Chapter 105: Double Speed and a Ponytail

The face reflected in the mirror looked unfamiliar.

Even though it was his own face.

Yet Roy suppressed the strangeness into familiarity and raised his body’s tension.

Unlike usual, the song’s prelude played twice as fast, and soon the noisy squeaking of sneakers against the floor echoed loudly throughout the practice room.

“Did the video record properly?”

“Yeah.”

When the song ended, the members clustered around the tablet PC that Song Doyoon was holding.

“But doesn’t it feel like a completely different dance when it’s double speed?”

“I thought it wouldn’t be easy just watching on screen, but doing it in real life is even harder.”

Kim Chan and Song Doyoon whispered together, heads close.

STAR’s choreography was already known to be high difficulty — even Hi-cycle, top of the industry, was impressed.

The choreography was packed with moves broken down by every beat, with acrobatic motions mixed in here and there, making it even more demanding.

So dancing it at double speed naturally raised the difficulty. If the members weren’t all Hunter Level 300, no one could imitate those moves or that speed.

“Okay, everyone, pick out the one who danced the worst. Don’t just pick your close friends.”

Before starting the video, Song Doyoon looked at each member’s face and earnestly warned them.

His glances toward Roy seemed to be a strict reminder not to let their friendship affect the results.

‘That guy.’

Roy’s brows narrowed.

The practice room had mirrors not only in front but on the sides as well.

Everyone already knew who lagged behind while dancing, and Roy suspected that person was himself.

“Wow, Doha hyung’s feet aren’t even visible? Are you really dancing at double speed for the first time?”

Finally, the frozen video on the tablet began to play.

Everyone was keeping up well, but Lee Doha performed every move perfectly.

Song Doyoon admired him, and Doha rubbed the back of his neck shyly.

Receiving direct praise from Doyoon always made him feel embarrassed.

“Ugh, Hajun messed up sliding there!”

Lee Hajun’s face fell. Like Roy, he made mistakes in several moves.

Being the youngest in the team, Hajun was desperately trying to look mature.

Since he was the youngest, it would have been easy to play the cute role, but he insisted on showing a cool image to the fans.

The others guessed Hajun was going through puberty — his age fit that stage perfectly.

“This is close, huh? Roy hyung and Hajun.”

Han Jihoo smiled suspiciously as he alternated his gaze between Roy and Hajun.

The veins on Roy’s temple bulged.

“Alright, it’s over. Now, let’s vote. On the count of three, point out the worst dancer. Got it?”

With the video ended, Song Doyoon turned off the tablet screen and placed it on the floor.

The members sat in a circle around it.

A faint tension shimmered in their eyes as they looked at each other.

“One, two, three!”

Without hesitation, Song Doyoon swiftly started the vote.

Roy slowly blinked, staring at the five fingers pointed at him.

‘Song Doyoon, Kim Jaewoo, Lee Hajun, Kim Chan, and Lee Doha.’

Five people had singled out Roy, while Roy and the others had pointed at Hajun.

“Looks like a clear 5 to 3. Roy hyung wins ‘worst dancer!’”

“I thought Roy made fewer mistakes than Hajun.”

Song Doyoon smiled brightly as he stood. Han Jihoo’s voice echoed behind without concern.

“Hehe. Roy hyung, come here.”

With a strange laugh, Song Doyoon lunged toward Roy. It was the kind of smile that could haunt dreams.

The madness in his eyes reminded Roy of the first time they met on stage—when water guns were flying everywhere.

“Don’t come near.”

Roy stood up reflexively and stepped back.

The practice room was spacious enough for a chase.

“You lost the bet, so you have to tie your hair!”

“Just focus on your crazy eyes.”

Though Roy had lost the bet and was willing to endure the embarrassment of tying his hair, seeing the wild look in Song Doyoon’s eyes made his body move on its own.

“You’ll get hurt. Stop now.”

Lee Doha stepped in as the chase heated up, grabbing the back of Song Doyoon’s T-shirt.

“Why are you so obsessed with Roy’s ponytail? If you post a picture of his face on SNS now, the kids will freak out and cry.”

Kim Chan also stepped forward, spreading his arms wide like a shield to protect Roy from Song Doyoon.

It was surprising how serious Song Doyoon was getting over just one bet, and looking into his face, Roy understood why he had run away before.

Song Doyoon’s gaze was completely unhinged.

“The moment I saw that hair tie, I thought of Roy hyung! Don’t you know Snow White is an apple? I specially ordered it to tie your hair as an excuse for the bet!”

“What the hell is that guy saying…”

Roy clutched his throbbing forehead and staggered.

***

Snow White.

Kim Chan had explained it was the princess from the fairy tale.

Roy’s striking black hair and pale skin had made fans secretly call him Snow White.

The nickname “Snow White Prince” was also coined.

“Oh, this lunatic.”

Kim Chan sighed deeply and lightly flicked the top of Song Doyoon’s forehead, who was now whining like a child.

