bekaito

[bekaito]

having kou around was always reassuring, whether it was because the two got along so well or even because he actually trusted the other, regardless he really did enjoy the company of the other male. it was also easy for them to joke and poke fun at one another occasionally, something that kaito rarely did with others. it's probably why some often thought he was 'full of himself' or even avoided making contact with him, because he was usually more serious with others than those he was close with.

"have you ever thought about playing the lottery or something? with the luck you have, i wouldn't be surprised if you became a millionaire." he half-jokes, giving the other a gentle nudge. "hey, if the noodles are as good as they claim them to be? well, we may need to hurry in before they really do sell out." he says this before glancing over as a hostess walks up to them before ushering them to one of the, thankfully, empty tables.

taking a seat, kaito looks around at his surroundings and takes in the decorations of the whole place. "this place definitely lives up to the hype people have been giving it online." he comments before looking at kou. "so, i'm thinking some noodles and kimbap. what do you think?"

eating at the hangang river doesn't seem too bad despite the cold weather, especially if both kou and kaito are unable to find the restaurant in question; the both of them clearly lost. he allows himself to follow kaito, the older boy's arm around his shoulder as they made their way into the building. an attempt at not being completely lost, and finding the restaurant.

somehow though, kou's suggestion is right. what he'd thought had been a random building, with an inkling of a feeling that the restaurant might be inside had been deemed true. he blinks, surprised at his own stroke of luck, before he turns to look at his friend. "wow, i was right," he says after a moment, walking into the restaurant with kaito.

it's just like he's seen from the reviews. a place that oozed off a homely feeling, while providing good food. the aroma reaching his nose. he sniffs a bit, excited. "maybe i am a good luck charm..." he comments. "we'd be really lucky if their noodles haven't sold out yet. we should order that, i heard it's really popular."

[bekaito]

offering a smile at ara, kaito gives a small nod. "it is. i'd really like to see how well we work together, especially since you seem really cool. i'm not too familiar with a lot of people yet so it would be really nice to have someone i can practice with regularly." he says this, his smile growing slightly to show that he's being honest with what he says. to be honest he had been a bit nervous that he wouldn't find someone he could actually practice with, slightly worried that he'd end up being on his own and people would label him as 'rude' or something.

"i'm kaito. i just recently signed with studio delta so i'm really new around here so i would greatly appreciate if you could show me the ropes around here." he gives a small chuckle. yeah, he wasn't even confident that he'd even get through, though when he had? well he had a mixture of different feelings running through him at the time due to the fact that it all just felt like a dream to him. the one thing he had been dreaming of was coming true and he didn't know exactly how to feel about it. hell, he was still surprised about how he was even here right now. this was just the first step though. the next was to actually debut... hopefully. "so how long have you been a trainee for?" he asks, actually curious about how long she had been going through these schedules they were put through.

being one of the many newer faces of trainees, it was hard for ara to genuinely determine which ones were the newcomers and which ones were the veterans, other than by aura ( unless she recognized them of course. ) he was one that ara semi-recognized, and she wasn't sure if it was simply from their mutual training at axis or somewhere else, but better that she approached him first rather than the other way - that she would have likely stayed quietly until they were both actually in a practice room together. but she does like working with others, especially when it wasn't competition mode. smiling at him, ara slowly nods. "sure! this is our first time practicing together here but if we work well together, we can make a habit out of it."

"i'm ara, what about you? which company are you with right now? because i definitely do not recall seeing you at my company," she continues, going over their rudimentary rules first before going into the real deal with what they wanted to focus on. she could sense that there was always some sort of uncertainty with approaching people during their new time here because she too, was in that position. "hey, it's okay, i don't bite. much. unless you get on my bad side. but that's hard to do. did you recently get recruited? if so, i can definitely show you some of the ropes around here, or which rooms i prefer, all the stuff we have access to. honestly, it's rather nice!"

[bekaito]

being a new trainee would probably be stressful for most, though for kaito he wasn't exactly stressed or worried, more like he felt a bit out of place because it was new to him compared to him just dancing at the dance studio. it definitely was a big step up from what he was used to, though he knows that he'll have to get into the new routine of things eventually so why not start by practicing with someone and getting to know them better?

he knows, at least he hopes he's right, that @arabe isn't under the same company, though it doesn't exactly mean that they can't get close and possibly become friends. right? so the moment that he spots the female he approaches her, speaking carefully as he does. "hey, would you possibly like to practice together?"

maybe this was why he was often misunderstood. he was socially awkward and didn't really know how to start off conversations with those he didn't really know. yeah they had met before, though it had honestly been a little while since then and he still didn't know how to approach even ara.

