kang daniel

i couldn't stop myself from smiling.

perhaps that's why i never thought on auditioning to fantagio, as i definitely have no experience on acting, especially the ability to keep a straight face. luckily, the producers were much more interested on filming the current trainees who have moved to the b class, and that brought me relief as i couldn't keep myself from feeling so hyper.

what's with all the hype, you might ask?

it's all because of the big 'A' that is written on my letter.

my letter.

the new trainees who have transferred to the b class are coincidentally boys who i always wanted to befriend with. yoon heeseok, the jellyfish trainee, with shoulders that could perhaps be my biggest threat, and honey vocals that brings life to it's me. kim jonghyun, the leader of nu'est who keeps himself unnoticed and reserved yet still participates in the main activities. park jihoon, the pretty boy that is most likely to catch the audience attention once the ranks are announced.

then there's takada kenta, the kid from japan who somehow took a leapt to b class and showed his gratitude with a respectful bow that looked rather comical than phrased with emotions. he applies a striking grin on his face, bringing a resounded atmosphere to the group.

i noticed kenta. he's the kid who never stops clinging unto ong (or whether it's the other way around, i have no idea) and is actually a pretty great dancer for a once c-rank. he performed sayonara hitori for his audition and it really captivated the judges in a clairvoyant way. i might take a big risk to befriend him if i am desperate.

"it's time for the transferring trainees from b class to proceed to their new classes." kahi announces, a slight quirk appears on her lips. i looked around just to notice that no one was getting up. "come on, just reveal yourselves."

lee woojin stood up. youngmin, dongsu, and gwanghyun stood up too. i was up to congratulate them, but as we do not know what exactly did they get, i guess it's better for me to stay quiet. jung sewoon, who is apparently sitting next to me, reaches his hand to mine. "congratulations, hyung. a-class must be nice."

i raise an eyebrow. ".. how did you know?"

he shrugs. "just a guess. you're a talented specimen."

"you peeked on my letter, did you?"

"you know me so well."

i grin and gave him a pat on his back. "see you soon, ponyo." i plead softly as i followed the others. before leaving, i took the chance to say goodbye to the remaining trainees in b class (though we'd only be two doors away from each other) and talk to the other trainees who are about to take my place in b class from now on. i went to the recessive-colored trainees and greeted them politely.

"hey, it's the pink hair guy!" the boy from d-class with the name donghan recognizes me immediately. "aren't you harry pott—"

"you talk about that and i swear i'm going to rip your head off." i threaten him with a slight tone of humor on my voice.

he chuckles. "wow, avada kedavra me, then." his eyes loiters at letter on my hand. "i guess you had wingardium leviosa'd your way to a-class."

i raise an eyebrow. "how did you know?"

"someone like you can't possibly get below b, that's for sure."

"you're creepy." i bite my lips. "i wish to see you more."

the boy has a light smirk on his face that is mesmerizing. yet another pinteresting trainee that passed b-class after i left, shame. i could imagine me teasing him 24/7 and immediately shut up after he brings up the 'harry potter' card.

the next kid is park jihoon, apparently the king of visuals. no one saw him as a threat nor no one finds him incredible, but i have a feeling  that he's going to captivate the whole nation right after the first episode is broadcasted and perhaps, if he's lucky, adjusts that popularity in a whole different level. i for once have no hope on trying to compete with him.

"congratulations, jonghyun-ssi." i proceed to the next trainee who sat not too far from donghan.

kim jonghyun is one that i always want to try to get close with, but i never really had the chance. he's known to be very quiet and introverted, but we all know that he has the ability to snap our necks anytime he wants to. he is also known for his patience, but there might be a time when he's going to lose it and i don't want that to come anytime soon.

he smiles warmly and nods. "please, just call me hyung."

my eyes flutter. "how did you,..?"

"jisung-hyung told me about you."

ah, that makes sense. let's just hope that jisung did not spoil anything about me and ong, as this'll probably going to be the most awkward situation i've ever had if he did. "he mentioned the worst things about me, did he?"

