#✰ . . . ( 𝗟 𝗢 𝗔 𝗗 𝗜 𝗡 𝗚 : solo ) !

[lgcsaem]

☆ ⸝⸝ 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐍 , a solo.

misaki doesn't think he's ever been this excited for a family concert. this experience already under his belt, action-packed and memorable, this year certainly takes the cake, all for one very crucial fact previous years lacked— he is an idol.

well, he will be an idol, the finish line crawling closer as the year barrels towards its end month after month, his rag-tag group of anticipated new kidz finally being given what the world will forever more know them as.

mzsd.

what that means, misaki couldn't even begin to guess, but the young boy truly doesn't have it in him to care. not when he's this pumped, the confirmation of an official group name only cementing what the future has in store. his giddiness can be felt throughout the whole concerts run, bright and enthusiastic, warmth radiating off of his small frame as the performance with his group members is done, their collab stages with nova absolutely crushed, and the encore stage begins. he's not stopped dancing throughout the entire night, even when waiting backstage, so it's no surprise when he makes his way back up with a bounce to his step and a sway in his hips.

misaki has always looked to dbsd with admiration, but now, they're more to him than simply being company seniors— they're true mentors, acting guides and creatives who now directly influence and create the future misaki would soon have. to maintain approval not only meant working hard, but working with passion, so it only makes sense in misakis mind to go absolutely crazy the moment a remixed version of aju nice begins to play.

an absolute banger on all fronts, it's the least misaki could do. so, that's exactly what he does, running around the stage with ( somewhat ) reckless abandon, making sure not to bump into anyone or get in any other artists way as he dances and interacts with the crowd, a bright grin overtaking his tired features the entire time. the night might be coming to a close, but misaki shows no signs of stopping.

it's only as the song reaches a familiar point, one misaki is all too fond of doing during the comedown of dance practices, the routine practically engraved in his body at this point. immediately, he turns, eyes darting for a pair he knows is looking for him all the same.

spotting noeul takes hardly a moment, and the second their eyes meet, it's a mad dash for center stage. noeul has always been a reliable hyung, a reliable friend, so it does nothing but delight misaki further as he almost collides with the older so they can dance together.

he isn't sure how well his mic picks up his laughter, pure and bubbly as the night goes on, but misaki is sure his happiness can be felt to the moon and back.

[lgcsaem]

☆ ⸝⸝ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 , a solo.

this was all so different, a far departure from the normally lively persona misaki unconsciously embodied, standard performances he'd taken part in thus far during both his trainee and soon-to-be idol careers animated and excitable in ways today's stage wasn't. it's a change the youngest member of their group hadn't ever taken into consideration for himself, but it's one he can't say he dislikes.

no, on the contrary, it's a challenge misaki finds himself rather thrilled to take on. what thrills him the most, however, is being able to embark on something like this with wenjun, his opposite in many ways, but an inspiring beacon all the same.

far from considering himself the vocalist the company seems to believe him to be, misaki found himself determined from the very beginning of guerilla stage preparations to prove to everyone ( himself included ) that he could, indeed, match those expectations and more.

often single-minded and hyper-focused when something lit his fire, what better way to smash his duo stage out of the water than to lean fully into vocals? paired with another member as vocally capable as wenjun, misaki knows without a doubt that there isn't anything the two couldn't achieve— therein is born their stage.

the little prince.

it's a stark contrast to the rest of the acts that make up their concerts set lists, a tonal shift rather unexpected for someone like misaki, and as he takes to the stage with the older boy by his side, misaki does all he can to contain his excitement. today presents a great opportunity to reaffirm that he isn't a one-trick pony; to show that, while dancing will always be his focus, it's not because he's lacking in other avenues as a performer ( as an idol, true and determined to shine ).

today, he is one of two little princes. today, with his mischiviously cheshire-like grin and shimmering eyes, he is a singer.

today, misaki is happy.

[lgcsaem]

☆ ⸝⸝ 𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐏𝐓, 𝐃𝐎𝐍'𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐏 , a solo.

maybe misaki should have allowed himself more time to properly dry off before filming, the hair atop his head reduced to that of a sopping mop, soggy as the tips of his fringe stuck to his skin, still dripping periodically as he wrapped a towel around his shoulders in an effort to stave off the intrusive cold. he's sure he looks rather silly like this, swim shorts still peaking from under his towel, but that's something he pays little mind to— public scrutiny over his image hasn't ever held him back from showcasing his personality before, so why should it now?

what really mattered, at this moment, was the rather heavy cat currently being cradled in his arms underneath the towel wrapped around his shoulders, hidden from view as filming began.

