Chapter 45 - Nothing Can Stop Me!

"Health 45% due to injury. Stress 76%. Singing level 3/4. Singing ability 45%. Dancing ability 40%. Earned Level 3: Dancing- Flexibilty. Dancing level 3/4. Confidence 54%. Charisma 43%. Memory 39%. Fans accumulated fans 11042/ 1,000,000. Wish to see overall status?"

'Wait…' Shun frowned as he leaned against the wall staring at the television, 'Was it not higher? The fans…'

"Last check in- fans 13000. Current- 11042."

'Why did it drop?'

"Wish to see star meter?"

'Witch… Prince Peter. Do you know why I am losing fans?'

"That option is unavailable."

'… What is my overall status then.'

"Idol Popstar status: 28%."

Shun frowned and rubbed his injured knee that was quickly becoming swollen. Leaving the training room, he limped to the kitchen for an icepack. Heeang, that early bird, joined him and soon others as well. As they chatted, the television screen came on to show the recruiters once more.

"Oi, hello, hello."

They moved to gather in front of the television and that was when the other trainees noticed Shun was injured. Ping quickly forgot about his anger for his brother and helped his friend to sit down. He stared at the spot the icepack was on and furrowed his brows worriedly. If Shun was injured, then he would not be able to perform, which might end up with him leaving!

"Hey," Shun patted the boy's head and looked at his little friend with soft eyes, "I will be fine. Don't worry, okay?"

He pulled Ping into his chest and sighed. He didn't realized he missed his koala didi, until the boy gave him the cold shoulders for hours.

"Whatever I did, I am sorry," he whispered and Ping only held him closer, "I missed you didi."

"Wet noodle!" Ms. Fire shouted and it startled him. He jumped and his poor little friend got a smack on the face with the icepack. Quickly pulling Ping against him and apologizing, he looked to see the woman was frowning.

"How the hell did you get injured? On the day of performance too! Are you trying to get sympathy vote or something? Trying to get out of it?!"

"What?! No! We've worked really hard. I was walking and tripped on myself. It is nothing. I can still dance," Shun reassured.

"Can't even walk correctly," Ms. Fire tched and shook her head.

"We will send someone to get your knee checked. In the meantime, there are outfits prepared for you at the bottom floor 4 hours before your performance," Juno stated, "This will be on global voting and judges votings. Each global vote is worth 1 point and each judge's vote are worth 2. The lowest 2 will be heading home. Do you all understand?"

They nodded and the countdown stretched across the top of the ceiling began.

"Alright, everyone go practice," Shun ordered, "I'll talk to Ping real quick before we join you."

When they were alone, Shun let out a breath and looked at the young boy.

"What did I do?"

"…"

"Ah Ping…"

"You… You said I was heavy, remember."

"Uh… kind of?"

"Kind of?! You said I was heavy and I said if you were calling me fat, but you said, "Mm" like yes! Then… Then I asked if I could change and you said there was no point. So I got mad and asked if I don't make it, would you not care about me and that you won't want to see me again. You said both!"

Shun was blinking wide eyed at Ping who was getting watery eyed and panting upset. Furrowing his brows, he thought about when he even said something like that. He didn't remember even hearing Ping's question!

'WAIT!'

"Ah Ping… Did you ask me this when I was tired?! When I was going to sleep….?"

"… Yes?"

Shun smacked his forehead and shook the boy's head.

"I could barely remember anything when I am tired. Don't try to ask me questions like that. You are not chubby fat but chubby cute! Also, how the heck was I ever to not care about you? You are my didi, you know? I could barely sleep last night cause I missed my koala."

Shun laughed and pinched the boy's cheek to earn a grin.

"Now, let's go win!"

"Yeah!" Ping shouted excitedly and stood up, "Ah Shun, sorry for being mean to you."

"Hm? All is forgiven dear Ping Ping," Shun groaned when he stood up, "Help me to the training room, please."

"Gege, if you can't walk on your own, how will you dance? Maybe you should sit out…"

"Pssh! No way! I am supposed to lead so I will. Nothing can stop me!"

Something stopped him. More like someone.

The doctor came in 30 minutes later to look at his swollen knee, shook his head, offered him pain relievers, and told him he could not preform for at least 5 days.

FIVE DAYS?!!!

'Oh my gawd, what am I going to do?! I'm gonna fail this task!'

"Prince Shun," The voice of the beautiful Prince Peter sounded and he looked at the screen, "Wish to use points?"

'Yes!'

"Points used- clear injuries. Health increased 100%," Prince Peter smiled and Shun grinned.

'Thank you Prince Peter!'

"Anything for you, Prince Shun."

'… What?' Shun's grin dropped and he stared at the smiling face before it disappeared.

Shaking away the strange feeling, he quickly stood up and shook his leg off. Grinning, he was glad they did not have to reformat the dancing or singing just because he was not available. Now, he felt like he could run miles and sing perfectly! The trainees were staring at him confused, before they laughed at the energetic Xiong Shun.

"Are you sure you are fine?" Ping questioned and he nodded pinching a chubby cheek.

"Let us focus on the performance, ok!"

When the countdown timer sounded in the home, they entered the elevator to go to the bottom floor. When the door slid open, they gasped in surprise. The entire place had changed from what they remembered. Where the long table was to the small kitchen, those were removed and the space was open. A set up for makeup, hair, and clothing were set up. The staffs quickly called over certain trainees to their station to get started.

Currently, Shun and Taemeng were getting their hair done. When he meant getting his hair done, he meant getting it dyed and cut. As a prince, his hair was a bit below his shoulder. As Xiong Shun, his hair was just below his earlobe. Now, his hair was cut and trimmed short at the back and long in the front. His hair was then dyed blonde… like… platinum blonde. Shun felt like he had no hair because it was so light! He looked over at Taemeng and saw the man also had his hair died into a blue color, a blue he had as a prince.

'Why does the blue look so much better on him!' Shun stared and when Taemeng looked at him with gold contacts. He felt his throat constricting.

'He looks so… so good!'