“Team B.”
It was so obvious that Mino tried to keep his smiling face but the shock was still evident in his face. It was shocking to everyone in the room except for the managers who already knew the girl’s decision prior the announcement and the president who is very much glad on the unexpected turn of events.
“This is very shocking to everyone, Jin-Hye. May we know the reason why since we were all pretty much expecting you to join your brother?” President Yang asked.
Aware of the reaction that her brother was having she gave Mino a little tap on the back before answering President Yang. “Well, when I met Manager Taewoong to inform me about what would happen, he also handed me the teams’ profiles along with the video of their past assessments. People may automatically think that I would choose them without considering the other team. That is if I didn’t happen to see both teams’ profiles at the same time. It just happened that I also knew someone from Team B. It made me think of both options.” Such information was unknown to everyone. “So I watched all of the presented video assessments and considered many things but what I considered the most was the compatibility of our music that can be made in the future. I have made different music with my brother in the past but we never met on the same page. One always
has to make the adjustments. I’ve also known Team A for quite some time from my brother. I’ve seen how they work and some of their skills. I considered many things.” Jin-Hye slowly explained to avoid future possible conflicts with Team A.
“And you think you would fit Team B more? How? When you don’t really know them? Compared to how you knew Team A from Mino.” President Yang probed further.
“From their video assessments. Their passion for their dreams, I felt it. The way they re-arrange a song, it was on point to how I would also like it. To make things work easier for both me and my new team, we must have a common point to begin with.” Jin-Hye gave a small smile to Donghyuk. “And we can just say that I have some insights of Team B from their own member. Well, I also considered the age gap because to be honest, I’ve known Team A for quite some time but I’m still very awkward with them. It may be because of the large age gap compared with Team B in which I only have a 4-year age gap with the eldest.”
President Yang gave Jin-Hye a nod in acknowledgement to her explanations and decided to end the discussion there.
“Well then, to celebrate the beginning of the show and the arrival of a new family member, you’d be having a special dinner. The bus you would be using is already waiting outside. Take this as a way to get to know more of our newest member. Your service will pick you up afterwards. I will see you on the next assessment.” President Yang once again head towards young Jin-Hye and reach out his hand which Jin-Hye received immediately. “Once again, welcome to YG Entertainment.”
Finally, President Yang was out of the room and all the trainees had been eased of the tension that has always been there whenever the president was there. Team A immediately went towards Jin-Hye who still wasn’t able to look directly at her brother, afraid that he would be mad at her for not choosing his team.
“Yeye.” Mino called her but she still kept her head down but she suddenly felt him hug her tight. “You’re here. I can’t believe you’re really here.” Mino slowly released her and just then that she was able to look at her brother’s face. There was no trace of anger or any negative emotions. He was plain happy that his sister was also starting to chase her own dreams.
“Oppa, about the decision for the team…” Jin-Hye started to explain but was immediately cut off by Jinwoo. “Don’t think too much about it. You already took many things in consideration and lead to your current decision, who are we to take it against you? We’re all just happy that you’re here and one with us.” Mino slightly messed up with her. “Jinwoo-hyung is right. Everything was right from the start so I think you made a good decision. The other guys from Team B are all good guys. We know them. I know I can entrust you to them. Speaking of which, DONGHYUK!” It was just then that Team B was able to enter their conversation since Team A was already crowding Jin-Hye. Donghyuk was the first person from Team B to approach Jin-Hye.
“Hyung?” Donghyuk wasn’t used to seeing his friend in any place other than the benches near Han River which made him conscious on how to approach his friend. “You take care of my little sister, alright? I got my eyes on you guys.” Mino jokingly threatened Donghyuk who was obviously the Team B member that his sister was talking about.
“Yeye is our princess. So you guys better take good care of her.” Seungyoon added which made Jin-Hye blush. She once again faced Team B properly and gave off a bow.
“Once again, I am Song Jin-Hye. Please take care of me and I’m hoping for good songs in the future.” In that moment, the awkwardness between Jin-Hye and Team B were slowly being lifted.
“Do I still need to introduce myself to you?” Donghyuk jokingly asked which made Jin-Hye laugh. “No need but do I need to call you oppa now? I’m kind of used to not though.” Jin-Hye politely asked as he had always called Donghyuk simply by his name without any honorifics. “You can stick with the usual.”
