Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

the more he look around, the more he's certain that this is the room where he want to end things some times ago but failed

all the memories of his hyung suicide came crashing down

"hyung... what happen to hyung?!" he got up from the floor and just about to step out when he saw snow outside the motel room, snow?

he's pretty sure it was summer... "what... what happen..?" he frantically look around and saw the calendar marks years ago on December, just after his birthday and just after his suicide attempt. 

"no way...." he shake his ominous feeling and run to the hospital where his hyung supposed to be

"excuse me!" he stop right in front of the counter with a ragged breath and hurriedly ask the receptionist

"is there... is there someone named Ryu gunwoo here...?" after back and forth, the lady informed him "there is no patient named Ryu Gunwoo in this hospital, is everything alright..?"

"yes... i'm sorry, but what day is this?" Moondae knows, he knows he's not ready for the answer, but he wanted to know anyway

"today is December 16 20**" the receptionist look confused

He certain now, something abnormal is happening. "i see... sorry to bother you." he bow apologetically and walk outside dazedly, he trip a few times but didn't register it.

he mumbled "6 years ago... i'm back 6 years ago..." 

'this is what people called regressed, right?'

he keep walking until he arrives in front of the place he rented

......

"status window..?" he murmured before he even think about it.

[Name: Park Moondae]

Level : 0

Title: None

Vocal: B (S)

Dance: C (B+)

Visual: C (A+)

Talent: –

Characteristics: i have no idea what to use

"holly shit..." he rub his eyes a few times, he didn't think it will actually appear.

......

'this is an idol status window, isn't..?' Park Moondae decided to go to the karaoke to confirm his thoughts

[Achievement accomplished! <First attempt>]

Level 0 -〉 1

You have obtained 1 point! 

"hahaha..." 

[Achievements in Progress]

10 attempts (0/10)

100 attempts (0/100)

1st experience (0/1)

10 experiences (0/10)

……

"what the hell..?"

[Outbreak!]

Status Abnormality: ‘Debut or Die’!

Text lines continued beneath the red text.

[‘Debut or Die’]

If you don’t debut as an idol within the time limit, you will die.

Remaining period: D-365

he didn't know how long he stay there, he didn't even know when he got out from karaoke.

"ah... so what..? my life are not that important..." he keep murmured, he didn't think he have anything much.

'but, what about Gunwoo hyung? he help us in the past, why don't we help him this time?' his inner thought snap him back to the reality

"Damn it..."

'right, he helped me a lot before, why don't i help him this time?" he clench his fist, this time, he will be the one to help Gunwoo hyung

[Name: Park Moondae]

Level : 0

Title: None

Vocal: B (S)

Dance: C (B+)

Visual: C (A+)

Talent: –

Characteristics: i don't know

!Status abnormality: Debut or die

after standing there a few moments, he decided to look for Ryu Gunwoo, his Hyung.

* * *

my breath were ragged when i stop running, i saw Gunwoo Hyung getting out from the convenience store, he must trying to get drunk again with that many beers.

'Gunwoo hyung... he's alive, he's alive and well..' my eyes got blurry and i hurriedly wipe back my tears before it fall.

"excuse me!" oh no... i call out to him without thinking.

"yes..?" he look so confused, how will i explained?

i just say what i can to make him believe me and i blame my mental state for this, hyung look so terrified after i done talking.

'i shouldn't have said that, i sound like a stalker..'

"Can we talk?"

Hyung, this is not a threat, i swear.

***

Ryu Gunwoo planning to get drunk again today, that is before this kid appear in front of him.

"Excuse me!" Ryu Gunwoo look at him confused, who is this kid?

"yes..?" well, out of politeness, he have to help this kid.

"Ryu Gunwoo, 26 years old, you take idol pictures and sell them, you're the one who take the legendary Youngrin fancam, your account name is Gun123 in youtube..." the kid just casually drop all his information, his number, his address, his collage info.

"what... the fuck?" is all he can say, what else he should do? there's a kid just spilling all his information, he never told anyone, well, that because he don't have anyone.

he don't even know this kid.

Park Moondae saw Ryu Gunwoo clench his fist, he finally seem to realize what he was saying and immediately wanting to explained. "Can we talk?" he tried to look as innocent as possible.

Ryu Gunwoo break down in a cold sweat.

'Is that a threat?'

