The production assistant's gaze swept across the seven other trainees clustered near the mirrors.
"Alright. Who performed the main vocal section better—Jiwon or Hyunki?"
Silence stretched through the practice room like a held breath.
One trainee shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting toward the cameras. Another studied the floor with sudden fascination. A third cleared his throat but said nothing.
The production assistant waited, clipboard raised expectantly. "Come on. Professional opinions. This is part of the process."
Still nothing.
Hyunki's scent thickened—burnt spice sharpening into something aggressive. His presence alone promised consequences for anyone brave enough to speak against him.
I stood frozen, watching each trainee calculate the cost of honesty versus the safety of silence.
Finally, one trainee spoke.
"Both interpretations were... technically strong."
The diplomatic answer earned immediate nods from the others.
"Yeah. Different approaches, both valid."