"did you guys know shelters did more than just house animals in need of homes?" he begins, eyes round and imploring, brows raised high in question as he gazes into the camera lens. "the last thing i thought i'd be doing today as a volunteer was swimming, but—" head dipping slightly as he cast a downwards glance at his still damp self, a cheeky rin overtakes misakis features as his gaze rises once more. "—that's exactly what i did today! i learned there are a lot of things a single person can do to help animals who haven't found their forever homes just yet, even if you can't be the one to give them that forever home." if it were up to misaki, he'd be leaving the shelter and returning to his dorm with a new little friend of his own. alas, now simply was not the time, not when his life was about to explode with activity. oh well, at least he's able to do this much. "if you ever have a spare day, why not visit your local shelter so that you can at least volunteer and play with the animals, or help give them a nice, warm meal!"

finally, at the prompting of prickly paws beginning to dig themselves into his forearms ( despite both arms now showcasing an array of little bandaids, triumphant battle wounds from the day's exploits, misaki was sure he'd be needing a few more now ), muted mewls sounding from underneath his towel, misaki allows the cloth to drop to the floor as he showcases the mildly disgruntled chunky kitty he'd had the pleasure of spending time with throughout the day. "you might even get to help an animal exercise, just like me with this big guy right here!"

another little jab into his forearm as he hefts the cat up a little high in his arms, gentle purrs vibrating into misakis chest as the animal adjusts itself to find more comfort, and misaki is elated despite the little ow, ow's he voices.

gaze refocusing on the camera before him, the young boy lifts an arm and points to the viewers. with furrowed brows and a snaggletooth-displaying smile, misaki signs off. "this has been saem, and remember— adopt, don't shop!"

[lgcsaem]

☆ ⸝⸝ 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 , a gyeseung intro.

nestled comfortably atop the trees, solitary and free as he lazily gazes upon the wooden expanses of his domain, resides a young, orphaned beast tamer by the name of kuramoto misaki. an enigma in his own right, short history relatively unknown even to those within his sect who were delightfully unlucky enough to call him a companion, there is one thing to be certain of when it comes to the boy with the black-footed cat perpetually perched atop his right shoulder and throwing needles hidden under his sleeves— kuramoto misaki, for all his playful enthusiasm, is not one to be overlooked.

while not explicitly born to the shadow woods, he has spent more years within it than he has outside of it, pity having been bestowed upon him in the form of the only guardian he has ever known; his master. frail, cold, and huddled all alone deep within the forested area in which misaki had been abandoned, his unknown family too poor and pitiful to bear the weight of caring for the child they'd never meant to have, misakis saving grace had been the faint pulse of cultivation potential felt by a disgraced former beast tamer looking to right his wrongs and give another a second chance at life.

often regarded with a mixture of contempt and annoyance by the majority of those within his sect, the years having been spent under his aging masters' tutelage have done him wonders, his knack for beast taming coming to him as if it were second nature. quickly shed is the shadow of a twig he'd been upon discovery, replaced now by a spirited boy with far too much energy and a curiosity for the world that has yet to be quenched. it is only upon the sudden death of his master, a training session gone wrong upon the sudden arrival of a beast far too strong for either a withering man or a green apprentice to handle, that misakis yearnings to travel the world come to bittersweet fruition. for a second time, pity is bestowed upon him— with the willing sacrifice of his master and the additional battle power of the small beast he'd taken to befriending near the little shack misaki called home, the young boy continues to live, but not without wounds of his own to speak of.

once physical gashes fade to nothing but mild discoloration upon pale skin, the restlessness truly sets in. again, misaki is alone, the once comfortably rickety walls of his home cold with the absence of who he could only liken to a father— he couldn't stand to stay, so he decides to leave. young and spry, commissions and general traveling keep misakis body busy and mind clear, awaiting adventures doing well to keep his enthusiasm high and skills consistently growing. there is no use in regretting what is lost when there is plenty to be found.

now, traveling between territories with a penchant for mischief, misaki calls the world his home, often crashing in on others spaces when needed whenever he's not out and about. he has yet to go back to his old home in the woods.

[lgcsaem]

✰ … SHARE WITH THE CLASS. where misaki has learned something new ( solo ).

this whole experience has been way more interesting than misaki originally thought it would be— having hardly ever been a studious kid, subjects purely relying on mental power being far out of his range of strengths, the young boy can't say these korean lessons have been the most boring thing he's ever done ( sure, he might still get whiney at times over his slightly below average grasp on the language being the reason he needed to take these additional lessons to begin with, but he only whines for a moment before a swift glance from his teacher sets him straight ).

misaki has learned quite a lot, these last few weeks serving him ( alongside the other boys he was learning with ) well. now, all that's left to do in order to bring this chapter to a close? presentation time!

public speaking has never been an enemy, his love for the stage and the need to be seen making todays task a breeze. misaki isn't nervous, lips thinned into a little grin as he stands before both his peers and teacher. with the clearing of his throat and the clap of his hands, attention is on him.

