Falling for the Omega Idol
Chapter 156: CAN BE OBEDIENT

Chapter 156: CAN BE OBEDIENT

"AS expected, your group’s vocals are amazing," Yoon Jihoon said with a satisfied smile. "The harmonies were perfect. I don’t have any critiques."

Choi Minhyuk leaned forward. "The vocals were good, but even for a seated performance, you should add some movements. Simple gestures or expressions would make the stage feel more alive."

K-Beat and Dyna gave their comments too, mixing praise with criticism. The five of them thanked all four mentors with a polite bow before stepping down from the stage.

The other contestants waiting for their turn to rehearse watched Haneul’s group carefully. Their expressions shifted as reality seemed to hit them - this was the team they’d have to outperform. Now some of them watched their team with open wariness.

Haneul didn’t mind. This was a competition, after all. It’s only natural to be wary of the people who might take the spot you wanted. Because, at the end of the day, only five of them would be able to debut.

"Are we really not practicing anymore today?" Joonhyuk asked. He was usually so cheerful and easygoing, but right now, it was obvious he was nervous. A clear sign he was worried about tomorrow’s performance.

And really, who could blame him? Tomorrow they’d perform for a live audience for the first time. The pressure to do well and leave a good impression, one that would turn into votes, was terrifying.

"No, we’re resting for the rest of the day," Taeyang answered. "Just like we agreed last night."

That’s right. After their practice ended before dinner yesterday, Taeyang had told them they wouldn’t practice today. He said they should use this time to relax and not stress about the upcoming performance.

Haneul understood why Taeyang made that call. Pushing themselves too hard right before the performance would only burn them out. A tired mind and body meant sloppy mistakes—and tomorrow, they couldn’t afford any. Better to go in fresh than to cram until the last second.

Joonhyuk looked unsure though. It seemed like he would argue, but before he could, Robin slapped his back.

"Relax, man. Stressing ourselves out won’t do us any good. So, let’s just have fun today and not think about tomorrow," Robin said. "Or do you not believe in all the effort we put in? Are you worried we won’t perform well?"

"Of course not! I—" Joonhyuk stopped when he saw Robin’s raised brow and smirk. "Ha... you’re right. I just couldn’t help worrying, you know?"

"I—I get it. I’m worried too," Seongwoo said, jumping into the conversation. "But I agree we should just rest today. No need to pressure ourselves to the point that we become nerve wrecks tomorrow."

Haneul chose that moment to speak up and ease the tension. "Should we all go get an early lunch?"

Robin jumped in right away. "That’s a great idea."

"Yes, let’s have lunch," Seongwoo agreed.

Joonhyuk looked at them and sighed. "Fine, let’s stuff ourselves full."

When Taeyang stayed quiet, everyone turned to him. He glanced at his teammates, but his gaze lingered on Haneul. Seeing the hopeful look in his eyes, what else could he say except, "Let’s go."

***

After lunch, Haneul went back to his cabin room and decided to catch up on schoolwork. He pulled out the exercise books he’d brought with him and started working through some problems. With no group practice scheduled and no plans to practice alone either, this was the best way to use his free time.

Between practices and other activities, he hardly ever found time to work on these exercise books, something he’d promised his homeroom teacher he’d keep up with. Since he had the chance now, he might as well get a bunch of them done.

Even though he’d studied all this before in his past life, he didn’t remember everything. Ten years of just working had made him forget most of it. He wasn’t some genius—his good grades back then came from nonstop studying. If anything, he was worse off now, with half the math formulas and equations gone from his head.

But surprisingly, once he started studying, everything clicked easily. Maybe because he’d learned it all before, his brain just understood it faster this time. He hoped this would continue on. He really wanted to take the CSAT this year, and he needed to be at least somewhat ready by then.

Haneul fell into a kind of trance as he worked through the exercise books, his pen moving almost on its own. The numbers and formulas absorbed him so completely that he might have stayed in that daze for hours if not for the sudden knock at his door. The sharp sound snapped him back to reality, pulling him out of his focused state.

He stood up and immediately felt a stiff creak in his neck. As he rubbed at it, his eyes landed on the wall clock. It was already past six in the evening. He blinked, surprised at how much time had passed. Rolling his neck slowly from side to side to work out the stiffness, he finally walked over and opened the door.

Haneul froze for a second when he saw who was standing outside his door.

"Taeyang," he said, the words tumbling out a little too fast. "Did you need something?"

"Dinner. Everyone’s already in the dining hall. I was told to check why you hadn’t shown up yet and see if there’s a problem," Taeyang said in his usual no-nonsense tone. "Is there? A problem, I mean."

Oh. He was probably just here because of his team leader duties. Haneul wasn’t sure why, but that thought pulled at him with a dull disappointment. Still, he made himself smile.

"No, I was studying and got too caught up in it."

Taeyang looked surprised by that answer. "That’s... really responsible of you."

Haneul couldn’t help but laugh softly because of the other’s expression, as if Taeyang didn’t know how to react exactly to his answer. "Well, my homeroom teacher told me not to slack on my schoolwork." He shrugged. "I can be very obedient when I want to be."

He’d meant it as a joke and expected Taeyang to at least crack a smile. Instead, the other went completely still, just staring at him like he’d said something that short-circuited his brain.