Chapter 43 - We Need A Meeting!

"Shun."

"Shun?"

"Gege?"

Shun swallowed and he coughed because, of course, the lump in his throat wouldn't go down! It took him a moment until he was able to breath properly. Letting out a sigh, he looked at everyone and Kaiden patted his shoulder, while Ping had held him with worried brows.

'Why couldn't Kaiden be 1st? He is the perfect choice,' He continued to whine and groaned when he heard Prince Peter's voice popped up.

"You are the protagonist of this world."

'I know, I know,' Rolling his eyes, he took a deep breath and smiled at everyone.

"Alright! Let's get started!"

As the leader, Shun needed to make sure everyone was working, taken care of, dancing correctly, singing on point, and if there was a conflict, he would need to mediate.

As a leader, Shun was terrible.

Kaiden had to take over the dancing portion since he was unable to pick it up quick enough to help the others. When everyone was tired and sweating, Ping was the one to bring cold water for everyone. When there was a fight, Taemeng was the one who mediated between the parties. Even for singing someone had to step in because Shun was too busy singing to recognize others were having difficulties.

Yup, Shun was a terrible leader.

He could only imagine the disappointment in his eldest brother's eyes. Grumbling to himself, he finished the meal he was making for everyone and prepared the plates. Because he was so caught up with himself, he neglected the rest of the team, meaning everyone was still learning from those who knew. Slapping his cheeks, he huffed out a sigh at himself.

"Shun! You are the leader. This is a test, so go be a leader!" He gave himself a peptalk and entered the training room.

What he saw was a mess.

Some of the trainees were in the corner having a playdate, some were trying to follow Taemeng and Kaiden dancing, but were doing so lazily. Then, he heard the ugliest screech like a bird crying on its last breath. Eh, maybe that was the wrong comparison, but Shun definitely thought someone had died!

"That is not a high note, Mikey!" Ping argued, "That was horrible! I think my ears are ringing!"

He inwardly cried, but took every knowledge he had of his favorite big brother and puffed out his chest.

"We need a meeting!" He spoke loudly and evenly, "Everyone, stand before the mirrors."

Shun ignored the confused stares and walked to the front, as everyone slowly did as he asked. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes for a moment, before frowning.

"Listen. I have never led anything or anyone, but we are all talented and are mature enough to know what is right and what is wrong," he looked at Kaiden, "Kaiden had been teaching some of you dancing along with Taemeng. It had been over an hour and there are no improvements. Some of you aren't even practicing or over practicing," he looked over at Mikey when he said that.

Letting out a sigh, he looked back at the group of boys.

"We are going to try this again. Kaiden and Taemeng are our best dancers. Don't take advantage of their time! They barely practiced singing because they are busy teaching you," he reprimanded, "And when you are doing it, do it with vigor. Don't be lazy!"

"Shun, you sound like my dad…" one of the trainee's mumbled.

"I shouldn't have to, right? But because we are way behind schedule, someone had to be," he frowned, "Once we all got the hang of dancing, I mean ALL of us, then we do singing. Ping is an excellent singer along with Kaiden. We will follow their lead, do you all understand?"

"…"

"This is only going to look bad on you. There are only 5 spots. If you don't care to work hard, then don't bother being here."

"…"

Shun could see some, including Heeang, scowling at him with heat in their eyes. Good. They better use that as they practiced. Others… others were teary eyed and Shun inwardly apologized, but what he said was true. If they couldn't handle this and are not putting in the effort and time, then this was not for them.

"I am ready gege!" Ping spoke up with determination and a fist in the air.

"Let us eat first and then we work."

They headed to the kitchen and he looked over at Kaiden and Taemeng.

"I hope it was alright having you both lead…"

"We can only succeed together," the popular trainee laughed and cupped his shoulder.

Taemeng smiled at him and nodded, making his worries dispersed.

Ah~ they were too kind to him.

After his tough talk and their meal, the trainees seemed to be doing slightly better, at least that was something. Once he felt everyone was able to follow the steps more than 3 times, he asked Ping and Kaiden to take over the singing portion. This went on through the night and when it was time for bed, Shun stayed up and sprawled on the couch.

Ping had joined him, sprawling on top of him instead of another couch.

"You are getting heavy," he commented with a yawn.

"Gege! Are you calling me chubby…" Ping frowned, but did not move from where he was.

Shun didn't reply, as his eyes closed and he drifted in between sleep and reality.

"Will you lead your people one day, Prince Shun?"

"Mm," he sounded.

"Are you not worried of war?"

"Why?" Shun whispered, "There's no point."

"No point in worrying or no point in war?"

"Both…"

The weight on him suddenly lifted and he groaned blinking his eyes opened. He saw Ping ran off and into the room, making him furrowed his brows. Confused and slightly hazy, he scratched his head and figured Ping was going to bed. Nodding to himself, he laid back down and fell asleep.

When he woke, it was to the sound of dishes clinking together. Pushing himself off the couch, he dragged his feet to heat water for tea. Nodding to Taemeng who was staring at him, he entered the restroom to take a shower.

"I wished there was a bath…" he sighed and thought about the deep soaker baths back home.

Leaving the bathroom, he joined the others at the kitchen, only to notice everyone eating but Ping. Making sure to grab his friend's favorite snack, he sat beside the young boy and handed him the food. Ping looked at the offered item, then at him, before shaking his head and drinking water.

"Hm? Not hungry?" Shun questioned with a frown, "You should eat something or you would lose your energy, didi."

"Not hungry," Ping stated, but the boy's stomach said otherwise.

The growl was comparable to a bear in a cave because it echoed and everyone stared at the boy. Ping flushed embarrassed, but continued to refuse any snack or food from his gege. Shun had grabbed his shoulder and Ping shook it off with a huff.

"Eh? Is something wrong, Ah Ping?"

"I said I am not hungry!" The boy shouted and left the kitchen.