"misakis idiom!" resolutely, he nods, jumping straight into things with ease. "i learned this one last class— 입이 심심하다." my mouth is bored. "when i first heard this saying, i thought it meant something like i want to talk and i thought . . . that's just like me!" it's with enthusiasm that misaki speaks, eyes wide as he nods his head once more, a hand lifting to rest against his chest as he continues. "but it doesn't actually mean anything like that at all, teacher explained it to me!" at this, misaki uses his free hand to point to their teacher. "you're supposed to say this when you're feeling like you want a snack . . . your mouth is bored, so give it something to chew on!"

lips turning up into a wide-toothed grin, misaki finishes. "once i learned the real meaning of that phrase, i started liking it even more than before— i like to snack on things a lot, and that's a funny way of saying i'm hungry. i'm gonna start saying that more often!"

[lgcsaem]

✰ … HAPPY FEET. just call him mumble ( solo ).

misaki has always loved to perform, the urge to take center stage innate to his very core, prevalent from his very first memories on this earth— there isn't any room to hesitate, no reason to hold back, not when he's so eager, determined, but most of all, ecstatic, to put himself on display. it's something he's done for years now, both before his time as a trainee and especially so now.

his capabilities with dancing, while having already been solid, have come a long way, his stiffer, prim foundations taking surprisingly well to the wilder, more involved choreographies often excepted of male idols and trainees. maybe that's in part to finally being allowed to let himself go more while under legacys watchful eyes, no longer held back by the restrictions a more classical genre was ruled by. it's all still technical, still intricate and taxing on the body, but it's fun.

fun, underneath it all, is what he lives for— freedom and energy and fun.

his song choices weren't ones he needed to heavily deliberate on, clear winners springing to his mind almost immediately.

even before he'd been required to pick a song he felt best showcased his best skill, hot sauce was a routine he'd already known like the back of his hand. it was loud, attention-grabbing from the start, cool— it allowed for a fairly large range of skill to be shown, certain segments requiring strong but precise movements, while others needed more relaxed, but still involved, actions. it's a little different from what he believes nknd will ultimately be, a choice he's not sure if anyone would have expected him to pick, a bit grungier, rebellious, but the same energy is there ( it's just in a different font ).

go big or go home was energetic, but energetic in a way that felt like fun for the whole crew, just as misaki needed it to be— a track that still allowed for bouncing movements while also showcasing interesting formations and duo ( and sometimes, even trio! ) moments throughout. it's a dance track, through and through, a great b-side he would've killed to have his own group originate, but it's not as intense as hot sauce. light without being too bright, tame while still delivering an impressive dance break, and somewhat adjacent to the funky fresh beats carried in new kidz on the block— yeah, this is a song he'd have wanted for himself, and he makes it known throughout every second of his performance.

[lgcsaem]

✰ … THE WRAP-UP. final thoughts after a weekend of fun ( solo ).

misaki is not the type to hold grudges— while often childish and sulky, bouts of prolonged anger and resentment are only palpable and pungent in their initial moments before a new distraction easily whisks his negativity away. he's a sponge, as easy to wring dry as he is to soak, more often than not causing those in his general vicinity to experience whiplash to varying extents.

his highs are highs and his lows are lows, but they're never forever, unendingly eager to go, go, go.

maybe that's why, despite his pouty, whinny nature during the earlier hours of the day ( saturday ), misakis demeanor is now lofty, a signature cherish-like grin spread across freshly touched-up lips. for all the challenges he'd lost, a solid two out of three, misaki had had fun, had thoroughly enjoyed his time with his fellow trainees in a way he'd not experienced since spring boys. this was the last day he'd been able to take part in, other schedules conflicting with his availability, but he'd at least been able to experience the thick of it all.

by this point, interviews are a breeze, and he's determined to share his enthusiasm.

"well, why don't we get started— what was your favorite moment from today?"

"finally winning a challenge!" the answer bubbles up without a second thought, his grin widening into something far more joyous, a full laugh following his words. he's in a giggly mood, chipper as he tended to be, well-rested and relaxed after a few days devoid of his usual training routine. "i didn't think i was ever gonna be on a winning team— at first, i thought suddenly changing up groups and becoming part of team young would be more of an advantage for the relay drawing game, but nope." he's still giddy despite the way his brows furrow as he explains. "we weren't as sharp as i thought we'd be . . . but i think that's what made finally winning the quick response game at the very end that much better!"

puffing his chest out slightly, fists settled on his hips in triumph, his lips curl into a satisfied smirk. "i got my redemption!"