“Ah! Why’d you hit me?”

“I’m just saying you’re acting like the team’s youngest. You’re even more childish than Hajun.”

“Three years apart is practically the same age.”

“No arguments.”

Kim Chan teasingly pinched Song Doyoon’s nose between his index and middle fingers.

“Aaah!”

“Chan, stop it.”

Lee Doha quickly pulled Kim Chan’s hand away, but Song Doyoon’s nose was already bright red.

“So unfair, so unfair. Roy hyung lost the bet, but why is everyone picking on me…”

Song Doyoon sniffled pitifully, and Lee Doha patted his back lightly.

“Just do it, do it.”

Finally, Roy trudged over to Song Doyoon and stuck his face forward. The previously feigning crying face was now upright.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I lost the bet.”

Roy suddenly felt self-disgust for making such a fuss over just tying his hair.

“Tada! Doesn’t it look great?”

“Huh, Roy hyung, but Doyoon’s right. It really suits you!”

Song Doyoon quickly gathered a tuft of Roy’s bangs to make a ponytail. Roy touched his forehead where his bangs no longer covered it.

Lee Hajun approached Roy and gave a thumbs-up.

“Tablet, please.”

Feeling awkward, Roy held out his hand. Han Jihoo picked up the tablet from the floor and handed it over.

Roy stayed silent, staring at his reflection on the black screen without turning it on.

“Pbbt—” (Contractor, what’s up with that look.)

Ber, who had been sitting on a chair while Roy practiced, walked over with quick steps and sneered.

The way he covered his beak with his wings made Roy want to pluck the feathers off his forehead out of annoyance.

Click-

“Uh.”

Song Doyoon, capturing Roy’s sulky face on camera, chuckled awkwardly.

It might not have been a trick of the eye when a deadly glint flashed across Roy’s gaze.

“No, I mean, honestly, it’s a shame to only watch this among us. Fans should see your cute side too… Aaah! Help!”

Before anyone could stop him, Roy charged at Song Doyoon, wedging his head under Song Doyoon’s arm and squeezing mercilessly.

Neither of them were as strong as the examiners, but Roy had seen plenty of ways to inflict pain on others during battles.

“H-Have mercy…! What is everyone doing? I’m really gonna die…”

Song Doyoon’s face turned bright red as he flailed his arms.

“Your voice sounds fine, so no worries. Don’t tease Roy hyung so much. Just do one verse.”

Kim Chan clicked his tongue.

Though Song Doyoon’s eyes filled with tears, seeing Roy so fired up was a rare sight, so he decided to let it be.

“You traitor…!”

If Kim Chan had been in Song Doyoon’s shoes, he would have been the first to laugh hysterically.

It was a miracle he hadn’t already collapsed from laughter.

“But I agree with Doyoon to some extent. Roy hyung, how about posting the photos on the official SNS? Manager Gong said it’d be good to upload some daily pics.”

Han Jihoo began gently persuading Roy.

Though they hadn’t debuted their showcase yet, the comet had already gained recognition as a Hunter Idol.

Because of the members’ hunter jobs, levels, and legendary-grade weapons, even those usually uninterested in Hunter Idols were curious about their news.

“…Why me?”

“Because you lost the bet, right?”

Roy tried to sound aggrieved for a moment but fell silent at Han Jihoo’s straightforward answer.

“…Alright.”

Wondering what he was doing, Roy released his grip on Song Doyoon’s neck.

Song Doyoon, rubbing his now-sore neck, looked delighted as Roy agreed to be filmed.

With tears still in his eyes, Song Doyoon held up the camera, and Roy, feeling resigned, flopped down on the practice room floor.

“Hyung, want to sleep?”

“…Let’s rest a moment.”

Though not showing it, Roy needed a break as his thoughts grew tangled.

During the bet, the spirit kings had been chasing leads related to the Continent of As even while he was with the members.

The most active pursuer was Ris, who could move most freely among the elemental spirits because the wind was the most unrestricted.

‘Pii-’ (Contractor, I’ve got a trace.)

That was what Ris told Roy ten minutes ago. Since then, Roy’s mana had been draining in chunks.

***

After the tussle with Song Doyoon, his initially mild dizziness was growing worse.

Roy thought that was fine and pretended to rest naturally.

Showing fatigue would only worry the members.

“Wind?”

Heis shook his head as the breeze ruffled his bangs.

The wind itself wasn’t strange, but somehow it felt nostalgic.

“By the way, is the boss inside there?”

Heis had come to Bada Entertainment after getting information from a man he met in the mountains.

The man kindly gave Heis a ride and dropped him off in front of the company.

He even handed over clothes from inside the car.

“See those people gathered over there? They’re fans waiting to see Kyle and the other contestants. Fighting!”

The man mistakenly thought Heis was a passionate fan of Kyle.

Since Heis desperately wanted to meet Roy, it wasn’t entirely wrong.