unconditionally • yunhwa [COMPLETED]

C

*on that same day*

"And a 5,6,7,8 go- wait no," he pushed off the wall he had been leaning on and stabbed the stop button on the player. "Huijun was half a beat fast. Let's start again." He rewound the music and pushed the play button. "And go- oh dear." He paused the music once again. "Now Yuna was one beat too slow." Enormous groans echoed from around the room as each of the dancers collapsed onto the floor, sweat dripping off their faces almost as densely as the rain they could hear pitter-pattering outside the studio. The instructor, hearing their complaints, slowly walked to the large standing fan, and turned it on. Immediately, every single one of the fallen beings gained immeasurable strength and made beelines for the cool air. "That's so much better..."

"Hyung, can't we just continue the practice next week? We're all really tired and this really isn't our full potential." Chimes of agreeing sentiment came from a number of others as well.

The teacher looked up from where he had been seated next to the stereo, reading through his notes on the dance. Hearing what his students had to say, he sighed, stood up, and strode to the one who had brought up the point. Before speaking, he knelt down till he was eye level to the other. "I wouldn't mind letting you all have a rest, and maybe I do owe it to you from a physical standpoint. However, what I care about more is the value you cultivate. Say I did let you stop now, let you all leave early, I know it doesn't apply to all of you, but my first thought is that I'd be allowing you to give up. And that," he paused for a moment, "would be the last thing I want to teach you."

"It's not a big deal, sir! We can just work harder next week." More chimes of agreement.

"It seems you aren't convinced yet. No worries." He stood up from where he had been crouched and walked to the fan, now blasting at full force. "Let's be more literal. If the person who found out about electricity had given up-" He unplugged the fan, amidst the shouts of extreme opposition. "Please plug the fan back." "It's boiling in here." Following that, he picked up the fan, which was no easy feat, and headed toward the light switch. "Again, if the person who found out about electricity had given up-" He flipped the switch, and most of the room was flooded with pitch black darkness, except the portion near the door, which was dimly lit by the stairway light outside. Nobody could see a thing, but they all clearly heard the faint click of the lock.

"Yah!"

The ones seated closest the door hurried to switch the light back on, but by then, their teacher had locked the door, AND he had also brought the fan outside. Some of the stronger ones attempted pulling the door open but failed. Desperately, they pounded on the wood, hoping the wooden door god would perform some miracle. While they went about their little tactics, Yunho sat on the steps and drafted a short note, which he slid under the door to the students.

"If you wanna get out, try the dance one more time. But be warned, should anyone make a mistake, we're starting again, and no one leaves. Including me. So hurry up! I want to go home too."

Every single pair of eyes glanced upward at their teacher on the other side of the clear plastic panel, who only shrugged and gestured with his palms upward, as if to say "Go on."

Nothing else could be done except to execute the dance at least one more time. They all trudged to their places, all except the one closest to the stereo, who started the music before running to his spot. A satisfied smile appeared on Yunho's face. It was well-executed, without a single flaw, possibly due to the consequences that they might have to face. As the final beat dropped, he yelled out: "Bravo!" causing each head to whirl around in surprise. In their state of concentration, they had not even realised their teacher had re-entered the studio. "See! Y'all did it! Maybe I should lock you in more often... It gets better results." He peered at his watch. "And not a moment too soon. See you next week!" Waving at each person as they exited, he gathered his things and was off on his way.