Am I lost?

4.Blunt trainee

After a grueling day of training, Woojin found himself standing outside Bang PD's office once more. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. Knocking firmly on the door, he waited for Bang PD's invitation to enter.

"Come in," Bang PD's voice rang out from within the office.

Woojin stepped inside, his gaze steady as he met Bang PD's eyes. "Bang PD-nim, I need to talk to you about something."

Bang PD glanced up from his desk, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "What is it, Woojin?"

"I want to continue swimming," Woojin stated firmly. "It's important for my physical and mental well-being, and I don't believe it will interfere with my training."

Bang PD's expression shifted, his brows furrowing slightly. "Woojin, you know how demanding our schedule is. Adding swimming to the mix could jeopardize your progress as a trainee."

But Woojin was not one to back down easily. "With all due respect, Bang PD-nim, I've thought this through. Swimming is my passion, and it's what keeps me grounded. I won't let it affect my commitment to my training."

Bang PD sighed, realizing he was dealing with a stubborn trainee. "Woojin, I understand where you're coming from, but I can't make any promises. Our priority is your development as an idol, and anything that detracts from that is a concern."

Woojin's jaw clenched, his determination shining through. "I appreciate your concern, Bang PD-nim, but I'm willing to take responsibility for my decision. Swimming is non-negotiable for me."

Bang PD regarded Woojin for a long moment, weighing his words carefully. "Fine, Woojin. But if your swimming starts to impact your performance as a trainee, we'll have to reevaluate."

Woojin nodded, his expression resolute. "Understood, Bang PD-nim. Thank you for considering my request."

As Woojin left Bang PD's office, he couldn't help but feel a sense of victory. He knew he had pushed the boundaries, but swimming was too important for him to give up without a fight.

Bang pd pov:

As soon as Woojin left the office, I let out a sigh. Why is this guy so blunt and stubborn?

He reminded me of a similar situation during his audition when he was asked if he would choose BigHit even if he got offers from the other three big companies. Woojin had bluntly said yes, explaining that he wouldn't if he had already signed up with another.

I leaned back in my chair, recalling that moment vividly. Woojin had walked into the audition room with a confidence that bordered on arrogance. Most trainees would have tried to curry favor or give the "right" answers to impress us, but not Woojin. He was straightforward, almost to a fault.

When asked why he wanted to join BigHit, he had given a simple, honest answer that left no room for doubt."Because I believe in what this company stands for," he had said. "If I had already committed to another company, I wouldn’t be here. But I'm here because I think BigHit is where I can truly grow and make a difference."

There was no hesitation, no trying to play both sides. He knew what he wanted, and he wasn't afraid to say it. That kind of honesty was rare and, frankly, refreshing. It was one of the reasons why I decided to give him a chance despite his rough edges.Now, as I thought about his request to continue swimming, I saw the same determination. He knew what he needed to stay balanced and effective, and he wasn't going to let our rigid schedule get in the way of that. It was risky to allow him this way, but I couldn’t deny that his commitment was unwavering.

I picked up the file on my desk, flipping through the profiles of the other trainees. Each one had their strengths and weaknesses, but Woojin's file always stood out. He was a quick learner, incredibly hardworking, and had an undeniable passion for everything he did. But it was his blunt nature that both intrigued and concerned me.

As I turned off the office light and prepared to head home, I found myself looking forward to seeing how Woojin's journey would unfold. He was a wildcard, and in this industry, sometimes it was the wildcards who ended up making the biggest impact.

For now, all I could do was give him the space he needed to prove himself and hope that his blunt honesty and unwavering determination would lead him to where he was meant to be.

Later that evening, Woojin was back in the practice room, pushing himself as always.

He noticed Yoongi, who was taking a rare break from his own intense schedule. Woojin had heard about Yoongi's talent and reputation, but they hadn't talked much before. Except for the time he laughed at yoongi's fight.

Yoongi usually kept to himself, except around Jungkook, with whom he shared a close bond.Gathering his courage, Woojin approached Yoongi.

"Yoongi-hyung, do you ever get tired of writing music?"Yoongi looked up, surprised at the sudden question. Then he smirked.

"Only when I run out of coffee."Woojin chuckled. "Maybe I should start drinking coffee then."

Yoongi raised an eyebrow. "Trust me, kid, you don't need more energy. You're like a hyper squirrel already."Woojin laughed, feeling more at ease.

Yoongi had a way of making even the most intense situations feel manageable. Yoongi had grown a liking to Woojin's straightforwardness, but he also sensed something deeper.

Later during a break, Woojin found himself sitting next to Yoongi again, still curious about the older trainee. "Hyung, why do you always look so sleepy?"Yoongi grinned lazily.

"It's my secret weapon. Looking sleepy makes people underestimate me. Then I drop a killer beat, and they're blown away."Woojin nodded, impressed. "Maybe I should try that."Yoongi laughed, patting Woojin on the back.

"Nah, kid. You keep being you. Your blunt honesty is your secret weapon."As their conversation continued, Yoongi’s curiosity about Woojin grew. "You know, Woojin, you seem pretty driven. But I get the feeling you’re not entirely into this whole idol thing. Am I right?"

Woojin sighed, looking down at his hands. "Yeah, hyung. I love music and dancing, but I never really wanted to be an idol. My parents pushed me into this. Sometimes it feels like I’m just going through the motions."

Yoongi’s expression softened. "I get it. This path isn’t easy, and it’s not for everyone. But if you’re here, try to find something you can hold on to. Something that makes it worth it for you."Woojin looked up, meeting Yoongi’s eyes.

"Thanks, hyung. I’ll try."Yoongi nodded, a hint of worry in his eyes. He had seen many trainees come and go, their dreams crushed by the harsh realities of the industry. But there was something about Woojin—his honesty, his determination—that made Yoongi hope he would find his own path, whether it was in this profession or somewhere else.

As the evening progressed, Woojin felt more connected to his fellow trainees. Despite the strict rules and intense competition, moments like these made him feel like he was part of a family. And with mentors like Yoongi to guide him, Woojin was determined to make his mark, even if he was still figuring out where exactly that mark would be.