“Aish, this is so tough!” Jaejoong complained as he flopped down on the floor beside Heechul and Jongwoon, who were watching the other trainees with detached interest.

“There’s a reason why we are not in Class A, Jaejoongie.” Heechul did not even bother to turn to look at Jaejoong while replying him.

“I know! But still, look at Yunho and Junsu! We’re all learning the same choreography and techniques but why do they seem like they’re dancing a different dance from us?” Jaejoong continued grumbling as he looked at both the men who were currently, unknowingly, putting on a performance for the three lazy bums sitting down.

“It’s a wonder you even managed to keep it up for so long,” Jongwoon remarked. “Weren’t you up till two last night because you were working in that coffee-shop around the corner?”

“How many part-time jobs do you have, seriously?” Heechul asked. “And how do you even find the time to work part-time, I don’t know. I’m so bushed after each training that I can barely make it home before I collapse.”

“Hyung, you can’t ask that!” Jongwoon winced at the slightly impolite question that had been asked.

Jaejoong thought of his family in Gongju, and the tiny apartment in Seoul that he was currently renting, where the rent was paid out of his own pocket because his family could not even afford to send money to him in Seoul. He thought of how he donated his blood last week just to get the free cookies that were supposed to be a reward for a good deed, of how he had been selling candies outside the supermarket near his rented apartment in the morning because he had been lagging behind on his rent. Knowing that other trainees were well aware of his plight and that Heechul had meant no harm, he pasted a smile on his face, not wanting others to worry about him.

“Hey, speaking of jobs, I just got my new hairdressing license yesterday! Does anyone here want a free haircut, courtesy of Kim Jaejoong?” Jaejoong tried to brighten the slightly awkward atmosphere.

“Uhhhh, I would really like to volunteer to be your guinea pig, but look at my glorious hair now!” As if to prove his point, Heechul flipped his hair and hurriedly turned to look at Jongwoon. “What about you? Think about it, if he really debuts in the future, you can brag to others that you got your hair cut by the famous Kim Jaejoong!”

“But….” Jongwoon trails off as he catches the meaningful look Heechul is shooting at him. “Weeeell, I guess it couldn’t hurt.” He shrugs and smiles at Jaejoong.

“Great! Let’s use one of the dressing rooms, I’ll check if one is available!” Jaejoong visibly brightens and bounds out of the room in search of a dressing room.

It is at that point where Yunho promptly plops on the floor, occupying the space that Jaejoong had left empty.

“Hey, what were you guys talking about?” Yunho enquired curiously.

“Nothing much, Jaejoongie was just jealous of your amazing dancing skills.” Heechul smiled mischievously.