Chapter Text

they sat in Gunwoo's car in silence for a while. When the silence became unbearable for Gunwoo, he decided to be the one who broke the silence. 

"How'd you -"

"The thing is..-"

"....."

"hyung first..."

'hyung? he referred to me as if we were close.' Ryu Gunwoo sigh, already tired with what he about to hear soon."How did you know all that? i don't remember anything about you. We never even met." He had no intention to beat around the bush and asked the question he kept wondering. 

"Right.. this might sound crazy... but i want you to hear me out first. " Moondae stared right in his eyes, his movement clearly expecting for the worst.

Gunwoo nodded, relief in Moondae eyes seeing that.

"Actually.." He seems conflicted, as if trying to choose a word to say.

"we will meet in the future," he said with a serious look 

"Future? Do you mean now?"

"we actually met in the future, but i regressed and decided to meet you earlier." Gunwoo looks around as if trying to spot any hidden camera

"..."

"Kid, are you okay?" he never looks for a mental hospital, but maybe he should help this kid out.

Park Moondae knows that look, beeing with him for years makes it easy to see it

"i'm telling the truth!" his sudden shout made Gunwoo flinch while covering his ears.

"Sorry..." The more he explained, the more his tibetan expressions changed to bewilderment

"Kid, if i said that to you, will you believe me?" he rub his forehead, already feeling his years getting shorter. Did he look like he was an easy target for this kind of prank? The kid looks so serious about this. He can be a great actor....

"i guess..." Moondae went quiet, trying to collect his mind back.

'Well, this is awkward.' Gunwoo has no idea how he should handle this.

Moondae stepped out from Gunwoo's car. Just before he closed the door, he leaned in and said, "On the near time, there's a fire happening at the restaurant near the campus." He hopes this will prove something to Hyung.

"Also, you should invest some stock." Park Moondae told him some info from the future. If he won't believe him, at least he tried. 

Ryu Gunwoo stares at his retreating figure.

"What the hell was that?" He shook his head and started the car. His plan for getting drunk has to postpone for tonight. 

He's too exhausted for it.

***

"Idiots! Of course, he won't believe that!" Park Moondae curses himself for saying that.

"What the hell am i doing..?" he shouted in frustration, his voice muffled by the pillow.

Moondae kept covering his face, too frustrated to accept it.

"Damn it! He must think that I'm some crazy bastard!" Moondae was thinking how can he make Gunwoo believe him.

His mind kept wondering to his past, and his heart ached at the scene of his hyung suicide attempt. He tried to get the memories out of his head.

'....I would be more worried if he believed it...'

......

'If I'm gonna help hyung, i need to keep living first.' He got up and rummaged through his old stuff.

"Alright... first off, i need to debut.." He collected himself and started planning for the future.

"Idol Inc... that's my first option.." He wrote down all his plan, firstly, he needed a new look. Then, he needs to find a way to get into the program.

'There's a karoake for it, isn’t?' He got up, determined to do it.

"Ughh... let's sleep first.." his fatigue finally reached his limits, and he slept as soon as his head hit the pillow

***

'I got in! Now i just have to practice more!' Moondae can barely contain his excitement. He's glad he won't have to look for another way since this is the easiest way.

Moondae is spending all the time practising and fixing his look.

Although he's getting busy, he keeps thinking about Gunwoo hyung.

Moondae looked outside and mumbled, "Is he alright..?" It's been days since he last saw him.

"Ughh... how should i do this..?" Moondae thinks, what will Gunwoo hyung do if it is him?

He started to practice, he went to karoake, Salon and a good restaurant too some gain weight. 

***

On the evaluation day.

'Oh my gosh... im so nervous. What should I do..?'

"Hello! My name is wongil! What about yours? Hyung."

'Hyung? Oh my gosh.' How old is this kid? "My name is Park Moondae. Nice to meet you, Wongil–sii"

"Which agency are you from?" He didn't even try to beat around the bush first. To just get to the point is a good thing.

"I'm not from any agency."

"Oh... is that so.." Oh wow, his attitude changed so fast."Sorry to bother you."

"Calm down, Moondae.. the kid didn't mean anything by that.." he mumbled some reassurance to himself. 

"Park Moondae–sii?" He heard his name being called, and he could feel his heartbeat skyrocketed. 

"I can do this.."

***

'Yes!' He hummed to himself, happy to be in somewhat a high rank.

'i rank up my singing just in case, i'm glad i make the right choice. The main vocalist is the right choice for me.'

