Chapter 312: 11.4

BXB69 came out of their car and walked straight to the backstage. Today was their last rehearsal because tomorrow would be their show. The manager led them to their space to wait for their queue before it was their time to rehearse on stage.

"Alright, guys, relax and do it like we usually do in our dorm, okay?" Haneul said to his members. The other members nodded and practised on their own.

Jay glanced at Haneul, who was busy looking at the screen, showing their fellow rookie group and sunbaes or senior group rehearsing one by one according to their queue. BXB69 was the second last, which was a good number, thanks to their manager.

Jay walked towards Haneul and brushed his hand, a simple gesture to show his affection secretly. "Are you nervous, Hyung?" Jay asked.

Han smiled at Jay and replied, "Kind of. This is a big music show, after all, we might get a good amount of new fans from this."

Jay gently intertwined their fingers. He tried to reassure Han, "I will always support you, dong worry, Hyung."

Han felt a bit guilty, then he asked, "Jay, do you love this group?"

"Hm? Of course, I do, but I love you more. Since you want this group to succeed and become an idol, I will support you, Hyung. Don't worry, I don't demand much except for your loyalty," Jay said with a smile on his face.

[Oh damn it!]

[Pupa: What?]

[I don't know how to break up with Jay! He is just too good! Why aren't you the master of the world, Jay!]

[Pupa: Just say that you are pregnant with another man's baby.]

[Ha, funny.]

Kyong was wandering around aimlessly until he saw Han Hyung and Jay Hyung were holding hands together while watching the stage cam. He squinted suspiciously. Honestly, he had the hunch that Han Hyung and Jay Hyung were dating but kept it a secret because they didn't want to get discovered.

And that feeling only got stronger once he peeked Jay Hyung scrolling through his gallery on his phone, full of their photos together like a couple. Kyong didn't have a problem with them dating because he believed Han Hyung was overworked to provide for them and keeping the group together.

But he always thought that Jay Hyung was too sticky with Han Hyung. And he was worried if someone else outside of the group saw their relationship and spread rumours. 

Kyong barged in, "Hyung, what are you doing here?"

Han and Jay released their hands immediately and acted as if nothing happened.

"We are just watching the rehearsal," Han said, added with Jay nodding in agreement. Kyong had a grin on his face but said nothing about their intimacy.

"I see," Kyong said. "Hyung, I just saw a man walking around in each group space accompanied by Music Bink's CEO and many other men! He is so tall and looks so intimidating though, maybe he will also see our group—"

Kyong paused and was stunned when he saw the man they were talking about was standing in front of their space. All members were tense and confused at the same time. They didn't know this man, but he was accompanied by MBink's PD and CEO, so he must be a very important guest.

"Ah, this one is just another rookie group, BXB69, Sir," the PD-Nim said to this unfamiliar man. He looked at the members nonchalantly and nodded. He was tall, really tall actually, around 190 centimetres. He had a well-built body inside that clean black suit. He had an overbearing, intimidating aura that made everyone tense.

The man checked the members one by one, from Taeyang, Taesa, Kyong, Jay, and… Han.

His gaze stopped at Han, seemingly trying to perceive something, "You, who is your name?" the man asked.

Han was intimidated by such man, but he collected his courage and answered, "Y—Yes, sir, my name is Kim Haneul, the leader of my group, BXB69, we consist of—"

"I just need your name," the man interrupted. Han silenced immediately and lowered his head. Jay saw how intimidated Han was, so he stood in front of Han and hid him behind his back to give a sense of security for Han.

The man noticed this and just chuckled. He seemed uninterested and walked away, continuing his tour around other groups.

All of them breathed a sigh of relief. Because that guy was terrifying and intimidating.

"Who is that guy?" Taesa asked.

"Yeah, he looks like someone important," Taeyang added.

"I asked my friend in Kakao, and he said that guy is called Lee Yongsun. He has a mysterious background, but rumour said he is very rich and thinking about investing in a Kpop group. Though, he will probably choose a popular group instead because it is safer with good return," Kyong informed after reading his chat.

"Are you okay, Hyung?" Jay looked at Han worriedly. Han gulped and nodded.

[…]

[Pupa: What?]

[GODDAMN, THAT MAN IS SO HANDSOME AND TALL, I'M MELTING!]

[Pupa: Heh, I thought you can be a bit more resistant to hot hunk, but you are still weak as always.]

[That is Lee Yongsun, right? The master of this world.]

[Pupa: Yes, and he is here to see which group he will sponsor. Though, based on visual only, I don't think he will pick your group.]

[Heh, I will make sure that he picked my group, I will charm him!]

"BXB69! Your turn!" the stage director called them to rehearse. They walked to the stage with the big name tag on their chest. Their music was playing, and they danced just like their practice.

Because they were rookie, they didn't slack off during training, and it showed. Their rehearsal was full of energy, and they finished the rehearsal in only one take.

"Alright, all good! You guys can leave now—" the stage director paused when a man suddenly approached him. He whispered something and pointed at the man sitting behind, Lee Yongsun.

"Ah, yes, yes," the stage director readily agreed and directed BXB69. "All of you, start again!"

"Yes!"

They repeated the rehearsal, but strangely, the stage director kept telling them that something was wrong and asked them to repeat until to the point where they were exhausted. Han and Jay were still strong enough to dance, but Kyong's face was already red.

Han noticed how Kyong was getting exhausted. He asked the stage director, "Director-Nim, my maknae is too exhausted. Can he rest?"

"Okay," the stage director agreed. "But continue with your rehearsal!"

Their rehearsal continued until Taeyang and Taesa was too tired and excused themselves. Strangely, the stage director kept on saying repeat and repeat with only Han and Jay. After both of them were also exhausted, the stage director glanced at Lee Yongsun.

Lee Yongsun gave out a nod, and the stage director finally said, "Ok, all good!"

Han and Jay almost passed out due to exhaustion. Jay glared at Lee Yongsun, who was obviously taunting them. Lee Yongsun smiled at Jay with a mocking grin. Han, who noticed this, immediately covered Jay and bowed his back politely, "Thank you, Director-nim!"

Han hurriedly pulled Jay out of the stage to avoid a conflict.

Lee Yongsun stared at Han and Jay's back, then he asked his secretary, "Names?"

"Kim Haneul and Im Jaehwa, Sir."