Lin Zhi clicked his tongue as he looked at his useless teammates. "So, none of you have experience in producing a song? Not even writing one?"
"No," Steel said. "I have experience in making choreography, though. I can help with that," he suggested.
"How about you?" he asked Johnny.
"I also don't have any experience with it," the trainee honestly said. "I've written poems before, but have never really produced a song."
These teammates were truly useless.
Lin Zhi shook his head in disappointment. He tried hard not to show his disappointment, though. The finale was coming up, and if he wanted to retain his rank, he had to keep his image squeaky clean.
"Don't arise any suspicion," the words of his commander echoed in the back of his mind.
Just then, Lin Zhi thought of a brilliant idea—something that would establish his reputation as a talented trainee.
"How about you, Lin Zhi?" Steel asked. "Do you know to produce a song?"
Song production? Of course, Lin Zhi had no clue about those things at all.
He has been a drug-dealer for most of his life. Making songs was something he never even thought of. Besides, singers are singers; producers are producers. Why would he bother learning about other people's jobs?
"I do," Lin Zhi confidently said.
His teammates sighed in relief. "We're saved, then. Just tell us when you need help with something."
"Of course," Lin Zhi said. "But you guys focus on the other aspects of the performance. I'll try really hard to make us a good song."
"Thank you, Lin Zhi!" Steel excitedly said. His other teammates thanked him sincerely too.
"I'll head to the restroom first, if you don't mind," Lin Zhi said. "I can't really make a song with a full bladder."
"Go ahead," Bin said.
Lin Zhi stood up and quickly fled the room, holding his phone in his hand. He peeked inside the restroom but saw a couple of trainees speaking among themselves. Therefore, he settled on a secluded area instead.
He glanced around and made sure he wasn't being captured by cameras. Then, he dialed the first name on his contact list. It only took a couple of rings before the other person responded.
"Hello, Laohu?"
***
In the practice room filled with cuteness, the team of five watched the screen with unreadable expressions.
"I love you! My little boo!
You make my days not so blue.
Let's spread the love, oh, me and you
Boo, my little boo, I'm so into you!"
"What the fuck is that?" Jangmoon cursed, causing Daeho to cover his mouth.
"Don't be disrespectful to our seniors," Daeho said through gritted teeth.
Jangmoon removed Daeho's hand from his mouth and sheepishly smiled. "Right, sorry. This is very cute and fresh and fun! I love their concept very much! Even though they look like they acquired a Magnesium deficiency with how often they're winking!"
"But the viewers seem to love it," June pointed out. "Just read the comments."
- Kyaah! Their winks stepped, spat, and killed me all at the same time.
- Ah, there's nothing more satisfying than seeing men act cute for money.
- This is so cute! I wish more boy groups would employ this concept.
- This song is iconic! It's their most popular song, too.
Casper clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Still, the more I think about it, the more I think we should go another route on this one."
"Bubblegum pop doesn't necessarily mean something obnoxiously cute," Ren said. "It can be on the more refreshing and sweeter side."
"I agree," June said. "Do you have any idea how to execute that?"
Ren pursed his lips. "I could try," he muttered under his breath. "But I can't guarantee that it'll be good."
Ren looked down at the ground, his confidence dropping. Truth be told, the trainee has been having a hard time since his past teams relied on him a lot; and when Ren didn't meet their expectations, it seemed like they blamed it all on him.
"Hey, it's okay," June said, patting the poor trainee's back. "Just do what you can. We're a team anyway."
Ren lifted his head and looked at June with wide, surprised eyes.
"Really?" he asked.
June nodded with sincerity. "No pressure."
"Okay," Ren said, feeling a bit relieved.
"I usually produce music when I'm alone," he continued. "Would you mind if I step out a bit? I think I can give you a draft by tonight."
"Again, no pressure," June said. "We'll think of a concept while you're making a song."
Ren softly smiled before leaving the room. June stared at his figure and felt that Ren was still a bit down.
"What are we going to do now?" Daeho asked. "I believe we can only think of a concept once we actually have the draft of the song."
"Yeah," June said. "For now, do you guys want to practice…smiling?" he asked.
The three looked at him with confusion. "Smiling?" Jangmoon asked. "Like this?" he demonstrated, showing off a wide smile that showed his dimples.
June pursed his lips. Jangmoon didn't look too bad when he smiled.
"How about you?" June tapped Casper. "Don't you have any trouble smiling?"
Casper smiled, his pearly whites on display. June didn't even know why he bothered asking the 2nd-ranked trainee to demonstrate a smile. It was obvious that he would be good at it! He had even starred in a toothpaste commercial before entering 'Rising Stars.'
June sighed, feeling pressured. However, he was sure that Daeho would have a pretty awkward smile like himself. The trainee didn't seem like a smiley person, so June hoped that he had someone he can practice smiling with.
"You try," he instructed.
Daeho, although a little bit confused, followed June's instruction. He didn't show his teeth like Jangmoon and Casper but it still looked natural.
"Not you, too!" June said, feeling defeated.
"You try it too, big bro," Jangmoon chimed.
June felt his heart race inside his chest. He didn't know why he was so nervous. There wasn't anything to be nervous about!
June had a great smile. He even looked handsome in the photo Choi Pablo took!
However, smiling during a performance was something he was unfamiliar with. In the video of the K-pop group they watched just a while ago, the members were smiling for a whole three minutes. That in itself was already a challenge for June.
However, he knew that this was a challenge he needed to overcome. He thought about the comments that questioned his versatility and was determined to prove them wrong.
So, with a heavy sigh, he faced the mirrors.
June's lips slowly curved into a smile, then he turned to the side to show the smile to his teammates.
The three of them looked at him blankly.
"What's wrong?" June asked when they didn't speak.
"Bro, were you Jeff the Killer in your past life?" Jangmoon asked.
"Dude, no homo, you're a very handsome guy," Daeho said. "But your smile is…questionable."
June turned to Casper, who had never insulted him up to this day. "What do you think?"
"Umm, was that a smile?"