Donghyuk was then followed by Yunhyeong since the other members were still shy at the appearance of a girl. “I hope you still remember me.” Jin-Hye immediately noticed that it was the guy who was with Donghyuk last time. “Of course, Yunhyeong-oppa.” Yunhyeong was easy to remember because of the kind aura that he has. “Nice vocals, by the way. I know you told me you sing but I didn’t know you were that good.” Jin-Hye started to give honest comments to break off the ice between her and the team which made Yunhyeong blush.
Yunhyeong was followed by the person Jin-Hye remembered as the one with sweet vocal who stood between Donghyuk and Yunhyeong. “I’m Kim Jinhwan. I’m the eldest in the team. If you ever need anything or any questions, you can always ask me.” He may be the smallest member in the group but his presence speaks for his role in the team. “Thank you, Jinhwan-oppa. Your vocals are so sweet and the way you move when you dance was the best along with leader-nim.” Jin-Hye was so cute and honest with her compliments that Jinhwan couldn’t help but blush which earned a teasing from Team A who was jokingly acting protective of Jin-Hye.
Jinhwan was followed by the guys with the strong vocal who started the song with Team B’s leader. “I’m Koo Junhoe. You just call me Junhoe since you call Donghyuk by his name only. It may sound weird if you call me oppa when Donghyuk and I are in the same age.” He was definitely shy towards Jin-Hye but made effort to not make her feel awkward. “I understand, Junhoe. I really like your vocals by the way. It has this firmness. It would be amazing once you practice more on the stability.” Each and every one in Team B just can’t help but blush when Jin-Hye innocently praises them. Team A suddenly thought on how hard things are going to be for Team B with another relationship they had to build up. Team B had to work on being comfortable with the presence of the girl.
Junhoe was followed by the other rapper of the team. Even before the guy start his introduction, Jin-Hye suddenly blurted out her compliments, very much excited to meet the guy. “Your rapping style was really awesome. That was the exact way that I’ve always wanted to learn but Mino-oppa does it so differently. His is always so powerful but yours was so simple and at ease but it was so great and your chemistry with your leader when you both rap was so amazing. I honestly thought that I wouldn’t meet someone with great chemistry like Mino-oppa and Seunghoon-oppa, but then you guys were wonderful.” Jin-Hye still had tons to tell the rapper when Mino stopped her by covering her mouth.
“She’s normally quiet when shy but it gets hard to stop her from talking when she gets excited especially when it’s about music.” But what Jin-Hye did definitely made the rapper feel at ease hearing such compliments from someone who also likes music like them. Mino only released her when she stopped fidgeting. “I’m Kim Jiwon. You can call me Jiwon or Bobby whichever you like, I’m hoping to make great music with you soon.”
“Bobby? Why an English name?”
“I lived in Virginia, United States few years back. I only returned to Korea to train under YG.” Jin-Hye was suddenly touched with the guy’s perseverance towards his dream. “Then, Jiwon-oppa!” Just like the rest, Bobby blushed so hard since no one really calls him Jiwon in the team. Both teams call him Bobby.
The last one to come forward was Team B’s leader. “Hello, I’m Kim Hanbin. As you know, I’m Team B’s leader. I actually don’t know how things are going to work but welcome to the team. Things may be hard from the start but I’m hoping for a happy working relationship from now on.” The seriousness and swag from the performance earlier was gone now. In front of him was a guy with kind and welcoming smile. “You can call me Hanbin or B.I.”
After the introductions, both teams headed to the bus that President Yang prepared. To make sure Jin-Hye becomes easily acquainted with Team B, Team A decided to sit with one another in the back of the bus with all five members and let Jin-Hye choose on who to sit with in Team B. Team B was still waiting outside of the bus, talking among one another how to make things less awkward for the girl.
“I think you should sit with Donghyuk for now since you already know one another. Let’s take things slowly for now. We have a lot of time to get to know one another.” Jinhwan took the initiative to suggest since the rest of team definitely looked like they would just ignore the girl for the whole ride. “That’s fine with me.” Donghyuk easily agreed to lessen the tension in the team. Jin-Hye was the first to enter the bus wherein she sat on the second to the last row which was in front of her brother. She was immediately followed by everyone in Team B.
“Hey, you alright?” Mino constantly asked to make sure that his sister was comfortable.
“I’ll be fine, oppa.” Jin-Hye just gave her brother a reassuring smile. The constant nagging of Mino to his sister didn’t got pass through the eyes of everyone in the bus. This was the different side of Mino. This was not the powerful rapper that they always see.
