Jin-Hye’s POV
Jiwon-oppa and I decided to make a couple of arrangements individually so that we can compare or just mix the contents later. It’s almost been five hours since Hanbin-oppa left us to our work and he hasn’t peeked in the room ever since. It’s almost three in the afternoon and that’s just when I realized we haven’t had our lunch yet and I was starting to get hungry. I made sure to save all my arrangements before planning to have some food. So far I had about four different arrangements.
I took a glance to Jiwon-oppa. He was very focus on doing his work that I hesitated to call his attention but still decided to do so. I gently poked him by his shoulder at first but it didn’t even made any effect. He was still very focused to his computer. Luckily, after a couple more pokes, he finally turned to me.
“Sorry, you needed something?” He asked removing his headphones.
“I was planning on buying some food outside. Do you want something?” It was also the moment he noticed what the time was.
“Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t notice the time.” He also quickly saved his work before putting his computer into sleep. “I’ll join you outside. Let’s also call the others. I’m pretty sure they haven’t had anything also.”
Jiwon-oppa and I head out of the recording room to find Hanbin-oppa and Jinhwan-oppa who looked like they were working on choreography.
“Jinhwan-hyung, Hanbin-ah, let’s grab some lunch.” Jiwon-oppa called out the two. “Where’s everyone else?”
Hanbin-oppa scribbled something on the paper that was lying on the chair near him. “Practicing vocals on studio 103. I called over Jinhwan-hyung to explain some choreography.” Jiwon-oppa headed out to call over the others.
“How’s work for you so far?” Jinhwan-oppa approached me as he wipes his sweat off.
“I’ve got four arrangements so far. I hope it’ll be useful. What is Hanbin-oppa writing?” I asked Jinhwan-oppa.
“Our treasure notes, choreography treasure notes.” I walked over to see what he was scribbling and there I could see different positions for their choreography.
“Amazing.” My sudden presence seemed to have startled Hanbin-oppa who was very serious on drawing the choreo positions a while ago.
“That surprised me! Don’t startle me like that please!” Hanbin-oppa exclaimed but still kept his focus on drawing.
“Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” I gave a couple of bow which he didn’t even see since he was focused in the paper in front of him.
“Hanbin-ah, finish that quickly so we can eat already. Everyone else is waiting outside already.” I took a glance to the door and saw the rest of the team peeking in as they wait for us to go out. “Let’s go, Jin-Hye.” I followed Jinhwan-oppa as he headed out without waiting for Hanbin-oppa who decided to follow afterwards when he found out that no one else was left in the room.
I just decided to follow the team as I still don’t know much in the area. We were heading to a nearby convenience store. It seems like this is their usual lunch spot as they were already on each other’s way for their preferred food.
Looks like I really need to work on the food from now on. If this is their daily routine, it’s definitely not healthy. That’s what I thought but since it’s just the first day I decided to go with it. I decided to get some cup noodles, sandwich and a bottle of orange juice. The store provided tables outside wherein we decided to take our lunch.
On the midst of lunch, the team started talking of the concept for monthly assessment.
“I think Hanbin’s gonna like Jin-Hye’s arrangement.” Jiwon-oppa suddenly commented which startled me because I don’t know how he could have possibly heard my arrangements when I was on headphones and so was he. My eyes must have widened so much that he laughed at my reaction.
“I took my headphone off for a moment and I heard you humming your arrangement. I think I understand now when you said we arrange music similarly. It does have the same vibe with the team.” I muttered a small thanks.
“Then let’s hear it when we return. I’m almost done with the choreography then we can work on the song so we can proceed with practice.” Hanbin-oppa said. He looked open to what I can offer the team but somehow he still looks awkward with me which I cannot blame.
The lunch continued on with little talks. They were also welcoming enough to let me enter the conversation.
On the way back to the practice studio, we bumped into Manager Taewoong.
“Jin-Hye! I was actually on my way to call you.”
“Is there something you need, Manager Taewoong?” I asked politely.
“Are you busy with something right now?” I looked over to Hanbin-oppa since we were supposed to talk about the arrangement of the vocal song after he finishes the choreography.
“We’re about to work on the music arrangement for the vocal assessment but that’ll be after I finish our choreography. If you need anything with Jin-Hye then it’s alright.” I turned to Manager Taewoong once again after what Hanbin-oppa said.
“Great. I just need her for something quick regarding her assessments. I also need to introduce her with the other trainees.” The team and I said quick ‘see you later’ with one another as they head back to the practice studio.