[bekaito]

it's kind of funny in a way that the two of them ended up lost, though at the same time there's no telling where they really were supposed to be or even where they were heading anymore. looking in the direction that his friend points to, kaito ponders for a moment before shrugging and heading toward the building, deciding it's better to at least give it a try rather than aimlessly wandering around for hours just to figure out where this place was.

"well, if it's not, then hopefully they at least have something decent to eat." he states half-jokingly before raising a brow at kou's suggestion afterward. giving a quick nod of his head, kaito smiles slightly before responding to the other. "we could do that. i haven't really been to the river in a while so it would be nice to just relax and enjoy the weather for the time being." he states before loosely tossing his arm over the other male's shoulders as they reach the entrance of the building.

"you know what?" he stops while squinting through the glass doors, finally turning towards kou afterward. "i think you actually found it somehow. great thinking!" his smile widens in that moment before he's reaching for the door handle to open it, ushering for the other to enter first. "i should take you everywhere with me, sort of like my 'good luck charm'." he's only partially joking, not really one to use his friends just because of their 'luck' or whatever. stepping in he glances around. "yeah, this is definitely it."

kou hasn't been home in a while, which isn't completely surprising. being a trainee and a student simultaneously, had left him with very little time to fly back to japan. and while it hadn't been something that bothered him ( not many things did, but kou himself knew of the consequences when it came to studying overseas ) – there were days, much like today, that had him thinking back to home. chuseok was something that he never quite celebrated, yet looking at the decorations and everyone leaving the city to see their families, would have kou momentarily wondering what his birth family would be doing. still, he doesn't allow himself to linger on that thought for long.

and it helps that he isn't completely alone. he turns to kaito and scrunches his face. right, they were going somewhere to eat, one of the few restaurants that were open during this time. "oh, i'm bad with directions," kou confesses. he hadn't been paying much attention to where they were walking as well, blindly following kaito in hopes that his friend would lead him to wherever they needed to be. "was it somewhere in that building?" kou points towards a building, though he isn't so sure himself.

"we should grab something to eat and then see if there are any other stores open," he continues, walking towards the building despite not knowing if the restaurant was there or not. "or we could hang by hangang river. the weather seems nice today."

[bekaito]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀this is halloween

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it kind of sucked really, not being back home to celebrate halloween with his younger sibling and his family, though it's not like he can just catch a flight to japan and back in time with the way his work schedule was lately. well that and him still waiting to find out whether or not he had passed the callbacks that he had done recently. the most he could do was call his family earlier that day to speak with them and listen to his younger sibling go on and on about the choice of halloween costume this year.

looking around, kaito sighs softly before turning towards minsoo. "so what should we do first? there's a lot going on here so i feel like we should probably plan things out before just diving into things... though, if you want to just dive in then we can." he offers for minsoo to decide their course of action for today, especially since kaito wasn't really one to be picky with events such as these. it was just in his nature to offer rather than taking it upon himself to do what he wanted to do first.

[bekaito]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀automatic

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if kaito could have, he definitely would have gone home for the holiday, though seeing as he still had his part-time jobs occupying his time he couldn't go home this year which really sucked. thankfully @kouxbe stuck around in korea which gave kaito someone to hang out with, giving the two of them someone to at least keep one another company during these few days. he's not complaining in the least bit, especially since it meant that he wouldn't be sitting at his apartment all alone and doing nothing when he finished with at least his tutoring job (yes there were still people that were forced by their parents to study during this time).

"so what should we do today?" he asks as he turns to kou, lips pursed in thought as even he tries to think of something for them to do after they at least have a decent meal. "wait, where was the restaurant at again?" great, had he been so spaced out that they missed the place? he could have sworn it was somewhere around here. kaito takes a moment to glance around at their surroundings while squinting and trying to remember where he saw this place that people seemed to be hyping up online.

[bekaito]

“excuse me,” a woman, approximately in her early 30s, approaches with a friendly, albeit flustered expression on her face. she introduces herself as shin misuk, the casting director for a small company that creates content for youtube, and hands over a business card to prove her legitimacy.

“one of my regular cast suddenly got very sick and we really need to fill that spot in order to film this video. it just won’t work without an even number of people and we’ve been delayed enough as it is,” she sighs, visibly frustrated with the situation. “do you have a couple of hours to film with us? we’ll introduce you as a special guest and you’ll be compensated for your time, of course,”

a look of relief and delight crosses her face when you agree and she realizes that she’s finally found a solution to the major problem she was tasked with solving.

misuk leads you to the studio, which is located in the basement level of a building not far from where you first met the woman. she’s quick to hand you off to makeup and wardrobe before rushing out to tell the rest of the staff the good news. only minor tweaks are made to your appearance; a bit of contour and powder for the lights and camera and making sure that your clothes are comfortable and appropriate for this filming. if you’re wearing any designer brands, they help you cover the name with tape.

the casting director returns when you’re finished, taking you to the set and introducing you to the others participating in the video today. she gives you all a few moments to introduce yourselves and get to know one another before she starts her brief.

