Falling for the Omega Idol

THE second team for [Right on Time] was good too, but not quite at the same level as Robin’s team. If Haneul had to compare, Robin’s team had stronger technical execution. Their movements were cleaner, their timing more precise. Still, both performances were fun to watch.

Dyna praised both teams for their performances. She had a few small notes here and there, but nothing major. Mostly, she seemed satisfied with what they had shown her.

And then, finally, it was Haneul’s team’s turn. The four of them got up from their seats. As they started walking toward the stage, Eunwoo turned to look at them.

"Don’t overthink it, just dance like we did in practice," he said with a small smile. "We’ve got this."

Suho, who had been looking visibly nervous, seemed to relax a little. While Jeon Hyunsik just nodded, a smile on his face that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Haneul raised his fist and gave a small pump. "Fighting!"

The four of them walked toward the stage alongside the other team that had picked the same song. Once all eight were on stage, Dyna said a few words before Haneul’s team moved to the side. They would perform the second half of the song, so the other team would go first.

Once the music started, the first group began their performance. Haneul watched from the side of the stage. He’d already seen their choreography before, so he had little to say about it. It might appear arrogant, but he honestly thought their group’s choreography was better. Okay, maybe there was a bit of bias in that. But no one else was going to hear his thoughts anyway, so who really cared.

When the chorus came, their team moved smoothly onto the stage and joined the other group in dancing the chorus together.

***

The rehearsal wrapped up just before lunch. Dyna told everyone good luck for tomorrow’s live performance and said she’d be watching once the episode aired. Then she left. Almost all the contestants made their way to the dining hall after that.

Haneul looked around and quickly spotted Robin. The other happened to glance his way at the same time, then made a gesture that Haneul took as asking if he wanted to eat together. He gave a quick nod, and when Robin stopped walking, Haneul figured he’d guessed right.

He turned to his teammates and gave them an apologetic look. "Sorry, I’m going to have lunch with Robin hyung."

Ever since this dance mission started, their team had been having lunch together. It was meant to be a bonding thing, to build better teamwork. Haneul had no problem spending time with Eunwoo and Suho. He actually enjoyed their company. But Jeon Hyunsik? Not so much. He couldn’t wait for this mission to end so he wouldn’t have to keep spending time with the other.

Jeon Hyunsik looked like he was about to ask if he could join them. Haneul could tell just from his expression. But before he could say anything, Eunwoo spoke up.

"Go ahead," Eunwoo said with a smile.

Haneul turned quickly before Jeon Hyunsik could say anything. He hurried over to where Robin was and fell into step beside him.

"You look like you’re running from an axe murderer," Robin said, a grin tugging at his lips.

"I might as well be," Haneul muttered under his breath.

Robin had a feeling there was more to Haneul’s words. He glanced back toward Haneul’s teammates and noticed one of them still staring at Haneul’s back. His expression tightened. He lowered his voice and asked, "Is someone on your team giving you trouble?"

Haneul let out a sigh. "Let’s head to my cabin after lunch and I’ll explain everything. That is, if your team doesn’t have practice?"

"We don’t have practice," Robin said. "Our team decided to take the rest of the day off. So yeah, I’ll be free to hang out in your cabin later."

His own team had the same arrangement, which was why he’d asked Robin over. He couldn’t exactly talk about Jeon Hyunsik with cameras everywhere. At least in his cabin, they’d have some privacy. They could complain about Jeon Hyunsik all they wanted once they were there.

They reached the dining hall and got in line to grab food. Haneul and Robin talked while they waited, mostly catching up on what they’d been doing during the past few days. Haneul couldn’t say much without bringing up Jeon Hyunsik’s creepiness, so he kept his stories focused on Eunwoo instead, talking about how great of a leader he was.

Finally, it was their turn to get food. The menu today was more western than usual. There were burgers, fries, a salad bar, mac and cheese, and slices of pizza lined up on trays. It looked like the staff was giving them a treat for all the hard work leading up to tomorrow’s live performance. Haneul picked up a burger with a side of fries and added a small bowl of mac and cheese to his tray.

After Robin put food on his tray, they both looked for an empty table. It wasn’t hard to find one now that there were only forty of them left. Haneul picked a spot toward the back, away from the entrance, just in case Jeon Hyunsik spotted him and thought about joining them. They set their trays down and slid into their seats.

Haneul picked up a fry and took a bite. It was crispy, just the way he liked them. He was about to reach for his burger when a familiar voice spoke up behind him.

"Mind if I sit here?"

Haneul looked up and found Taeyang standing next to their table, a tray of food in his hands. A bright smile broke across Haneul’s face before he could stop it.

"Of course," he said, his voice coming out a little too eager that almost made him cringe at the end.

His face flushed when he saw the amused look on Taeyang’s face, making him feel even more awkward.