Chapter 6: Bullying and Bonds
Chin-Sun walked into the practice room, her body still aching from the rigorous training sessions. The last few days had been a whirlwind of singing, dancing, and mastering Min's unique mannerisms. She felt like she was making progress, but she also knew she had a long way to go. As she entered, she noticed the other members of The Prism gathered in a circle, talking and laughing among themselves.
"Morning, everyone," she greeted them with a smile, trying to project confidence despite her nerves.
The group turned to her, their expressions shifting slightly. Jong-Su, the leader, gave her a curt nod. Ji-Yeong, ever the stern one, simply glanced at her before looking away. Ye Joon, her supportive mentor, offered a warm smile.
"Morning, Chin-Sun," Ye Joon replied, his voice friendly.
"Ready for another day of hard work?" Jong-Su asked, his tone neutral but with a hint of a challenge.
"Absolutely," Chin-Sun replied, trying to sound enthusiastic.
As they began their warm-ups, Chin-Sun could feel the eyes of her bandmates on her, scrutinizing her every move. They were testing her, seeing if she could handle the pressure of being part of The Prism. She understood their need for assurance but couldn’t shake off the growing sense of unease.
"Chin-Sun, you're still too stiff," Jong-Su said during a dance routine.
"You need to loosen up. Min always made it look effortless."
Chin-Sun nodded, trying to absorb the critique without letting it get to her.
"I'll keep working on it."
"Yeah, you really need to," Ji-Yeong added, his voice cold.
"We can't afford to look sloppy because of you."
Chin-Sun swallowed hard, feeling the sting of his words.
"I understand."
Ye Joon stepped in, his tone more gentle. "It's a lot to take in, but you're doing well. Just keep practicing."
After the warm-ups, they moved on to vocal practice. Ji-Yeong was particularly critical today, pointing out every minor flaw in her pitch and tone.
"You're flat on that note," Ji-Yeong said sharply.
"Again."
Chin-Sun took a deep breath and tried again, doing her best to correct her mistakes.
"Better, but still not good enough," Ji-Yeong said, his eyes narrowed.
"You need to listen more carefully."
"I will," Chin-Sun replied, feeling her frustration build.
The hours dragged on, with the constant critiques wearing down her confidence. She knew they were pushing her to improve, but the relentless pressure was starting to take its toll.
During a break, Chin-Sun sat down, trying to catch her breath and gather her thoughts. She was determined not to let their harsh words get to her, but it was difficult.
"Hey," Ye Joon said, sitting down next to her. "You okay?"
Chin-Sun nodded, forcing a smile.
"Yeah, just a bit tired."
"Don't let Ji-Yeong and Jong-Su get to you," Ye Joon said, his voice gentle.
"They're tough on you because they want you to succeed. They know how important this is."
"I know," Chin-Sun replied.
"It's just... a lot."
Ye Joon nodded understandingly.
"It is, but you're stronger than you think. And you're not alone. We're all in this together."
Chin-Sun felt a surge of gratitude for Ye Joon’s kindness.
"Thank you, Ye Joon oppa. Your support means a lot."
As the day went on, the teasing from Jong-Su and Ji-Yeong continued. During a group dance routine, Jong-Su made a point of highlighting her mistakes.
"Chin-Sun, you're a step behind," Jong-Su called out.
"Keep up."
She gritted her teeth and tried to match their pace, feeling the weight of their expectations bearing down on her.
"Don't drag us down," Ji-Yeong added, his tone harsh.
"Give her a break, guys," Ye Joon interjected, his voice firm.
"She's doing her best."
"We need her to do better than her best," Jong-Su retorted.
"We can't afford to have weak links."
Chin-Sun felt the pressure intensify, but she refused to back down. She knew she had to prove herself, not just to them but to herself as well.
As they wrapped up the day’s practice, Jong-Su called a meeting.
"Everyone gather around," he said, his tone commanding. "We need to talk."
The group formed a circle, with Chin-Sun standing slightly apart, feeling the tension in the air.
"We've been pushing hard, and I know it's been tough," Jong-Su began. "But we need to be perfect if we're going to pull this off. Min's absence is a huge gap to fill, and Chin-Sun, you have the most difficult job."
Chin-Sun nodded, her heart pounding. "I understand. I'll keep working hard."
"You need to be more than just hard-working," Ji-Yeong said, his eyes fixed on her. "You need to be exceptional."
"I will be," Chin-Sun replied, trying to sound confident.
"Good," Jong-Su said, his tone softening slightly. "We believe in you, but you need to believe in yourself too."
Ye Joon smiled encouragingly. "We're all here to help you, Chin-Sun. Don't forget that."
After the meeting, Chin-Sun felt a mix of emotions. The teasing and harsh critiques had been tough to handle, but she also sensed a growing bond forming between them. They were testing her resilience, but they were also pushing her to be her best.
The next morning, Chin-Sun arrived early, determined to show her dedication. She was practicing her dance moves when Jong-Su walked in.
"You're here early," Jong-Su remarked, a hint of approval in his voice.
"I want to get better," Chin-Sun replied, her tone resolute.
Jong-Su nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That's the spirit. Let's practice together."
They went through the routine, Jong-Su offering tips and corrections. His demeanor was still serious, but there was a subtle shift in his attitude. He was pushing her, but he was also supporting her.
"You're improving," Jong-Su said after a while. "Keep it up."
"Thank you, Jong-Su oppa," Chin-Sun replied, feeling a sense of achievement.
As the day progressed, Ji-Yeong’s critiques continued, but there was a noticeable change. He was still strict, but his tone was less harsh.
"Your pitch is better today," Ji-Yeong said during vocal practice. "Keep working on it."
"I will," Chin-Sun replied, feeling encouraged by his words.
Ye Joon continued to be her anchor, offering gentle guidance and encouragement. His presence was a constant reminder that she wasn’t alone in this journey.
"You’re doing great, Chin-Sun," Ye Joon said during a break. "Don't let the pressure get to you."
"I won't," Chin-Sun replied, feeling a renewed sense of determination.
As the days went on, the teasing from Jong-Su and Ji-Yeong became less frequent. They still pushed her hard, but there was a growing sense of respect and camaraderie.
One evening, after a particularly grueling practice session, the group gathered in the lounge area. They were exhausted but also feeling a sense of accomplishment.
"Good job today, everyone," Jong-Su said, his tone more relaxed. "We're making progress."
Ji-Yeong nodded in agreement. "We are. Chin-Sun, you're doing well."
"Thank you," Chin-Sun replied, feeling a surge of pride.
Ye Joon smiled warmly. "We're a team, and we're getting stronger together."
Chin-Sun felt a deep sense of gratitude for her bandmates. Despite the tough love and relentless pressure, they were helping her become a better performer and a stronger person.
As they sat together, sharing stories and laughing, Chin-Sun realized that the teasing and critiques had been a way for them to test her resilience and dedication. They were pushing her to her limits, but they were also building her up, preparing her for the challenges ahead.
"To The Prism," Jong-Su said, raising his water bottle in a toast. "And to our future success."
"To The Prism," the group echoed, clinking their bottles together.
Chin-Sun felt a deep sense of belonging and determination. She knew that with their support, she could overcome any obstacle. Together, they were stronger, and together, they would shine.
As they continued their journey, the bonds between them grew stronger. Chin-Sun knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she had a family in The Prism, and they would face everything together.