“we’re filming a reaction video today,” she explains, making sure that everyone understands, “please give your honest opinions, but be appropriate. we want your genuine reaction, but we still need something that we’re allowed to upload on youtube. we’ll be filing in pairs. our special guest and partner will go first. we want to respect your time since you gave it on such short notice.”

no one tells you the topic of the reaction until you’re seated in front of the camera and the red lights are blinking. from that moment on, your every word and expression is captured for the video’s content.

when the initial reaction is complete, you and your partner are instructed to give your final thoughts and goodbyes to the camera. misuk comes to greet you again, this time with a check for ₩140,000 as payment for appearing in the video. “thank you again,” she bows and shakes your hand, clearly full of gratitude, “you really saved us from a tight spot there.”

OOC:

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INSTRUCTIONS: 

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[bekaito]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀untitled rap

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had kaito expected to get a callback from his audition? not really. yes, he had hoped that he would, though hoping and actually achieving something were two totally different things. so, the moment he received the notice of passing, including the instructions that he needed to know about the callback audition, he began thinking of what he wanted to show them. he could easily show them a self-made choreography, though at the same time he's sure that he had shown most of what he could do when it came to dancing when he was on next gen, so, in the end, he decided to do a self-composed rap instead.

standing in front of the company officials, kaito takes a moment to introduce himself and make sure that everything is in place. "hello, i'm yamamoto kaito. i'm currently 24 years old and currently working part-time as a dance teacher and tutor." once he's done with the introductions, he gives a slight nod to one of the staff members off to the side to show that he's now ready to begin and within a matter of seconds, he's starting.

making sure that kaito displays not only his confidence but also his more charismatic side, he makes a point to maintain eye contact with those within the room. after what he had learned and experienced from participating in next gen, he even makes sure to have fun and let loose a little. he not only treats this like an audition, which is what it is, but also shows them that any ounce of nervousness he had previously felt upon arriving was now gone as he continues performing the rap he had prepared for them today.

only once he's done does he stop and let out a heavy sigh of relief, thankful that he had managed to keep his flow during his performance and also glad that he hadn't choked up and made a fool of himself. bowing politely and thanking them for their time, kaito finally exits the room and can only hope that they'll at least consider giving him a chance to prove that he's more than capable of doing this. he won't let them down if they were to decide giving him a chance.

[bekaito]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀chuseok mini event: family text conversation

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｟  HIMARI  ｠  ⸻  you may not have made it but we're all still rooting for you! ｟  HIMARI  ｠  ⸻  there will be even more chances in the future so don't feel down about not getting into a company this time!~

｟  KAITO  ｠  ⸻  don't worry, i'm fine now that i got to see all of you. hahaha! ｟  KAITO  ｠  ⸻  plus i did get an 'earful' from mom and dad for not even telling them so... ｟  KAITO  ｠  ⸻  did they say anything about me sending in an audition tape so soon? ｟  HIMARI  ｠  ⸻  they did! i told them and both said they were going to let everyone know to look out for you in case you made it!~ ｟  HIMARI  ｠  ⸻  mom may have already started making a whole collection of signs and merch to use every day. she says that it will help your chances of making it or something like that... ｟  KAITO  ｠  ⸻  geez... don't let her go too overboard. never mind, she technically already has... ｟  KAITO  ｠  ⸻  i have to go now. i have a tutoring class but i'll text again later when i'm home. i love you and tell mom and dad i said i love them. ｟  HIMARI  ｠  ⸻  always working! :c but okay!~ i'll be sure to tell them. i love you, too!~

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kaito's last meaningful conversation was with his little sister a couple days after he had sent in his audition tape for dream wave. since she's the closest person to him, other than his parents who were busy at the time working, he wanted to let her know before anyone else and even wanted her to tell their parents since he kind of got a bit of an ass chewing from them when he didn't tell them about is participation on next gen.

his family is the most important to him and he almost didn't return to korea after failing to make it in next gen because he really does hate being apart from them, however at the time his parents and little sister practically dragged him to the airport and told him to go back. they're so supportive of him and his dream that they didn't want him to give up the idea of being an idol and following his dreams of debuting someday. now that he's back in korea, kaito remembers each and every single word that they had said to him back then and tells himself to not give up, not only for himself but for them as well.

the conversation that he had recently with his sister was something that he needed after sending his audition in this time, words that helped him realize that he would have to do everything he could to try and make it this time since he had so many people back home rooting for him. it gave him more motivation to actually push even harder and do even better than he had during next gen. even though his little sister is younger than him, she still has those moments where she can be wise and gives some of the best advice and encouragement that he could ever ask for.

