Curtain Call

Jongwoon observes the groups from the wings, watching as they chat and say their final farewells.

Two months. It felt like it had barely been half that since his proposal had been accepted by the board. Less since the show had actually started.

And yet here they are, the curtains closed and the show finished. And Jongwoon feels hollow.

There's a warmth at his back, and then a hand on his shoulder. "You're doing it again."

He smiles. "Doing what?"

Gikwang frowns down at him. "You know exactly what I mean Jongwoon. Getting lost in your own head, overthinking things. You did a good job."

Jongwoon hums faintly. He knows logically that Gikwang is correct. But still.

"I wish we could have shown more."

"It wouldn't have been ethical. You already pushed some limits with the sleeping restrictions imposed." Gikwang points out.

It takes most of Jongwoon's energy then not to lean back completely onto his roommate. Image needs to be maintained and he still has a promotion to worry about. He can't afford rumors right now. Tempting as it is.

Gikwang perhaps senses the shift in mood from the smaller man and he takes a step away, just in time for Jisoo to bounce over, grinning happily.

"Hey! Did you guys get to watch us kick up there?"

Jongwoon is immediately back in professional mode, and he flashes a grin. "You better believe it! You guys were fantastic!"

Gikwang nods with more reservation. "You did well." He acknowledges.

Jisoo grins and spins around to face Eunchan, who's come up behind her. "See? They agree that we did better!"

"That is not what I said." Gikwang points out mildly, but Eunchan has eagerly taken the bait and the two are playfully bickering before anything else can be said.

Nearby, Akihiro watches the two youngest contestants banter and frowns.

This experience hadn't been one he'd wanted in the first place. He was here because of Sarang. He'd known that from the begining.

But watching Eunchan and Jisoo giggling, he wonders if maybe he'd focused on the wrong thing during the show. He can hear Giri and Myunghwa sharing stories in an attempt to ward off the final goodbyes, and beyond them he hears Jinyi's distinct laughter accompanied by Hanhae's voice. Probably flirting again.

He sighs. At least the performance itself went well.

After another moment of listening in on the other's farewells, Akihiro decides to slip back to the changing room. He's ready to go home.

Giri sees Akihiro leaving from the corner of her eye, but she gultily finds she can't bring herself to care much. As nice as he is, Akihiro had always been on the outskirts of the participants, and right now the psychologist is more concerned with talking to Myunghwa.

Though there's nearly ten years between them, and only two months of interactions, Giri considers Myunghwa a good friend already. The younger woman is mature in a way that Giri doesn't see very often and she'd like to experience it a bit longer.

"So you think you'll head straight back home then? Or are you staying in the dorms one more night?"

Myunghwa lives rather far out of the city, and it's nearly dark already. So she shrugs.

"I'm not sure yet. I don't really want to stay there by myself so it will depend a bit on what everyone else is doing."

Giri hums. "Well, I could stay one more night. Or if you wanted we have a guest bedroom if you want to crash there. I'm sure Minjae wouldn't mind." She knows he won't, and a smile makes it's way onto her face. She can't wait to go home to him.

Myunghwa sees the smile and knows exactly what it means. "That's really nice of you to offer Giri, but I'll figure something out. I wouldn't want to intrude on your first night back with your husband."

As if on cue, Hadon appears behind them. "Ooh, planing something steamy?"

Giri is immediately red, and Myunghwa feels a bit bad for the accidental set up. Hadon meanwhile has no remorse for the blushing woman.

Myunghwa gives Giri an apologetic smile before she feels a light tap on her shoulder. She spins to find Woojin standing behind her, stoic as ever.

She never really got to know any of the men other than Hanhae, and even he's more a friend of a friend than someone she knows personally. So Woojin preemptively approaching her takes her by complete surprise.

"Hey." She finally says after what feels like several seconds of awkward silence.

He looks as uncomfortable as she feels, and she wonders why he came over in the first place.

"Um." He shifts, and then clears his throat. "I just wanted to say you did a good job."

Myunghwa isn't sure how to respond beyond a mumbled thanks and what she hopes is a return of the sentiment, even though she hadn't actually seen the guys' performance.

Which actually, makes it odd that Woojin had seen hers. She looks up to ask him how he'd managed that, but the quiet man had already left, surprisingly silent for his height.

However, Hadon is still talking to Giri behind her - and how had she not noticed the friendship there? Had there been a friendship there? - so she decides to ask him.

"Hey Hadon, did you guys get to see our performance?"

He glances up, thinks for a moment, and then shrugs.

"Maybe. I think your performance was being played over the backstage speakers but Hanhae and I were talking." He doesn't bother asking why because honestly he doesn't care. Myunghwa is nice and the question is harmless, so what does it matter to him why she asked it?

But now Giri and Myunghwa are talking again, and Hadon decides it's time to move on to the next person he wants to say goodbye to.