"how did you feel about the activities given to your teams?"

brows raising high, misaki finds himself nodding his head resolutely, fringe bouncing in front of his eyes ( his shag was in dire need of a trim ). "getting to play games like this was a lot of fun, especially since it's not something we do all the time." for the most part, trainee life consists of just that— training. shenanigans had are instances made between obligations, and while misaki had become quite the expert at sneaking in silly antics between workshops and lessons, being able to have fun without pause had been a refreshing change of pace. "i liked that they were games i don't play that often, that sort of made it feel like i was learning the rules all over again to up the ante!"

"do you feel like you've gotten closer to anyone thanks to today?"

again, misaki finds himself nodding along, this time far more vigorously. "oh, seyoonie!" the smile that grows on his lips in infectious, pearly whites on full display. "he and i are already good friends, especially because we used to be roommates—" a reality that no longer held true, unfortunately "—but i think we got closer. there's nothing like feeding your bro burnt food you helped make to strengthen your bond!" laughter trickles after he statement, a hand lifting to brush his fringe from out of his eyes. he can still taste the bitter charred flavor the meat he'd prepared left lingering on his palette, but he didn't mind.

"so . . . with saturday over, has your experience today taught you anything new?"

"i'm not the worst cook, i'm just a bad cook." an unexpected chortle sounds from beyond the camera, a stark contrast to the serious look misaki gives the lens pointed his way. he's only able to hold that expression for a moment, however, before his cheeks color a lovely pink with delighted embarrassment. "it's true! i might burn most things, but you can still eat them! they're edible, i swear!" the young boy fidgets in his seat, body unable to fully contain his urge to jump to his feet. cheeks still aflame, he feels himself beginning to calm down, but his grin persists. "also— i made a petty stink about it, but i think . . . losing a bunch is ok, just as long as i win in the end."

[lgcsaem]

✰ … ACHY BREAKY. don't worry, he's fine— he does this all time ( solo ).

evaluations hadn't ever been something to worry over.

he'd been tested all his life, exposed to the cutthroat world of dance, theater, and now, in recent years, preparation for the idol status misaki yearned to achieve. while something he'd decided to pursue on a whim, teenage boredom and the fear of missing out weighing heavily on his scatterbrained mind with a dire need for relief, misaki can't deny that this is where he belongs. while his path was ever winding, without fail, it would continue upwards, and no evaluation would derail that trajectory.

he's done then too many times now to properly count, so, while there's nothing for the young boy to be worried over, something bubbles in the pit of his stomach— excitement. this was something different, a test unlike all he'd been made to face in the past, one solely focused on personality, entertainment, and, to an extent, heart.

and, boy, did misaki have a lot of gremlin-like qualities heart.

he's was genuine to a fault, open and eager to be seen, uncaring towards what other people's thoughts about him were ( why should he care? they were bound to learn eventually, so why cry over it when he could simply move on to people who valued all he had to give ). the want to be inherently liked was present, yes, but being disliked wouldn't crush his spirits, so long as he could get a laugh or two to spill out.

so, misaki stands from his seat as his turn to present finally comes, a cheeky grin spread across rosy cheeks and slightly chapped lips. before him are a preappointed panel of coaches, all people who know him well. he'd couldn't disappoint them now.

misaki gives a half-correct salute. "snaggletoothed misaki, a.k.a saem, reporting for duty!"

he'd done well to pick his particular talent, a somewhat flashy show of stretchy limbs and popping joints ( he's overjoyed every day for the limberness with which he'd developed over the years and the double jointedness he'd been naturally born with ), having not only bent himself into a multitude of different shapes, something resembling a pretzel garnering a rather loud gasp from someone in the room, but also showcasing his ability to dislocate his shoulders and pop them back into place like it was nothing— when he claimed he was able to circle his arms around his whole body without unclasping them, he'd been serious!

all in all, misaki had thoroughly enjoyed himself, so he could only believe those around had enjoyed him in turn.