[bekaito]

playing along and nodding in agreement. "yeah, we wouldn't want you to get lost in this crowd. if you did i'd have to send a search party out looking for you. it's better to be safe than sorry later." it's actually nice being able to joke like this with someone, well other than those that he would usually joke with like touma before the other had gone back home, and it was honestly helping him learn that he could actually let those walls down and allow others in. maybe after having spent some time with the other during the show, kaito might have actually realized that making new friends wouldn't be as bad as he had originally thought.

"true, i guess all i can really do is just move forward and hope that another opportunity comes along in the future. though, if there is such a time, i at least know now what to do and what to work on." he states, actually having used the show to really work more on the skills that he had been lacking before participating. "well then i guess you better do your best so that your dance coach doesn't kill you. i'm actually starting to like having you around." he half-teases. of course he really did enjoy having jaeyoung around. if he didn't then he wouldn't be standing here joking with the other. "where should we do this though? i feel like just breaking out into dance right here wouldn't be ideal, especially with so many people walking around." he says this while glancing around, focused on finding the perfect spot for them to pull this challenge off.

"oh, what a coincidence!" jay laughs, always easy to fall into conversations like these. "i get lost easily, so you might need to hold onto my hand really tightly! just to make sure i don't suddenly disappear from your sight. the crowds here are crazy!" it's not hard for him to joke around, he plays into banter at the drop of a hat, so much so that he knows a lot of the people he's surrounded with don't believe that he's capable of doing or consider anything seriously. jay doesn't mind that perception as much, he's used to it and he doesn't care how other people look at him. the things kaito say are funny sometimes, even though they aren't too close yet jay has a feeling that they can probably get along better the more they run into each other.

jay lets out another laugh, nudging kaito back again—it's silly! their back and forth all because of a dance challenge. jay finds it hilarious though. "don't sell yourself short! you didn't just pass the auditions, you actually got into the show and properly participated. it's not like you were eliminated right off the bat! bring yourself up more than that." he has a challenging glint to his eyes when he looks back at kaito, smirking a little. "of course it's not hard for me, by the way! especially now that i'm a trainee. my dance coaches will kill me if i couldn't pull off that dance challenge." he doesn't pull away when kaito's shoulders end up over his shoulders. "okay, let's do it then!"

[bekaito]

kaito's dream wave audition!

was he even ready to go through all of this again? probably not, though that wasn't going to stop him from at least trying. he had already failed once before so what was possibly a second time? it's true that he wasn't too messed up about failing previously but at the same time he still wasn't entirely sure if he'd even make it this time either, not like it would matter to him since he had the mindset of pushing forward and not giving up on his dream of becoming an idol someday.

reading through the requirements one last time, kaito takes a deep breath and exhales softly as he sets up the camera on a tripod. it's a bit 'depressing' that he no longer has a roommate, though at this time it's almost a sort of 'blessing' since it gave him the quite space needed to film his audition video.

with the plain white wall behind him, dressed in a simple black t-shirt and jeans, he situates himself before turning the camera on and finally beginning the audition. of course, he's going to answer all of the questions honestly and to the best of his ability, not wanting to hold back anything that could possibly hinder his chances even more.

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DREAM COMPANY: this was a tough one for kaito, especially since he didn't exactly have a dream company that he ever really thought of. usually his answer would be something along the lines of 'it doesn't matter to me' though there were a few issues with that answer. one, it made it seem like he just didn't care about actually being successful or debuting. two? well, it wasn't exactly the ideal answer to give for an audition.

So, prior to turning the camera on, Kaito had gone through each and every company he could before finally coming up with some sort of decision. "I would probably have to say studio delta. Not only do I enjoy listening to some of their groups, but I also like that they take time to mold their debut groups into what we see today. the company itself is one of which i'd love to be a part of if given the chance to do so."

SECOND DREAM COMPANY:  "my second dream company would have to be probably sr media. originally this company would have been my first choice, though i've heard that it's really hard to get into the company and even though i do love a good challenge, i'm not sure if even i'd be able to get in with my lack of skills." he answers honestly as usual, nodding his head a couple times at his own answer. even though kaito was more than confident in himself, even he knows when to accept moments of 'defeat' and with sr media he can only show that small part of him that isn't confident that he'd ever make it into the company.

