Jun and Juwon wanted the same Part, so their teammates watched them curiously.
Who in the country didn't know yet that these two were the best of friends? They came from the same agency, went to the same school, started training at the same time, and even joined the same survival show, hoping to debut together. Not that people thought they would never go for the same position. After all, they joined a survival show. But when it finally happened, it felt surreal and strange.
"Let's fight for it fair and square," said Juwon.
"All right." Jun's lips curled into a grin.
The two immediately stood up and took turns performing. The acting leader played the music for them.
Frankly, those seated weren't blind; they could see at a glance who was better. Jun's first line alone reminded everyone how he had easily gotten Part 1 in the first mission — he had instantly mastered the song and choreography that he supposedly heard for the first time.
Still, they were impressed with Juwon. This time, he proved he was also a strong contender who deserved his current rank. Besides his face, Juwon had solid skills. He wasn't inferior to Min or Kato in dance, and he could hold his notes without going off-key.
So when the voting ended — unsurprisingly favoring Jun — Daeho and the others comforted him. "Don't feel down, Juwon. You were also awesome."
"Thanks. I'm fine." Juwon looked a little sad, but he sincerely congratulated his friend.
Xavi joked, "If it'll make you feel better, you actually dance better than me."
"Does that mean you'd give up Part 1 to me?"
"Dream on." The Australian boy widened his eyes and shook his head furiously.
Juwon laughed. "Xavi, don't worry, I'm just kidding. Part 1 seems tailor-made for you."
Xavi had an outgoing personality and loved to laugh a lot. But if he stayed quiet and expressionless, his masculine face would make people assume he was confident, cool, and aloof. On top of that, he was great at controlling his expressions.
Jun clapped to get everyone's attention. Seong-Hun immediately understood the cue. "Time to move on to the next Part. Who wants Part 3?"
A long silence followed. The leader played the song twice, yet nobody raised their hands.
"Again, anybody willing to volunteer for Part 3?" Seong-Hun smiled wryly and glanced around at his teammates.
Juwon nudged him and said, "It's an important position, but the high notes are too intimidating. We need a strong vocalist, and I believe only Hyeon-ju can nail them. Or Jun if he uses his falsetto or head voice — but Jun can't hold two Parts at once."
"Obviously, Hyeon-ju should get Part 3."
Xavi wrinkled his forehead. He really didn't understand why they were hesitating. It wasn't his fault. Xavi had never teamed up with Hyeon-ju, and his impression of him was limited to what he'd seen on stage or screen. In his opinion, the guy was quiet but had an amazing voice.
Jun didn't want to appear meddlesome without the leader title, so he kept quiet at first. But after hearing Xavi, he smiled and nodded. "I actually agree with Xavi. Let's entrust Part 3 to Hyeon-ju, then. What do you guys think?"
…We're doomed, thought Daeho and the others.
Daeho hesitated. After mulling it over, he finally spoke. "Everyone, a friendly reminder. Part 3 has the most lines and demands the most vocal ability. But most importantly, whoever gets it must look the coolest among us."
The coolest.
When the word was emphasized, the air around them seemed to grow heavier.
The title might hint at a long-distance relationship or a sad love song. But in reality, the song's message was: I'm so great, I'm so hot. Stress and anxiety? They're so far away because nothing can shake my cool and strong mentality. I don't care what people think. I'll praise myself today, tomorrow, all year-round.
Cool and fierce — or perhaps one could say unparalleled arrogance — was the concept of the original song So Far Away.
It was a song that, in Daeho's, Seong-Hun's, and even Juwon's minds, couldn't be associated with Hyeon-ju's face, aura, or voice.
Xavi looked at Hyeon-ju and asked, "What's the problem then?"
Seong-Hun grew tired of Daeho's urging stares and finally explained, "Hyeon-ju will struggle not because of the high notes and belting but because of the concept."
"The concept? How do you know when we haven't even seen him try? People say I have a bad boy face, but Jun said my personality is like a lively puppy. I hate the analogy, but what I mean is you can't judge a book by its cover." The Australian boy frowned. He had always been vocal about his thoughts.
Seong-Hun stayed quiet while Daeho smiled wryly and shook his head. "We've already heard him sing."
Xavi grew annoyed and said bluntly, "Honestly, I don't like where this is going. It's like you've already decided our team has lost before the battle even starts. Everyone agrees Hyeon-ju is the only one who can sing this Part, but you don't want him to do it. So what do you guys really want?"
Jun pressed his lips into a thin line. He stretched his hand, palm open. "Stop it. Xavi, calm down. You too, Daeho. It's settled. Hyeon-ju, if you agree, you'll be our main vocalist."
Hyeon-ju nodded, though he didn't look happy. Is it really settled? This thought showed on his facial expression.
In the team selection, the leader had been reluctant to pick him, and now the vocal Part that only he could handle was deliberated so carefully before being given to him. Even when he thought it was over and was about to say, Thanks, I'll do my best, someone interrupted.
"Wait a minute. I have a proposal." Daeho refused to give up. "How about Juwon does Part 2 and Jun takes Part 3?"
'Huh?' Jun, Hyeon-ju, and the others froze.
A long silence fell. The warm atmosphere from five minutes ago vanished entirely.
Jun couldn't find the words. The cameras were on, and he doubted the others didn't know it. Daeho… he was playing a dangerous game.
Yes, technically, nothing had been finalized yet, so they could still switch parts. But people's feelings and opinions were being disregarded. The result of the previous audition was being disrespected. Everything was being caught on camera, ready to be twisted by editors into a depressing narrative.
[Inhabitant Daeho does not believe the song suits Hyeon-ju, so he is against giving him a significant part.]
[A disagreement arose in Team 'So Far Away' because of Hyeon-ju. Perhaps the members already think the leader made a mistake choosing him?]
[Hyeon-ju, isolated… The poor boy was not trusted by his teammates.]
Jun could already imagine the storm these crazy subtitles would stir outside, and he had no doubt the editing team would not pass on this opportunity to slap any of these subtitles on the viewers' screens.
The room was scarily quiet. Until someone sighed.
Hyeon-ju forced a smile. "Sorry, I need to go to the breakroom. Everyone, go ahead with the parts distribution without me. I'll be back shortly."
Seeing how things had turned, Jun regretted thinking he could relax this time. It seemed he had jinxed it. When Hyeon-ju left, he also nearly failed to control his expression as he said, "I need a break."
"Me too." Juwon immediately followed.
Those left in the practice hall were Seong-Hun, Daeho, and Xavi. But Xavi found the place suffocating, so he stood and walked out without a word. Nobody knew where he went since he didn't inform them.
"My concern is valid, right?" Daeho asked in a small voice.
Seong-Hun didn't reply. He looked worried, not expecting things to turn out this way.