CHAPTER 11 - The Perfectionist

When the practice week began at Starlight Entertainment, Haneul and Miseo arrived early for their team assignments. They were both anxious to see who they would be working with. As they entered the training room, a list of names was posted on the wall, separated into two groups: Team 1 and Team 2. Haneul scanned the list anxiously until she saw her own name next to Yeona's under Team 1. She let out a small sigh of relief. At least she would be working with the talented and charming girl she had met over the weekend.

Miseo, on the other hand, felt a sense of dread wash over her as she read through the names in her group. The last name on the list was Kara's. Miseo bit her lip nervously. She had been hoping to avoid Kara after their awkward encounter when she finished her livestream. Miseo knew that Kara likely still resented her for what happened.

"Miseo..." Haneul called out tentatively, glancing over at her friend who looked pale and shaken. "Are you okay?"

Miseo **** a smile onto her face as she turned to look at Haneul. "Oh yeah! I'm great!" Her voice wavered slightly with false cheerfulness.

Haneul raised an eyebrow but decided not to press the issue for now, especially since they were in public. She knew Miseo would open up about whatever was bothering her eventually.

The team leaders called everyone's attention and announced that each group had to choose a song to work on for the week. Haneul thought this over carefully, considering which songs would suit their different strengths best.

Meanwhile, Miseo couldn't focus on anything but the cold shoulder Kara was giving her from across the room. She decided to take matters into her own hands and marched right up to Kara.

"Hey Kara," she greeted with a bright smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I wanted to apologize again for what happened last time. I hope you know I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble."

Kara's expression remained stoic as she replied, "It's fine." Her voice was terse and clipped.

Miseo winced slightly at the sharp tone but pressed on anyway. "I really appreciate all your help with the yoga livestream. You're an amazing instructor! And I'm sure you'll be a great leader for our team this week."

Kara regarded Miseo warily, clearly unsure how to respond to such flattery from the girl who had been nothing but trouble since she arrived at Starlight Entertainment.

Just then, a staff member called out Kara's name to begin the process of song selection. Kara turned away without another word and walked over to meet with her team members.

Miseo watched her go with a heavy sigh. She knew things would be awkward between them for a while yet, but she was determined not to let it distract them from doing well on their assigned tasks this week.

As the day went on, Haneul and Yeona's team worked diligently on their chosen song. The two of them bounced ideas off each other as they choreographed a dance routine to go with the upbeat track. They complemented each other well - where one was weak, the other excelled.

Kara, however, remained cold and distant towards Miseo, barely acknowledging her presence at all. The other members of their group seemed content to let Kara take charge while they offered little input of their own.

By the end of the day, Haneul felt excited about the progress she and Yeona had made together on their song. They had a strong foundation for a compelling performance.

Miseo, on the other hand, left the practice that evening feeling demoralized and alone. Kara's continued coldness towards her stung more than she cared to admit. Miseo realized now just how much she valued Haneul's friendship and support.

That night, as she lay in bed thinking over the events of the day, Miseo made a promise to herself - tomorrow would be different. She wouldn't let Kara or anyone else make her feel small again. She was determined to prove that she had what it took to succeed at Starlight Entertainment... even if her talents didn't lie in singing and dancing.

Miseo tossed and turned restlessly for hours, her mind racing with plans of how to turn things around the next day. Finally, just as sleep began to claim her, Miseo whispered a small prayer into the darkness: "Please give me the strength to be better tomorrow."

And with that hopeful thought in mind, she drifted off into an uneasy slumber... unaware of the challenges and temptations that awaited her in the morning. But for now, at least, there was peace.

---

The next morning, Miseo walked into the Starlight Entertainment building with her head held high, determined to make a fresh start. But when she arrived at the training room, Kara was already there, barking orders and drilling their team on the choreography they had been practicing for hours yesterday.

Miseo hurried over to join them, eager to prove herself today. However, as she attempted to follow along with the steps, her footwork proved clumsy and uncoordinated once again. She stumbled repeatedly, bumping into other members of their group and causing Kara to let out an exasperated sigh.

"Miseo! What is wrong with you? This choreography isn't even that difficult!" Kara snapped at her, clearly losing patience.

