The road not taken

Song recommendation: SVT - hug

Minji POV

"You've been here for how long? What? Almost 2 years and this all you can do?" The trainer said while she's sitting down on the floor while looking at us probably because my group and I have our heads looking at the ground.

We will have our monthly evaluation next Friday and we're giving everything we have to perfect this group choreography and we've been practicing till 3 am but hearing these words from our trainer made me think that it's still not enough.

"And You, Minji." She called. "Aren't the CEO already warned you if you don't improve after 2 months, you'll be in danger?" The trainer asked.

"Yes." I silently answered while trying to hold back my tears.

"See and this is what you're going to show them? If today is the monthly evaluation, you're already done here. Do you understand that, Minji?" She said and I just nodded.

Then, a long silence devoured us.

"You're dismissed. I'll check your group choreography on Wednesday. Be ready." The trainer said as she stood up and walked towards the door. We said thank you and sorry to her while bowing.

As soon as she left, we collapsed on the floor. Two of us went to the corner and cried. Some of my members comforted them. Suddenly, I felt a hand in my right shoulder.

"Don't worry. You're going to do good next week." Heekyung comforted me while smiling but I can sense the pain she has behind that pretty smile.

I tapped her back and reciprocate her smile.

"Guys, gather up." Our leader Jimin announced.

We gather in the corner of the room where two of my members are crying. We sat and for a couple of seconds, only the sobbing of my members can be heard echoing throughout the studio.

"I know we had a rough evaluation today from our dance trainer but we must take those words as encouragement to do better next time so it won't happen again, okay? " Jimin said and we all just nodded.

"Okay, get ready for our vocal lessons. We'll practice again after our other classes." She said and stood up first.

I sang the last note with sadness from my heart. I took a deep breath after and wiped the tears that accidentally left my eyes when I'm trying to hold them back. Thank God, our trainer was not looking.

\*Imagine Chaewon's voice from IZ\*ONE\*

"Yah, Minji. You sound good there." He said while smiling which made me felt relieved.

"Thank you, Saem(Short term for teacher in Korean)," I replied with a smile.

"You hit those notes sounds so easy with emotions. I can feel the sadness there, did something happen? " He asked as he leans forward, clasped his hands, and place them on his table.

" Uhm, we did not do good on our group choreography earlier. " I said as I looked down.

Our vocal trainer is the nicest around in Source Music Entertainment. He often asked us about our status and he validates our feelings.

"I see but you know what, from what I've seen. You're going to nail the vocal evaluation." He motivated.

"I'm hoping, Saem. This is my only chance to stay." I said with so much worry in my tone.

"No, don't say that. You'll have more chances, just believe in yourself. Okay? I know this would not give you the comfort you need but I trust you. " He said as he smiles genuinely.

"Thank you, Saem." I said and smiled back at him.

I got out of the room and sat on the chair. I took out my water from my bag and drink it. Jimin appeared and sat beside me.

"You finish your lesson?" She asked.

"Yes. You Eonnie?(Korean term when a younger girl calling an older girl)" I asked her.

"Yes, the trainer said I'm still good but I'm being too consistent. I have to show a new side of my vocals to get compliments." She answered while looking straight in front of her. I tapped her back as a sign of comfort.

"Anyway, you?" She asked back and I put away my hand from her back.

"He said I did well. He believes that I'll do great next week." I answered. By thinking about it made me smile.

"We'll at least one of us received good news." She said and we smiled at each other.

"Can I go home tonight?" I asked her for permission because we're currently living in the dorm. She nodded.

Later on, the other members finished their vocal lessons. We get ready for our acting lesson after a short break.

"I'm home" I announced while removing my shoes before entering our home.

I walked inside the living room and no one's there. Our maid, Gilja came out of nowhere.

"Aigoo, you're early." She said while approaching me.

"It's 11 pm, you call this early Ahjumma(an older lady)?" I jokingly asked her as she grabs my bag.

"Comparing it from the last time you went home, it's 4 am." She replied and we both laugh.

"Go to the kitchen, I'll prepare your dinner after I put your bag in your room." She added as she started walking upstairs.

I walked inside our kitchen and looked around. I sense someone coming, I thought its Gilja but it's Mom. I think she's already prepared to sleep because of what she's wearing.

"Eomma. " I said.

"Oh, you're here. I'm sorry that I can't join you at your dinner. I have a meeting tomorrow and I need to sleep early. " She said after she hugged me.

"It's okay. I can eat alone." I said and smiled even though I felt disappointed.

"Thank you, my daughter. Anyway, how's your day?" She said as she gets a cup and filled it with water.

"Not good mostly." I answered. She didn't reply because she's drinking her water. She put the cup down and went in front of me.

"That's so sad. Hang in there, okay?" She said while her hands are on my shoulders then she walked past me.

"But aren't you going to ask what happened?" I asked her.

"I'm sorry I can't for now, my daughter. I need to sleep. Tell me next time, okay?" Then she went on her way without hearing my respond.

I sat on the chair and laid my head on the table. Later on, Gilja appeared.

"Are you tired?" She asked as she gets me food.

"Yeah" I answered very tiredly.

"Father is not here yet?" I asked her.

"No, you know he's in Japan and we don't know how long he will be there. Why? Something happen?" She asked as she went back and forth from the table to the fridge.

"I just had a bad day," I answered.

As soon as she finished getting me food. She sat next beside me.

"You can tell me." She said while smiling.

I grew up with a wealthy family. I'm an only child so I grew up alone. My mom is a businesswoman handling perfumes and my father works in the government. So, he's often not in the house.

I grew up only with Gilja. She's like my childhood friend and my other mom. Even though my parents don't give me much time to bond with them, I know they love me. I don't know if I believe in that but they're supportive of my dream to be an idol and that's enough for me to say they love me.

I'm 13 years old when I started going to auditions and Source Music is the first entertainment that I passed. I got in when when I'm 15 years old. Right now, I'm 17 in korean age.

You asked why did I choose to take a rough road to be an idol rather than choosing another business career? Well, ever since I was a child. I already love singing and seeing these idols in the tv Performing made me realize that I want to be like that. I want to prove to myself that even though my family is giving me many privileges, I can achieve something with my hard work and determination.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***