The others were already seated around a table, Kikwang and Junhyung quietly discussing something with Doojoon. Yoseob and a boy named Dongwoon were playing a game with their fingers and slapping each other’s hands every few seconds. Hyunseung froze just inside the doorway, staring at them all with large eyes that gave away far too much evidence of his nerves. 

 

Were they eliminating him without even letting him audition for a group?! Why were Yoseob and the others here? Were all of them being eliminated from the trainee program? 

 

“Yah, hyung, over here!” 

 

Hyunseung’s attention was drawn from his uneasy thoughts to Yoseob. The younger boy was positively writhing in excitement in his seat, gesturing quickly for Hyunseung to sit beside him. Doojoon put a gentle but restraining hand on his shoulder and Yoseob’s eager wriggling calmed somewhat, but it was obvious that he wouldn’t be able to hold still.

 

Following Yoseob’s insistent gesturing, he slowly moved to sit in the final chair and focused his gaze intently on the manager. 

 

“Are we in trouble?” Kikwang asked, startling Hyunseung in his seat as the doe-eyed boy heard him speak.

 

The manager who’d come to find Hyunseung didn’t bother to take a seat, standing by the end of the table instead. He shook his head and looked at Kikwang. “The company has decided that the six of you will debut as a group.”

 

Dongwoon fell out of his chair.

 

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