He stood in the centre of the practice room. He hid his hands behind his back. His head hung low, not brave enough to look at us in the eyes. I could tell he was nervous as hell. 

Manager hyung gathered us together last night, "The Trainee Department had an audition last week and we got an addition to the group."

The CEO once told us, that our team would have ten members. We were only nine so we needed one more but he wouldn't pick from existing trainees. He wanted a fresh pick, like me. "He is from one of the big three companies and he's good and handsome. I'm envy." We bursted into laughter. "Do him nice okay? So he will feel welcomed."

We shouted together out loud. So loud, "Yes hyung!" The perks of having lots of members in you team. 

"Hello? Don't you want to say something?" Hwitaek broke the silence. He was surprised by the high-pitched voice. He looked up and smiled. He was nervous and waited for someone to ask him something. 

"Yes! Hello everyone! My name is Yang Hongseok! Please take care of me well!" Said the new boy. Yang Hongseok is his name.

"Welcome to the team Hongseok-ah! I'm Hwitaek, team's leader. This is Jinho hyung, the oldest." Hwitaek put his arm around my shoulder and introduced the rest of the members.

"Nice to meet you everyone. I was born on 14 of April in 1994."

"No way." I said interupting him. He looked at me right away, confused. "14th April you say?" Hongseok nodded. 

"Whoa daebak! He has same birthday with Jinho hyung!" Kino said excitedly, "Aries buddies?" He wided his eyes and my eyes was still on him. I gave him more like a grin than a smile. I got so excited to know someone shared same birthday with me and we would be in the same team. I couldn't wait to know more about Yang Hongseok. 

--

Yang Hongseok was a quite kid. He didn't talk much around us, but he was always with Hyojong. They seemed close or was it because they had same age. 

I put my shoes on and went to company building to practice in the vocal room. As I stepped out of the elevator, I heard someone singing a ballad. When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars. I walked towards the room quietly, didn't want to disturb the other boy. I took a peak from the window, it was Hongseok.

He kept on singing before he saw me. Then he smiled and told me to come in. I joined him in the vocal room. 

"How long have you been here?" I asked. 

"Not long. You often come here to practice hyung?"

"Yes. Everyday." I nodded. I took a seat next to him. Something I'd been dying to ask him, should I? "Hongseok-ah, I heard you are from one of the big three companies, is that true?" This curiousity killed me. 

"Yes." He said as he laughed it off. "Not for long terms though. I heard you are from one too."

"Is that a question or a statement like you actually already know, but you just make sure?"

"Statement."

"Hyojong must have told you."

"Then it's true. You're from SM The Ballad! No wonder you look familiar."

This time I was the one who laughed, "I look familiar? You know SM The Ballad?"

"Of course! You guys are legends!" He said excitedly. "If I were you, I wouldn't be able to stay for that long hyung."

"Yeah, I'm still holding onto my dream since I was young. A dream I don't think I can't ever let go." I smiled. "What about you? You said you trained in the previous company not for a long term? Why did you move?"

"I was kicked out." That caught me off guard. "I was in a survival show, if you ever watched it, made by the company. In that show, a group was about to debut but they needed more additions. I was one of the candidates. We trained everyday from dawn to morning. But I was not a perfect type for the group. I was eliminated."

"Whoa.. I mean, okay you're not their ideal type for the group. But kicking you out of the company? Whoa..." I couldn't believe it. He must feel so hurt. 

He laughed, "That's okay hyung. I don't fit in there either. So I'm still really glad to join you and the other members." He looked at me assuring. At that moment, it felt like I was the one who got kicked out not him. "You're the one who've been training for over 6 years. Or is it 7 years now? You're amazing."

"Stop talking about that. I know more people who've trained longer than me." My thought was constantly thinking about the friends I knew and shared the same training days with me.

"Why did you move to our company hyung?"

"My contract was expired. They offered me to stay, and renew the contract. So I had to wait for them to debut new group. But I thought it was enough there. I didn't feel I belonged there anymore. So I decided to move company. I was a vocal trainer here you know, as a starter. But the staff asked me to be a trainee instead." I turned my head to Hongseok and he looked so serious listening to my story. I smiled, "I know I'm too old to debut as idol around this year. But I can't just give up everything  I've been dreaming since I was a kid. And I'm here."

He looked at me with opened. I flicked his forehead to snap him out of it. "Would you want to teach me how to sing hyung?"

"So sudden?" I gave him stop-joking-around look. "You sing well Hongseok-ah. I heard you before."

"Yes. I can sing, but you have full control of your voice hyung. You never sound off pitch either. Come on~" Yang Hongseok just did aegyo and cling on to my arms. 

I laughed as I push him away slowly, "Alright, alright. We'll start with basic technic."

And we spent the rest of day practicing our vocals. I felt much closer to Hongseok than before. 

---

Hello readers! This is my very first story on Asianfanfics. You can call me Tale and I hope you enjoy reading them :"") Wish to get as many feedbacks or comments! I also want to make as many friends here hehe thank youuuu