"aside from that, as i stated with my first dream company, there's also some groups there that i often listen to and enjoy. i often would listen to their artists back home and even after coming to korea a few years ago." he gives a small shrug. "i really enjoy the music that the company produces and i've also covered a few of their dances with some friends."

PREVIOUS MUSICAL EXPERIENCE:  taking a moment, kaito thinks through everything he's done up until now before speaking. "i've participated in a few dance competitions back in japan, some of which i did win while others i wasn't so lucky. they ranged from school competitions to even competitions they held for prizes at the mall or on the street. i was also in next gen recently, though as you can see i didn't exactly make it." he gives a small chuckle to show that not only isn't he upset about it too much, but also that he's okay with still not having made it yet.

"aside from that, i was also a student at Kyoto University of Arts for a year before i eventually came to korea." he's sure that many others auditioning have more experience than him when it comes to more 'professional' experience, though that won't stop him from at least giving it his all for this. he's even more determined now that he had some time back home after next gen to gather his own thoughts and push forward.

SKILLS: [ ✦ ] "if i had to list a couple things i'm really confident at, it would have to be rapping and dancing. i'm not too bad when it comes to singing, and i have next gen to thank for that, though it's probably not my best skill that's out there." pursing his lips in thought, kaito takes a moment before continuing. "that's not to say i'm not working on my singing still, though if i had to go with what i'm better at it would definitely be rap and dance for sure."

maybe things would have gone differently during next gen if he had focused on singing from the beginning, though to be honest he hadn't ever really had much interest in the skill before. he wanted to be a rapper after all, that's what he loved to do the most, though kaito knows now that idols need to be well versed in what they do in order to really make it out there in the entertainment industry.

OTHER TALENTS:  doing this audition was something that was helping him remember things that he often hid from others, or rather just didn't talk about since they were never brought up, though now that he was here and exposing himself more than when he was filming for next gen he didn't really know where to begin. "well, i'm a tutor so i'm pretty good when it comes to different subjects, though i guess you can say i'm really good at doing math. i often like to do some rapid math as a sort of 'game' with those i tutor to see who can answer faster and more correctly."

pausing for a moment, kaito hums softly as he goes down the list. "there's also bass guitar, cooking, photography, piano and even eating spicy foods, though i guess that last one isn't really a 'talent' is it?" at least to him it was, even if they didn't think so. most of his friends back home couldn't eat half of the things that he could, at least not at the same level of spiciness.

FAVORITE ARTISTS: there's not much to think about when this portion comes up, not when it comes to someone like kaito who has a list of artists that he religiously listens to daily. "there's quite a few so i'm just going to start listing the major ones i enjoy. HIT, Jude, B.E.T, Vertex, A.Maze, BxY, Hiraeth, RI5E, and LIGHTSPEED would be some from here. If we're talking about other places as well?" a small smile forms on his lips. "there's ONE OK ROCK, XY, JO1, INI-" realizing that he's rambling on at this point, kaito stops and laughs a little.

"sorry, i'm rambling but yeah i have a lot of favorites, some of which are the reason that i started dreaming of being an idol. RI5E is one of them that really made me realize my dream when i first heard some of their songs back home."

[bekaito]

at least jaeyoung was willing to joke back to what kaito says, not many would be willing to or even catch on to the fact that it's all this was. a harmless joke. it sort of makes kaito feel relieved that the other is even playing into it all despite not knowing one another enough to normally do so. usually people would just look at him like he's strange or even roll their eyes. "you know, we could always hold hands while we walk around. i wouldn't want to lose you in the crowd." he's joking, again, of course which shows when he gives a small laugh to show that he is in fact doing just that. it's not like he's being serious about all of this, rather just making this festival a bit more fun by relaxing with some little jokes here and there so the two aren't just aimlessly walking around.

giving a small shrug at the others words, kaito looks at jaeyoung. "i don't see why not. i think i saw a few others back there doing the same thing. plus, i'm always up for a challenge." he laughs while shaking his head at the last bit of what the other had said. "trust me, if that is considered 'hard' i definitely wouldn't have made it past even the auditions for the show. you and i both know by now that the dance challenge is basically a beginner level." he half-jokes while gently nudging the other. "or is it that maybe you're the one thinking it'll be hard?" giving a small grin, kaito tosses his arm around jaeyoung's shoulders as they walk.

jay finds it kind of funny how small the world is, sometimes. granted, usually he doesn't remember the people he runs into in passing—but kaito is different, because in their short history of knowing each other it's kind of hard to forget the other boy. added by the fact that they also keep finding each other like they're bound by some sort of weird string of fate tying them to multiple accidental encounters. but he supposes a lot of people attend waterbomb on the regular anyway, and this is relatively normal all things considering. "that's dumb—but people love to assume whatever they want anyway! so what? let them assume whatever they want! guess we're dating in the eyes of the public now!" the two of them are boys though, so he believes society hasn't progressed that far to accept the fact that they might be dating. even though jay does like boys too.