[Name: Park Moondae]

Level : 0

Title: None

Vocal: A- (S)

Dance: C+ (A)

Visual: B (A+)

Charm: C+ (S)

Talent: –

Characteristics: i don't know

!Status abnormality: Debut or die

'No matter how many times i saw this status abnormally, it kept freaking me out.' Moondae glanced at the others contestants. He made a mental note of them.

Cha Eugene.

Kim Raebin.

Top two of this blasted show.

They were impressive, that's for sure.

Then– Ryu Chungwoo.

'He look familiar...' Park Moondae stared at him unconsciously. He only reverted his gaze after Ryu Chungwoo smiled politely at him.

'Did i stare too much?' He nodded at him once before looking back at the stage.

Until a guy two seats away called him out "Hey"

"Yes?" Who..? I guess he didn't debut.

"My name is Lee Sejin. What about yours?" Socialize type, oh no...

"Park Moondae"

"Nice to meet you! Your performance is really great!" 

His smiles are blinding.. oh my gosh..

"Thank you.." Park Moondae feel his face warm up. They talk for a while until their surroundings whisper among themselves. 

"Wow... who is that?"

"So pretty.."

"He looks like a deer,"

Moondae looks at the guy on the stage. He's really pretty. "Wow..."

"Is he as tall as me?" He also heard Lee Sejin mumbled next to him but too distracted to care.

'..?.. how come i never seen him in the future?' Moondae tried to look back in his memories but found nothing.

'Maybe he's bad.. or withdrawn..' How good is he?

Moondae stares at Seon Ahyeon performance, because of his stuttering, the judges give him less in ranking.

'He's actually quite good? The only problem is his stuttering, but with that face? He'll be in the top rank for sure'

Then, the only reason he didn't debut was either elimination by fans, or maybe he withdrew.

"Seon Ahyeon, rank 18"

'Rank 18..? Oh my gosh! It's next to me!' Moondae tried to keep a straight face, although his inside might explore from nervousness.

'Should i greet him? Should i let him greet me first? Should i say he's done well? But what if he doesn't feel like it? What should i do?' After some internal debate, Moondae decides to greet him as he arrives to his seat.

"Hello." He give a light nod and look back at the stage.

'Hello?! That's it?! Park Moondae! You kept disappointing yourself! Surely you could do better!' He scold himself internally.

After a long wait, they finally get to move to the dorm.

'Finally!' He celebrates the long wait by stretching to all of his heart content.

He walked toward the bus where Tnet prepared. His eyes went to the top contestants a few times.

He'd seen all the contestants who would debut.

Moondae gaze stick to them as they get in the limo 'Well, some of them can’t even keep this job, pretty sure that guy have a girlfriend' Park Moondae actually glad on that info, he don't have to feel bad for them for taking their place.

He then shifts his gaze to that friendly guy. His name sounds familiar, and after a while, it all clicks.

'Lee Sejin..? pretty sure there's news about him' So that's why his name sounds familiar!

'There will be a drug case after their debut! The suspect is Lee Sejin!' He made a mental note to keep a distance from him.

As Moondae looked around to all the contestants, Seon Ahyeon, he sat alone next to the window.

"Excuse me?" he did it again... he talked without thinking again! Blast it! He needs to talk to make friends if he wants to be a high ranking contestants, or else he'd die.

"y- yes?"

just go with the flow, Moondae! "Can i sit here?" Please say yes!

he beamed "y, yes! of course!" So shiny... it's feels like a sun.

"Thank you, my name is Park Moondae. Yours are Seon Ahyeon, right?" 

"Y,yes.."

"Since we were the same age, can we talk casually?"

"..!?"

"I mean, we will be in the same dorm anyway, so why not?"

"?!?"

"If you want to, of course!"

"Y,yes! Of, of course!"

Park Moondae has acquire one friend!

***

Moondae were looking at his status window, and apparently, he could see others too.

'Ahyeon's stats are really impressive..' The more Moondae look at it, the more impressed he is.

'The song that will repeat all the duration for this program, i need to learn it properly, and I will invest my points on vocal and dancing'

Chapter Text

Park Moondae got a silver badge for dancing and singing. 'i feel like i choose the wrong choice...'

Shining star.

i can't keep hearing this. My ears might fall off, the footwork? it's so tricky!