[lgcsaem]

✰ … PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. timing isn't only important for dance ( solo ).

ebbs and flows were normal— ups and downs, goods and bads, lefts and rights, all instrumental in shaping one's daily life. not a single person lived on a linear, unbending, unwinding path, and as a result, flexibility ( both in a physical and mental sense ) was a necessity. it was crucial to be able to think outside the box and push boundaries when truly put to the test, and if misaki was sure about one thing, it was this.

he knows how to push.

misaki is fast, light not only on his feet but also with his thoughts ( mainly because there usually wasn't much going on in that little mind of his at any given moment, attention jumping from one topic to the next with each passing minute ). he's adaptable, always one to jump in when a new conversation is born, quips and remarks at the ready thanks to a sharp tongue the moment a new topic rears itself within his sights. misaki is a talker, just as active with his words in the same fashion he is with his body when on stage, and that, he likes to believe, is one of his greatest strengths.

misaki isn't boring.

so, alongside the main tasks set before their small workshop group, the young boy takes it upon himself to try and heighten his senses— still thinking on his feet, he attempts to act with more tact throughout his mundane life, wanting to showcase a more semi-thoughtful nature as to not ride the funny man high too fast. he wants to be spoken about at length for his more amusing disposition, not just in short snippets between the gags of others. he's still the same silly, random, outrageous misaki everyone's always known him as, he just allows the room to settle a few seconds longer before striking.

those extra few ruminating, expecting seconds, after all, are what could make or break the punchline.

[lgcsaem]

✰ … WHAT I LEARNED IN BOATING SCHOOL IS! the end of yet another mission ( solo ).

misaki always felt rather vexed anytime mandatory meetings needed to be held— while being constant things, trainers and managers alike needing to touch base often as a way of ensuring proper growth within the vast amount of trainees the company had their hooks in, meetings of individual importance were much more far and few between. for that, the young boy was happy ( misaki has always been too excitable, has always been too antsy, needing to move and be on his feet to prevent himself from jumping out of his own skin. conversations steeped in complexities, talks based on strict points, tended to be more difficult for him despite his best efforts ).

at least this time around, the conversation at hand wasn't anything incredibly heavy— reflecting was easy when all you had to do was talk about what you liked and didn't like, not needing to pull from depths too far. for that reason, there's no sense of restlessness aching at misakis joints, his body rather bouncy where he's sat.

"i missed being outside and getting to play around the way all these games allowed me to do— not like i stay inside every minute of my life, anyways, but this was different!" his eyes shine bright, head nodding along rather animatedly as he speaks. "kite flying made it so i could, like, really run around. i thought it was gonna be boring at first, kind of like yutnori— oh! coach hyung, i felt like i was going crazy trying to learn yuntnori, it's so slow and takes so long!" misakis brows furrow, lips thinning into a line, causing his snaggletooth to peek out just a bit. "i really enjoyed the games where we were able to be more physical. games like that made me realize just how much i hate having to sit down and wait on other people to take their turns. being able to do my own thing, at my own pace, was something i enjoyed way more this time around!"

head tilting to one side for a moment, misaki gives a little hum, trying to gather more of his thoughts. "i was surprised at how much i liked doing the top spinning, though— do you know what bayblades are? i used to play with those all the time back home when i was a kid! me and my friends would fight each other with them, it was so cool— the spinning tops reminded me of that, so even though i had to be pretty still for that, it wasn't bad!" sure, maybe he'd been scolded once or twice for trying to battle with his spinner at some points, but hey, he was there to learn and experience.

"i hope we can do more fun game-centered stuff like this in the future, again. it was a nice break from the normal training we always do!"

[lgcsaem]

✰ … WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITY 001. an end-of-year check-in ( solo ).

it'd been quite some time since misaki had last been made to sit down like this, face-to-face with one of the few coaches he'd come to know fairly well during his time as a trainee. the life for idol wannabes was a fast one, chock full of strict responsibilities and harsh expectations— had he been any weaker, easy to succumb to the occasional loneliness and defeat many felt from time to time, maybe the young boy would've given up long ago.

it was a good thing misaki had a one-track mind.

he was wild, random in action, and prone to an unpredictableness not even his closest companions could predict a majority of the time. he'd made it this far on sheer curiosity, a mild enjoyment for his general daily activities, and spite ( yes, spite— when he'd left school, abandoning the promising future he'd secured for himself solely as a dancer, many had scolded him, told him he was throwing everything away on a whim. misaki wasn't the brightest around, but his gut hadn't steered him in the wrong direction yet, that much he could be sure of ).

misaki would keep going, and he'd stay dumb all the while.

so, sat before insung, his features are alight with a somewhat cheesy grin, snaggletooth pointing out as it normally did. there isn't any real need for formalities, not when this same song and dance has been done plenty of times before, so once pleasantries are exchanged, the older man wastes no time getting down to business.

"what do you think are your strengths right now?"

his response is immediate. "dancing." his smile drops, eyes naturally wide when not emoting as his gaze lays steadily on the older man before him. "no competition— dance has been my focus since i can remember, and that's what it'll always be. i think," he continues, a low hum leaving him. "i mean, that's a pretty obvious answer, you were probably expecting that, right?"