“So you’ll be having the same assessment as Team A and B, both vocal and dance but the only difference is you’ll be doing it solo. For the vocal assessment, you can use your original songs or you can also re-arrange.” Manager Taewoong explains as we were walking farther away from Team B’s practice studio. “Today I’ll show the studio of the female trainees so you’ll have other friends aside the boys. You can present your dance assessment choreography to the female trainee’s choreographer for some comments while having Hanbin monitor your constant performance.”
We reach studio 121. Manager Taewoong was the first to enter. The girls who were inside stopped the dance they were doing to greet Manager Taewoong.
“I have here the new trainee that President Yang discussed among the other trainees. I’ll be leaving her to your care for now.” Manager Taewoong quickly introduced me then immediately left afterwards.
There are four girls in the room here with me. They all looked trainees to me so I thought that the choreographer is still not here. The tallest one of the girls was the first one to talk with me.
“Hi! I’m Lalisa Manoban. You can call me Lisa. I’m 16 years old. I’m Thai, by the way. I’m working as lead vocals.” She held out her hand which I quickly reached for a handshake. The other three immediately followed.
“I’m Park Chaeyoung. Just call me Chaeyoung. I’m also 16 years old. I’m a main vocal.”
“I’m Kim Jisoo. I’m 18 years old. I’m also a lead vocal.”
“I’m Kim Jennie. I’m 17 years old. I’m a rapper.”
“I’m Song Jin-Hye. I’m 15 years old. I’m actually working on being songwriter but Mr. Yang wanted me to take on some training on being an idol. So, I’m looking forward for your help in the future.” We all gave little bows to one another.
“That’s amazing, Jin-Hye. There isn’t much female songwriters in YG right now. You must be really great for President Yang to have you under his company.” Jennie-unnie exclaimed which kinda confused.
“Don’t they let you write for your own songs in assessments?” I asked since I know that my brother, Hanbin-oppa and even the other members are able to write their own songs.
“They do. They let us but it’s a different case for official songs. One must really be a great producer for YG to let them make a song. It must be something that would be a hit. It is business after all.” Jisoo-unnie explained.
“Jin-Hye, why didn’t you audition to be an idol?” Lisa-unnie suddenly asked.
“I don’t know. It’s just making music that I really like but the entertainment industry scared me. Doesn’t it scare you? How they can hate everything that you love.” They all looked at me with understanding to what I meant to say. “But here I am for the reason of making my dream of making the music that I love.”
“We understand. But you know, I think if you did audition as an idol, you would have been with us.” Somehow, what Chaeyoung-unnie soothed my heart. It was definitely easier to talk with girls than boys.
“So you’re with Team B? We actually live on the floor beneath yours. Visit us sometimes since we can’t be seen visiting the Team B’s dormitory anymore.” We continued our little chitchat sitting on the floor while waiting for the choreographer to arrive.
“That’s great! It is still kinda awkward in our situation but they’re all very welcoming. I hope we get really close soon enough since we’ll be working together for a long time.”
“I hope when we debut you can also make us a song.” Lisa-unnie who was sitting on my right was very clingy which was very sweet. She keeps hugging me every now and then. She must have thought it was nice to have someone younger than her since she is the maknae of the group.
“That’ll be great! Although I think I’ll be working officially on Team B but I do hope one day. It doesn’t have to be your debut song but I want to make a song just for you.”
Our chitchat went on until the choreographer arrived. We just had a little introduction and discussed the availability of the choreographer to let her check my dance assessment. I left afterwards since Lisa-unnie and the others need to practice and I need to head back to Team B so we can work on their vocal assessment.
When I returned to the studio, Hanbin-oppa was teaching Jinhwan-oppa the choreography which immediately stopped when he saw me coming in.
“You already have your task for the assessment?” Hanbin-oppa came over to me.
“I’ll be having vocal and dance assessment also. Manager Taewoong also said that you’ll be monitoring my practices.” Hanbin-oppa, Jiwon-oppa and I entered the recording room. “But you don’t need to focus too much on me. I’ll also be having some sessions with the female idol trainee’s choreographer.”
“You’re one of us now, Jin-Hye. I’ll help you as much as I can.” I gave Hanbin-oppa a smile and thanks. He also smiled back but immediately avoided his eyes afterwards.
“You’ll be having a tiger watching over you, Jin-Hye, tigerBin. Good luck!” Jiwon-oppa teased Hanbin-oppa as I laughed at them fight.
