Fated Meeting - Haobin

Chapter Four

First elimination went by in a blink of an eye, it was sad to see a lot of trainees going home. But fortunately for him, he still had those close to him remain in the competition. All of the Yuehuaz made it, so did Kuanjui, Jinxin, Keita and a couple of more people he got close to since the show started. Hanbin was P01 and Matthew P02… he was P05, it’s great being in the top 9 and he’s even risen in ranks from the last interim ranks but he can’t help but yearn for more. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s always been top of his classes his whole life but he craves that top spot and he will work for it even if it means forfeiting sleep.

It was time for the next mission, he hasn’t really spoken to Hanbin that much in the past few days. Just greetings here and there but Hanbin would always linger after their greetings, taking Hao in a bit more and asking trivial questions like: “Have you eaten?” even though Hao was leaving the cafeteria as Hanbin was walking in. “Did you dye your hair?” yep he no longer had red hair but it didn’t seem obvious to Hanbin for some reason.

They are in the auditorium yet again, the G vs K group thing is officially over but they started choosing songs from the bottom up meaning those with higher ranks can kick out whoever is in the song they want if the group is already full. Hao wants Tomboy by G-Idle, it just resonated with him that he could not shut up about it during the reviewing process. Keita even laughed and reassured him that it was really his style. He was P05 so chances of him getting and keeping the song was high. It didn’t help that the song was the most popular among the trainees, it filled up first and by the time his turn came it had changed members multiple times. He kicked out Junhyeon since he’s never spoken to him before, he has never spoken to Seunghwan either but he was already standing in front of Junhyeon so he was the unlucky one. The other members were Gunwook, scary but talented and another Hui also very talented but that made Hao worry about showing off his talent among such talented trainees.

Finally it was time for Hanbin to pick, everyone whispered thinking he will pick either ‘vocal and dance’ or ‘rap and dance’ since he is a dancer but he approached ‘vocal and rap’ walking slowly in a teasing manner until he stood infront of Hao and Gunwook. The other trainees erupted in loud cheers and gasps and Gunwook freaking out. Hao looked Hanbin directly in the eyes, Hanbin was staring at him with a smirk plastered on his face. Hao thought he was going to kick him out until he remembered – “Who knows maybe we will work together in the next mission.” – a small smile crept on Hao’s lips and he covered it with the back of his hand. He’s always the one in the most compromising position, he’s facing the camera while Hanbin has his back to it. Hanbin walks between him and Gunwook and kicks Seunghwan out. Tension did not leave Hao’s body, everyone in this team is so talented and popular that he felt so small. He felt the pressure before they have even started. He made eye contact with Hanbin smiling at each other. Hanbin proceeded to say something to his new teammates, Hao included, but he could only hear them talk but he couldn’t listen too busy trying to convince himself that he is worthy of being in this group.

He lost the killing part to Hanbin and ended up with three lines and a few adlibs. The lines he got were a fast rap so he struggled to get the pronunciation correct a couple of times, frustration growing bigger within him. He eventually asked Hanbin to assist him. It helps that he can memorize by hearing things only once because it didn’t take long for him to get it. Hanbin even complimenting him with his signature smile, he might have forgotten about the cameras, his other teammates and the amount of staff standing in the distance in that moment, lost in his little bubble with Hanbin.

He slowly allowed himself to get lost in the song and eliminate the worries and the self-deprecating thoughts he was having. He thought he was masking it well – fake it until you make it, right? – until they had their team-evaluation with the other trainees. He was chosen as the member most lacking, that made Hao feel naked in front of everyone. All the worries he was trying to bury were showing through his performance, he felt trapped within himself. He zoned out during their short practice break sitting against the wall. He didn’t even realize tears were about to spill from his eyes when Hanbin pulled him out of his thoughts. “Hyung, what are you doing? Hyung, what are you doing?” Hao was then pulled out of his trance “hmm?” he said looking up “What are you doing?” Hanbin said yet again. Hanbin could now see that Hao had a tear on his cheek as he wiped it on his sleeve “Are you OK?” Hao shook his head, he reckoned it’s better to just talk about it even if it’s with his “rival” who he happens to have a complicated relationship with. “I don’t have any ideas here in this team. I had so many back when I was a leader in ‘kill this love’ team. My mind is blocked.” Hao said folding into himself leaning his face away from the camera that he could see was getting closer and zooming in on them. Hanbin couldn’t help but find Hao cute as he pouted trying to hold the tears back.