Blue & Grey

Shen Ricky

Yujin had always seen Ricky as a distant figure, someone seemingly out of reach. The older guy had an intimidating presence and exuded a cold vibe, perhaps intensified by their simultaneous entry into the company. Then later a tattoo on Ricky's neck came, a puzzling emblem, added to the air of mystery. Yujin, even after all this time, remained uncertain about its meaning.

When Yujin stepped into the company, his expectations were turned upside down. Contrary to his initial impressions, Ricky proved to be surprisingly warm and cool. Despite retaining a hint of intimidation, Ricky extended genuine kindness to the younger trainee. This unexpected warmth fueled Yujin's curiosity, prompting him to finally gather the courage to ask about the enigmatic tattoo that adorned Ricky's neck.

Ricky fell into a brief silence, contemplating how to articulate the meaning behind the tattoo. In the quiet between them, Yujin observed Ricky with eager, sparkly eyes. A soft chuckle escaped Ricky before he offered a more impactful response, "I got this tattoo because I want to become someone else's Role Model." Yujin grasped the sweetness of the sentiment but remained uncertain about what prompted such a perspective.

"Some might think this tattoo signifies I have a specific role model, but that isn't the point," Ricky explained, his eyes reflecting a deeper conviction. "I etched it into my skin with the hope that my aspiration becomes a reality."

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As time passed, the bond between Yujin and Ricky deepened in unexpected ways, particularly when fate threw them together on a survival show. This might have been because, initially, they only knew each other as members of opposing teams. For Yujin, there was a sense of reassurance in the familiarity of knowing Ricky and the others who became part of their joint journey.

The passing days became a montage of challenges, ranging from scavenging for food to braving the unpredictable elements. Ricky's composed demeanor complemented Yujin's youthful energy, fostering a synergy that surpassed the mere need for survival. Together, they confronted obstacles and relished small triumphs, with laughter becoming the rhythmic backdrop to their shared adventures. However, the frequency of these joyous moments dwindled after their participation in the survival show.

Despite the continued closeness resulting from being part of the same agency and Yujin's persistent presence during interactions with Hao and Ricky, a subtle distance lingered in Ricky's demeanor.

The Ricky he had grown to know seemed to wither away, slowly eroded by the relentless demands and pressures of the heart-wrenching survival show.

In the midst of the survival show's challenges, Yujin not only felt the strain on his connection with Ricky but also grappled with his own worries. There was an unspoken understanding between them about the show's editing, distorting who they truly were. As they endured the trials together, Yujin couldn't bring himself to broach the subject with Ricky.

Yujin, understanding Ricky's journey, thought about the dreams they both shared that led Ricky to this foreign land. The aspiration of becoming K-pop idols, initially driven by passion and optimism, now confronted the stark reality of the show's manipulation. Yujin couldn't ignore the bitter irony that, despite the Star Creators love, the road ahead was still uncertain.

But the fog of uncertainty lifted like a veil when Ricky and Yujin finally stepped into the light together. All the trials they faced on the survival show became stepping stones, each one a lesson that had led them to this triumphant moment. As the applause echoed around them and the other 7 members, it felt like a gentle breeze, sweeping away the shadows of manipulation and doubt that had clung to Ricky's journey.

Yujin, standing alongside his friend, witnessed not just a debut but a healing journey, a testament to resilience and authenticity prevailing over adversity.