Eunchan and Jisoo are still bickering cheerfully as Hadon approaches them, and he can't believe they managed to become friends over the course of six lunch breaks this week, especially after Jisoo had acted like Eunchan was a pest during the entirety of the show.

But hey, Hadon doesn't question other people's choices. As long as no one is getting hurt, he doesn't really care.

"Channie! Hey I have to head out soon but I wanted to say bye to my fellow island refugee."

Eunchan looks over at him. "You're leaving? But we're allowed to hang out here as long as we want!"

Hadon is touched by how genuinely upset Eunchan sounds, so he gives the kid what he intends to be a reassuring grin. "Hey, when you're back in the city you can come see me beatboxing at night, alright?"

Eunchan frowns, and then seems to come to a decision. A moment later he's wrapped his arms around a startled Hadon, who takes a long moment to return the hug.

Eunchan is glad that he does. He likes leaving people with a feeling of connection - it means they'll remember him longer and possibly be more open to helping him out in the future. And Hadon certainly could be a useful ally once Eunchan properly gets off his island.

He pulls back, grinning. "Well alright, but I'll hold you to that!" He pokes at the older cheerfully and Hadon laughs before nodding a frewell to Jisoo as well, who grins in return.

"See you around stranger."

Eunchan has decided he wants to keep contact with Jisoo as well if at all possible. She likely has connections in the dance world that could be helpful. Plus, if he's being honest, he thinks she's cute.

"And with that I really should get going."

... Damnit.

"Really? So soon? You'd leave me alone with these people?" He's whining a bit but he's pretty sure it's cute.

She makes a face at him. "Somehow I think you'll survive. And I really should do some studying, I'm behind by two months now." She sounds a bit depressed at her last thought, and Eunchan wishes he can think of something to say to make it better, but for once words elude him.

With a last quick smile. Jisoo heads for the door.

She kind of regrets cutting off her conversation with Eunchan - she really had been having fun, but there's truth to her words. It's obvious from what Jiwoo and Nara had told her last week that her parents have no intention of humoring her request to switch majors, so she has a lot of catching up to do before her exams.

She's nearly out the door when Jinyi catches her. "Hey you! Running off before saying goodbye? I'm hurt." She pouts, but just as quickly starts grinning and gives Jisoo a hearty pat on the back.

Jisoo still isn't used to being on friendly terms with the older woman, but she takes it in stride and returns the smile. "Sorry. You looked busy with Hanhae." She raises her eyebrow suggestively and Jinyi barks out a laugh.

"You people thinking flirting equates to romance. I am a happily taken lady I'll have you know."

This is news. "Really? I don't see a ring."

Jinyi shrugs. "We're working on that. But seriously, you looked kind of down in the dumps. I figured I'd use my charms to try and help out." She flashes another grin, and Jisoo rolls her eyes in amusement.

"Sure you did unnie. I'm fine, just settling stress over exams." She's pretty sure she says it in a way that's believable, but Jinyi is staring at her like she sees right through the younger woman.

"Maybe, but my gut says it's more. Did you want to talk about it? It can be helpful to vent frustrations to people you'll never see again - no loss if they think you're crazy." She grins conspiratorially and Jisoo can't help but laugh softly.

What the heck, there isn't any harm.

Jinyi listens quietly as Jisoo vents her frustrations about her family not supporting her dreams of dancing. The baker has had her fair share of customers complaining over the counter about their lives, so it's something she's used to.

She says to Nohee all the time that baking is like running a bar in a lot of ways, only she doesn't have to worry about her customers causing drunk driving accidents on their way home.

Jisoo's problem is one she's heard several times before, and one she understands herself - wanting to please her parents but also wanting to chase her own passions. And she knows the possible consequences of taking the latter path.

So when the dancer finishes, choking a bit on stubbornly unshed tears, Jinyi already has a response ready.

"Which matters more to you?"

Jisoo blinks. "Huh?"

Jinyi looks her right in the eye, putting on her serious face. "Which matters more? Dancing or your family? Which one, in the long run, will make you happier?"

Jisoo hesitates, and Jinyi rests a hand lightly on her shoulder. She gives a reassuring smile when Jisoo looks up at her. "You don't need to know right away. But think about it. When you can answer that, you'll know what to do."

Jinyi can only hope that Jisoo understands as the young woman simply nods quietly and heads for the dressing rooms.

But that's all she can do, and a moment later she's moved on and is looking around the room to see if there's anyone she wants to say goodbye to who she hasn't spoken with yet.

Hanhae and Hadon are still chatting where she left them, Myunghwa and Giri are migrating towards the dressing rooms after Jisoo, and it seems Eunchan and Akihiro have already headed out.

Which leaves...

A light tap on her shoulder startles her more than she cares to admit, and she spins to find the final participant standing behind her, looking uncertain.

