she’s got enough bows and satin to be an entire christmas present, but she’ll admit to the fact she feels pretty good about herself at the moment. sure, she’s recycling a costume, but she’s a girl on a budget who gave up the prospect of proper adulthood for a chance at a pipe dream, so really people should have lower expectations from her.
she knows she could have, should have, gone with something more understated or more aesthetic or something that would read as trendy and instagram chic. instead, she’s an anime character from her childhood. but like, isn’t that the point of halloween? it’s not like she’s wearing this out to the itaewon clubs (she would never). it’s a company party. if she can’t show off that she’s a good sport for costuming, for themes, for being a little bit over the top in this context, how is she ever going to prove to them she could be an idol? they’ll end up in weirder outfits at one point or another, she’s sure.
besides, she loves sailor moon.
and she looks damn good, too, she thinks, in slinky boots and a fluttery blue skirt, the white top fit tight to her form and the ever-so-slight schoolgirl accenting to the costume giving it that kitchy sexed up halloween flair that young adulthood is so known for.
plus, hime had agreed to play along.
she finds the other girl as she enters the party, a laugh on her lips as she grabs her by both hands, leans back to make a show of examining her. “you look absolutely brilliant,” she tells her, her lips pulling into something heart shaped and sweet, full of an enthusiasm that perhaps does not often flutter over her features. but it’s a night to be a bit happy, a bit giddy, she thinks. “did you bring props?” she adds curiously, grinning at her own expense to add, “i thought about it but honestly i figured i’d just get annoyed trying to keep up with a wand or whatever,” she admits, cheek dimpling with the half-slanted grin that follows the words. hooking an arm through her’s she adds, “have you been here long? can i get you a drink?”
Guess who it is? ~~~~ Yup, yup, it’s LGC’s very own Hime! Did you all enjoy the concert as much as I did? I sure hope you did! It was a great honor to get to perform with all my seniors and fellow trainees, and especially in front of you guys! I can’t wait to get to see you all again very soon. ♡
"oh, hello," king says as soon as he notices the camera in front of him. he walks up to it, his big eyes staring at his reflection in the lens. he fixes his hair and offers a playful smile before his attention is demanded somewhere else. he might be tall but there's something childish about his demeanor and it betrays his real age. he can try to look manly on stage as much as he wants, but he's only twenty years old and it shows at times like these. he decided to enter alone. chenglei isn't on the show to begin with so it would feel wrong to pair himself up with any other guy. not that he dislikes them all, only a few, but they're not exactly his best friends. the only people he'd walk on set with are hime and miso and unfortunately that's not possible.
his heart races in his chest, but it's a mix of nerves and excitement. the latter is much stronger. he can't wait to find out what the set looks like, who's already there. after so many years in the company, he knows most faces but doesn't pay much attention to the newest additions. future dreams might be an opportunity to get to know the junior trainees. some who are, funnily enough, older than him. king isn't the slighest bit intimidated. he knows his strengths and how to play them in his favor. he knows he'll place high in this competition. there's no other option.
he waits for the queue from the staff and takes his first steps onto the main set. it's impressive, he must say. it even shows on his face as he looks all the way to the top of the pyramid. he bows his head to the contestants already seated, but his attention is soon captured by the first seat once again. that's the spot he wants. that's the spot he deserves. no one has claimed it yet so who will. jaesun? hyunjin?
the king, of course.
he looks triumphant as he walks up to his assigned seat. the top of the pyramid. and it's even more of a delight to see himeko climb all the way up as well. he's disappointed for miso though, who he thinks deserves a much higher spot simply for existing. but of course she retains her usual mysterious expression. no one would know if she's the least bit affected. it's weird to look onto the set from high up, but he feels at ease on his throne. clinging to it should prove to be a real challenge but he'll try.
why did you join the show?
"quite simply, i'm ready for it." king says on a tone that leaves very little room for doubt. "i've been waiting more than four years for an opportunity like this. there's just no way i'll let it slide. i build up my skill and i feel like it's at a level where i can proudly show it off to the public."
did you expect to rank first?
he smiles. "honestly? yes. i don't mean to be arrogant!" he laughs, almost cutely. but anyone who knows him would see right through him. of course he's bragging. "it's not that i think no one else deserves it. but i'm one of the most senior trainees here so it comes with the burden of doing well. the company has invested in me all these years. i need to repay that trust and do well. i'd be surprised to rank first only if i didn't think i deserved it."
Yes, he acknowledged, eyes still glued to the mirror. Yonghwa waited for the guilt to flood in like a tidal wave and when it never came, he found himself surprisingly calm. Perhaps that stubborn, virtue clinging part of him had finally come to accept the truth - that everyone was a sinner, and out of all the wrong he had to embrace in order to survive in this industry, this one was his favorite.