"then, dance aside . . . i think it's fair to say i'm an all-rounder. i'm a stable enough singer, i wouldn't sing as much as i do if you guys thought otherwise— i, for one, think i hit a home run for the spring boys stages a few months back— and i think having good performance presence sort of goes hand in hand with being a good dancer."

misaki blinks. "i kill it on stage, man!"

"what are three skills that you would like to work on starting 2024?"

now this, misaki needs a moment to think about. never one to really hyper-fixate on his positives ( he simply knows what he's good at, and is able to acknowledge those abilities when prompted in a setting such as this ), he's also never been one to focus on his shortcomings. "hmmmm," he starts, brows furrowing dangerously close together in thought. the small patch of skin between his brows begin to turn a light shade of red due to the force. "oh! my variety skills— i'm already a funny guy, like, look at me—" a hand lifts to point directly at himself, a brow raised. "i'm hilarious, and i wanna make sure people know i'm entertaining to keep watching, especially for appearances. would that also go along with hosting?" misaki squints at insung, not bothering to wait for an answer. "yeah, hosting— that, too!"

biting his bottom lip, he stalls for a moment before finishing his thoughts. "maybe . . . my japanese skills, too. i never learned it growing up which kinda sucks, so it'd be cool to learn some."

"if given a chance, what types of gigs would you be interested in participating?"

"oh, oh!" misakis brows shoot up, his body bouncing haphazardly in his seat as he grows more excited. "if i can improve my variety and hosting, wouldn't that mean i can do fun appearances!?" his eyes shine brightly, interested at the prospect of enjoyable deviations from his normal, heavily guarded schedules. "i wanna be able to do more fun stuff like variety shows or mcing— anything i don't need to memorize a super complicated script for!" misaki is no stranger to acting, having experienced his fair share of it both during his time within legacy and before, and while it's never been something he'd detested, something about the freedom less scripted shows provided was far more enticing.

"i have a lot of fun guesting on some of the other trainees shows when i can, so being able to do more of that on a bigger scale seems right up my alley— plus, you gotta admit, i'm fun to watch."

"during your time here in legacy, what are some of the lessons that you’ve learned about yourself?"

"learned . . . about myself?" at this, misaki feels another frown coming on, not one born from anger or irritation, but from pure curiosity.

what has misaki learned about himself over this past year? always one to dive headfirst into new activities, but never one to catalogue important moments of growth. for a moment, misaki isn't sure if he really has learned anything new about himself in terms of lessons.

"i think—" he starts, voice the calmest it's been throughout this whole meeting. "i think . . . it's ok to be someone who's a bit weird." not that he'd ever toned himself down. his face is one of neutrality, lips forming a thin, straight line, but he nods with every word spoken. "i've met more people here who like how odd i am than i ever did back home, and i was surrounded by other funky theater kids growing up, so that's saying something. i'm not insecure about myself— i really like who i am, actually— but i guess i like knowing other people also like who i am, and i want them to keep liking who i am, unpredictableness and all."

"we can't all be boring— someone's gotta bring the energy, and i've learned i'm all the energy anyone could ever need!"

[lgcsaem]

✰ … FLYING SQUIRREL. where misaki questions why he was born a normal human boy ( solo ).

it's always been safe to say that misaki was far too excitable for his own good. mind always running at full speed, body continuously prepared to follow only a step behind, there hasn't ever been a moment in which misakis known how to be calm.

for better or for worse, that facet of his being always made new experiences all the more interesting, even when the start kicked off with boredom.

kite flying was something the younger boy hadn't ever given much thought to— park excursions and outdoor journeys tended to be rife with tree climbing, stone skipping, and a general sense of chaos that left misaki winded in the most satisfying way. he didn't venture outside to simply stand around and wait for strong winds, no.

misaki was the strong wind.

so, now, as he's made to stand relatively still, hoping to have his kite catch flight as the air around him begins to slowly pick up, there's a jittering to his left leg that cannot be tamed. he wants to move, wants to see just how much air his rad ride of a kite can catch, flaming red and flashy in a way that keeps his attention. this was their last week of game-playing, the last two months offering an interesting reprieve from the normal welcome wear and tear his body generally felt from rigorous practicing, so why not make it as fun as possible?

it's only a moment later that misaki feels a pull, the arm holding into the string finally giving way and taking to the sky, the prominent frown that'd been pulling at the corners of his lips immediately up turning into an open smile. the snaggletooth often hidden away on the left side of his mouth shines under the november sun, and in no time, misaki is running. from behind, he can hear people yelling after him, company staff no doubt, with the general sentiment of being careful and for him to not run off too far. it all goes in one ear and out the other, the joy of finally being able to move clouding all thought.

picking up speed, he wraps the kite string securely around his way, not wanting to risk letting it go in his haste so he's able to run faster. he can feel it tugging on his body as he goes, the winds strong as they are chilly, and briefly, misaki wonders what it'd be like to have wings.

why didn't he have wings like a bird, or flaps to glide like a squirrel?

what dummies people were for not having cool features like that.

by the end of the day, he's worn out in a way that feels familiar, in a way that feels good, and his kite is returned with a mildly sheepish grin. he hadn't meant for his kite to crash into a tree and get punctured. maybe he should've been given a stronger kite.

