Yes, Miss Manoban

CHAPTER 24

"Do I have to? Isn't Veronica Kim already there? And Vince? Why do I have to go?" Astrid whined as Secretary Jeon informed her that she needed to be part of the panel for auditions.

"Well, CEO Jung usually joins the panel as the executive producer so the staff wondered maybe you'd do the same," he explained. "And we all agree that you have a good eye with talent since Saerin's practically a star now even if she hasn't officially debuted yet."

Her eyes narrowed at him.

"I know what you're doing," she warned him. Secretary Jeon on the other hand feigned innocence as he just stood there and shrugged.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Astrid folded her arms as she leaned back. Her eyes remained narrow and directed towards her secretary.

"I already know I'm good so either you're a kiss-ass or you're tricking me into coming."

"I wouldn't dare," he defended. "It was the staff who said those things."

A few seconds passed and the formal smile plastered on Secretary Jeon did not fade. She rolled her eyes then stood up.

"Fine!" she blurted out. "But if that Veronica Kim annoys me again, I'm gonna take it out on you."

"By all mean, Miss Manoban."

"Ugh!"

Astrid marched out of her office as Secretary Jeon followed her. She's clearly not in the mood to face off teenagers or kids that would eventually cry in front of her if she tells them they failed. And she knows very well that she can't lie to save her life. She'd tell them straight up they're talentless or horrible—whichever comes first and they'll cry.

The doors to the audition room opened and she was greeted by their staff, some camera equipment and a long table with Vince, Veronica Kim and a guy with dimples. Of her memory serves her correct, he's from that group Royalty or something.

"Depyonim!" Veronica Kim's shrilly voice echoed. "You're joining us in the panel?"

"Yes," she mumbled.

"AwEsOme!" Miss Kim exclaimed while clapping. Sh momentarily threw a quick glance towards him but immediately turned back to Miss Manoban as she walled towards the vacant chair beside PD Min.

"So are we going to starting or not?" she ask a bit irritatedly. "I want this to be over as quickly as possible."

The working staff group immediately complied and auditionees start to enter and line up in front of the judges. Joshua chose to stand close behind Miss Manoban just in case she'd need anything.

"Even my cat can dance better than him..." he heard Miss Manoban mumble that made both PD Min and Theo chuckle. "Are you guys sure they passed the first line of auditions? Or is this the first line?"

"They are the ones who passed the global auditions, Assie."

"I see," she said flipping through the profiles on the clipboard. "I guess we need to hire new staff members."

A couple potential trainees passed and Astrid hasn't approved a single one. A lot looked a bit devastated as Miss Manoban was really straightforward with her comments. It did not help that Miss Kim was also harsh when it came to her opinions as well.

In short, the two girls seem to agree with each other's critiques. Both really does have an eye for talent—it was actually Miss Kim who fought for Saerin back in the days.

"I'm sorry, kid. You just can't dance—"

"But I can sing really well!" the girl claimed. "Dancing is easy as long as we have a good choreographer. I can learn to dance when I train."

"You think it's that easy?" Miss Manoban questioned with a smirk.

"Yes," the kid said with conviction. "If I practice well enough, I can dance. But singing is harder. Even if you practice for twenty hours you wouldn't be able to sing as good as me."

Veronica scoffed at the audacity of the young girl. Everyone inside the room were also perplexed at her audacity. It's not every day you get to encounter a rude auditionee.

"So dance isn't important?" Miss Kim asked.

"Dancing isn't necessarily a talent but a skill that can be improved in time," the girl answered. "You wouldn't understand since you're just a model, Ahjumma."

"A-Ahjumma?!" she repeated loudly. "Di you just call me ahjumma?!"

"Well, you're old so what else can I call you?"

"You brat—"

Miss Veronica Kim fumed. In one quick move she was able to get off her seat and charge towards the kid. Good thing Kevin had fast reflexes so he was able to stop her from potentially murdering a thirteen-year old. The kid took a few steps back.