"Hey Woojin! I was just looking for you." It's a blatant lie, but it isn't like she's adverse to the idea of bidding farewell to the quiet actor.

So she grins and waits for him to reply, which it takes him a moment to do.

"I just wanted to say you did a good job."

Well that's weird. "Thanks!" Jinyi grins again. "I'll be honest, we didn't get to see your performance since we were getting our mics prepped, but I'll be sure to watch it when it airs this week!"

Woojin nods quietly, and Jinyi decides that that's good enough and turns back to Hanhae, who's wrapped up his conversation with Hadon and is looking over at her as well.

Woojin doesn't mind her diverted attention. He'd been planning to leave once he'd spoken to everyone regardless, and Jinyi had been the last of the participants still in the stage area that he hadn't approached yet.

However, he's stopped by his name being called.

"Come talk with us!" Hanhae grins and waves him over once Woojin has turned around to face him.

Woojin hesitates. Why would he stay? He finished saying goodbye, and he honestly just wants to go home and scream into his pillow for a bit. Two months of constant eyes on him has proven far more than he's equipped to handle.

Conversely, this is Hanhae, the one guy who, amongst all the people he's met during the course of the show, he might possibly slightly consider a friend.

His hesitation lasts just long enough for Hanhae to make the decision for him. Towing Jinyi along behind him, Hanhae strides over to the actor and tosses an arm cheerily over his shoulder.

"Don't tell me you were planning on ditching out so soon! We all live here in the city, we don't have to leave yet!" The blogger points out. "And anyway, I wanted to make you guys an offer."

Jinyi raises an eyebrow. "Why Hanhae I'm flattered, but I'm a taken woman." She jokes, and Hanhae mocks being shot through the heart.

"I'm hurt you would think so low of me as to assume such a thing! Jinyi I thought we were friends, but truly the greatest evils do lie in the greatest of beauties!"

Jinyi laughs. "Alright Romeo, what's the offer?"

Hanhae winks at her. "Well, my blog's following has tripled since the show started-"

"Holy , really?" Jinyi gawks. "I hope the bakery has blown up too!"

"Well that's the offer actually." Hanhae grins. "I want you two to feature on the blog. Woojin you could cover some of the theatre life around the city and Jinyi could feature her baking in her own segment. I couldn't pay you much to start off but if you're interested we can negotiate."

As he'd expected, Jinyi jumps at the offer. Hanhae is glad honestly, Jinyi has been his first really good friend in a while and he's happy he'll get to keep seeing her regularly.

"That sounds awesome! You have my number still right? Oh man I need to call Nohee first though, run it by her."

Hanhae nods in understanding and Jinyi hurries to the side to call her partner.

Woojin is hesitating, as he always does Hanhae notes. He gives the actor a grin.

"I don't need an answer right away but I'd really appreciate the assist if you are interested." Hanhae has just about figured Woojin out. Stay calm and honest and let him come to you.

Woojin reminds him of a kicked puppy sometimes, and right now is definitely one of them, but Hanhae has spotted glimpses of someone else below Woojin's carefully carved exterior, and something tells him that he might be able to help the other reach that inner self. And so he stays calm and honest and hopes that it will be enough.

And he's rewarded by an uncertain nod. "I'll think about it. Sure." He hesitates again, and then asks a question, so quiet Hanhae has to strain a bit to hear it. "Could I bring a friend?"

Hanhae grins. He has him. "So long as they're cute! Here, give me your phone so I can put in my number."

Woojin doesn't resist as Hanhae snags the cell right out of the other's pocket, and Jinyi clearly can't resist making a comment about it as she returns from her call.

"Oh wow, should I have waited another minute?" She teases, and Woojin blushes as Hanhae laughs.

"Nonsense, come join us! The more the merrier I always say." Hanhae replies as he types in his number.

Woojin is absolutely flustered at this point, and Hanhae is glad to see it.

Joining this show may have been a random impulse, but as he hands back Woojin's phone with a wink and request to call soon - earning more joyous teasing from Jinyi - he finds himself immensely glad that he had the impulse at all.

Gikwang watches the three from the wings. Jongwoon had run off to speak with some of the staff members about their new scheduling and had asked him to keep an eye on the stage until the participants had all left.

Personally he just wants to go home, but he's never been very good at saying no to Jongwoon, which is what led him onto the show in the first place.

That said, it has been nice to watch their small group get to know each other and form relationships that will probably affect the rest of their lives. Gikwang knows that he certainly has changed despite being on the sidelines more often than not.

And there is a part of him that will miss it, but a larger part is clamoring to keep moving, to get home and finish the novel that's been sitting on his hard drive for months now.

Finally the three on the stage head back to the dressing rooms, and he receives a wave from Jinyi that he idly returns before himself heading off the stage and towards the parking lot.

He's ready to go home.