[lgcsaem]

✰ … NO SNACKING ON THE JOB. where he's just as helpful as he is negligent ( solo ).

misaki has always had rather sticky fingers.

always one for mischief, his attention often being pulled back and forth between the expectation that he act normal versus his more inviting intrusive thoughts, it's no surprise see that wherever misaki went, disaster was likely to follow ( whether said disaster befell him or his surroundings, that was always up in the air— someone or something was bound to get the short of the the stick in some way ).

the annual halloween party is something he's always enjoyed, the company usually fulfilling his innate need for all things spooky and, somewhat, crazy. it's a night full of fun costumes, loud music, and hour of dancing. despite dance making up the majority of his dna, it was an action that never got old for him. another thing that never got old?

munchies.

misaki had been told the decorations weren't edible from the very moment a staff member had caught sight of him, and explicit warning being drilled into his brain for a solid five minutes before he'd hesitantly been given the green light to enter where the gingerbread village was. misaki had frowned the whole way in— both for the lack of trust in him being able to abide by simple rules and for the lack of edible decorations. in reality, he wasn't really upset with the lecture; he could care less, seeing as it was an act he went through on a weekly basis. no, what upset him was just how tasty all the objects spread out for decoration purposes looked.

seriously, why go the inedible route for halloween— it was a sacrilegious choice.

for the first minute or so, misaki plays around with the different things on the table, getting a feel for each item as he surveys what's already been added to the structure. a lights here, sparkly sprinkles there, an ungodly amount of candy korn looking abominations.

gummy bears.

fake, of course, but squishy enough to fool an idiot. misakis no idiot, but he's also no coward.

taking a handful of gummy bear decorations, he decides to place some inside the little chimneys atop the tiny houses. finding one of the cameras scattered around, he makes eyes contact while point at the poor, bear riddled chimneys. "the bears smelled some good eats and got stuck trying to get in."

then, quite unceremoniously, he tosses the lone bear ornament left in his hand right into his mouth. he gives it a single, honest chew, then frowns. "i was kinda hoping i was being lied to when they said the candies weren't real."

misaki will learn to listen some day.

[lgcsaem]

✰ … AMIDST THE ACTION. not so secretly, he wishes he could've crowd surfed ( solo ).

there's nothing like the rush that comes with performing on stage.

adrenaline coursing through your veins, a high that can't be replicated in the same exact way that being watched, energies reaching an all-time high thanks to not only the physical exertion but also the number of people there to cheer you on, can create. it's an incredible feeling ( addictive, even ), one that misaki doesn't think he'll ever be able to get enough of.

a light sheen of sweat drips down his forehead, clothes sticking to his body thanks to the ending vestiges of that summers heat, but the short boy doesn't mind— he's long since grown used to feeling this way, feeling as if each breath he takes might be his last, inhaling air in gulps due to just how involved his body is when moving. today was a special day, after all, the company's annual family concert being a project conceived from dedication and the need to show off.

legacy had quite a number of amazingly talented individuals under its belt, all tucked away neatly until the time was right.

misaki would be damn if he didn't take this chance to showcase himself seriously.

over the last few months, he'd been quite lucky to do just that— his time partaking in spring boys had been eventful, a testament and reassurance to the fact that misaki was a talent. now, being able to participate in an extension of that project with a special stage only served to flame the fires of his inhibitions. he could see the people cheering him on, hear the crowd losing all sense with each line being sung, each dance formation run through, and each fan service-like action being taken in between.

this was why misaki loved to perform.

when the back track comes to a finish, his frame stood in its finishing stance as the lights dim upon the stage ( a signal for the next group of performers to come out ), misaki is almost sad that it's over.

not completely sad, but a faint touch is there.

as he makes his way to descend the stairs of the stage, hands coming to clasp at his shoulders as a way of encouragement for a job well done, misaki can't wait for when he can do this all over again, just in a different font.

he hopes the crowds had just as much fun as he did.