'Why the choreography so hard? thank you for Ahyeon's help. i can go through this..'

"Let, let's do th-this together!" Shiny...

"Yeah.. we can do this!"

i'm not sure if this new characteristic will help me go through it or not, but i'll do my best!' 

10 days until the day of the grade evaluation!

* * *

"Now, everyone, we will begin the grade evaluation!" it's here! i sleep every two days, thanks to Baccus 100

Anyway... it's a luck to get it.

'i can feel the judge from all the way here! i'm so nervous...' Moondae trying to steady his heartbeat

'think about hyung... he won't waste his energy worrying about this.. this is nothing! absolutely nothing!' The past scene flashed for a moment before he shoved it away. "..."

after his heartbeat steady, Moondae glances at Ahyeon. He is also trying to control his nerve

Ahyeon noticed his gaze, and Moondae clenched his fist in encouragement. Ahyeon gave a thumbs up with a nervous smile.

"All right, everyone. we will now begin the grade evaluation!" The ground shakes slightly as the wall goes down, and a gasp and shocking sound fill the place

'You've got to be kidding me...'

"The first stage... will be an open evaluation!"

'curse them all..'

"Your final grade will be determined through this open evaluation." MC said through the mic."we'll proceed in of rank... expect we're going backwards this time!" 

"!?!"

After one by one contestants performing the dance, Moondae quite amazed Lee Sejin A performing.

'With his stats, i thought he won't be good. Is it because of his characteristic?' After Moondae found out another Lee Sejin existed, he made another mental note about it.

'Wich one is it..? Right now, Lee Sejin B has more chance to debut' He glanced at both Sejins

"Number 22" Moondae's turn, he got up and walked to the podium, all eyes on him made him more nervous

"he did that? so gross..."

"his parents must be so disappointed.."

"he was so quiet. It turns out he's a creep!"

all the past memories of his classmates come back like a wave, with all eyes on him, it's just makes him more anxious

'Ugh...' 

"Moondae-sii?" youngrin voice snap him out of his thoughts

"Yes!" Moondae straightened his posture and nodded to the backstage staff

'This is not the time, Moondae!' Moondae, keep thinking of Gunwoo.

'can't disappoint hyung!'

***

"Your performance has improved so much! I'm so proud of you!"

"Great job, i bet you practiced a lot, huh?"

"it was good, your singing was great, but you can do better with dancing, practice more in your spare time." Youngrin sunbaenim give him advice! he will follow it, of course, with cheat points

"Yes! thank you!" 

he got down the podium and got greeted with Ahyeon shiny face

'My fatigue just gone..' as expected of Ahyeon face card.

"yo-you did good!"

"Congrats! that was a good performance!" Lee Sejin B? why is he here?

"Thank you, Sejin-sii."

"Come on~ we are the same age! let's talk casually, yeah?" He draped his arm around his shoulder, making Moondae go tense, and that didn't go unnoticed by Lee Sejin.

'Let me ignore you! you're a druggie potential!' Moondae glances at Ahyeon, and he seems happy to accept it."Sure, why not?" There he goes again... good-looking people are really scary..

"Sweet! i call you Moondae then!" Moondae smiled politely and let them both talk to each other, he stare at his status window.

[Name: Park Moondae]

Level : 0

Title: None

Vocal: A (S)

Dance: B- (A)

Visual: C+ (A+)

Charm: C+ (S)

Talent: –

Characteristics: Honey Sweet

!Status abnormality: Debut or die

Characteristics: Honey Sweet

People will pay attention to your innocent act more!

'i divided all the points i got to this three.. also, do i have to keep the innocent act? i'm 26 in mental damn it.' 

***

"What grade do you think we'll get?" Why Lee Sejin B with us? didn't he have other friends?

Moondae shrugged. "No idea, maybe gold?" Ahyeon nodded eagerly

"M, Moondae did good!"

"it's true.. did you see how he smiled in the stage just now? pure cuteness!" Keunse teased

Moondae wave his hand. "What?! i didn't! i'm not!" his face is totally red 

seeing his flustered state, Lee Sejin B decides to tease more. "You're blushing, so cute~" 

"i'm not!" Moondae ran to the toilet and curses Lee Sejin B in his heart when he heard Lee Sejin B laugh, and Ahyeon muffled laugh

'damn him! Who said I'm flustered?!' He keeps running to the toilet until he bumps into someone

"Ah?!" With a loud thud, Moondae fell on his butt together with him

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!" Moondae apologized to him and kneel next to him to check for injury.