"right here? during the festival?" jay hums, as if he has to think about it. when naturally, he thinks it'd be fun. a little silly. it might kickstart their previously gained fame from next gen—but that isn't exactly what matters to jay. "sure, why not? you think you're up for the challenge?" he questions, nudging the older boy with his elbow. "i've seen the videos though, it's not that hard. especially with our experience. hardly a challenge!" he does smirk at the other boy still, mischevious like always. "unless you think it's hard? are you sure you think you can do it?" he teases.

[bekaito]

☆Fast Forward ──────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────

at this point kaito would at least consider @bejaeyoung a good friend, what else would they be when they've not only participated in the same show but also kept running into one another like they had a short while ago. "you know, if we keep running into each other like we have been lately, people might start to think we're dating or something." he jokes, giving a laugh following his own words to show that he is in fact just joking with the other male. it seems like the more that he sees the other male, the more comfortable he gets and feels as if he can trust the other enough to at least have small jokes here and there. hell, he had literally run into jaeyoung not too long ago which is when the joking really started taking off between them.

"i heard there's some sort of dance challenge that they have going on. we should do that, sort of like an 'old times sake' sort of thing. what do you say?" he suggests this while glancing around to see if anyone else was actually doing this challenge or if it was just some sort of 'rumor' that went around. not like it would matter either way, at least if they were to do this and it got posted, maybe it would receive some positive feedback since the two of them had once been on the same team together. though it wasn't for that really at all, just more so something for the two of them to do while having some fun during this whole festival.

[bekaito]

laughing lightly at what the other says, kaito shakes his head slowly. "i kind of figured it was, though i still wouldn't mind if i had to since it was my fault after all." he states, just to show that he isn't the type who would do something like this and not at least try to pay for his own mistakes. it was how he was raised after all, to own up to the mistakes he made without complaining or trying to squirm his way out of situations. if his mother or father were here right now they would have already run off to buy jaeyoung another replacement shirt, though kaito would do the same if he were sure that the other male wouldn't just up and leave.

he smiles softly as jaeyoung speaks, nodding slowly while listening to each and every word that the other says to him. he makes sure to not interrupt and pay close attention to not only the other's words but also the different facial expressions and movements that the other does. picking up on the slightest bit of possible change in even his tone. "i don't know if i'm glad or still bummed now just hearing this. i admit the on-screen drama definitely wouldn't be something i was capable of even doing. though i wonder if i would have made it a little farther if i had done something a bit more dramatic to stand out some." he says, lips pursing in thought at the idea.

"at least you can proudly say though that you got into a great company, especially one that focuses more on what you prefer rather than forcing yourself to do something you don't care much about. i feel like i'd be lost if i had somehow made it. i'm still unsure even after experiencing the show of which company i'd hope to be part of if ever given the chance." he squints slightly at the thought, shaking his head slightly to shove those thoughts to the back of his mind. it's not like he would have to worry about any of that anytime soon.

eyebrow raising at the suggestion that comes from jaeyoung, kaito quicky nods in response. "sure! i'm down for something to drink, though you have to let me pay since i did ruin your drink that you had. i was actually on my way to find a chill place to relax... well that was before i.... y'know..." he trails off while motioning towards the stain on jaeyoung's shirt before chuckling softly. "got any recommendations? maybe we could even grab a bite to eat as well, or even just a small snack. i'm actually kind of hungry as well."

"i hope you know that was a joke!" jay remembers to say, because he wouldn't want to squeeze money out of someone, even if they were rich enough to afford it. jay has quite a few friends who are of an affluent status, but he never thought of using their money for any of his personal needs, even if they offered. sure, he's technically rich too, but he refuses to use his parents' blood money and he'd rather spend what he makes himself—this collision with kaito is just a small bump in the road anyway, so it'll be fine.

that being said, it does feel like kaito is actually joking around, which means jay can play along. "besides, i'd feel bad squeezing someone who's literally juggling several jobs at once. do you think i'm that evil?" he questions, having rewatched some parts of next gen recently. there are a few notable auditions, and looking back he's kind of embarrassed of his own audition—he could've done something more impactful, something more explosive! but jay isn't going to dwell on the past. he remembers kaito mentioning his jobs back then too though.

he hadn't expected to be congratulated though, which causes a smile to appear on jay's face. "thank you! it was a lot, i feel like i went through some sort of redemption arc by the end there. like, i didn't expect to be part of much of the on-screen drama, but i was! i hope it made for good entertainment for the viewers at home." that's all that matters—that jay wasn't boring, that he had make good tv for those who watched.

