33. To the Victors

THIRTY-THREE

B-Love leavesin the next round. A few days after the Christmas performance, the voting starts, and the announcement finds them in the Star Dome. As the first to go home, it's an especially bittersweet occasion for their sunbae in Fairytale.

Some of their farewells are caught on camera.

Charis is proud of their hoobae for the way they take the loss with good grace and dignity on camera, even if some of the members of B-Love seem a little wobbly. Their maknae, Yejun, has to hold back tears.

Soohyun is the one who provides them with the most comfort, although all of Fairytale goes to comfort them.

"You guys did so good," Soohyun reassures them. "There's no shame in making it as far as you did. You guys are the youngest, and you still held your own."

Yejun sniffles, but he still looks at Soohyun with stars in his eyes.

Soojung bumps his shoulder roughly, but his words to his dongsaeng are gentle. "What're you crying for? Say thank you."

"T-thank you, sunbae."

Soohyun looks at them with unabashed amusement, strongly feeling in this moment like he's looking at an echo of Fairytale in the past.

"Anytime," he says.

The rest of their group are more stoic. Michael, their leader, meets Soohyun on even footing, for all that he's a couple of years his junior.

"Thank you for taking care of us during the competition," Michael says, bowing to Soohyun, who bows back and then clasps his hand.

The simple gesture brings a smile to Michael's face.

"You're a good leader," Soohyun says to him. "Really, I know it's tough, but you're doing amazing."

"Thank you," Michael says, humble but proud under the praise. His chest lifts a little, buoyed after the defeat they suffered at the hands of the other groups, although he doesn't show it. He's strong for his team, and that's how Soohyun knows he's a good leader. He can just tell. "I really do try."

"It shows."

In all their goodbyes, Charis has the chance to talk to Michael, too.

They aren't close. They hadn't had the chance to bond with each other like some of the others had; in their time at Company P, they were more like ships passing in the night. Still, they're able to greet each other on equal footing as colleagues of the same crazy dream.

"You did well," Charis says in his usual reserved way.

"Thank you. You did, too. We'll work even harder so the next time we meet, you won't be ashamed to stand on the same stage as us."

"I genuinely look forward to it," Charis says with a kind smile.

Mouse is more succinct with his words. "Knock ‘em dead back at Company P. We'll be representing you out here."

Michael smiles. "You'd better. Really," he says to the rest of Fairytale. "Fight and win. We'll all be rooting for you back home."

And it's true. They will be.

They say their goodbyes. All of B-Love stands in a line and bows in unison, and Fairytale bows in return. Before they leave, Jinho waves to Charis, who waves back.

Kiki, who's usually more standoffish with the other trainees due to his bad experiences in their pre-debut days, had even gotten into a conversation with B-Love's main dancer.

They part on good terms, and the already dark sky of Star Dome seems a little dimmer once B-Love has gone. The camera pans on a particularly striking shot of Fairytale after their hoobae have departed, one that feels unusually somber in a way that can make one's heart itch.

"They're good kids," Xiao Yu says once they're standing alone.

"Yeah."

Everyone has to agree.

They aren't expecting to be approached by First Love when it's over.

Mouse is wary, with his hackles up, and even Soohyun is cautious. Miyong is the most open and the least afraid of all of them. After all, he's made his friends. He loves and respects his hyungs but in this way, at least, he thinks they're too cautious.

"I'm sorry about your juniors being sent home," Meyemi says.

Mouse sneers a little as he tosses his hair over his shoulder. "You care?"

Meyemi pauses, his long, peroxide blond hair catching the light from up above. "I'm not sure what it is you think I've done to you, but I promise there's no need for hostility."

"Mouse," Soohyun says in warning, and Mouse flashes them a dirty look but doesn't say anything more.

"Hey, Meyemi-sunbaenim," Miyong says kindly, trying to save the moment. "Thanks for coming over to console us. You did, right?"

"Yes," Meyemi says, a little stiffly. He feels… uncomfortable in this situation. He isn't really sure how he should act, and he's already beginning to regret the impulse.

"Thanks," Miyong says with a genuine smile.

Charis says nothing. He doesn't have anything personal against First Love, but Mouse clearly doesn't like them, and he certainly doesn't like them enough to side with them over Mouse.

"Hey, Charis-ssi," Bo says, and Charis isn't rude enough not to respond. He and Bo had gotten on well enough.

Charis nods in return and says hello.

Jewel is the one who saves this awkward situation from complete catastrophe because far be it from Hyori to work any of his magic to cushion the uncomfortable social situation.

"Well, I guess we'll see you at the next stage," Jewel says.

"Eun."

They're not friends, but it's something like a truce.

"That could have gone better," Jewel says blandly later, with a pointed look at Hyori.

"What? If you wanted them to want to fuck you, I'm your guy. Otherwise what did you want me to do about it? I'm not good at making friends, and neither are you."

It's rude, and in Jewel's displeasure, his scent turns particularly dog-like. Meanwhile Ttalgi stifles a giggle.

"Brats," Jewel says, turning his eyes heavenward. "I'm surrounded by brats."

Even Meyemi stifles a small smile at Jewel's plight. Truly there is no help or justice in this world.