The dimly lit training hall buzzed with anticipation. The trainees of I-LAND stood in scattered groups, each sizing up the competition. Some looked anxious, others determined, but one stood out—a bright-eyed boy with a radiant smile that seemed to light up the room. Sunoo.
Heeseung noticed him first. He had been observing everyone carefully, trying to gauge the potential threats. But when his eyes landed on Sunoo, he tilted his head in mild surprise. "He’s so… cheerful? In a place like this?" Heeseung thought, unable to stop himself from smiling a little. "He’s got a charm that pulls you in… but can he handle the pressure?"
Jay, standing next to Heeseung, raised an eyebrow at the same boy. Sunoo was chatting with another trainee, his laughter carrying across the room. "Is he here to compete or make friends?" Jay muttered, crossing his arms. "He better not be all smiles when it’s time to perform." Despite his skepticism, Jay couldn’t deny the warm energy Sunoo brought into the room.
Meanwhile, Jake found himself drawn to Sunoo for a different reason. He had seen Sunoo’s introductions earlier, where the boy had confidently described his strengths. Now, watching him move gracefully during warm-ups, Jake smiled. "He’s got it," Jake thought, his admiration growing. "He’s not just a pretty face. He’s someone worth keeping an eye on."
Across the room, Sunghoon remained quiet but observant. His first impression of Sunoo? "Interesting." Sunghoon wasn’t the type to judge someone too quickly, but something about Sunoo’s duality—soft and warm on the outside, yet fierce and determined when it came to training—piqued his interest. "He’s not as simple as he looks," Sunghoon mused.
Jungwon had already introduced himself to most of the trainees, but when he approached Sunoo, he felt an instant connection. Sunoo’s polite yet lively demeanor was refreshing. "You’re different," Jungwon said after they exchanged a few words. "And I think that’s a good thing."
As for Niki, he wasn’t sure what to think of Sunoo at first. The younger boy was often too focused on proving himself to notice others. But during one group activity, Niki found himself paired with Sunoo. Watching Sunoo’s determination, even in the face of a challenge, made Niki rethink his initial indifference. "He’s stronger than I thought," Niki admitted silently, a newfound respect forming.
The trainees gathered in the common area, winding down after an intense day. Sunoo, sitting in the center, laughed at someone’s joke, his voice clear and melodic.
Heeseung watched from a distance, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "He’s going to surprise us all, isn’t he?"
Jay leaned against the wall, arms crossed but eyes trained on Sunoo. "I don’t know what it is, but… he’s got something special," he admitted grudgingly.
Jake, sitting nearby, chimed in, "He’s already making an impression, huh? I think he’s just getting started."
Sunghoon, Jungwon, and Niki shared a glance, their silent agreement clear. Whatever Sunoo’s secret was, they were all drawn to him in their own ways, each intrigued by the boy who seemed to carry a piece of sunshine in his heart.
And as for Sunoo? He didn’t seem to notice the attention he was garnering. Instead, he continued to shine in his own way, unaware that his journey was already carving a place in everyone’s hearts.
The mood in I-LAND was tense as the trainees pushed through another grueling day of evaluations. Everyone seemed laser-focused on improving, their eyes fixed on one goal: surviving elimination. Well, almost everyone.
Sunoo, with his radiant smile and easy laughter, stood out for a very different reason. He wasn’t talking about rankings or stressing over performances. Instead, he was… chatting.