"... it's fine.." 

"I don't think so?! Hold on, let me check!"

"Calm down, would you?" He finally raised his head, and Moondae went stiff next to him.

Lee Sejin A

'Damn it... out of all people, why him?' Moondae force a smile and help him up

"I'm sorry again for bumping into you Hyung–nim!" 

"Hyung–? No, don't mind it, we don't have any injuries to make this a big deal, " Lee Sejin A sighs and glances at Moondae's hand

"Your hand..."

"No, it's fine. This is my fault anyway, I shouldn't run in here," 

"Doesn't matter. Let's get it treated. " He grabbed Moondae's arm and dragged him to the staff nearby

"Band aid? I don't think we have that.." the staff said it nonchalantly

"No! It's  alright.. it's not that bad, really!" Moondae insist with it.

"If you say so, please be on standby. We're gonna start soon. " The staff then walked away

"They didn't have it.. are you alright–?" Moondae freeze when he saw Lee Sejin A expression.

"Hyung–nim?"

"How can they don't have any band aid..? What if people get hurt?" Lee Sejin mumbled to himself. 

"Sejin Hyung?"

"Ah, yes, I think I have some in my bag. Let's get it treated later, " Lee Sejin smiled apologetically 

"It's not really hurt, actually,"

"I insist!"

"Y,yes..."

"Also, don't call me Hyung–nim" he added

"Then, Sejin hyung?"

"..... better"

They walk back to the stage in silence, and Moondae is in tremoil

'First Lee Sejin B, now Lee Sejin A?' Moondae sighs internally, his plan to avoid both Sejins failed. 

"Park Moondae, right?"

"Yes!"

He said, "You have a great stage presence," and walked away.

"Thanks?" Although he wonders what it means.

* * * 

Moondae walked out from the tnet building with Ahyeon

The contestants were given one week to rest after the shoot.

"See you next week then." Said Moondae.

"Um! S,see you." Ahyeon smiles warmly.

he looked at his arm, Lee Sejin A was really gentle when he tend him, is he really the druggie? or is it Lee Sejin B? "i shouldn't judge people based on their act.." he mumbled to himself 

Moondae walked to the nearby bus station, and he kept wondering about Gunwoo. "Is he alright?"

Moondae shakes his thoughts away. There's no way he won't be alright. He tried to end things years later, so in the meantime, he won't have to worry.

When Park Moondae arrived, he collapsed in the bed for days

"Crazy... what the hell were they thinking?" Moondae watching Youngrim–nim apologize on Tnet behalf in TV.

Chapter Text

Moondae kept scrolling on his phone. Most of the comments were bashing Tnet.

"They have a thick face, that’s for sure.."

===========

What do we think of Park Moondae?

===========

Honestly, something about him attracts me, i don't know how, but my eyes keep looking for him

– I'm so glad I'm not the only one

   –fr.. he's not the most good-looking guy, but i still think he's cute

– i think i got bewitched by him!

   – true lol, i was looking at that pretty dude, then Park Moondae appeared, and my eyes suddenly focused on him

    – that pretty dude is Seon Ahyeon i presume?

– he's pretty cute, his singing also great!

– i call dibs on his stock!

  –me too!

     –me three!

===========

"I guess it's because of my characteristics." Moondae sighed in relief. He can't think of anything he did that would leave any impression so much. So, he feels grateful for his characteristics.

he looks through his notebook, all the timeline he can remember already in the book.

the group that will fall, the trending topic, controversy, and more.

'What else did i miss?' Moondae shifted his attention back to his phone, Tnet were getting bashing so hard that it would make you wonder how they could be so thick skinned.

=========== 

idol inc contestants that i think the most handsome (my opinion!) no hate, please!

===========

1. Seon Ahyeon

what the hell? how can someone be THIS good-looking? his eyes? his lips?! he looks too much like an angel! UNREAL!!

2. Cha Eugene

i really like his canine tooth, also his smile! and his outgoing personality! So, cutee!!

3. Kim Raebin

he looks intimidating and cute at the same time! his little mole is adorable!

4.Ryu Chungwoo

yup, the guy from the national archery team, he looks so gentle here! he's so smoll before! (my personal favorite!)

5. Bae Sejin 

YES! the child actor! he still is as cute as ever! 

