GOLDEN TALENT | VKOOK ✓

41 | THE FALLDOWN

The whole week after was pretty much a disaster. 

Not only that Taehyung and Jeongguk..well, they talked less than usual. 

Jeongguk found himself grappling with not just one, but both of his biggest nightmares.

Seven messages popped up on seven phones at the same time. The college had a special platform, an app, to notify students of events, work, etc. And all seven students were invited to a mysterious meeting at 1 p.m.

Taehyung was just about to massage Jeongguk about how he was wondering what was going to happen. But instead, he deleted what he was typing and sent it to Hoseok.

But Jeongguk knew very well what this was about. The good thing was that all seven of them got the massage. Which means all of his dearest people and friends were actually chosen for the questionable group (Jeongguk was 99% confident that this was what that was about).

But.

As happy as he was, nothing went happy that day.

The sun hung high in the sky as Jeongguk, Taehyung, and the rest of their friends made their way to the designated meeting spot at 6 p.m. The campus buzzed with anticipation, and whispers of curiosity filled the air. 

But Jeongguk knew very well what this was about. The good thing was that all seven of them got the massage. Which means all of his dearest people and friends were actually chosen for the questionable group (Jeongguk was 99% confident that this was what that was about).

The questionable place where all of them got called was nowhere else but the principal's office. They were told to be discreet about it, so most of them tried to reach there with hats and masks on. All seven of them then lined up next to each other as the two assistants there told them so.

Jeongguk's eyes landed on his father, the principle, and then two other head principles of the college board. The room fell silent as the seven friends stood in a straight line, their eyes shifting nervously between each other and the stern faces of the college officials. 

Jeongguk's father, the principal, looked at them with sternness. The two head principles stood by his side, their expressions unreadable. "Thank you all for coming," the principal began, his tone formal and composed. "I'm sure you're all wondering why you've been called here today." His gaze lingered on Jeongguk for a moment longer.

"And by your silence, I suppose Jeongguk-ssi here hasn't uttered a word. Like the good son he is.'' The principal leaned back into his seat, legs crossed, as he played with the wedding ring on his finger. Jeongguk felt his stomach drop. A drop from the highest level of a building. He felt the breakfast reach his throat. Of course, as evil as his father was, of course he would say something like this.

The room's atmosphere grew even more tense as Jeongguk's father's words hung in the air. Jeongguk clenched his jaw, trying to maintain composure despite the surge of emotions within him. 

The principal continued, his tone betraying a certain satisfaction. "You all have been selected for a unique project." The man smiled. As if that smile meant something. "Korean pop group. You will be trainees. You will be idols." His words were slow, as if to mock them, as if they wouldn't understand such things; as if they were slow. He repeated it again with a smile. "You are becoming trainees. You will be members. In June."