Himeko took him shopping and while he protested initially, they ended up going anyway. He told her he’ll clean up the clothes after so she could return them but was secretly glad when she refused and insisted on gifting him the items. Yonghwa made a mental note that he owed her one, that once he made money he would make sure to buy her something pretty in return and pass it along with a homemade bouquet of flowers.
From a distance, perhaps he would look the same. White top, black pants, that seemed like what he would usually wear. The difference was in the details and texture. Yonghwa’s top was made out of beautiful white silk that Himeko picked out. It gave a subtle sheen under the light and felt wonderfully soft against his skin. For the pants, the sales associate asked him questions and took measurements and after half an hour of hard work, found him pants that fit perfectly. He never realized the difference between pants that fit and pants that fit him until this day, it was almost embarrassing.
Himeko found him shoes and after much consideration, Yonghwa took her advice but chose a darker color so he could wear them with multiple different outfits. Chances are, those shoes were going to be the shoes for interviews/important events.
Yes, this dinner was an important event and Yonghwa hoped other trainees were aware of that. This was an opportunity to network, to put advice in their heads and potentially business cards in their pockets. Successful idols had connections and with a few whispers in the right ears, doors that would be otherwise shut might slide open an inch.
Yonghwa didn’t want to look like he dressed up, and his outfit did look fairly casual even though it was significantly more expensive. He ran a finger across his brows to redefine their arches and dabbed on a tiny bit of tint to enhance the natural pink of his lips. His fellow trainees might recognize the effort since he wasn’t wearing 4.99USD shirts, but to the idols, he shouldn’t be over the top.
The dinner was surrounded by friendly vibes and cheery laughter. Yonghwa’s smile was vibrant as ever as he conversed with those at his table. He refilled everyone’s glass diligently, both for the idols and fellow trainees. He spoke with everyone and made sure to get a few sentences even with dear King whom he still had no fondness for. Of the idols, his focus was on two of the girls - Haemi and Hanui.
Haemi was chatty and played into his charisma. Between jokes and casual exchanges of their past, Yonghwa was able to learn about the woman’s success in dramas, variety shows, and commercials. Since he was a former model interested in pursuing some acting projects in preparation for his old age (meaning 30), Yonghwa dipped deeper into those topics. Haemi seemed willing to help and gave him plenty of information about which pds he should stay away from. You know, the creepy ones that would invite an oblivious soul for a personal photoshoot and ask them out for dinner afterward.
Hanui, initially less chatty, loosened up when she was on her third glass. Her eyes darkened with mischief at one point as she spilled the tea on some of the other idols’ private relationships. Yonghwa wasn’t into celebrity gossip but was still surprised to hear Bae Siwoo and Seo Hanuel of DBSD were both in relationships. Siwoo, the leader, was apparently dating the very popular actress called Fujimori Dai while Hanuel the main dancer was with Nishino Aimi, a Japanese idol. How interesting that best friends and popular ship, Hanwoo of DBSD, both had a taste for Japanese women.
Hanui, for the most part, treated Yonghwa like an older sister. When she started talking about how some idols secretly had shitty personalities and that he should be wary if he was fans of them, he decided it was time to return her kindness. “Actually, noona, I am a huge fan of you only~ Should I still be careful?” He grinned, playing into the cute little brother role that she seemed to have labeled him. It worked and Hanui laughed, jokingly telling him that he should indeed!
The conversation was then led down a different direction and Yonghwa inwardly sighed of relief. This was a company dinner, but they were still in public. He didn’t want Hanui to name drop other idols and bad mouth them, just in case someone was listening. The young woman was relaxed, having a drink, and he would feel bad if she revealed more than she wanted to under the influences, especially if he was the one engaged in the conversation with her.
Anyway, he’d learned enough. This was enough information for him to mull over for a while.
––– BRUISED ... AGAIN « @lgchime » - based off #2.
clumsy can be one way to describe jaesun. well, thankfully, he’s not as clumsy on the stage, but somehow, when doing simple things such as walking, he often trips over himself. usually, he catches himself, but somehow today, things don’t work in his favor. perhaps it’s the lack of sleep that causes him to cause more damage to himself than normal.
because before he knows it, he’s falling forward. his hands reach out to break his fall ( thankfully the ground isn’t nearly as hard as he imagines it to be ), but it still hurts. he tries to move to get up quickly, but there’s a small pain that hits him and as he looks up, he realizes that he’s not the only one in this hallway. “uh ... hi,” he notes, wishing he could just vanish into thin air.
Yahoo, everyone!! Did you watch the first episode of Future Dreams? I hope you did because it’s going to get even more interesting soon! Don’t forget to vote for your personal Hime, mm? I’ll always do my best to show you my best side! ♡
