to form a friendship.

Following the music, I found the room they were training in, quietly as a mouse I poked my head in watching them drill the dance routine. They looked exhausted, god knows how long they'd been doing this for. But I knew they were preparing for their first showcase in the States, from experience I know how nerve wracking that can be.

As the song came to a close, I stepped into the room, clapping wildly, "You guys! That was so good." I beamed proudly.

"Sunbaenim!" The guys snapped around at me in shock, panting heavily.

"Hana's fine." I smiled, "Sorry I'm not coming bearing gifts, I wasn't actually going to stop in. But I just wanted to wish you guys luck on your showcase."

I got a chorus of thank you's before one of the guys spoke up, "You wouldn't mind watching us perform the song...properly I mean."

"Hueningkai, right?" I asked and he nodded quickly, "I would like nothing more."

The guys looked nervous as they took their positions. They were going to try and perform the song full out, singing live and dancing too.

"Relax." I gave an encouraging thumbs up, "You," I pointed at one of the guys at the back, "What's your name?"

"Beomgyu."

"Well, Beomgyu. You should take a deep breath. You look like you're about to be sick." I smiled lightly, knowing the nervous feeling all too well.

"We just want to do well, for you." One of the only ones I knew, Soobin, spoke up. He was their leader and I'd had a few short, conversations with him in the past, he was lovely, "We've looked up to you, and BTS, for so long."

"Can I give you a bit of advice?" I beckoned them all towards me, making us sit in a circle, "I understand that feeling of needing to do well for everyone, like you have an obligation to prove yourself. But you won't get anywhere in this career if you're not doing it for yourself. You need to love what you're doing."

"We do." Yeonjun looked at me, "We just want to show everyone how much we appreciate what they've done for us."

"I can see that you guys do." I assured, "But you gotta remember to have fun and really enjoy it for yourselves. Otherwise it's a waste of time. I've seen you guys come up through the company and you work so hard, all of you, and you deserve to finally enjoy being at the top."

"Does it ever get any easier?" Hueningkai asked.

"Nope. Not at all." I chuckled lightly, "But that's what makes it the most rewarding. Now, go and and show me what you've got."

"Thank you." I looked up to see the final member, that I didn't recognise, looking down at me. He saw the confusion on my face and answered quickly, "I'm Taehyun." He offered me hand, which I took, and he hauled me off the floor.

"Of course. Anytime." I smiled, as he returned to his place, "Ready?" I stood by the speaker, ready to start the song. After a few deep breaths Soobin gave me a thumbs up and I let the music play.

I clapped once again as they finished, heavy breathing filling the studio, "TXT you amaze me every time." I smiled, grins creeping over their faces too.

"I just have one little bit of constructive criticism for each of you." Their smiles faltered, "No. No. No." I assured, "It's nothing performance ruining, but little things that perfectionists like you would want fixed."

Absolutely exhausted, they lay over the floor haphazardly as I gave my comments. It was just simple things like remembering to smile and making sure their movements are sharp even if they aren't centre.

"Thank you." Soobin expressed the groups gratitude, "We'll make sure to take it on board."

"How about this?" I whipped out my phone, "This is my number, if you ever need anything at all, give me a call. I'd be happy to help you."

I swapped numbers with the group, they still seemed a little nervous and uneasy with me, "You will do great at your US showcase, I know it."

"Fighting?" I offered and they answered heartily. I left them to continue their practice and I returned to my own studio.

By the time night had come I'd received a heartfelt text from each of the members, thanking me for my help today. TXT are just the cutest beans ever.