“Wah, Mino-hyung, I never thought I’ll get to see you like this.” Donghyuk who was sitting beside Jin-Hye started teasing Mino which was supported by the rest.
“He’s not usually like this. That’s why it’s really weird.” Jin-Hye also started to tease her brother who was turning red in embarrassment.
“YAH! I’m just being protective! You’re going to be living with a bunch of guys who you just met! Of course, I’ll be protective!” Mino suddenly turned to Hanbin who was sitting across Jin-Hye’s position. “Kim Hanbin! You better keep eyes on your members! You better not do anything wrong!” Mino was very serious with what he said but his protectiveness looked to cute that everyone couldn’t help but laugh at him while Jin-Hye turns red in embarrassment.
“I thought you trust us, hyung!” Hanbin just laugh at his friend while taking a quick glance to the new member of their team.
The ride didn’t took very long but it did lessen the awkwardness in the group. Before heading inside the restaurant, Donghyuk and Yunhyeong helped out in moving Jin-Hye’s luggages from the bus to their new service since their old one only fitted the six of them. Both teams were already sitting in their place when the three of them entered the restaurant. They were sitting on a 12-seater long table. Donghyuk and Yunhyeong sat along Team A on one side which led Jin-Hye to sit in the remaining seat by Team B which was between Jinhwan and Hanbin.
Everyone gave their orders and while waiting for their orders to be served, Jinhwan took the initiative to get to know more about their new family member. “So, Jin-Hye, the song you sang earlier, did you write that?” This also peaked the attention of everyone even Mino.
“Yup, that was my latest composition. I actually just finished recording that yesterday.”
“You even record it yourself?” Questions start to flood the young girl in amazement to her talent.
“Back then I had to rent a studio so that I can properly make music but I just received my own studio at home from Mino-oppa.”
“So when did you start writing music?” Hanbin who was just quietly looking at the girl beside him suddenly asked.
“Well, since I was 10 but it was just lyrics back then I started making my own music when I was 13.” Even Hanbin who was good at making music looked very amazed at the young girl beside him.
“That song earlier, wasn’t that the one from last time? The one you were having a hard time writing the lyrics?” Yunhyeong suddenly took notice since they were having song writing as a topic.
“Oh! Yeah, it’s that one. Thank you for the concept by the way. I was able to finish it by morning that day.”
“How did you get to know Donghyuk and Yunhyeong, by the way?” It was Bobby who asked, curious on the connection between the three. Jin-Hye looked at Donghyuk as if asking if she should explain which Donghyuk nodded on.
“I only met Yunhyeong-oppa a week ago when I saw him with Donghyuk while I’ve known Donghyuk for a few months now. We became talking buddies. It just happened that we met one night when I was so stressed with writing and he was so tired from practice. We just happen to click from there. Like a stranger you can openly talk about your problems and not judge you. Then we just coincidentally meet their from time to time, that’s how I manage to get a little insight in Team B.” The rest of Team B looked at Donghyuk who was averting his eyes as they were curious to what their teammate have been telling the girl.
“What did Donghyuk tell you about us?” Jin-Hye quietly thinks back of their past talks. “There’s one! Just from the last time! It’s about Hanbin-oppa!” Hanbin suddenly turned red in his ears, still unfamiliar to being called ‘oppa’ while Donghyuk and Yunhyeong think of what they told Jin-Hye from last time. “They said you write music well. You have concepts about love also but complains about how lonely you were.” This gained laughs from everyone else in the table while Hanbin glared at his members who gave such comment.
“Jin-Hye got good sources!” The hyungs from Team A just kept teasing the young ones.
“But no jokes aside, oppa, you really do have good leadership skills.” Jin-Hye suddenly took a serious tone as she turned to Hanbin, who was still red in embarrassment. “Donghyuk might have complained to me a lot of times how hard practice was to the point that he wanted to give up but he also says how his leader always makes him want to stay. I think that speaks a lot of your leadership skills.”
Having a girl as a new family member is definitely going to be hard but it also felt good. That’s what everyone in Team B thought. Jin-Hye was just talking about the times she and Donghyuk met and some of their talks until their food arrived.
They are now on their way to their dormitory. The ride home was less awkward than earlier since they started getting to know one another. Having music as their similarity was a huge help to get close with one another.