*

*

*

8. Park Moondae

this dude looks a bit average, but i think i fall for him now! for some reason... his eyes are just so round! he can be on the cute side!

===========

"......."

Moondae scribbled his note, and he changed his plan to use his points

"Go for look..."

Moondae were amazed with people who would invest their time and money just because they found someone likeable.

"......." He sighed softly and maybe a bit flustered.'What else should i do next?'

Moondae read people responses until the system appeared in front of him, making him curse in surprise.

[The beginning of fame]

1,000 people remembered your existence!

: Draw General Characteristics ☜ Click!

Moondae immediately click it, and a slot machine pops up.

the grey and the copper box were mixed together this time.

Moondae watched as the slots stopped, and suddenly, another pop-up appeared

[Slot machine is a great success!]

: You draw hero characteristics!

'sweet! it's silver! please be something good!' Moondae wait in anticipation

Look at Me (D)

"......" Moondae want to curse at the one behind the system so much at the moment.

then he decides to walk to calm himself down, he keeps walking until he arrives near where Gunwoo works.

'Should i go and talk to him?' he quickly shakes the thoughts away, Gunwoo hyung probably  think of him as some lunatic after that day.

he stood there with uncertainty. After a while, he saw Gunwoo walk out, looking inexplecibly tired. at the time, Moondae wanted to talk to him like before, want some comfort from his hyung, but with his eyebag, he doubts Gunwoo wanted to see him

"hyung..."

The pain in his chest make it worse, he got the nightmare a lot, to the point it was a miracle that he never make a fuss in the middle of the night, that would be a disaster in his case. He didn’t want people to look at him weirdly. No more.

He stood there for a little more, contemplating his choice

he sighs and decides to go against his wishes, "damn... i feel like a stalker.." On the way back, the air was colder than before, with his thin jacket he hurriedly walked back to his rented place.

[Name: Park Moondae]

Level : 8

Title: None

Vocal: A (S)

Dance: B- (A)

Visual: C+ (A+)

Charm: C+ (S)

Talent: –

Characteristics: Honey Sweet, Energy Drink(B), Look at Me (D)

!Status abnormality: Debut or die

Points Remaining: 1

'visual, definitely visual,' he said to himself blankly. After reading all the comments, he resolute, wanting to invest in his visual

*****

"Alright, we will now decide the first groups for the first team evaluation!" 

Moondae stood there in a daze, and Keunse (he told everyone to call him that first thing in the morning) grinning next to him didn’t help him in the slightest.

"You know? Sharing something good will make you have a better life, " he said, so matter of factly 

Moondae squinted his eyes after a little pause. He asked suspiciously. "...what do you want?" Maybe it's because he has been hanging out with Gunwoo hyung a lot that he became more wary of people.

"Tell me, how did you get soo.. better looking in a week?" He rubs his chin with a mischievous smile

Moondae mouth agape a little, wondering how he realized this little thing. "I don't think so." He looked back at the mc with a little pink on his cheeks, clearly got embarrassed 

"Hm.. if you say so." He grinned before walking to another contestant, and Moondae thought that he was a sly fox, making connections is a good thing... he's smart, although he act like– that... not Gunwoo Hyung approved. In his dictionary, that is.

"Mo– Moondae..."

"Yes?"

"It's yo, your turn.." 

'Oh shit.' He ran towards the stage hurriedly after shot a thank you to Ahyeon

"And Park Moondae picks... Number 12, nice!" MC announced his number.

'Number twelve, is this a good thing or not?' Moondae observed the other contestants go one by one to pick their number.

He sighed in relief for no reason until Lee Sejin walked to him.

He tense for a bit, wondering how he should handle it, "Sejin hyung." He smiles politely. 

"....."

"??"

"....."

'Don't just stand there!?'

After a little more with uncomfortable silence, Lee Sejin asks, "You... how's your hand?" He asks hesitantly. This dude is awkward 

"Huh?" Moondae's mind processing his question before it clicked, "yes! It's healed now.." He raised his hand, showing the previously reddened spot.

Lee Sejin visibly relaxed. "That's good.." he murmured

"What about hyung? Are there any injuries..?" He only asks for courtesy, better not to be close with potential druggie. 'But i really love his acting!' He mourns his fanboy times. Knowing the future won't always work wonder.

