One, two. One, two.
With his dance evaluation coming round the corner, Cyrus cannot afford to slack off when others can. He isn't blessed with an angelic voice like Eli's or an all-round charming visual like Brendan.
He's just a stubborn bitch.
This month's evaluation is best described as a sadist's wet dream. Instead of a typical normal hiphop routine, someone had the genius idea to assign him the easy task of dancing to a jazzy rendition of the theme song of Ancora's most popular Idol Survival Show: Spring With You.
The movements are inspired by the solo dance moves from swing dances of the 1920s, featuring sweeping movements that embodied the freedom and rushing high of the era.
Right now, his routine is anything but that. Janky and clunky, it feels more like an alien's attempt to learn how humans move. He'd wouldn't dare to show this routine to a dog, let alone an audience of expectant judges.
Maybe getting his mind off of all this might help him relax a little. As soon as he turns on his phone, he's immediately hit with a notification related to today's debut announcement.
Idol Daily! Your go-to news outlet for all things idol-related.
LoveLie's New Boy Group Machinima: "We never gave omegas a chance."
Unable to resist his base instincts, he clicks into the notification to be redirected to an article:
LoveLie Entertainment, known for its controversial decision to accept omega applicants into their idol trainee program, has announced their latest boy group Machinima, a neat combination of the words "Machine" and "Cinema" on their 2:00pm livestream.
The boy group is comprised of Brendan Davis (visual and center), Alejandro Castillo-Flores (lead vocalist), Zephyr "Wu Xian" Luo (rapper), Anson Williams (sub-vocalist), Clément Garnier (lead dancer), Jaehyun Kim (dancer) and Seiji Nakamura (maknae).
During the livestream, the members took the opportunity to thank audience members, family and friends for their support. When it's center and visual Brendan Davis' turn, he seized the opportunity to pivot towards a topic of long-standing taboo: omegas within the idol industry.
Since the 60s, idol agencies have opted for exclusively alpha talent due to their strong physiques, good looks and captivating pheromones. Beta idol groups also had success stories in the past, but not to the same extent as other alpha groups. Omega talent were accepted in small sample sizes, but dropped in overwhelming numbers due to inability to keep up with the intense practice schedules.
Aside from obvious discrepancies in physical abilities, speculation of sexual abuse scandals involving former omega idol trainees have occasionally resurfaced within public discourse, but dismissed due to lack of evidence.
However, Davis alleges that two omega trainees within LoveLie had not only kept up with the training regimen, but stayed on for a whole four years, which brought on the eponymous quote, "We never gave them [omegas] a chance."
Whether the statement is true or false remains up for debate. Users on ReTweet are already weighing in on the speech, overwhelmingly in doubt of the existence of the two omega trainees.
An A-Pop fan account amassing 100,000 followers by the handle of @sxtntn writes, "ur joking, right? Omegas are all weak asf how can they keep up with idol training lol u see how idols hv to practice 16 hrs?"
Another account reposts their message replies, "he said give them a chance, that's like asking for a fish to survive above water. Omega trainees have failed in the past for a reason."
LoveLie Entertainment hasn't made any comment on Davis' statement.
Logically, there's no way for the general public to know that Cyrus and Eli both, in fact, are real. Still, it stings to have thousands of people writing posts that laugh at the possibility there are successful omega idol trainees.
Whatever.
The internet is a mistake.
He picks himself up, a little dizzy from the sudden rush of blood to his lower legs. He'd kill for some Quirst, or any kind of soft drink, but that wouldn't fly with Mr. Henderson.
Sighing, he gulps down half a bottle of water and steels himself.
BANG!
The sudden stimulus to his ears jolts him awake from his article. It's so loud that Cyrus thought that someone punched a door hard enough to break the door's hinges.
"I knew I'd find you here." A voice travels from the far end of the room.
A giant of a man walks in like a man on a mission, strides probably at least double that of Cyrus' walks in.
Brendan?
"Aren't you gonna celebrate with your friends or something? Did James tell you to look for me?"
"James?" Brendan knits his eyebrows in a moment's confusion before lighting up, "Mr. Henderson? I didn't know you guys were on a first-name basis."
"He told Eli and I to call him that. I prefer that anyway. Mr. Henderson is a mouthful."
"Fair enough," Brendan chuckles, "Though sorry to disappoint you, I'm not here to deliver his message."
Cyrus raises an eyebrow.
That's a first.
"Okay…" Cyrus brushes himself off as he straightens himself up, "So what brings Mr. Idol here?"
"I want to invite you out to dinner. You and me. Tonight."
…
"Hey, so, I'm not—"
"Oh! It's just a friendly outing. Last day as a trainee, you know? I'm about to debut, no way am I going to get myself into a relationship like that." Brendan reassures Cyrus profusely.
"Good." Cyrus nods, though internally he let out a huge sigh of relief. He can't imagine himself being in a relationship with someone who's a walking ball of positivity on a permanent sugar high.
It then occurs to him he should probably tell Eli about the sudden change in plans.
You: going out for dinner tonight instead, alright with u?
A few moments later, the status ELIte Worrywart is typing… appears on his screen. Surprisingly, instead of Eli's typical paragraph-long thesis, he got a one sentence text back.
