The Second Chance of A Suicidal Idol

Roomies (15)

"The best performing contestant from Team Nine is..." Misa spoke, cameras panning on their nervous faces. "Contestant Lee Jin-Ho."

Joon-woo clapped and turned to his fellow last pick. Lee Jin-Ho was the other person feared most by other contestants. Joon-woo figured it was for his monster vocals, as he had absolutely outshined and out vocalized his team, so much so that Joon-woo was surprised the man hadn't become a soloist.

Lee Jin-Ho placed his head in his hands, as if surprised by his win. Joon-woo thought it to be set in stone the moment he opened his mouth on that stage. But what fascinated Joon-woo is that Team Nine was congratulating him?

Joon-woo, for a moment, forgot that some teams actually got along. He sighed with a dark gaze towards his own team of Team Ten.

On Team Seven, Reggie's team, Reggie hadn't been the one to win. Though Joon-woo already thought so, as Reggie was a dancer and his vocals were on the road to improving just like Joon-woo's dance.

On Team One, however, Mi Yong had taken back his crown. Joon-woo hadn't predicted at all who would stand out the most, because they all shined in that performance. At the end of the day, Team One's winner was decided by Mi Yong's experience giving him the edge. And of course, they all smiled and gave Mi Yong high-fives when such was announced, like a team, like friends.

Misa moved on to the team next on her list. Joon-woo pursed his lips.

"On Team Ten, the best performing contestant is..." Misa began, a light casting onto the less than compatible team.

Cameras blinked their way, highlighting their faces that so clearly knew the answer. Baek Du-Ho. The strong rapper and vocally okay leader. Hell– Joon-woo had already grown over the fact before it was announced.

He braced himself to clap, to send congratulatory nods Baek Du-Ho's way, to fake a happy face for an unhappy team. And when Misa continued to speak, he clapped. He clapped and looked at Baek Du-Ho who he presumed to win, who was looking... at him?

"Contestant Park Joon-woo!" Misa called, a smile wide on her face.

Joon-woo looked up then around, had his name really just been uttered? He pointed at himself, looking for a confirming nod. From someone, anyone, had his part adjustment really done that much?

"Me...?" He asked, so shocked that the cameras didn't process in his mind.

"Congrats–" Kite spoke, proudly patting it's wing upon Joon-woo's back, "You're quite the singer, you know..."

Joon-woo shook Kite off, still in disbelief. He knew he could sing. He knew as Ha-rin that his vocals were industry iconic because it was one of the only compliments she had ever gotten. But had those skills really translated so well into the body of Park Joon-woo?

He thought back to living as Ha-rin. The vocal compilations and fancams. The removed versions of Cheerleader's live performances. The literal meme of whenever Ha-rin covered a song, she did it better.

"Do you even process the compliments you get when you sing?" Kite asked with a scoff, "Or have they all just gone in one ear and out the other?"

Joon-woo nodded, "I don't– wha?"

Sure, he had been focused on improving his dance lately, so most of his focus has gone on the dance-related criticism, but had people even talked to him about anything else then? It was then, Joon-woo realized.

It was halfway through the practice for Team One's 'Fire' by STB dance performance. Joon-woo stood in the practice room, as he and Mi Yong were the only stragglers left for extra practice.

Joon-woo had heard the same chorus, the same bridge, the same verses for 'Fire' and it was practically ingrained in his every move, that song. And unconsciously, he would find himself humming along to it.

Mi Yong stood in the corner, going over the more technique heavy part of the chorus, the tune blasted from a small speaker.

Joon-woo in his growing habit, muttered the words under his breath as he collected his few belongings in preparation to leave. He passed where Mi Yong was rigorously dancing away, still humming, almost singing the lyrics.

Suddenly, Mi Yong stopped, turning to Joon-woo as he picked up his small water bottle and sweat towel. Joon-woo looked at Mi Yong, a bit confused, was he not just dancing?

"Hm." Mi Yong said, "You're really good at singing."

Joon-woo looked away, a bit surprised and a bit red, "Oh, thanks..." He replied, he really hadn't realized his humming was loud enough.

"No, seriously. Your voice is like–" Mi Yong went to continue, but Joon-woo quickly shuffled towards the door of the practice room and cut him off. 

Mi Yong just barely caught the red that engulfed Joon-woo's ears as he ran from his view.

Joon-woo paused, looking to Kite as he recalled the other comments he had gotten through his small humming habits.

"You're funny." Kite joked, replying to Joon-woo's look of realization with a pat to the head.

–+–

Joon-woo was surrounded by a warmth he had forgotten existed. As soon as he entered his dorm, being held back along with the other team winners for quick photoshoots, he was bombarded in careful embrace.

"Joon-woo-ssi! You did it!" Bo Jaesang had practically screamed, running to hug Joon-woo who stood frozen in both flight and fright. Luckily Ryeo Hyun snatched Bo Jaesang away, pushing the cheerful Jaesang onto the bed with ease.

"Good job." Ryeo Hyun spoke, his face stoic and arms bulky. His arms were crossed and he was a good distance away from Joon-woo that kept him from feeling suffocated.

"Thank you, Hyung..." Joon-woo replied, a bit shy as he turned and avoided eye contact.

But the avoidance only led him to the encouraging gaze of Jung Hyun-Ok. The taller mixed man sent Joon-woo a thumbs up and muttered an English, '[Congratulations!]'

Joon-woo nodded, acknowledging Hyun-Ok and his English words.

"We have to celebrate this, Mi Yong too! And Reggie!" Bo Jaesang began, with arms stimming in excitement. "Isn't the 2nd episode coming out tomorrow? We should watch it together! We should– Hyun-Ah–" He called, pulling on Ryeo Hyun's arm with a smile.

Ryeo Hyun nodded, their energy levels contrasting greatly. "That sounds cool..." He confirmed.

"Who's house? Who has the biggest house?" Bo Jaesang asked, looking at Jung Hyun-Ok and Joon-woo for answers.

Joon-woo pursed his lips, recalling Reggie's absolutely massive home. "Um– Reggie Hyung's house is... really, really big." He added. "But you have to ask, because I don't know–"

Bo Jaesang suddenly shoved his phone in front of Joon-woo's face, on it was a message from Reggie.

Reggie: That sounds great! We can probably meet at my place ◝(๑꒪່౪̮꒪່๑)◜

Joon-woo's mouth went agape, Bo Jaesang had gotten a reply that fast?

"We have to make a groupchat now..." Bo Jaesang idly spoke, opening an empty message board on his phone. Joon-woo watched him type in Reggie's, Ryeo Hyun's, Mi Yong's, and even Hyun Jung-Ok's number with a wide smile.

He shoved the phone back into Joon-woo's face, "I don't have your number..." Bo Jaesang explained.

Joon-woo typed his number into the phone, surprised to see another phone follow. It was Ryeo Hyun's.

"I don't have your number either..." Ryeo Hyun explained.

Joon-woo awkwardly nodded, typing his number in again. And after he did so, he found yet another phone in his face, this time Jung Hyun-Ok's.

"Me neither." Jung Hyun-Ok explained with a small, innocent smile.

Joon-woo, a bit overwhelmed, typed in his number one last time. He was now three contacts richer.