A Fallen Star | ZEROBASEONE

one: corbin abe is ready to bring the world to its knees

The seats for the chosen top 9 were completely occupied by trainees, most competing for the chair. And with a few seats left blank, they were left to wonder if the remaining trainees would put up a fight.

With pink edges, the logo of a famous company flashed and had many shocked. This company kept most of their trainees to their own, with it being relatively new as well. P Nation. One of the more progressive agencies, most of their artists defy the idol standard set of censorship.

Even from a vantage point, others still leaned forward to see the new entrees. And when they caught sight of two, they had to sit back. Both held an aura of rebellion, the leather stuck on their skin amplifying such presence. Their gazes were set straight, seeing ghosts of trainees as they sought a seat. And when they started walking up, most didn't dare to meet the gaze of one of them in particular.

His red hair of his challenged many in the quiet. With features similar to sharp anime characters, his gaze although no taunt made it difficult to set sights on him straight. He was the wolf of the pack, without a doubt. And this was only the first impression, no voice to greet them or talents to magnify his bite.

Keita was one of the only few who didn't express such action. Instead, his eyes squinted further to see the person's face clearly. "He seemed familiar." But the traces of familiarity dulled in uncertainty. A stranger whose face had a label lost in his memory.

There was a seat directly in front of him. A clear plastic chair was ready to house him for the hours of filming. But when he gazed at the seats in the middle, all gleaning with pride, the red-haired boy changed his path. And whoever sat in the chair he was eyeing wanted to stand and walk away, but he was too paralyzed to move.

It wasn't the seat of power that housed the crown, but it was a strong statement to ultimately dethrone someone from the top 9 chairs. He bowed to the boy adorning the shiny blue letterman jacket, his voice still silent. From afar, the tremors on the boy's stance are evident as he bowed back. But it only increased when the bad boy-esque trainee spoke, his voice with no stutter and direct. "Dance off?" Two simple words had his heart beating so loud that sweat dropped.

When the group G trainee squatted down and faced the Korean trainee with a face of performance, he already he'd gave his seat up. Because in each passing second, with the slightest of moves, the other 99 trainees were amazed. The boy's body responded to dance, operated on rhythm, and gave in a mechanic perfection. A sensual body wave to the floor had trainees blushing and turning away quickly --- only a few unafraid to meet it head on like Seowon, Woongi, Ricky, and Jiwoong.

And when he finished, the opponent just bowed and went away, giving him the seat among the top 9. A place where he rested comfortably, sharp features staring straight ahead as the others kept glancing at him but pulling away upon seeing his edges.

"Trainee Corbin seemed scary. He's like the real life bad boy from the dramas."

"When he danced — his intimidation level went so high, I don't think I can ever say hi to him."

From the 9th seat, he could see all the entering trainees clearly. The vantage point provided him with such a view but also added to the surprise and fear others had when they met his gaze. One of the trainees had to even hide behind one of his older hyungs when they walked up and were nearing the plastic seats by him. It was a sight that made Corbin's eyebrow raise at the act of the boy in a green sweater and overalls. But they went on in silence.

Only one trainee had the courage to come up to him and greet. A Japanese trainee named Keita who others recognized from CIIPHER. He came in and leaned towards the boy, starting a small conversation that nobody was able to hear. "You look familiar, I've seen you in Japan somehow."

The secret came out too early in his opinion. But when he noticed the older boy able to meet his stare head-on, he knew he could let out the truth. "Was a child prodigy once in classical." At least some part of it. And Keita then understood who Corbin was, the Abe surname giving it away. But instead of making it a big deal he just shook hands with the other boy — knowing that his precision in music then must be phenomenal. "Hope we can group together."

A few family-feuding boys in Group G discussed him briefly. The boy versed in violin knew his face head-on. The tabloids were correct then, saying they found him in Canada. It was easy to locate classical musicians because of the international standard pressed upon them. Faces of the greatest potential passed around in institutions. But he didn't hide his shock upon seeing the boy's style, how it vastly differed from the recital days. Yet, why would he speak of it when Zhang Hao himself wore colorful clothes in shades of hip hop. "He looks like someone to watch out for, like obviously." And he couldn't agree more with Ricky.

The entrance of Lee Hoe Taek had him pause from glaring. Because as much as his questions were raised in bewilderment, there was a bitter taste leaving his mouth. And it wasn't from coffee. It's from the truth that he like many others expected big companies to push their idols into circumstances that can hurt them for more business. And as much as many despised survival shows, the rating and views were too tempting to turn away. "Figures CUBE would do this."

The embarrassment he must feel to come forward and compete with the younger blood. Why did he have to compete when he was a master and legend already?

When the idol claimed the center seat, he clapped with the others. But his stare tried to diminish the awe and shock because he should understand more than others perhaps. To stoop to another realm of music, whether it be genre or generation, is a risk to one's public image. But it was in the name of aspirations and ambitions, so one has to strip dignity to attain things sometimes.

He vowed that if the idol wanted to break at times he was seen as a senior, he'd open his story. Even if it will cause his throat to feel like it's gliding with shards — it will be worth it.

Together with his mood, the lights dim to claim their attention. "Welcome to the 100 boys!" The voice dazzled in the customer service tone which had many clapping at the technology present within the competition. But he didn't join in and continued his heated stare, focusing on listening to everything being said to decipher one thing:

How cruel will the show be to trainees with a desperate want and wish to debut? Because that's the danger with desperate people and businessmen — the relationship will always turn toxic. But he's been here before, so he won't fall that easily.

If the past he took the world by a whisper in the wind for its elegance. The new him ready to debut in Kpop is an earthquake in each movement he does — controlling the ground with magnitude fans will feel every second.

Corbin Abe is ready to bring the world to its knees, not anymore being controlled by dead artists but rather demanding attention with one simple intimidating gaze.