Miseo bit her lip, feeling her cheeks grow hot with embarrassment as the rest of the team watched her struggle. "I'm sorry, it's just... it feels really fast and complicated to me," she admitted hesitantly. "Maybe we could tone down some of the moves so that I can keep up better?"

Her suggestion was met with a chorus of scoffs from the group.

"Seriously?" one teammate snorted derisively. "You want us to change our routine just because you're too stupid to learn it? Everything is difficult for you, isn't it Miseo?"

The other members of their team laughed at this, and Miseo could feel tears pricking the corners of her eyes as she realized how much they all resented being partnered with her.

Kara's expression remained stony as she replied, "If you can't handle it now, I don't see how you'll ever be able to keep up when it comes time for a real stage performance. You need to step your game up."

Miseo felt like shrinking in on herself at Kara's harsh words. The weight of everyone else's disappointed stares was almost too much to bear.

"I-I'm sorry," Miseo choked out, her voice shaking with emotion as she turned and fled from the room, **** for some privacy to collect herself.

She hurried down the hallway until she found an empty restroom where she could be alone. Locking the stall door behind her, Miseo let the tears flow freely down her cheeks as sobs wracked her body.

How had things gone so wrong? Just yesterday she was feeling optimistic about proving herself to Kara and the others. But now it seemed like no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't measure up.

Miseo sniffled loudly, wiping her tear-stained face with shaky hands as she tried to pull herself together. She knew that running away from the situation wouldn't help matters any. If anything, Kara and the rest of the team would just see it as more evidence of Miseo's weakness and immaturity.

Taking a deep breath, Miseo straightened her shoulders and dried her eyes. Then she unlocked the stall door and emerged to wash her face in the sink, scrubbing away any traces of her tears until her complexion appeared smooth and unblemished once again.

"I can do this," she whispered fiercely to herself in the mirror before turning on her heel and marching back out into the hall towards the training room where Kara and the others were waiting for her.

Miseo knew that proving herself wouldn't be easy, but she was determined. She would show them all just how much potential she truly had... even if she wasn't sure what that potential was quite yet.

---

By the end of practice later that afternoon, Miseo felt exhausted but also strangely satisfied. She had managed to keep up with the routine for most of the time without any major screw-ups or accidents. Kara didn't say anything encouraging, but she also didn't snap at Miseo again either, which felt like a small victory in itself.

As she packed up her things and left the training room, Haneul emerged from the room down the hall and rushed over to her friend with an excited smile on her face. "Miseo! I had such an amazing day today! Yeona and I made so much progress on our song. We even started working on some of the harmonies a little bit."

Miseo tried to match Haneul's enthusiasm, but she couldn't quite keep the **** quality out of her voice as she replied, "That sounds great, Han! I'm really happy for you guys."

Haneul tilted her head slightly, studying Miseo with concern in her eyes. The sparkle had faded from her own smile now too.

"Hey... are you okay?" Haneul asked gently, reaching out to place a comforting hand on Miseo's arm as they walked down the hallway together towards their dorm room. "You seem kind of down today."

Miseo blinked back tears that threatened to spill over once more and **** herself to take a deep breath before responding in a wobbly voice, "I'm fine... just tired I guess..."

She couldn't bring herself to tell Haneul the whole truth about how much she was struggling with Kara's team or what a disaster her own day had been overall. She didn't want to make Haneul feel guilty for succeeding where Miseo was clearly failing.

Haneul seemed to sense that there was more going on than just fatigue though because as soon as they stepped inside their shared room, she pulled Miseo into a warm hug without saying another word.

The simple act of comfort was almost enough to undo the last vestiges of Miseo's emotional control. She clung tightly to Haneul for several moments before finally letting out a shaky sigh and pulling back slightly so that she could look her friend in the eye.

"I'm just... I miss working with you, Han," Miseo admitted quietly, her voice thick with unshed tears. "Kara's team is really hard on me and I feel like they all hate me for being there."

Haneul squeezed Miseo's hands reassuringly as she replied, "I know things are tough right now but remember - it's only for a week! You're still part of the Starlight family and soon we'll be working together again. Just focus on doing your best with Kara and her team until then."

