POV: Min-ho
The big day has arrived.
I didn't want to participate in person, because I'm afraid of my potential emotional involvement, so I took refuge in my study and am following the program live on the web.
It's a bit cowardly of me, given that I have an intense desire to see Jade, but I can't distract her with my presence.
A week has passed since that day, and just thinking about it makes me smile like a kid with his first crush.
Because that's how I feel, even if I don't know if I'm truly in love.
She was categorical when she left my room:
Don't think of me as something romantic, or a one-night stand just for sex. Think of all this as a fateful encounter. We were meant to meet again. You to shine on me, and I to reflect your light. Just promise never to forget me.
And at the door, as she said goodbye, she bowed several times, thanking me and smiling, when I should have been the one thanking her for her unconditional love, for giving herself to me with enthusiasm and for reciprocating my caresses with all her heart.
When I wake up, sometimes I can still smell her scent on me, so I open my eyes wide in surprise, but she's not there.
I sigh and call myself stupid.
At 22, I'm still a stupid romantic.
My teammates always tell me this, teasing me.
But I'm distracted from my thoughts by watching the first team take to the stage. They're the yellows, performing an EXO song. I admit they're good, well-coordinated, and they've produced a quality cover, managing to score a lot of points from the judges.
The greens follow, including Ari, who has integrated well and puts on a pretty good performance, even though she translated her part of the Astro song into English.
They tie for points with the previous competitors, while the reds take their places. They seem very determined; they're all Asian guys, who have also adopted a fairly uniform look. The Stray Kids song is reproduced perfectly, their voices are every bit as good as the originals, and they get full points.
At this point, I'm worried about the blues, who come in last.
Jade is at the back, dressed entirely in black and standing out for her uniqueness.
I hope they've come up with something original, otherwise I think it's going to be really difficult.
When the backing track to "I'm the King" starts, I'm breathless. It's our song that won the national competition.
The music starts and the group begins their choreography, a little different from ours, but very impactful. But I'm not prepared to see Jade advance, her hair braided in many braids, and she begins rapping along to Jon-Ho's song, acting tough like a true king. The others follow, until she takes over my part, dancing with her own unique style, mixing K-pop and a circular swing that makes her look like she's gliding on water.
She runs through the entire group, then backs up, and finally reaches the front, leaping forward, leaning on her hands and doing a somersault, before coming to a stop lying flat on her elbows.
She finishes the number with a wink and a tongue sticking out.
A roar goes up from the audience, causing the judges to turn around and applaud her performance.
The group bows to await the verdict, which is a perfect score.
They've passed!
The yellow and green teams must battle each other, immediately losing one unit each, while the group with the lowest score will lose three units after the competition.
I see the dejected faces of the contestants and I completely understand them.
I'm not worried about Ari's fate; I know she can defend herself, while I'm overjoyed for Jade, who high-fives the boy next to her.
She grimaces at Tae-Hyun, and I fear a bitter rivalry has developed between them.
Amid the judges' compliments, they leave the audience, and I sink back against the couch with a sigh.
That was crazy!
My phone rings and I notice I have four missed calls.
From Seo-Joon.
"Hey, hyeongie, what's up? I didn't hear the phone," I reply.
"Are you watching the show? Did you see that American girl?"
I smile to myself.
I've seen her, my friend!
And I'm crazy about her.
"I'm crazy about her," he tells me, his voice excited.
Excuse me? What?
"Do you understand?" he asks, raising his voice.
"Yes..."
"Didn't you like her too? I know she's Korean, but she lives in the States. Did you meet her at the auditions?"
"Yes..."
"So, can you introduce me?"
His enthusiasm chills me.
Seo-Joon is my best friend, my 'mate,' the one I tell everything to and who always supports me.
And now he likes Jade.
'My' Jade.
I'm suddenly jealous. And angry.
But I don't know who.
"Sure..."
"Hey, I can't hear you, it must be the connection. I'll come over tomorrow and we'll talk about it, okay?"
He puts down the phone and I stare at the screen in a daze.
I want to hear from Jade to be reassured.
To be told that only I am his talisman.
That he only has eyes for me.
But I don't have his number; he wouldn't give it to me.
I could get it from the entry forms, but I'd feel petty.
And yet I miss him so much that...
I huff and throw away the remote.
What the hell is happening to me?