Here I am (Boys Planet Mentor)

Chapter 13

Episode 5: You and Me (part 1)

Arin came out of the bathroom while wearing a fluffy pink head band to push her hairs away as she patted the face mask on her face.

She looked at the calendar and sighed as she saw the date.

It was a week before the first elimination.

She sat down on her chair and leaned back while staring at the ceiling. I wonder how the trainees are feeling right now...

They must be nervous waiting for their results huh...

Knock. Knock.

Arin tilted her head, wondering who would be looking for her at this hour. Normally the other star masters would be in their rooms and the staff all went home already.

Pulling the door open she froze as she Sung Hanbin, standing in front. What was he doing here?

"Sorry for disturbing you, but I just wanted to talk with you, to just... get my minds off some things. Did I come at the wrong time?"

She immediately slammed the door shut as she realised the current state she was in. Oh my gosh! He saw me in such a hideous state!

Arin quickly took off her mask and head band, running her fingers through her hair a couple times. She checked herself in front of the mirror and nodded as she opened the door again, smiling as if nothing happened.

Hanbin couldn't help but let out a small laugh as he observed the flustered girl in front of him.

"Sorry for the wait, I just needed to get something. Uhm.. do you want to come in?"

She made room for him as he entered her room. She shut the door, internally cursing to herself as Hanbin scanned the room.

The bed was still neatly made and her clothes were neatly hung. The scent of coconut tickled his nostrils.

He turned around, facing her, "Do you use a specific fragrance for your room?? It smells really nice"

"Oh, you noticed? I actually used my scented candle 5 minutes ago"

Hanbin nodded as he sat on the floor, leaning his back against the wall. Arin sat at the opposite side of him, spreading her legs out.

"So... what did you want to talk about?"

Arin saw Hanbin picking on his fingers on the same hand. He must be stressed about something...

"I'm.. really nervous with what to expect for Boys Planet." Arin didn't say a word as she waited for him to continue.

"I wonder if I give it my all, would the audience know my desperation for debut? Would I meet their expectations of what makes a good idol? What would happen if I disappoint them?"

Arin couldn't help but sigh as she saw Hanbin blankly staring towards the ground. She knew exactly how he felt.

She felt the exact same way before her debut.

During her trainee days people would non-stop criticise her, in every single way and she did everything she could to meet their expectation.

"52 kg?! You should be at least 46kg for your height!"

So.. she lost weight.

"You dance like a fish on land! Make your dance moves more powerful!"

So she practiced the same dance, every day until the sun rose.

"You can hit the notes, but your expressions aren't pretty when you sing"

So.. she practiced fixing her expressions in front of the mirror to look pretty.

The 5 years she spent as a trainee felt like hell, but she didn't give up. Because all she wanted to do was stand on stage in front of a large audience.

"I understand how you feel..."

Hanbin looked up to Arin who was looking at the ground.

"First impression is such an important factor when you make your appearance on a television program.

And Hanbin, your first impression was just out of this world.

You wacking, tutting and beautiful vocals raised the bar for other trainees. So naturally people grow a certain expectation for you"

He fiddled with his fingers, "I am grateful about the love star creators give me... and I just don't want to let them down.."

"But you came to Boys Planet for a reason right? To debut."

His eyes was on her, but Arin didn't dare to look at him. She felt like if she did, she would just want to hug him and baby him.

"If I was you, I would be grateful of people having high expectations for me. It kind of gives me the sign that I'm going on the right path you know?"

He nodded while leaning his head back, "But.. wouldn't they be disappointed if I don't meet those expectations?"

Silence filled the room. 

Hanbin's words pierced through Arin's heart as she recalled her journey in becoming the artist she is today. It wasn't an easy road, but those experiences made her bloom into a rose.

"I wasn't successful as soon as I made my debut, and I disappointed a lot of people around me."

Arin also leaned her head back against the wall, her eyes casted down.

"They expected so much from me, and I couldn't reach it. Of course I was devastated at first, but...

 I was happy that even one person supported me..."

The only person that believed in me... even before I made it big.

"It showed that my music was nice to listen to for someone and just to make that one person not regret supporting me I did everything I can to enhance my skills and try out different concepts to broaden my range."

The girl who he once thought was untouchable, instantly became someone approachable.

Her advising him to use this emotion he's feeling to boost his skills, truly motivated him.

She finally made eye contact with Hanbin and he flinched a bit, averting his gaze from her.

Arin smiled softly, "You know... I think with your determination to do your best and always being humble, makes you a really attractive person"

Blood started rushing towards his ears as his heart started rapidly beating against his chest.

When she said those words, he saw light shining behind her, making her look like an angel.

Since when was Arin this beautiful?