Chapter 2: The members

The rehearsal room was a mixture of chaos and camaraderie. Felix had taken his notebook and begun jotting down notes, occasionally throwing amused glances at Mikey, who was currently attempting to balance a bottle of water on his forehead. Jin sat cross-legged by the keyboard, quietly experimenting with chords, while Kim Hyung teased Sujin about his slightly offbeat choreography.

It was overwhelming. A whirlwind of energy, personalities, and inside jokes I wasn’t part of—yet.

I stood awkwardly near the corner, unsure where to place myself. My duffel bag felt heavy on my shoulder, even though it only held my essentials. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, scanning the room again. They were so at ease with each other, like pieces of a puzzle that had long since clicked into place.

Sujin caught my wandering gaze and clapped his hands loudly. “Alright, guys, focus!” He turned to me, his trademark grin stretching wide. “Time to introduce Liu to the family properly.”

“About time,” Felix said, closing his notebook with a definitive snap. He leaned back in his chair, eyeing me with a mix of curiosity and playfulness. “We’ve all been dying to see what the newbie’s got.”

“Dying might be an exaggeration,” Kim Hyung chimed in, smirking. “But yeah, let’s see if he can keep up with us.”

Mikey shot me a reassuring smile. “Don’t let them scare you, Liu. We’re all just curious. Think of this as a warm-up.”

Warm-up. Sure. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears.

Felix leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. “So, Liu,” he said, his tone light but his eyes sharp. “What’s your thing? Singing, dancing, rapping? Or are you one of those triple-threat types who make the rest of us look bad?”

“I… mostly sing,” I managed, my voice steadier than I expected.

“Perfect,” Sujin said, dragging a chair to the center of the room. He gestured for me to sit, but didn’t move away. “Alright, let’s hear it, then. Show us what makes you you.”

My throat felt dry. I hadn’t expected this—at least, not so soon. I thought I’d have time to settle in, to observe, to blend into the background before being put on the spot.

Felix must have noticed my hesitation because he leaned back with a lazy grin. “No pressure, though,” he said. “Well, maybe a little pressure. But seriously, just sing what you feel.”

“Yeah,” Mikey added, his tone kind. “Don’t think about us. Just do your thing.”

I swallowed hard, nodding. I could do this. I had to do this.

Jin tilted his head, his fingers lightly pressing a few keys on the keyboard. “Got a song in mind? Or should I pick something?”

“I have something,” I said quickly. My voice surprised me with its confidence, though my palms were still sweaty. “It’s… something I wrote a while back.”

“Oh, an original!” Felix exclaimed, his interest clearly piqued. “Now we’re talking.”

Jin raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Alright. What’s the vibe? Ballad? Upbeat? Emotional?”

“Emotional,” I replied. “It’s… kind of personal.”

Sujin nodded, his usual playful demeanor softening. “Take your time. We’re here for it.”

I closed my eyes for a moment, centering myself. The room quieted, the energy shifting from playful banter to attentive silence. When I opened my eyes, everyone was watching me—not with judgment, but with curiosity, anticipation.

Jin began to play a soft melody on the keyboard, the chords resonating through the room like ripples on still water. I took a deep breath and stepped into the opening verse.

"Tell me, can you see the cracks?

The parts of me I can’t take back."

My voice was quiet at first, barely above a whisper, but it carried an ache I couldn’t suppress. The lyrics were raw, unpolished, but they were mine.

"They told me, 'Hide behind the glass.

A flawless face, a perfect past.'"

As the verse built, so did my voice. I let it rise, carrying the weight of the words. My hands moved unconsciously, gesturing as if to emphasize the emotions spilling out.

The room faded. There was no Sujin, no Felix, no audience—only the music and the story I needed to tell.

"But every mirror shows the lies.

No masks can hide these teary eyes."

I reached the chorus, my voice breaking free, raw and unrestrained.

"So here I stand, no need to prove.

This is my voice, this is my truth.

I’m more than words, more than a role.

This is my heart, this is my soul."

I could feel the emotion welling up inside me, threatening to spill over. Years of training, of holding back, of trying to fit into a mold that never felt like mine—all of it poured into the song.

The bridge came, softer, almost like a confession.

"Don’t try to frame me, I won’t fit.

I’m more than lines, more than this script.

I’ve spent my life just blending in.

But now I’m ready to begin."

As the final chorus swelled, I let go completely, my voice soaring. I stepped forward, my hands open, as if offering something intangible but vital.

"So here I stand, raw and exposed.

This is my story, and I’m in control.

No mask, no shame, just me, just me."

The last note hung in the air, delicate but defiant. My chest heaved as I stood there, the silence in the room deafening.

For a moment, no one moved. Then Mikey was the first to break it, clapping his hands together with a loud whoop. “That was insane, Liu! Seriously, that was amazing.”

Felix nodded, a rare, genuine smile replacing his usual smirk. “I’ll admit it—I’m impressed. That wasn’t just singing. That was… storytelling.”

Kim Hyung grinned, leaning back against the wall. “Welcome to the group, kid. You’ve got guts.”

Jin tilted his head thoughtfully, his warm smile softening his features. “It wasn’t just your voice,” he said. “It was the honesty. The emotion. That’s rare.”

Sujin stepped forward, his grin turning into something more sincere. He placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You’ve got the heart of a performer,” he said. “Welcome to the family, Liu.”

Their words washed over me, sinking into my chest and filling a space I hadn’t realized was empty. For the first time in years, I felt like I had been truly seen—not just for my skills, but for who I was.

This wasn’t just a performance. It was an introduction, a declaration. I wasn’t just the newest member of Stray Dogs. I was part of something bigger, something real.

And for the first time, I felt like I belonged.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***