Miseo nodded slowly, taking comfort in Haneul's wise words even as she felt another wave of exhaustion wash over her.

"I'm going to go shower and change," Miseo announced softly before turning away towards the bathroom without looking at Haneul again. She couldn't bear to see the pity in her friend's eyes right now, not when she was trying so hard to be strong.

As soon as she closed herself inside the bathroom, Miseo leaned against the door and finally let herself cry properly - great heaving sobs that shook her entire body with their ****. She slid down onto the floor until she was sitting on the cool tiles beneath her feet, hugging her knees tightly to her chest.

When would things get easier? When could she finally prove that she deserved to be here as much as Haneul and Yeona and Kara did? These questions swirled around in Miseo's mind endlessly as she wept for what felt like hours until there were no more tears left inside of her.

Finally, feeling drained but a little lighter than before, Miseo pushed herself back to standing and began the process of undressing and preparing to wash away the day. The hot water would help soothe some of her aches from practice too... and maybe by tomorrow morning things would look less bleak somehow.

Only time would tell though - for now all she could do was try to keep holding on no matter how hard it got, knowing that at least Haneul still believed in her even if Miseo wasn't sure whether or not she deserved that belief anymore.

---

The next morning, Kara's team arrived at the training room early to practice their routine before Mr. Lim would be coming by later in the day for his evaluation. Miseo felt a knot of anxiety form in her stomach as she thought about what was to come - not only did they need to impress him with their performance skills, but also with how well they worked together as a cohesive group.

The team ran through the choreography over and over again until each movement became second nature. Kara kept a watchful eye on Miseo throughout, making sure she hit every beat and step correctly this time without any mishaps or stumbles.

Finally, when Mr. Lim arrived later that afternoon, the team was ready to give it their all for his benefit. They performed flawlessly from start to finish - at least as far as Miseo could tell while trying not to let nerves get the best of her.

Afterward, as everyone else filed out of the room to take a break, Mr. Lim gestured for Miseo to stay behind. Her heart began to race with apprehension when she saw the serious expression on his face.

"Miss Miseo," he began in a low voice once they were alone together. "I've been keeping an eye on your progress here at Starlight, and while I must say you have... potential, it's clear that you're struggling to keep up with the rest of your team."

Miseo swallowed hard, nodding solemnly as she listened to his words. She already knew this was true - there was no point in denying it.

"I think we both know where your real talents lie though," Mr. Lim continued cryptically after a moment's pause, studying her intently. Miseo felt her cheeks grow warm. She remembered the weeklong fuck marathon she had with him last week for the monthly evaluation

"Of course," Miseo replied carefully after a long moment's consideration. "And I'm flattered by your continued interest in my... special skills."

She let her voice drop to a sultry purr as she spoke those last words, giving him a slow wink that made it clear exactly which talents she was referring to now.

"I’m looking forward to it again,” he purred back at her suggestively, leaving no doubt about where this conversation was headed next.

Miseo felt a shiver run down her spine at his words even as she maintained an outward appearance of calm confidence. Odd. She’d never felt like that before when powerful men made advances towards her. It seemed Kara was getting under her skin more than she expected. However, fucking Mr. Lim once more might just give her the security she needed to ensure her team passes the evaluation without any issue.

---

Later that evening, Miseo returned to Mr. Lim's private office in the Starlight Entertainment building after hours when she knew everyone else would have gone home for the night already.

As soon as they were alone together with the door firmly locked behind them, Mr. Lim wasted no time in pulling her into his arms and capturing her lips with a hungry kiss that stole Miseo's breath away entirely.

She let out a small gasp of surprise at the suddenness of it all before melting against him, kissing deeply and passionately for several long moments.

When Mr. Lim finally broke off from their embrace, he immediately began tugging impatiently at Miseo's clothing until she stood before him in nothing but her lacy bra and panties.

"My god you're still so fucking hot," Mr. Lim breathed reverently as his eyes raked over every inch of exposed skin greedily, drinking in the sight of her curvaceous body like a man who hadn't seen water in days.

Miseo felt herself blush at the compliment even as she preened under his heated gaze, enjoying how badly he wanted her.