“Aish! Let’s just proceed with the arrangement.”
The three of us listened to the different arrangements Jiwon-oppa and I made. Hanbin-oppa made little comments to my arrangements. It took us few more hours until Hanbin-oppa finished arranging some of my arrangements with Jiwon-oppa’s while adding some of his. We were able to finish the song with all the lyrics and arrangement by one in the morning. The rest of the team had also heard the song and everyone agreed to have it as the piece for their vocal assessment.
The seven of us are on our way walking back to the dormitory when I suddenly felt hungry as I just had sandwich for dinner since we were so busy finishing the track.
“Oppa, I’ll head to the convenience store quick. You go ahead without me.” They all stopped in their tracks to look at me. They all looked hesitant to leave me on my own but I know they are all tired from the practice and they’ll be needing all the rest they can get since the real practice will start tomorrow. “I’ll be fine. The store is just near. I can—“
“You guys go ahead. I’ll come with Jin-Hye.” Hanbin-oppa suddenly cut me off which the rest of the team agreed with.
The two of us went ahead to the convenience store.
“You really don’t have to, oppa. I know you’re also tired.” I cannot look at him since it is the first time we are alone together.
“How can we let a girl walk alone at night? You don’t know much of the streets here. If I didn’t do that everybody would just come with you.”
The street was quiet. There were only a few cars that pass by.
“So how was your first day?” Hanbin-oppa asked.
“It was good.” I thought back on what happened the whole day. “I feel great, knowing that I’m doing what I like. And seeing how I was able to work with you and Jiwon-oppa, I really think I made the right decision joining your team.”
“You’re really good, you know.” Hanbin-oppa’s sudden compliment made look at him. He was also looking at me as we walk. “I mean, I did expect you to be good ever since hearing your original song but working with you. I think it’ll work.” For the first time, I saw him smile. It was a simple smile but somehow, it looks special.
“I’ll be doing my best, then.” I went back to looking straight ahead to avoid staring much at his smile.
When we reached the store, I bought some sandwich while Hanbin-oppa bought some drinks. We continue to have small talks on the way back.
“I really like your voice, you know.” Hanbin-oppa sudden compliments made my face hot which I decided to laugh out so he wouldn’t notice.
“What’s with the sudden comments?”
“I just thought I need to let you know. I like it since it’s whole and deep. Singing high notes with your voice sounded so clear.” I can really feel my face hot that I was just able to mutter thanks. “Have you decided on what track to use for your vocal evaluation?”
“I’m thinking of ‘Killing Me Softly’ or ‘L-O-V-E’.”
“That’s two very different songs from one another. I think you’ll do great with ‘Killing Me Softly’.” I nodded in agreement to what he said but I had something else in mind since he commented on me having a deep and whole voice.
“I understand what you mean but I want to use ‘L-O-V-E’.”
“Why?”
“Because it would be an obvious choice based on what I performed last time but I don’t want that. I want versatility.”
“Can you let me hear a little bit of that?” I looked at Hanbin-oppa with his sudden request who was looking very expectant which didn’t leave me any choice.
“Alright but don’t expect too much.” We kept on walking as I start singing.
L is for the way you look at me
Ois for the only one I see
V is very very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore can love
It’s all that I can give to—
I suddenly stopped walking and singing when I noticed Hanbin-oppa wasn’t walking beside me anymore. I turned and saw him standing there while looking at me wide-eyed.
“What’s wrong, oppa?” From being wide-eyed, he suddenly had a big smile on his amaze.
“You really are amazing, Jin-Hye.” His sudden changes really make me confuse that I didn’t have the time to be embarrass on his compliment.
“Aish, stop it, oppa. Let’s just head home.” Hanbin-oppa continued walking beside me.
“Seriously, Jin-Hye, from that deep voice to sweet voice. What else can you do? I really can’t believe you didn’t try to be an idol.”
“And I also can’t believe this is the one who looked awkward with me a few hours ago.” I suddenly wanted to tease him which immediately shut him up and turned him red. I couldn’t help but laugh out. “I’m joking!” Hanbin-oppa also gave a little chuckle.
“I’m really bad with girls just in case you need to know but I don’t know why it’s a different case with you. Maybe since we were able to work on music together?”
“Then we’ll get closer from now on since we’ll be working on a lot of music together.”
It didn’t take any longer for us to reach the dorm to find the rest of the boys already sleeping.
“Good night, leadernim.”
“Good night, Jin-Hye. See you in the morning.”