While the contestants were being called up to the stage one after the other [or in groups] for their performance, Seo Yujin sat there.
Lost in thought, with his hands cupped together, he could only think about the call he had received the night before.
A call from someone who was apparently a staff member from this company. Someone who was also part of the staff for this show.
This person made his demands clear and direct.
"Make sure you make a mess of yourself tomorrow at the audition. Remember to keep your words."
And Yujin didn't have any choice but to reply with, "Sure."
And now, while he sat there watching as the contestants gave impressive performances, he began regretting the offer he had made to the judges.
He was a good dancer and an amazing singer. That, he believed, because he had practiced a lot in his past life to make sure his skills would speak volumes of him and would get him somewhere.
But his accumulated skills didn't speak any volume, let alone get him anywhere. They were all wasted because he was a male omega.
And now, knowing the fact that he'd have to intentionally present himself as incompetent, talentless, and a joke in front of all these "kids" made him cringe.
It was embarrassing for him, knowing that those he was seeing perform were actually so good. They were mostly getting either three stars or two stars, which was still good.
So Yujin could imagine himself messing himself up before them and on national TV—opening up with a terrible impression—when he knew he was good and had worked hard practicing to be this good.
While he sat there thinking through his choices, he heard his name being called by one of the judges.
He looked up. "Huh?"
Everyone turned to him.
Yul smiled, looking back at him with a microphone. "Come and show us what you've got."
His heart sank as he awkwardly nodded with a smile and got up to his feet.
All eyes were on Yujin while he made his way down to the stage. He could swear his steps grew more awkward as he walked down.
He was finally standing on the stage, facing the juges with a mini microphone extending from his ears to his mouth. His heart was pounding at the thought of what he was about to do.
He could hear side comments from people.
"He looks good."
"What dance is he going to do?"
"A girl group dance?" Some laughed.
"I doubt he can carry any tough choreography."
"He looks like he could pull off an elegant dance well."
"Yeah, I do think so. I'm curious to see."
Yujin closed his eyes, inhaled, and exhaled while coming to terms with the fact that he was going to disappoint those who had hope in him and prove those who doubted him right.
He hated that fact.
"Did you study contemporary dance before?" Luna asked, smiling at Yujin.
"Mm-hmm. I did," he smiled.
"Is that so? That's nice. I can already picture you dancing it. I think it'd suit you so well," Luna expressed.
"Thank you." Seo Yujin's intonation of the thank you was done so cutely. He had intentionally intoned it in a rather adorable manner while smiling.
In a way that he was sure would appeal to the judges and maybe some contestants.
And it did.
The three judges instantly found themselves smiling while adoring Yujin.
"He's so cute..." Yul smiled.
"Right?" Luna found herself smiling profusely at the sight of Yujin.
Yujin smiled. Mission complete. He wanted the show to tag him with the caption "the cute contestant with irresistible aegyo charm."
That'd get him some screen time at least.
Even the contestants seated were smiling at his cute intonation of the word. Some were even mimicking him while admiring his smile.
"How long have you been learning contemporary dance?" Yul asked, smiling at him.
"For a while now..."
"Interesting..." Yul nodded. "I also studied it and it's interesting seeing someone versed in it as well."
"Is that so? Then maybe Yul sunbae–nim* can teach me some steps someday." Yujin came again with the cute intonation that had everyone swooning over his charm.
"Okay," Yul nodded while laughing.
"So why don't you show us what you've got?" Luna said.
"Okay then," Yujin nodded with a smile as he stepped back to prepare his dance after keeping the microphone.
He took a deep breath in and out. All eyes were on him while they stared anxiously, wanting to know what he had to offer.
All were hopeful.
But as soon as Yujin started dancing, all hopes were lost.
FAKELOVEby BTS was playing. And Seo Yujin had started off on a good foot.
Strong and elegant, and everyone seemed intrigued. But as he continued, it went downhill.
He began missing beats, taking awkward steps, and making silly, wobbly dance moves that simply made some contestants laugh.
Everyone was shocked by how terrible the dance turned out. Even the judges began staring at each other awkwardly.
The dance continued for what seemed like a minute. And it was pure torture for those who watched.
His hands and legs moved like a chicken about to be slaughtered, and his breath was unsteady. It was terrible. And soon, the torture of a performance came to an end.
Luna hid her face in shame before looking at Seo Yujin, who now stood in front of them, his breath heavy from the pocket microphone.
He stood there studying their expressions. And he was certain they all had the same thought in their minds.
That he was terrible.
"Eh..." Luna went through some papers on her table. "Are you sure you can make it in this industry with this physique, even as an alpha? Because I doubt your dance... is..."
She didn't know how to put it nicely.
"Terrible," JayY completed. "It's bad. I think your composition and steps could even be worse than that of a male omega."
Yujin could hear the laughter from some contestants behind.
"Oh. I'm so sorry..." Yujin gave a slight bow while panting.
"You don't need to apologize to us. You either need to accept that you're terrible and improve, or just leave the industry." JayY was strict with his words.
He added, "Because even if you have the pretty face and all, it won't do anything. You'll still be useless in the industry. Fans who even like your pretty face would dump you soon. And so will companies. So don't think you can rely on your face."
Seo Yujin almost gave him side eyes. JayY was pretty much the same age as him—or maybe even older.
"Thanks for your advice. I'll work hard and improve..." He nodded.
"We'll be rooting for you then," Luna smiled at him.
"Thanks." Yujin bowed.
And like that, his performance ended with him getting a zero star. Just as he predicted.
The first zero star so far.
---
As Seo Yujin headed to his seat in shame, Lee Jaehyuk was the next contestant called up to perform.
Yujin rolled his eyes, annoyed by the fact that it felt like Jaehyuk was being called to perform wonderfully so as to highlight how terrible he was.
"Nice dance steps. Did your grandma teach you contemporary dance?" Jaehyuk whispered to Yujin while walking past him to get to the stage.
Seo Yujin could only boil in fury while making his way to his seat.
He could only sit down while digesting Jaehyuk's words, which made him want to punch him right in his face.
But he could only sit and watch Lee Jaehyuk stand on the stage. Shining, as all smiled and watched him.
Highly anticipating his performance.
Everyone already expected him to get a full star (three stars). He was bound to get it.
But only Seo Yujin had a bad feeling about his performance.
Because he doubted that someone in his rut could perform exceptionally...
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1. Sunbae—nim : A senior, someone with more experience than you in a school, workplace, or field.