"he boasts about the good things. he loves you so much." jonghyun's eyes brighten. the look on his face is so pure and sincere, you'd question why'd anyone let him face the exasperation he had been experiencing for 5 years. "i saw him getting into d-class before I left. not that big of an accomplishment, but at least now he gets to have a little vibrant color as his sweater."

i sigh in relief. at least there's one thing that seem to be good about this whole show.!"that's good to know." i wave him goodbye. "see you soon."

takada kenta sits close to the exit, his head rested on jonghyun's shoulder. he immediately got up his short slumber once he notices my presence. his eyes flutter. "ah, you! you—" his words were cut by an unexpected sneeze.

jonghyun checks if he's okay. "ah sorry, he's been sick these days." jonghyun mumbles quietly, slowly stroking kenta's hair.

i nod. "do you want me to call a medic or something?"

"no, i'm fine." kenta rubs his nose carelessly before responding. "you.." his eyes delineate. he points at me with his index finger. "since when did you start dating ong seongwoo?"

i couldn't believe what i'm hearing. does he know? i arch an eyebrow. "i'm sorry..?"

"i'm serious! since when did you start dating him?"

".. how did you know?"

jonghyun laughs slightly and puts his hand on kenta's shoulder. "i'm sorry, but i think he means to ask 'since when did you befriend ong seongwoo', at least that sounds more acceptable."

kenta looks at jonghyun cluelessly. "what's the difference?"

i guess jonghyun was used to kenta's confusion on korean vocabulary. "well, befriend means having a relationship in a friendly way where dating is.." he pauses. "a more sexual and intimate relationship."

"so like, boyfriend-girlfriend?"

jonghyun nods. his eyes shift to me questioningly. "i'm sorry, but i recalled you asking, how did you know?"

shit, that was a stupid move. stupid me, of course kenta had troubles on choosing the right words; why did i even think that he knows about it? now jonghyun could throw suspicions at me and ong. well, i actually did expect that he'd know about it sooner than anyone else as he's also known as an observer, but i did not plan on giving him a headstart.

i irk a smile. "you must've misheard."

"... yeah, i must've."

"so!" kenta jumps back into the conversation, startling the both of us. "when did you start 'i-don't-know-how-to-pronounce-what-jonghyunie-just-said-but-i-mean-by-that' ong seongwoo?"

i shrug. "we're not that close, actually."

"really? because ong sure does examine you quietly." kenta occludes, and I feel like that's information ong didn't want me to know. "and that's hyung for you, pink guy."

"i'm sorry," i apologize shortly before realizing the context of his words. "wait, how did you know i'm younger than you?"

"you call ong 'hyung', i'm the same year as him. calculations done."

i don't know what's scarier: the fact that a person like takada kenta is yet somehow older than me, or the fact that ong seongwoo still takes time to examine me in somewhat way.

"kang daniel–ssi!" kahi calls out from the edge of the room, and me completely the forgetting the fact that she was still here the whole time.

i turn around. "yes, sunbaenim?"

"you better get to the a-class fast, your friends are waiting for you."

"ah, yes. sorry." i was too busy talking that i did not notice that the other transferring b trainees have already proceed to their assigned classes except for me.

the other boys are surprised by the sudden reveal of my received rank. they gave me a round of applause and some cheered for me, saying that they expect that this would come. i personally do not feel the same (as i feel like my performance was somehow not my best) but i am extremely grateful that they said so. jonghyun congratulated me with a delighted grin, and kenta seemingly looked as if he's also happy for me. it's hard to read his feelings. "congrats, you're now about to see ong-ie more often."

and when kenta said that, i braced myself to the biggest page turner.

ong is in a-class.

and i don't think he's going to leave that rank either. his worst would probably be the best for most trainees, so that explains everything. besides, i avoided myself from interacting with a-ranks because of him, why am i now engrossing myself closer to him?

it was like he's positive and i'm negative, we'd never stop pulling ourselves closer to each other.

i left the room feeling dumbfounded. the a-class is only two doors away.

i must keep myself unattached.

—

for those who read 'dare', i'm gonna update it soon so pls bare with me