[lgcsaem]

✰ … CHRONICLES OF A LONELY BOY. where he can be calm sometimes ( solo ).

it's been almost three years since misaki has last seen his family in person.

the life of a trainee was a busy one, constantly moving, constantly having to jump from task to task with a focus on growing, evolving, and preparing. it's a grind that misaki has learned to enjoy despite the restrictions he's required to live with— at one point, misaki had thought regular schooling was strict.

legacy was on a completely different level, but even still, its rigidity didn't feel nearly as suffocating.

maybe that's how he's able to push through the severe lack of parental guidance ( there are plenty of adults surrounding him at any given time, whether they be company staff or older trainees— he's always had someone to turn to, always had mentors to gain guidance from and friends to relax with ). he's always being looked at, and for a while, that was more than enough.

chuseok is one of the few times a year when misaki begins to feel that itch for home.

he'd never celebrated the holiday before his arrival in korea, so the initial novelty of learning and experiencing it all for the first time during his first year as a trainee had been enjoyable. now, however, as he wakes up the morning of his third chuseok, tucked snuggly under the covers of his bed back in the dorms, the day feels just as normal as any other.

he's sluggish to move, dragging his slippered feet as he gets a late start to the day, planning to take it easy for once. an older female manager with a particularly soft spot for such a rowdy boy had been kind enough to send him back to the dorms with bins of food to heat up on his way out of the company building the night before, so it wasn't like he would starve. reaching what would normally be a shared bathroom, now pristinely empty for his current use only, he thinks as he begins to wash his face and brush his teeth.

maybe he could go for a walk down by the river for a little bit, chase some birds, and actually be outside for once. that cool internet cafe a few blocks away would still be open for the day, surprisingly— he could always hang out there for a few hours and play some games, maybe he could even get one of his friends back in the states to play with him for a bit on co-op. he could grab food at the little family-owned joint nestled in one of the many nearby side streets on the way back to the dorms ( the old couple who ran it were funny, always talking his ears off about the weirdest things while he ate ). he's not sure what he'll end up doing when he gets back, but at least he won't have to worry about dinner.

misaki makes a mental note to remember to call his mother while he's eating later that night.

giving his face one last rinse, misaki, stares at himself in the mirror for a moment.

yeah, that sounded like a cool day.

[lgcsaem]

✰ … YOU EVER BEEN ON A BOAT? there he goes again, rambling ( solo ).

filming never gets old— sitting before a camera, the room devoid of any life aside from misaki, a tiny bird perched outside of his windowsill, and the singular plant left to rot sadly in the far corner of his room, hidden behind a shelf that blocks any vestiges of light needed for strong leaves and healthy stems. it hadn't been too long since he'd last been required to film a vlog like this, something similar to a time capsule, one granting him the opportunity to speak his mind and sort his thoughts, but it hadn't circled back around to feeling unfamiliar.

misaki feels at ease before the camera ( he always has, and, if you were to ask him, he would always continue to ). the word shy was hardly one someone could use when describing him, his rambunctious attitude and knack for excitement being a stark contrast to the vast majority of his peers. maybe that's why he already feels his skin beginning to crawl, legs bouncing in the seat where he's sat, gaze trained on the camera set down on his desk.

the light blinks a few times, signaling to him that is really had started to record.

"can we go on another cruise sometime soon? it was awesome!"

maybe not the most professional way to start off, but at least his enthusiasm is clear.

"i've been on a boat before, and i've flown across the ocean plenty of times, but this was the first time i'd ever been able to take a real cruise before— even though we still had to take part in workshops, free time was super cool! have you ever gone rock wall climbing while on the ocean!?" already, misaki finds himself bouncing idly in his seat, a wide grin on his face as he speaks, snaggletooth out and proud for the camera lens to autofocus on for the briefest of moments. "i don't ever get nervous, but for the first time in a while, i sort of felt a bit on edge when we first got on the boat. my mom used to always complain about how sick sailing made her, that's why i hadn't gone on are real boats before— i hate feeling sick— but i think that might just be a her problem. i'd go on another cruise right now if you offered!"

for a moment, his gaze flickers to the wilted cherry blossom laying on the corner of his desk, his demeanor evening out slightly. for as exciting as the trip had been ( on all fronts ), it had also been truly eye-opening. normally, misaki wasn't one for learning, his general attention span stalling when non-physical activities were involved. "visiting so many different spaces in japan was . . . cool, too. i've gone to visit family a few times, but i didn't really have a great grasp on the language or culture— my parents never taught me while growing up back home, isn't that kind of a bummer?" misakis lips form a pout, eyes wide and round as he stares into the camera. "i liked being able to see and do so much, i wanna do it again soon!"