She reached behind to unclasp her bra with practiced ease and let it fall to the floor before stepping out of her panties too so that Mr. Lim could see all of her in all her glory.

With a growl of pure lust, he scooped Miseo up into his arms and carried her over to the couch on one side of his office where he laid her down gently before covering her body with his own much larger frame.

He kissed her again - deeply, roughly this time as if trying to brand himself onto every inch of skin he touched. His hands roamed everywhere too, cupping and squeezing Miseo's generous breasts before sliding lower still until he reached the juncture between her thighs where she was already hot and slick with desire for him.

Mr. Lim groaned against her lips when his fingers encountered that dampness there - a sign of just how much Miseo wanted this too.

Then, she slid out from underneath him and laid him back, kneeling between his thighs. She swiftly unbuckled his pants and wrapped her luscious lips around the thick shaft of his cock. Honestly, she couldn't help but think about how much easier this was than trying to prove herself through singing or dancing. They clearly didn't come naturally to her at all.

But this? She was born for it.

Her tongue swirled around the head as she took him deep into her mouth over and over again with practiced ease, relishing in the groans of pleasure that spilled from Mr. Lim's lips above her each time she hit just the right spot or used a particularly effective technique that drove him wild with need for her.

And while Miseo knew on some level that this wasn't exactly respectable behavior to engage in here at Starlight Entertainment, it didn't stop her from enjoying every moment of sucking his cock like an expert - because let's face it, she was damn good at giving head if nothing else.

Plus, there was something almost freeing about not having to worry so much anymore over whether or not she measured up against all the other talented trainees here who seemed so much better suited for life in a K-pop idol group... at least when she could fall back on skills that were uniquely hers alone instead.

Miseo hummed around his length as she sucked him even harder now, loving how he throbbed and pulsed inside her mouth with each pass of her lips along his shaft until finally he was spilling himself down her throat in a hot gush of release that left them both gasping for breath afterward.

She licked him clean afterwards before climbing back into Mr. Lim's lap to straddle him, grinding her wet pussy against the rapidly hardening length of his cock as she purred sultrily into his ear.

"I hope you know my team deserves to win… because I don't intend to stop sucking your dick until you do."

The words were a blatant threat delivered in an utterly seductive tone that made Mr. Lim shudder with desire for her all over again even as he chuckled darkly at her boldness.

"Oh, I have no doubt about that Miseo," he rasped back huskily before capturing one of her nipples between his teeth and biting down just hard enough to make them both moan.

The feeling of Mr. Lim's thick cock thrusting into her tight wet pussy was almost overwhelming for Miseo as he lifted her onto the edge of his desk, spreading her thighs wide to accommodate him fully inside her depths.

She moaned wantonly with each hard stroke that filled and stretched her, relishing how easily he slid through all her slickness now.

The office was filled with the sounds of flesh slapping against flesh as Mr. Lim fucked Miseo hard and fast, driving himself deeper into her core over and over again while she wrapped her long legs around his waist to pull him even closer.

Each thrust sent sparks of pure pleasure shooting through Miseo's veins, making her gasp and moan loudly without any care for who might overhear from outside the locked door.

And when Mr. Lim finally pulled out at last, Miseo almost wailed in protest at losing his delicious cock inside her... but then he grabbed hold of himself roughly and aimed for her face with a groan that told her exactly what was coming next before she even felt the first hot splash against her cheek moments later.

The sight alone would have been enough to make any woman cream herself just watching him - but knowing it was all for her made Miseo's pussy clench desperately around nothing at all as jet after jet of Mr. Lim's seed painted her in its sticky warmth from head to toe until she was coated in his essence completely.

Miseo trembled into her own orgasm as she felt his warm seed splash across her face. She licked some of it off her own lips with a sultry smirk as Mr. Lim panted above her, clearly winded from the exertion but still looking at her like he could take her all over again right then if given half a chance.

"I deserve to win," Miseo purred in a low voice as she licked his cock clean with loud, slurping noises. Mr. Lim groaned helplessly at how fucking amazing she was. It made him wonder why she wanted to be a K-pop idol in the first place.