"obviously, it's tiring, there's so much packed into one week. but i'm having fun! i'm lucky i got into studio delta, i think something like lime entertainment would be grating on my brain. i can't imagine myself as part of their roster. they're all about image... and i kind of don't care about how i'm perceived as long as the music i make is a hit!" that's probably something he has to work on when he debuts, regardless. "they're also super restrictive, i heard. not a lot of room for creative direction if you debut under them."

jay's used to chatting away someone's ear, but his throat is feeling rather parched. "if we're gonna talk a while, should we go somewhere else? i could use a drink! unless you had plans before you crashed into me, mr. zombie?" he laughs a little. "i wouldn't wanna intrude on your agenda! i'll tell you more about whatever you wanna hear though."

[bekaito]

kaito couldn't say that he had been in the other's shoes exactly, though he did know what it was like to be stressed about personal matters or even worries that he had, even more so recently. though, in the end, he also was one that never really did show his own worries about troubles and had a bad habit of keeping things bottled up inside. how was he able to sit here and give this advice to the other male when he couldn't even take his own advice? simple, just tell jingren what he had heard others tell people around him. well mostly anyway. "i think maybe it's just the stress of everything that's happened recently? you became a trainee so now you're having to live by a schedule that you aren't used to, going through change can sometimes be stressful and make you have doubts, though i feel like you'll be able to get through it all. you just have to believe in yourself and trust that everything will play out nicely for you as time goes on." giving a gentle pat to the others back, kaito offers up a smile of reassurance to the other male. "no worries, man. i'll do whatever i can possible to help you out, no need to thank me at all either." taking a moment, he thinks before giving a small, quick, nod of his head. "alright, so let's get you some uh.... therapy shopping going then? is that what they call it?" he asks, giving a small chuckle afterwards. "i wouldn't say that i'm the best when it comes to fashion, though i do tend to keep up with the latest trends... at least the ones that fit my style anyway, though i'm sure we can work together on finding the right stuff for you depending on your own personal taste." he states this with a reassuring nod once more before he begins walking. "i think i remember a new store opening up around here somewhere with at least most of what you're looking for, maybe even bags as well but we'll have to see when we get there."

"thanks for the honesty," which he would always appreciate. jingren wasn't really the type to deal with any sort of sugarcoating, and sometimes couldn't read hints or sarcasm well. "just throwing some ideas out there, because... well. i don't know what i am doing with my life right now. i am... honestly quite confused. maybe i need a therapist," jingren utters, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. he turns back to kaito and stares at him. "thanks for entertaining my ideas. some eats and shopping would be a nice break. i often spend too much time on just necessities or...." only the scholarly or nerdy things. jingren could afford to spend some extra bits on actually fun things, right? wrong. he needs the push from his friends. otherwise he naturally doesn't do it himself.

"yea, some time together or even chilling would be.... helpful. i could look around for some new kicks or a new bag. my laptop bag is seriously on the end of its life. i've had it since freshman year. whoever thought totes were a good idea, was very. very wrong. i think my shoulder will kill me when i am older." jingren rubs at his shoulders, and sighs, glumly. "you got a good eye for fashion?" one wouldn't want to assume, but kaito does look like he's on point all the time.

[bekaito]

after everything that happened with next gen, kaito took some time to head back to his hometown in japan and visit his family. it was either that or staying at his apartment, lying around and possibly being a burden to touma, so in the end, he decided to use the time to see his family whom he hadn't seen since he had first come to korea. it was nice while it lasted, having time to just be home with those that he loved the most, however, it was time to return to his busy life in the foreign country and work towards his dream once again. thankfully today was his day off from most of his jobs, having already finished his tutoring session, so he had plenty of free time to do whatever he wanted. though, well, he didn't know what he wanted to do today.

in the end, kaito finds himself with jingren who had also been on next gen, except the other male had made it and honestly kaito was happy for the other. listening to what the other says, he can't help but crack a smile while slightly shaking his head back and forth a few times. "i don't know if getting a girlfriend is the solution, but i guess it could help?" he says this, tilting his head to the side slightly while thinking for a moment. humming softly, he finally speaks once again as a thought comes to mind. "how about we go do that then? we can spend the day going to lotte world, some cafes, maybe even some shopping? or we can go do something that you really enjoy doing? that may help a bit, if not a lot, with your mood."

