IWDAR Chapter 31

Wooyoung was startled when his eyes met the boy’s. He’d thought he’d seen his fair share of handsome and beautiful people coming and going through the ON Entertainment building, but this boy’s appearance was particularly radiant. 

 

His clear skin, gently upturned eyes, and plump lips curved into a smile made him look like a doll meticulously crafted by an artisan over several years. 

 

Wooyoung’s lips parted slightly, captivated by the boy’s androgynous beauty, and the boy smiled brightly, extending his hand.

 

“I’m Wonil, hyung. Kim Wonil. I’m the same age as Si-on, so you can just call me ‘Wonil~’ comfortably!”

 

Wonil had an elegant appearance as if he’d never experienced a single hardship in his life, yet his tone was incredibly cheerful. Having had a slight interest in the group Eden in his past life, Wooyoung remembered the members’ names, including Sunwoo’s. 

 

Still, being introduced by the member himself felt different, and Wooyoung found himself inexplicably excited.

 

“Yeah, nice to meet you.”

 

“But hyung, you look really young. You’re the same age as Jaewon hyung, but I could believe you were our age, right?”

 

Wonil glanced at Si-on with an intrigued look. Si-on furrowed his brow slightly at Wonil’s attitude.

 

“You’re being rude to hyung talking like that.”

 

“It’s rude to say that to hyung.”

 

“Oh, really? I’m sorry, hyung!”

 

Wooyoung was taken aback by the rapid-fire reprimand and apology.

 

“Oh, no, it’s okay. I hear I look young often.”

 

As Wooyoung shook his head, Wonil straightened his shoulders as if to say ‘See?’ and made a playful expression at Si-on. Unlike Si-on, who maintained a mature demeanor, Wonil felt like the youngest brother in a large family.

 

“Thanks for looking out for me.”

 

Wooyoung quietly expressed his gratitude to Si-on, who was pouting at Wonil’s teasing. At Wooyoung’s gentle voice, Wonil’s expression softened.

 

“But Wooyoung hyung, you seemed a little taken aback earlier.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Wonil’s emotional changes were truly diverse. He had been bickering with Si-on just moments ago, but now he was wearing an apologetic expression. Wooyoung himself wasn’t that type, and he hadn’t encountered such an emotionally honest personality often, so he found Wonil fascinating.

 

“I should’ve greeted you more enthusiastically, but Habin hyung and Jaewon hyung had a fight yesterday…”

 

“Wonil.”

 

Sunwoo gently interrupted Wonil’s chatter. Wonil closed his mouth, his expression troubled as he rolled his eyes. He seemed to belatedly realize that it wasn’t an appropriate topic for a first meeting with a new member.

 

‘So the manager called those two in separately because they fought.’

 

Wooyoung vaguely understood the reason for the awkward atmosphere that had surrounded the trainees earlier. When Wooyoung glanced at Sunwoo, their eyes met, and Sunwoo simply smiled.

 

“Shouldn’t we decide on what to have for lunch now?”

 

“Is it okay for us to decide when the hyungs aren’t here yet?”

 

Si-on asked cautiously, and Sunwoo shrugged nonchalantly.

 

“At a time like this, it’s the fault of those who ruin the practice room atmosphere. Everyone, hurry up and say what you want to eat! How long has it been since we’ve had a free meal choice?”

 

“Let’s have meat, meat!”

 

Perhaps because he was at the age with a ravenous appetite, Wonil, who had been momentarily downcast, shouted excitedly. He looked just like a child, and Wooyoung chuckled softly.

 

“What about Wooyoung? We got this opportunity thanks to Wooyoung, so we should eat what he wants.”

 

“I like meat too.”

 

Wonil looked at Wooyoung with sparkling eyes full of anticipation. His expression was so adorable that Wooyoung instinctively agreed with him.

 

“Okay, then. Let’s eat meat. There’s a new grilled pork belly place inside the big intersection. Should we go there?”

 

“Great! Wow, I really wanted to eat samgyeopsal. Thank you, Wooyoung hyung!”