ELIte Worrywart: Of course, have fun! leave some strawberries for me if you got any leftovers⋆｡‧˚ʚ🍓ɞ˚‧｡⋆ (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) .ᐟ.ᐟ
ELIte Worrywart: btw Mr. Henderson wants you to see you in his office as well ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
You: Kay
"I'm down for dinner if you're paying," Cyrus jokes, because he doesn't need to look at his bank account to know he's broke as hell from all the singing classes he's been paying for out of pocket.
"Of course! Dinner is my treat." Brendan beams.
Maybe Brendan is the saint incarnate, a being handcrafted by the gods to test the virtuousness of humanity.
"I was just joking earlier. I'll pay you back with AnPay, though it may take me some time." Cyrus insists,
"Don't worry about it." Brendan waves him off, "I'm inviting you out. Besides, it isn't really morally conscientious of me to ask you to pay when you're still seventeen."
"I'm turning eighteen in two weeks."
"Still a kid in my eyes."
"Then at least tell me why you're doing all this." Cyrus folds his arms, "I sure as hell don't want to be out here owing anybody."
Brendan pauses for a second before sighing.
"I'll tell you when we get dinner, I promise."
———
As he makes his way to James, or rather, Mr. Henderson's office, Cyrus cannot help but think back on his earlier interaction with Brendan.
What on Earth can someone who's already debuting possibly tell someone like him?
Before he knows it, he's brought in front of a door with a plaque that reads: JAMES K. HENDERSON.
"Cyrus, here." Cyrus yells out as he knocks.
"Come in." A muffled voice travels from behind the door.
With a click, he is greeted by a beaming smile from both Mr. Henderson and Eli.
"Cyrus! Glad you can join us. Come sit!" Mr. Henderson lights up, gesturing at the seat towards the left.
"Of course. I probably stink tons, sorry about that. Been practicing for my evaluation." Cyrus replies as he makes himself comfortable.
"Never apologize for that Cyrus. This is simply testament to how hardworking you are." Mr. Henderson leans forward.
"Thank you." Cyrus feels his cheeks burn up as his heart does cartwheels in his chest.
Mr. Henderson lets out a chuckle.
"I anticipate great things from you. Being a high-tier trainee within two years isn't outside the realm of possibility."
A high-tier trainee…!
Being told these three words feels like a kid being told he got an unlimited all-you-can-shop candy spree.
Among the hierarchy of trainees, high-tier trainees are another beast entirely. They can do most of what idols do with a few set limitations. For example, they might feature in ads by smaller companies or become background dancers in a popular group's MV.
Or better yet, participate in an idol survival show.
"So," Mr. Henderson's voice cuts through Cyrus' thoughts, "What do you think of the debut announcement?"
"Well, it's kind of cool to see everyone debut. Especially Brendan."
"Ah, yes. I'm glad you noticed." Mr. Henderson grins, "It took a bit of discussion, but we eventually settled with Brendan as our visual and center. He's stubborn and bold, exactly someone that LoveLie needs to set us apart from the competitors. Oh, by the way, the name of the group was actually courtesy of Eli."
"You were the one who thought of the name?" Cyrus asked in disbelief. Not because he didn't believe Eli wouldn't be able to think of it, but rather Eli had even the guts to bring it up with Mr. Henderson.
"Y-Yeah," Eli stammers, "I thought it'd be nice to repurpose the word a little. Machine and cinema. Each member's movements are precise and uniform like a machine, but each performance is captivating and immersive, unique in its own right, kind of like watching a cinematic film. I just thought it'd be a perfect name to show that this is a group that's fluid with no rigid identity. That way it's the perfect justification to expand into all kinds of genres in the future."
Eli stops, painfully aware that both Mr. Henderson and Cyrus' gazes are fixed on him.
"That's just an idea, of course. I didn't think that they'd stick with it. I just figured it's a cool name that would fit the concept that LoveLie is going for..." Eli backtracks, his voice becoming lower and lower with each word that spills out of his mouth.
"No wonder why I love the name so much. So you came up with it." Cyrus teases as he ruffles Eli's hair.
"Eli is my pride and joy." Mr. Henderson grins, "Nothing short of a talented and creative virtuoso. I look forward to the day he'll be able to debut."
"Not without Cyrus. We promised each other I'd debut with Cyrus." Eli insists.
"You're so silly, Eli. Honestly, I'm perfectly fine if you debut without me. You deserve it." Cyrus ruffles Eli's head even more.
"Hey…!"
"No, he's right." Mr. Henderson chuckles, "You and Cyrus will debut together. As for when, it depends on how quick you're able to progress."
Cyrus nods, his heart barely recovering the sheer elation over Mr. Henderson's stamp of confidence.
"So, do you boys know why you're here?" Mr. Henderson asks.
Cyrus internally does an eye roll. Questions like this fall within the category of 'damned if you do, damned if you don't." The best way to counter stuff like this is...
"I'm not sure, James." Cyrus replies like he just got his regular dose of sarcasm, "Are you planning on throwing a birthday party for Eli?"
Mr. Henderson lets out a laugh that resembles a practiced smile of a businessman.
"That wasn't the plan, but that does remind me. Eli's birthday is this Sunday, isn't it? Are you guys doing anything to celebrate?"
"We might go out for dinner to celebrate. Normal stuff."
"Well, it seems all of us have something to look forward to in the weekend," Mr. Henderson laughs, "Unfortunately, as much as I love to discuss this, that's not why I summoned you to my office today."
With one languid motion, he clasps his hands together and leans forward.
"I want you to help train other omega trainees."