"Just a model?! Do you even know me you brat—"

Veronica was cut off by the loud sound of Miss Manoban slamming the clipboard on to the table. Everyone flinched except for PD Min who just smirked. Like he knew what was just about to happen.

"So you think that dancing isn't a talent but a mere skill, did I catch that right?"

The kid wasn't able to talk back.

Miss Manoban looked calm and collected as she stepped forward. Then she folded her arms.

"Okay. You're in."

Everyone in the room were shocked. Even the girl herself.

"Since you think you're special with that voice, let's see if you stay true to what you've said. If you can learn a choreography I personally choreographed, I'll even put you in the debut group. How's that for a deal?"

The girl's eyes grew wide.

What's she up to? Joshua can't help but think. The girl did have a beautiful voice. Her dancing was okay but not at par with the other girls. Some more practice meant she'd be able to meet their level. But her attitude isn't something an idol should have.

"I accept," the girl boldly answers with a smirk plastered on her face.

"Good."

Miss Manoban then takes her coat off, hands it to him and signals the staff member.

"Play any music you have there," she says and the staff immediately complies. "I'll show you the dance and you have to get it right. You have three chances."

"What? Now? That's not fair—"

"But you already agreed," their boss reminded with a wide grin on her face. "What? I thought you said it's a skill? Then learn the dance now. It shouldn't be that hard."

"B-But it's not easy to learn a dance by just seeing it once!"

"Really?" Her expression changed into a shocked one. Then it instantly returned to a smirk. "Why don't I change the deal then. You pick a choreography and I'll learn it here, in front of everyone. If I get it right, you're out and you'll say sorry to Miss Kim. If I make one mistake, I'll put you in the debut team. Sounds good?"

"You mean, any choreography?"

Miss Manoban nodded.

"Okay," she agreed. "Dance Kingdom's Judge Me Not."

Crap. It's Royal's hardest choreography. It was marked by the industry as one of the 'killer' choreographies of the decade!

"Secretary Jeon, please play the dance video in the projector."

He nodded and immediately tapped on the company tablet. As soon as he found the video, he connected it to the projector.

Everyone in the room were silent as Miss Manoban carefully wat hed the dance practice video of Kingdom. They're a group from one of their subsidiary companies and currently slaying the local market.

Joshua was looking at Miss Manoban. He felt a bit nervous as he knew about her condition. But it won't be a problem, right? It wouldn't stress her leg so much, right?

The dance was a mixture of hiphop and popping. Clearly a man's choreography. Will she be able to pull it off?

The video finishes off and he closes the device. The auditionee was smirking.

"I can't wait to debut," she said confidently.

Clearly this kid might think his boss is just a simple executive. She's in for a treat.

Miss Manoban signals the staff to play the song and she starts off smoothly—shocking everyone except him and PD Min. Not a single beat amiss.

She mirrored every move perfectly. Even the feel of the dance, she's got it. If she wasn't wearing red slacks, he'd think she was actually an idol dancing.

The kid's eyes were wide as she stared at Miss Manoban. Even the other auditionees inside the room, they can't keep their eyes off her.

Wow. She's on fire.

"She's sick!" Theo commented making PD Min chuckle. "Do you know Depyonim can do that?"

"There's only one thing I know about LaAstrid Manoban and that is she's not one to mess with," he answered. "She didn't attend the most prestigious art school in America for not reason."

The song ended and not a single mistake. The girl—stunned and red from embarrassment, just stood there gawking at Miss Manoban.

"So, do you still think dancing is just a skill?"

The girl started to cry and ran out of the room. But before she did, she bowed at Miss Kim.

"Well that wasn't nice," she muttered as she walked towards him. "So what do you think, Secretary Jeon?"

She had a playful smirk on as she took her coat back. Even after that hard choreography, she didn't even break a sweat. He blinked. He was still in a Miss Manoban induced trance.

"Secretary Jeon?" she repeated. "What did you think?"

"I love you."

What did he just say?!