"It's only a little fall, no worries." Lee Sejin smiled softly

'Good looking people have it easy, huh?' What about Gunwoo hyung? He didn’t have it easy. He's definitely handsome!

"Mo– Moondae!" Seon Ahyeon jog to him.

So blinding.. "Ahyeon, what number did you get?" 

Ahyeon showed his number. 33. He saw Ahyeon glancing at Lee Sejin

'Awkward peoples... what should i do?'

Clearing his throat, he said. "Sejin hyung, this is Ahyeon." Lee Sejin, give a little nod

"Ahyeon, this is Lee Sejin hyung." Ahyeon frantically bowed

"H– hello!" 

"Hi..."

.......

'Say something!' 

Chapter Text

“Participant number 1, who are you? Raise your hand! Ah, it’s Participant Lee Hongsoo!”

A participant with a silver grade clumsily raised his hand. Then, the MC raised his hand and pointed to a sign placed in the auditorium.

“Participants can choose each sign when it’s their turn!”

It was the latter. The MC smiled and drew his hand.

“Then, please reveal the content of the sign!”

Ping—! 

The sign lit up, and the text appeared. It was innovative in its own way, but the content is what really matters.

Each sign had the name of a famous agency written on it.

“Here are the names of agencies leading KPOP around the world! You just have to choose one of these agencies. However, the capacity is 14 people!” 

The MC spread out his hands. 

“However, if the quota is exceeded, the participant with the higher rank can push the participant with the lower rank and go in instead!” 

“Wow, the rules are cruel.”

Gold grade Lee Sejin talked to me again and made a big fuss.

silver Lee Sejin eyes twitched and scoot away from gold Lee Sejin.

Moondae give up, tnet definitely lost their humanity, what kind of setup is that anyway?

"Which agencies will you choose?" Sejin hyung ask, after he and Ahyeon talking a bit they somehow gotten close, he can't say no now can he? and somehow Sejin got here and started more conversation.

'fuck...' he make friends with both possible drugs dealer! good job Moondae!

he ignore the smaller guy "right, so which agencies are you guys going to choose? the one with good vocalist? or the one with a lot of hit song?" Gold Lee Sejin ask while watching people choose their agency one by one

'all of the agencies are good, what is it that hyung said?' Moondae keep his eyes on the participants

"the team members were more important than the agencies..." he mumbled to himself, but it may or may not get out louder than he expected

"not the agencies?" Gold Lee Sejin ask with a tilt of his head, his eyes were sharp even though he have an easy going expressions

'Gunwoo's hyung poker face is definitely better' 

Moondae explain without taking his eyes off from the options "all these agencies are famous and have their share of hit songs, what's important is the team members" he took a deep breath when he feel their stare and added "is what my hyung would say..." he stuttered and cleared his throat.

"hm..."

[next up, number 12]

'thank you! even if you're the devil!' 

People who are good at it will make the stage better, so this isn’t a big enough sample, but he figure it out based on the 11 people in front of him

'i'm gonna go to the team with the most high-ranking guys... there!' he walked to where the LETI sign stand

"Ohh! here he comes!" the taller gold ranked guy, he have blueish hair with a handsome face, Moondae tried to replay his memories when he saw his face.

'when did i see him in the future? pretty sure i seen his face somewhere..' 

"ooh! we got ourselves a main vocalist! get ready Heesung!" he debuted in the future! Moondae recognize him from one of the group. maybe?

"hi there!" 

'two Golds, and they're dancers! thank god our position won't overlap' plus a bright personalities! this will be good.

'we just need more of a high-ranking guys' 

when he saw the next guy approach, he cursed the universe. 'druggie potential Moondae, remember that!' he control his expressions and smile brightly to Sejin hyung which he got a nod

"h-hello...!!"

"nice to meet you?" yeah, he should have expected this.

'silver rank...better than bronze i guess..' the thing is, they started getting mediocre contestants starting with Sejin hyung.

of course we also got some impressive contestants. for example, Number 33, Seon Ahyeon! who's not only gold but also good-looking

and number 59, Ryu Chungwoo, the former national archer. "nice meeting you all!" he's one of the platinum grade contestants.

'is it just me or he kinda look like someone?'

Moondae snap out of his thought when he saw the next participant in the silver grade who had been pushed and was halfheartedly nodding his head walked up to the sign. He looked extremely miserable. Choi Wongil

'this brat... he kept giving me a backhanded comment' 

Maybe it’s just how Moondae feel, but he don’t think he wants to look at him.

