Fused harmony

4.

"Ah. You must be the (Y/n) we've heard so much about. We have a proposition for you following your stunt yesterday."

Park Ji-won, the current CEO of Hybe Corporation stood before (y/n) trying his best to speak English for the young man to understand what he had to say. (y/n) on the other hand, was confused. He hadn't done anything to warrant a punishment so why was he being brought here? Nothing was adding up and it was stressing him out. How had everything gone so wrong so fas-

"(y/n)..." 
A drowned-out voice rang through his ears.
"(y/n)"
It was a little clearer this time...
"(y/n)!"
Finally, he was pulled from his thoughts, the worried look of his mother staring at him as if she'd seen a ghost and that's when (y/n) realized his hands were clenched, his nails digging into his palms as crimson threatened to burst out if any more pressure was to be applied. His face was pale as if he had suddenly gotten ill.

"Sorry. I'm not sure I understand. What did I do?"
Was that it? Was that really all he could muster after acting up, why couldn't he play it off like usual? Why, when it was no different to all the times this had happened? 

But both adults could only look at him confused.
"What did you do? I think you misunderstand. You aren't in trouble. Quite the opposite actually." Mr Park assured seeing the obvious panic setting in on the boy's face.

This made (y/n) pause, if he wasn't being punished... why was he here? It really didn't make sense to him and being completely honest he was weirded out. Well, kind of. On one hand, he was relieved he wasn't going to be kicked out of the building after just one day, on the other there was the anxiety of not knowing the purpose of this little meeting. But before he could ask Rachel stepped into the room. She must be translating for him, and like clockwork, that's what she did.

"It isn't usually encouraged. However, when I was looking after you yesterday, I recorded your little performance. After showing the recording of your talent and explanation, we as a company decided we would consider it your 'audition' on a few small conditions"

The shock was written across (y/n)'s face in bright red paint, causing the adults present to chuckle. A familiar hand rested on his shoulder, his mother's. and as he turned to look, (y/n) could see the sincere smile on her face. He knew what she meant. 

"What are the conditions?" 
In a split second, the panic and shock had settled and (y/n) was finally grounded. He wanted to understand the implications of what this 'audition' meant.
"By audition do you mean for signing a contract or something?"

Mr. Park turns to look at (y/n)'s mother, nodding as if to say 'smart boy'. He could understand English plenty and he could speak it too, but to avoid confusion he wanted to ensure someone who would be clearly understood would convey the message.

"Ordinarily this would mean you would train for a couple years at least to develop skills such as singing, dancing, and Korean Language skills."
(y/n) nodded along to the words Rachel was passing on.
"However, Mr. Park would like to offer you a slightly different contract. Which would speed up the process slightly."
This had confused the young man. Entertainment was no joke and he had seen the skills that the idols had from some research he did the night before. There was no feasible way to speed up the process of learning so much information. Unless...

"He wants the learning curve to be my gimmick... Right?"
He could see the shock on everyone's face. How had he come to the correct conclusion so fast? He may not have been proud of his teenage years. But he at least learned some useful things from it. Being perceptive was one of them.

"Exactly... wow that was actually impressive..."
(y/n) stared at Mr Park, and the man stared back. They had come to a mutual understanding. A silent agreement between men.

"I'll need a little more information on how it would work. I don't know anyone nor do I even know if I'm capable of doing what you ask. It also sounds a little too good to be true... I've been here for what? A day and a half. You've seen one clip of me singing and playing an instrument. If we're doing this. I at least want to be taken in via the same process as everyone else applying."

This had once again,  shocked the room. Anyone else surely would've jumped at this offer, but this was the best outcome they could've hoped for. 

This was evidence to everyone that (y/n) (y/l/n) was willing to work hard. To dedicate his time and do this properly. No shortcuts. Well, until he passes his audition that is.

"Well then. What are you waiting for? Go get ready for your real audition then superstar."
Rachel teased him slightly as if she were a big sister.

"Wait now?"

This made Mr Park laugh.

"Yes. Now."

With that, the group of 4 moved into a stage area, which after causing a little commotion ended up being accompanied by a good few other people.

Judges

Mr Park, however, had for obvious reasons, failed to mention that the audition was just a front. The judges made their decision already. He had sparked a flame that was going to quickly grow out of control.
One thing that threw the young man off as he stepped up onto the stage and took in the small crowd, but he noticed a few groups of people wearing what looked to be surgical masks... How odd.
 Then the familiar nerves struck. 

Breathe in... and out...

He could practically hear his mum saying the words as she looked at him with a soft smile.

So he did what he imagined her saying.

In and out...

"Does anyone have like a loop station I can use? I don-"

"We would like you to perform a non-original song. Mr (y/l/n)"

He nodded.

And after seeing a piano sitting in the corner, he knew he had to try it. So he sat, his legs and feet planted firmly on the ground, taking a few deep breaths.

(Lukas Graham - 7 Years
Cover by - TheRoneZone)(Note: song choice is most definitely relevant)

The silence in the room was loud. No one spoke, the quiver of the final notes rang out slowly until the heavy breathing of (y/n) was the only sound until a few small claps could be heard. And as they progressed louder and louder, a warm feeling spread across his chest.

He was... Proud.

He stood up and did the only thing that made sense to him at the time. Bowing, as far as he could. Before making eye contact with Mr Park.

Making sure he could understand
"Thank you."
This time in Korean.

And staring at his mum. The tears building up in her eyes, the pride she felt was a lot less hidden than his own. It all made sense. She did this for him. She got him here. Even now she continued to put his wellbeing above her own. 

He didn't deserve her.

The judges convened. Talking amongst themselves as the masked figures from earlier slowly retreated from the room, talking amongst themselves in Korean.

"Well Mr (y/l/n), we're are more than happy with what you have demonstrated today. Your recommendation wasn't exaggerating. You have a powerful and expressive voice, which we believe with the right training could not only bring new flare to the industry. But if tied in with other skills, could make you a force to be reckoned with. This is our formal invitation for you to join Hybe Corporation as a Trainee, effective next week. What do you say?"

To say he was stunned would be an understatement. 3 days ago he was bitching about jetlag and now his life was about to be flipped upside down in a whole new way.

"I'd be an idiot to say no right?" 

So he walked up to the judges, bowing in respect before shaking their hands one by one.

"Thank you for his opportunity. I won't let you down."

And then he approached Mr Park.

"Thank you so much. I thought it was hopeless. I never imagined after abandoning music for years I would be given an opportunity like this."

The man nodded sincerely.

"You have only one person to thank other than yourself and it isn't me. I'm just doing what businessmen do to make money."

So without a second thought of professionalism, (y/n) sprinted into his mother's open arms.

"I promise. I won't let you down. I'll pay you back I swear!"

"Pay me back with a happy life. You've been through enough. It's about time something went your way. And who knows? Maybe I'll get to see you up to your old tricks again."

She smiled fondly at the memories of her son as she held him in her arms.

"You are the greatest gift a mother could ask for. Now go do yourself proud for once."