 

Wonil, overflowing with gratitude, grabbed Wooyoung’s hand. Knowing how agonizing a strict diet can be during puberty, Wooyoung felt a pang of sympathy for him.

 

‘He doesn’t have to thank me this much though…’

 

Wooyoung, his cheeks flushed, firmly grasped Wonil’s hand. He felt strangely shy.

 

“Yeah, I’m glad.”

 

Wooyoung’s voice was incredibly gentle, as if something ticklish had fluttered down and landed softly. Wonil, captivated by that sweet voice, widened his eyes and stared at Wooyoung.

 

Just as Wonil was about to open his mouth, the closed practice room door opened, and Habin and Jaewon, who had been away, returned. 

 

When the five members were finally reunited, Wooyoung was inwardly impressed. He hadn’t been able to properly see the members’ faces earlier due to the tense atmosphere, but now that he looked again, every single one of them was strikingly handsome. He wondered where Tae-uk had found all these boys.

 

But the admiration was short-lived, soon replaced by worry. 

 

He wondered if he would stick out like a sore thumb, an unwelcome intruder among these impressive members. After all, the Eden he had seen through the media in his past life had seemed perfect as a five-member group.

 

‘…I really need to do well so I don’t cause trouble.’

 

Wooyoung reinforced his resolve, which he had already made several times.

 

“The lunch menu is decided, grilled pork belly. You two have no say, so just follow quietly.”

 

Sunwoo spoke to the two boys. Everyone in the practice room probably noticed that he was deliberately being playful to lighten the somber mood. 

 

Wooyoung guessed that Jaewon and Habin were either the same age as Sunwoo or around that age. This was because, unlike how he treated Si-on and Won-il like younger siblings, he seemed subtly more informal with Jaewon and Habin.

 

“I don’t think I can eat with you guys today.”

 

However, the practice room became cold again at the words abruptly spoken by the deer-like, pretty boy.

 

“Choi Jaewon, didn’t you hear the manager say we should all eat together just 10 minutes ago?”

 

“If we eat like this, I feel like I’m going to make him cry. Is that okay?”

 

“…”

 

Jaewon gestured towards Wooyoung with his chin, and Wooyoung felt Wonil gasp beside him. Judging by Wonil’s awkward expression, which had been so lively just a moment ago, it seemed he was intimidated by Jaewon.

 

‘Should I tell him I don’t cry easily?’

 

Wooyoung thought it might be good to step in and alleviate some of the concern on Wonil’s anxious face, but he chose to quietly observe the situation. This was because he still didn’t know why Jaewon and Habin had fought, especially why Jaewon was particularly hostile towards him.

 

“Why would he cry? What did he do wrong? Just stop…”

 

“So, did the company properly check if he’s done anything shady?”

 

“Ah, fuck.”

 

At Jaewon’s taunt, Wooyoung, who was thinking, “I don’t really know either…”, looked up in surprise. 

 

Habin, who had been standing silently since entering the practice room, uttered a harsh curse in a gloomy voice that seemed to pierce through to the basement.

 

Wooyoung found the situation strange, as the Eden members he had seen in the media in his past life had seemed innocent and close. Of course, he knew that appearances couldn’t always be trusted…

 

“That’s ridiculous. Did you just say ‘shibal’ to me?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Jaewon glared fiercely at Habin. The atmosphere felt as if he might grab Habin by the collar at any moment. Wooyoung didn’t know why they had fought, but it was clear that the bad blood hadn’t dissipated.

 

“So stop whining. Do you think you’re the only one who’s desperate here?”

 

“I am the only one who’s desperate.”

 

Jaewon said through gritted teeth.

 

“Let’s be honest, hyung. You don’t have anything to lose even if our debut date keeps getting pushed back. Because you have somewhere to go back to even if this doesn’t work out. Isn’t that right?”

 

Habin’s already stoic and expressionless face hardened further. Jaewon scanned each of the members before turning and walking out of the practice room. To Wooyoung, his retreating figure looked terribly lonely.