[Huh, you have to push someone to get in now. All 14 people have been taken.]

eyes snap to the next guy, Lee Sejin B. the one with the Gold grade sigh in relief

“I will give out the name… Bronze grade participant Jung Hyeongjung. I’m really sorry!” 

Gold grade Lee Sejin chose this sign. 

Lee Sejin, who kept his head down, was the first person to push the other participant away and join this sign.

Because he was sorry and behaved well, everyone seemed willing to do so.

"oh, guys~ Moondae! are you gonna be the main vocalist?" 

'don't say that out loud damnit' Moondae could feel the glare from Choi Wongil

"you see, someone brother's give a great advice... something about the team members being what counts, not the agencies~"

......

well, Gunwoo said that while they were watching a show where the leader choose a bad team or something like that. 'yeah, hyung is the best' Moondae nodded in acception. maybe he's not that bad. He's still a drug dealer Moondae

[Okay, all the contestants have now been placed in five agencies. Well then, can everyone look at the monitor with your team names?]

*****

'that bastard!' he can use kinder words! he should use them! 

Moondae then shake it off, he have to focus on the task, he can't possibly thinking of others while death is looming over

"oh! like Youngrin Sunbae legendary fancam?" Gunwoo hyung mentioned! Moondae couldn't help but nodded along, if it was anything like his fancam, than it will be good.

let's just hoping they have a good stage.

*****

the stage ends with success, he planned to look for audience reaction first thing first.

he have to talk with Gunwoo hyung too, but he ruined their meeting already, showing face in front of him is unlikely...

"Moondae!~" cheerful voice pulled him out from his thoughts

"Sejin"

"good work, Moondae"

"yeah, you too, good work"

"don't foget to keep in touch man"

"i- i want it too!"

"Ahyeon"

"want to swap number too?"

"yeah!"

somehow they make a group chat just for the same age team, well, Moondae would be ecstatic if Keunse isn't a possible drug dealer.

they walk out while talking about their stage, mostly about peoples reaction, which was blowing.

"Moondae, have you seen it?" 

"yes? sorry, what?" should've pay attention

"our fancam! from Gun1234! I've been watching their fancam since the legendary Youngrin fancam!"

"WHAT?!" Moondae snatched his phone, is it rude? yes, does he care? not now.

there on the screen is Gunwoo's old account, the one where he deactivated long ago.

"he's back?!" 

"Yeah! and it has OUR fancam!" Keunse smiled all giddy.

"our- our fancam? fr- from gun1234?" Ahyeon looks giddy together with Keunse.

"Gun1234?" Iljon Hyung chimed in.

"What about it?" Heesung join them. Together with SejinA

"they come back!" 

"No way."

"Yes, way!!"

"Oh. my. gosh!"

they kept fanboying and squealing, Moondae were reading the comment, knowing Gunwoo Hyung, he must turn off the notification because it's 'too noisy'.

==========

Gun1234 COMEBACK!!! ATTENTION EVERYONE!! 

==========

– i thought i was dreaming when i saw this

– welcome back! We miss you TuT 

– i thought you wont come back, thank goodness i was wrong

– Gun1234 use this kids as a comeback? Why?

   > who cares? They were a talented kids and he's back!

– what group is this?

What Keunse said next caught his attention "i always dream of getting a fancam from them, i can't believe -" Moondae understood them when he saw them close to tears. Even Sejin hyung look proud. 

should he tell them?

Absolutely not. This is not his to tell.

'Set that aside... that means Gunwoo hyung was there?!' 

What is he doing there anyway?

He froze when he saw the familiar figure standing with his back facing them while leaning on his car.

...?

'Gunwoo hyung?!'

Keunse turn over to him with a grin

"Why don't we all hang out? Let's get to know each other more!" Moondae definitely didn't want to hang out with a potential drug dealer.

"I already have a plan, so I have to pass" Moondae said hurriedly, his eyes still on Gunwoo.

"I didn’t say when." Keunse grinned when Moondae eyes twitching.

"Ye– yeah, we- we can watch the new episode together!"

Well, Moondae have to figure out why Gunwoo hyung is here first? Should he talk to him? Is it alright?

He has a life crisis until Gunwoo eye lands on his."Kid." he nodded once and walked to the driver seat. "Let’s talk about your situation," he said before getting in the car without explanation.

"...!?"

What?