Interlude: Band Name

THE atmosphere in the practice room was really thick. Minjeong was looking at everyone as if she said something that offended even their ancestors. 

“What’s wrong—”

“Please, Minjeong.” Seungwan shut her up by grabbing something in the air. “Enough of your weird band names. It’s not even funny.”

“Who said I am trying to make you guys laugh? I am very serious!” Minjeong appealed. Her lying symptoms didn't appear which made it worse. Seungwan had to massage her temples. “What’s wrong with Roberto and Friends? It’s the name of my guitar and his friends are your instruments so—”

“Minjeong, please…” Yujin placed a hand on the accountant’s shoulder. “We’re also serious here. Roberto and Friends will never be our band name.”

“But Yujin—”

“Stop.” Everyone flinched when Joohyun finally spoke. Her brows were meeting, her eyes closed as she tried to think of a better band name than Roberto and Friends. “I will not permit that silly name to be our band name.”

“Silly name!?” Minjeong fell dramatically to her knees after being struck by thunder. 

Joohyun just shook her head before letting out a deep sigh. “Don’t you guys have any band name when you performed during your college days?”

Yujin’s shoulders dropped. “Well… We were only active for a year so we didn’t bother to think of a band name.”

That’s right. Seulgi and Seungwan were already in their final year in university when Yujin and Minjeong came as freshmen together with their original rhythm guitarist. Their band was basically established by Sooyoung as she was their main vocalist. Sooyoung was a sophomore back then. 

“How did you even get presented in festivals then?” The young director asked but didn’t wait for the answer, thinking that it was hopeless. “We just have to think of a good band name. I’m sorry, I am not sorry about not giving Roberto and Friends a chance.”

Minjeong stood up and walked like a zombie and faced the naughty corner. She really thought that the name was really good. 

“Kang-daeri?” Joohyun called. “Do you have anything in mind?”

But Seulgi didn’t answer. Her thoughts were in another dimension. Seungwan gave the girl a kick in the shoe which brought her back to reality. Seulgi turned to her best friend, obviously asking her what’s up and Seungwan pointed at Joohyun’s way by wiggling her eyebrows.

Seulgi almost fell from her seat when she saw Joohyun glaring at her. “S-Sorry, Director. I-I was just—”

“Which game character are you thinking about right now?”

“H-How did you—AHH!”

Seulgi was thankful she was born with such good reflexes that she managed to avoid the pack of wet wipes that Joohyun threw at her. “You better focus on this meeting! This is very important. This is how you guys will be presented to the whole country!”

The young director crossed her arms. “And what if the competition also gains the attention of worldwide viewers. You don’t want to be called Roberto and Friends by the whole world, do you?”

Minjeong coiled into her place and started weeping.

“S-Sorry, Director. I will focus now.” Seulgi straightened her back. 

“You better be.” Joohyun gave her a bombastic side eye before tearing her eyes from her. “Now, the table is open for better suggestions.”

The whole room went quiet again. It was so quiet that they could hear Minjeong’s soft sobs.

“Should we ask Minjoo?” 

Yujin’s suggestion was immediately passed by Joohyun. It didn’t take long before Minjoo arrived at the practice room. She was surprised at how down the atmosphere was. Yujin explained to her what’s going on and she was even more surprised.

“Don’t you guys remember, you had a band name!”

Everyone was shocked with that statement from Minjoo. Minjeong rose from the dead and joined them in their mini meeting circle. 

“We had a band name?” Seungwan asked. 

“I can’t believe you all forgot about it.” Minjoo placed her bag on the sofa. “It was shortcut48!”

Everyone in the circle froze with smiles on their faces. Minjoo was waiting for their reaction but her eyes widened when they all went back to facing each other in their mini circle, looking all gloomy again.