PROMPT TIME! [Stray Kids Ships]

10) Stray Kids the Origin - how Chan picked his group members (OT8)

"Channie?!"

"Oh Noona! It's been a while."

"How are things going?"

"Just the usual, you know how it is."

Sana hummed non-committedly. Life as a trainee had such a strong impact on everyone, it was hard to forget, the best and worst moments alike. 

"You seem busy, though. Yet another single on the way I heard? Is that why you don't even have time for me now?"

"Come on, don't try to guilt-trip me. It's not up to me, you know how it is."

"Not really, no..." he teased, half-serious. 

"Noooo don't do that to me," she whined, ready to fight him against himself if needed. "You know it's going to change soon."

"Hopefully."

"Not hopefully! It will. You didn't do this for seven years to stop now.l," her tone didn't leave a lot for debate and he nodded reluctantly. "Also I heard you're making a team or something?"

"Well... yeah," he hesitated. "But nothing's done yet. They're giving me a chance to pick the members for the next stage project. If things go well... I might finally debut. With them, whoever they'll be."

"Wow, that's a big responsibility. I don't think they ever allowed that?"

"Well.. you know with the "story" they're all too willing to keep me silent and I guess I earned some privileges after being here for so long."

She frowned, knowing all too well the stories behind his dark words.

"So.... do you have any idea of kids you want to pick yet?"

"I'm not sure. I want all-rounders for sure. Maybe also... you know. Like me. to avoid unnecessary drama. not as a strict rule, but it would be more comfortable."

"Wow setting the standard right away. You so inflexible," she joke and he ignored the comment with a simple eye roll.

"They allowed us to work on the project with our songs and if we managed to make it, I want to experiment too..." he justified

"Our? With the kids you were working with recently?"

"You mean Jisung and Changbin?"

"Yeah, them."

"Of course, I'll take them with me!" Chan sounded offended she even asked the question. "I told you how much they mean to me..."

"I thought so,'' she said, raising her eyebrow a few times teasingly. 

"Come on..." he blushed, trying to ignore the real meaning of her words. 

"Okay... anyone else? I don't think they'll let you debut as a trio though."

"Not sure. But I might want more members too... I've really no idea yet."

"Good morning sunbaenim!" A boyish trainee greeted them with a wide smile, humming happily on his way to the elevator and stopping just a short time to greet the people he met. 

Chan stared. 

"Oh no, I know that look," Sana growled.

"You know, Maybe..."

"No no no, Chan, come on, you can't just pick any random kid you crush on."

"I've heard him sing before! he's good. Might need some more practice but he has an incredible potential."

"And you want him in your team because he's a good singer, right?" He stated, her tone as doubtful as one could be.

"Right."

"Not because his smile literally turned you in a puddle?"

"I did Not..."

"Don't try me, Chan, you're more obvious than obvious-y itself."

"That doesn't even make sense," he pouted. "Okay, I MIGHT find him cute. But that's also part of the idol job to charm the audience!"