#a long time coming
While hopeful, he’d been prepared for a bleak outcome.
The decisions by head management and Hyunbin were thought to be predictable by this point by Huidong; after four years in a company, one would think they would know what the company is planning and expects. But, his participation in the project had proved him wrong, and that in fact, he didn’t really know what the staff truly had in mind, or were planning. And it had been a somewhat jarring revelation, particularly while immersed in such a high tension environment. Mentally, he’d thought he’d made all the mental preparations needed. He’d come to terms with the notion of being eliminated at this last step, to remaining at the status of trainee, although that would mean he would be going to Hyunbin with the decision to terminate his own contract. And, it wasn’t a lose-all outcome, if that were to happen. He would return to his family and the general street dance scene, probably go back to teaching and mentoring, and also finally put more time and effort in his own personal life and future with his girlfriend.
But, hearing the announcements to come after Yongsun’s elimination, despite a heavy heart for the fellow Nova trainee, made him confused, and surprised. It took a few minutes for it to dawn on him: there were no other eliminations. He’d look over at Hugo beside him, eyes wide in shock; the red vests had been a guillotine hovering above them all month. And then, he only heard bits and pieces of everything that came afterwards. That both groups would be debuting, and not just one or the other; his name and Sunmi’s, mentioning something about MVP. By that point, his emotions had gotten the better of him. A giant wave of relief washed over him, releasing all the tensions from the past three months. He could heard that he wasn’t the only one; his head down, face buried in the crook of his elbow, he could hear other sobs next to him. It was a happiness that came from years of hard work, to finally hear the news that he would be getting somewhere, and it had been long waited for.
When all official announcements were done, embraces happened as the boys consoled and congratulated each other. In the midst of it all, he heard the approach of an amused voice; he didn’t see her come towards him, his vision too blurred from a flood of tears and his face very much blotchy from crying.
Coughing a little, he tried to give her a look of disapproval but couldn’t quite make it through his quiet sobs. His face felt like it was made of jelly. “I’m jusst … glad for everyone … and uss,” he managed, rubbing at his eyes with the back of his hand and resisting another wave of tears. Although he knew Sunmi wouldn’t let him live this down, he didn’t want to give her more reason to tease him. “Do you have a tissue?”
although she wasn’t reduced to tears nor was she so wracked with emotion; sunmi could feel that sense of relief. her shoulders felt like they could rise. sunmi could stand up straighter now. early on in the competition she had resigned herself to the fact that this would end with her being eliminated. although the idea was frustrating, she chose to leave with dignity when the time came. when she was given the red vest, she already had plans to discuss terminating her contract with the help of her father and just pay off the dues as she went back to work.
she wasn’t going to spend a minute longer in the company after this because she was so convinced that it was a boys-debut thing and that she would get eliminated before it was all over anyhow. she never anticipated for it to be a double debut kind of deal. much less that she would make it to the end. a part of her can’t let go of the idea that something else is going to happen. she’s too suspicious of her own company. maybe that’s what holds her back from breaking down right now like the boys are.
“i’ve never seen you blubber like this,” she teased further, laughing at his attempt to give her a look of disapproval. huidong and sunmi don’t make it a habit to cry in front of the other. it had only happened once when jinkyung left. or maybe twice (did she cry when talking about contract renewals? she can’t remember). but seeing the eldest in the company cry like this made them even with how many times he’s seen her shed tears. it was nice, in a way.
“i know, i know you are,” she reassured with a soft smile. she still couldn’t hide the mirth from her expression as she pat and rubbed his shoulder soothingly. “we were talking the whole time like it was our death beds here. like we weren’t going to make it.” sunmi can certainly feel that relief, excitement and overwhelming joy. it’s muted but it’s there. there’s just no tears. “yeah i do, i was feeling a bit sniffly earlier. i have a whole pack.” she produced the pack of napkins from her side. after performing she had put them there on her waistband just in case she sneezed again.
“there, there. no more crying huidongie~” she cooed and laughed. “it’s okay!”
