The Second Chance of A Suicidal Idol

Ryeo Hyun (1)

Ryeo Hyun was actually as the camera painted him as. He was quiet and observant, yet vocal when need be. Joon-woo knew this, he knew it well. So why was he so careless around someone so observant? He noted to be more guarded toward the older.

"Hyung..." Joon-woo began, thinking back to that moment in Producer Jang-Soo's office.

Joon-woo knew he had to say something to get Ryeo Hyun off his ass, but what could he say? He was being blackmailed with something involving Ryeo Hyun and he would seem insane if he even uttered a thing about his bodily change or Kite.

And Baek Du-Ho– what could he say about that, that wouldn't completely ruin the team atmosphere? Really, the group was quite united. Reggie had taken a liking to Baek Du-Ho, Ryeo Hyun, probably Song Chunghee too.

"I'm the team leader, Joon-woo, so I just can't sit back." Ryeo Hyun continued.

Joon-woo sighed. Kite and Ha-rin and everything related to that had and always had been off the table. Producer Jang-Soo had the power of Joon-woo, over all contestants that could never be tested. But Baek Du-Ho, was that enough to satisfy Ryeo Hyun of his worries? He pursed his lips.

"It's Du-Ho Sunbae..." Joon-woo revealed. "On our last team, we didn't get along... well." He vaguely spoke.

Ryeo Hyun hummed, as if to say 'I knew it'. "Did he– ever y'know– say anything?"

Joon-woo controlled his expression, keeping it blank. "No." He lied, "It was the other team members."

Ryeo Hyun nodded, " I see. Is that why...?" He trailed off, but Joon-woo recognized what he was referencing. It was his panic attack in which he had been caught having. His panic attack in the middle of the hallway, after the singing challenge's first team practices. After Rank 26 had threatened Joon-woo with violence.

Joon-woo paused. Perhaps if he confirmed such it would be one less weight on Ryeo Hyun's chest. "Yes." He spoke quietly.

Ryeo Hyun sighed, "And that's... all?"

"Yes." Joon-woo lied, "That's all Hyung."

"'Kay. Thank you for telling me."

Joon-woo held his sigh of relief. "No, thank you for your concern." He replied with yet another lie. Really, he hated the worry with a passion more than Baek Du-Ho and Rank 26 and even Producer Jang-Soo.

"We should... return to the practice room now..." Joon-woo spoke after an awkward beat of silence.

And back, to practice a few more hours, they went.

–+–

Joon-woo brushed at his wet hair as he exited the bathroom after a short shower. It was late and everyone was back in their respective dorm rooms. And finally, Jung Hyun-Ok, Bo Jaesang, Ryeo Hyun, and Joon-woo could rest after a long day of practice.

"The bathroom is open." Joon-woo spoke, Bo Jaesang shooting up and practically running in after. Joon-woo stood, whiplashed by Bo Jaesang's speed. He placed his hair brush down and took a seat on his bottom bunk.

He found Ryeo Hyun eyeing him wordlessly. It was just them in the immediate space of the dorm now. Bo Jaesang in the bathroom and Jung Hyun-Ok went to visit Mi Yong and Reggie in their dorm room.

Nothing else had happened, much to Joon-woo's surprise. After they returned from the bathroom, Joon-woo was hit with a wave of worries from the team. Even Baek Du-Ho eyed him with concern. Really, was it such a big deal to spill water on yourself? Joon-woo recalled the moment with regret.

The team had simply practiced and gave each other tips in spots that were lacking. And the atmosphere was... nice. Compared to the past two teams Joon-woo was on, a certain anxiety or tension was missing and it felt damn great. No fights, no insults, no violence, really wasn't this the team to be on?