Book 2: Park Jihoon || In a blink of an eye

16. Last chance

Song recommendation: Baekhyun - Happy

Jihoon's POV

A week have passed since Jimin told me the reason why Minji got expelled from her previous company. The aftermath of that discovery made a turning point in my life that I haven't felt since Dad died.

I always cry and have no desire to leave my bed. Others might argue that since I've been implicated in a lie and it's not the truth, it's not a big deal. Although it may be overstating the case, it hurts that someone used my romantic intentions with Minji to ruin her life and cause her suffering. All of that is not what I want.

Despite my lack of motivation, I still managed to get up and go on with my day. I still attended school and my training, all I have to do is to avoid Minji and conceal my sadness then everything's gonna be fine. At least in the eyes of others.

Every time I see Minji, all I feel is guilt. Even though it's not entirely my fault but I am part of that, it's enough reason for me to feel sorry about it. I want to apologize to her but I don't want her to know that I know the reason why she got expelled.

I don't know why she hid that from me, I want to know but I have no courage to ask. That is why I always do my best to avoid her and if I can't, I have to act as normal as possible.

"Jihoon!" I snapped out of my thoughts because of Hyunsuk.

I looked at the others and they were all looking at me. We were scattered around standing in the center of room and I'm lost why are we here.

"Yes, yes? What's happening?" I asked out of confusion.

I suddenly can't remember what we were doing.

Hyunsuk sighed and walked towards me.

"Jihoon, are you feeling okay?" Hyunsuk asked as he dragged me to the side. "As days pass, you're being more and more out of focus. Is there something going on with you?" He mentioned.

"No, Hyung. I'm just tired and stress."

"Are you nervous because it's your last chance to prove yourself to YG?" He asked but I just lied my head low without answering him.

"You know that I want you to rest but tomorrow is the monthly evaluation. We can't waste time." He said and I nodded

"Let's go back, Okay? Let's focus, okay?" He tried to motivate me and I nodded.

Focus self, focus.

~~~~~
We finished training at 4 am and we were all very tired. We started packing our stuff so we can go home. I opened the door and I saw Minji at the door which made my eyes open widely.

"M-Minji, what are you doing here?" I asked out of shock.

"Can I.. talk to you for a moment?" She asked.

I suddenly feel nervous. Did she discover that I already know? Did Jimin and Heekyung told her?

"I-I'm sorry. I'm very tired, I need to rest for tomorrow. We can talk after that." I lied.

"Okay. Health is much important. Go on, rest." She said with a smile but I can feel that it's forced.

I walked past her and turned around the corner. I leaned my back against the wall and caught my breath. My view started blurring again, I wiped my eyes before the tears drop.

"Let him be for now. He's really tired and stress these days." I overheard what Woong said to Minji before I go.

~~~~~
Yedam's POV

It's the monthly evaluation day and team C is currently performing. Honestly, I'm quite not confident today. With the events that have happened in our team these past 2 months. Noa, our team's debut being cancelled, the possibility that more of us will be expelled, and Jihoon being out of focus.

The team received good feedback from the CEO and it's our turn. All I want right now is to do well today. The music starts and we begin to dance, everything is going smoothly until I heard murmurs from the other trainees. I looked around and saw Jihoon is confused about where to go and what to do.

That is when my heart sank and felt sad about this already. My confidence dropped and now I'm conscious of my own moves. The choreography ended and we stood in line while we wait for the feedback.

"Park Jihoon, you know what you did right?" YG asked and Jihoon answered.

I can feel the heavy atmosphere from the others.

"And you know that this is your last chance, right?" YG asked and a tear fell from my eye.

"Yes, Sir." Jihoon answered.

"I have nothing much to say because all of us in this room knows that the most experienced trainees in the company is a mess today." He said and he let us sit.

The evaluation went on to the individual evaluation. Our team did not do great either, today is not our day. But, I'm more concerned about Jihoon because this is his last chance but he failed it.

Jihoon's voice cracked and he started crying, to the point that he didn't manage to finish his song. He excused himself and ran out of the room. The room was filled with heavy tension so I decided to go after Jihoon.

I ran and ran around the company to look for him and found him on the balcony.

"Hyung." I called as I slowly approaches him.

"Yedam, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I failed you." He said while crying.

I hugged him and he hugged me back as he breakdown in my arms. I can't say anything to him, all I can do is to hold my tears while caressing his back.

~~~~~
Minji's POV

I waited for Jihoon in the lobby because I have to talk to him. He's been acting really strange this week and I know that he's experiencing something right now. I know that I must give him some space but everything around him is being affected.

The teachers mentioned that Jihoon flunked his exams, Bomin and Sanha said that Jihoon's seems not okay these days, and hearing Woong yesterday that Jihoon's out of focus these days because he's tired and stress, made me believe that my hunch is right.

I saw the trainee boys are walking in the lobby, I rushed to team A and asked for Jihoon.

"Noona" It was Yedam. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Why? Where's Jihoon?" I asked while looking around but he didn't answer.

He grabbed my wrist and led me to the side.

"What is it? What's happening?" I asked because his actions are making me confused.

"Jihoon Hyung got expelled." He answered.

I didn't move and felt a tear fell on my cheeks. No way.

"Where is he? You're kidding, right?" I asked as I smiled like a delusional person but he didn't answer.

"Bang Yedam, where is Jihoon?" I asked again as I shook him by his shoulders but he was just looking at the ground and started crying.