no promises to keep

he feels a bit aimless after everything that has happened. jingren didn't think it would affect him but ultimately- it did. a bit foolish to think that he'd be left completely fine and dandy after a whirlwind of a life event happened. he's not impulsive, yet he threw himself into the live show and competition. he tried new things, and in a way, failed at them. it kind of makes him deflate, and the student thought he could immerse himself back into school and studies again, but life doesn't seem to work that way. is he burnt out? does he need to 'touch grass'? he hates doing that. perhaps misery loves company, as he finds himself sulking beside @bekaito, with whom he had no ill intent of being so depressive towards but he's pretty sure there's a gloom clowd over his head.

"seriously, do you think i just need to get a girlfriend or something? i'm so.... moody. not saying that i need to go out and find a girl right this second, but i don't want to do much of anything. is this what they call depression?" does he actaully want to be a trainee? was he disappointed in himself? jingren needs to know more about himself but without the therapy session. "maybe i need to go to lotte or something and just... have fun. or... go to a cat cafe and.. bury my face into a cat's belly. do i need vacation? i'm burnt out. i'm ranting. i am ranting. i'm so sorry, kaito, i don't even typically talk this much." truth be told, he's genuinely a quite fellow, but not today!

[bekaito]

There’s a laugh that escapes from him at the small joke made by Jaeyoung. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to cover the whole bill if it comes down to that. Just let me know how much and I’ll cover everything with no complaints.” Even though Kaito isn’t used to joking with others like this, aside from Touma, it seems to come easier for him than he thought it would. Of course there were times during Next Gen where he occasionally joked with some of his other teammates at the time, though it was partially because he had to make some sort of attempt at getting along with them. In the end it didn’t seem like that effort mattered after he was kicked from the show.

Kaito doesn’t expect anyone to really remember him from the show, not when he didn’t really stand out amongst the others, so when he hears what the other says he just brushes it off and gives a small chuckle in response before responding. “I’m Kaito, or just ‘Kai’ if it’s easier to remember that way.” He states this with a friendly smile to show that he’s not exactly upset over the other male not remembering his name.

“Oh, yeah… no. The whole ‘nerd’ thing didn’t work out for me. Being charismatic and being a zombie from multiple jobs seems to fit me a lot more.” He jokes back before running his fingers through his hair. “By the way, congratulations on making it to the end. I saw the finale and after even working with you I can say, you really deserved it.” He’s being sincere about congratulating the other, even with the words that he says to him as well. It’s true that he thought a lot of the others had been talented, though someone like Jaeyoung really had the talent to not only make it to the end and sign with a company, but also had that aura that made him just shine amongst the rest.

“So, how’s the whole trainee life treating you?” Kaito is genuinely curious about this, wondering what it’s like when you’re able to even get into a company. “Was this your dream company or were you secretly hoping for another company?”

free time is fewer now that he’s a trainee, making them a lot more sacred. especially with his status as a university student too, giving him little time to spend on leisure. he always gave himself a rather busy schedule, and he’s doing what he likes to do, so he isn’t actually complaining. naturally, jay decides to make the most of the free time he has. some days he’d stay in, spend time with his sister in their apartment now that he doesn’t have the freedom to choose when to do so. other days though, he’d venture out into the streets. no particular destination in mind, going wherever the wind takes him. sometimes the world surprises him.

this time though, it chooses to literally have something—someone—collide into him. jay huffs, caught off-guard for obvious reasons. he was paying attention straight ahead he wasn’t looking to his sides. it was a pretty nasty crash too, with jay taking some steps back stumbling, although he manages to catch himself last minute. he looks up to the culprit, surprised to see a familiar face.

someone who was on one of his teams during next gen, he thinks—he pushes his brain to remember more, for politeness sake. jay realizes that it’s important lately, so he’s putting in the effort for once. the name is escaping him though.

“no worries!” he starts, brushing off whatever’s on his shirt only to pose with a peace sign to show the other boy he’s okay. jay isn’t lying, it’s not anything too bad. only the initial hit hurt. “i’m still functioning just fine. i’ll mail you my hospital bills later if i’m wrong though,” he says in jest.

“sorry if this makes me sound like an awful person, but what’s your name again?” he’d recently rewatched a portion of next gen, so he does have memories of the man standing in front of him right now. still, names are harder to remember. “we were on next gen together right? it’s been a while! how’s life been treating you lately? did you discover yourself to be a nerd after all?” funnily enough, that’s the part he remembers most.