Dunk stepped into the room, keeping his head down. The table in front of him looked like a firing squad - three seniors, including Beam... and right in the middle, Joong.
Joong sat back lazily in his chair, arms crossed, eyes locked on Dunk like he already knew this would be fun.
Beam (politely): "Have a seat."
Dunk nodded, sitting stiffly, hands clenched on his lap.
Senior 1: "Tell us your name and why you want to join the Leadership Club."
Dunk (softly): "Uh...Dunk Natachai L-lertratkosum. I am16 , First year, Science faculty. I-I want to, um, learn m-more about... leadership. And..."
He trailed off. His voice cracked slightly.
Joong raised a brow, clearly unimpressed.
Joong (coolly): "You want to learn about leadership by stuttering through your own introduction?"
Dunk's eyes flicked up. Just for a second. Then back down.
Dunk (quietly): "I-I just gets nervous..."
Joong: "You yelled like a street thug ten minutes ago. You didn't look nervous then."
Dunk clenched his fists. He forced himself to speak up.
Dunk: "That was... different."
Joong: "How?"
Dunk: "That wasn't an interview."
A pause. Beam glanced awkwardly between them, but Joong didn't let up.
Beam: "w-Wait! You're 16" ?
Dunk: "hmm".
Beam: "damm ! You must be talented or rich ."
Joong: "What does leadership mean to you?"
Dunk (rushed): "It-it's about... setting an example. Being r-responsible. Listening-uh-listening to others. N-Not controlling but-um-guiding."
Joong (dry): "You practiced that, didn't you? Sounds like a speech you Googled."
Laughter from one of the other seniors. Dunk looked down, face hot.
Joong: "This club isn't for people who panic under pressure."
Dunk looked up. Finally.
Dunk (firm but shaky): "I-I d-don't panic. I j-just-"
Joong (cutting in): "You just what? Forgot how to talk?"
Another beat of silence.
Then Dunk leaned forward just a little, voice low and hoarse:
Dunk: "You d-don't scare me."
Joong leaned back, studying him.
Joong (smirking): "Good. Because we haven't even started."
Dunk: "I-I just get nervous when people look at me like that."
Joong (mocking): "Like what?"
Dunk (quietly): "Like they're waiting for me to fail."
A flicker of something passed through Joong's eyes. But it was gone before anyone could name it.
Dunk's throat was dry, his heart racing - but he suddenly spoke, voice soft, steady.
Dunk: "But other than that... I'm good at everything."
That caught the room off guard.
Dunk (more confident now): "Research. Memorizing. Management. Organizing data. Writing reports. Delegating tasks. Anything behind the stage.I'm just not great at talking in front of people, or interviews, or... crowds."
Joong tilted his head, still watching him.
Joong (calm): "So you're not a leader."
Dunk (quietly): "I just don't like being watched while I lead."
That made Beam chuckle under his breath. One of the other seniors nodded slightly.
Beam (curious): "Any past experiences ?"
Dunk (nodding): "Yeah. I helped run the science club in high school. We handled weekly reports, team assignments, event proposals."
Joong: "Noted."
Beam (curious, trying to be polite):
"Aren't you a science student? So... why this club?"
Dunk hesitated.
His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out right away.
[Dunk's thoughts:]
Well, I can't say it's for the records. Obviously.
Or because his would look good on my records.
Instead, he gave the safest answer he could think of.
Dunk (softly):
"I just... wanted to try something different."
No one speaks.
Dunk shifts slightly in his seat, sensing the disapproval in the air. Even Beam's earlier warmth feels distant now. Joong taps his pen, expression unreadable, but there's no sign of approval.
Just when the silence is stretching too long-
BANG!
The interview room door swings open sharply, making Dunk jump in his seat.
Everyone turns.
A tall guy with messy hair and a bold expression steps in like he owns the place.
"Yo-sorry for barging in." He looks around, then points at Dunk. "You. Dunk Natachai?"
Dunk blinks. "...Yes?"
The guy grins. "I'm Frame, from the Events and Outreach Club. I read your application-science club, organizing skills, research, all that and I have heard so much about you. You'd be perfect for us."
Joong's jaw tightens ever so slightly.
Frame (to Dunk): "We don't need interviews. Just commitment. And you'll get real work - stuff that actually shows up on your record. You interested?"
Dunk just stares for a second, stunned. Then slowly nods.
Joong (flatly): "He's in the middle of an interview."
Frame (shrugs): "Didn't seem like a warm welcome."
He turns to Dunk again.
Frame: "You want out of this room, say the word. My club's next door."
Dunk looks around - the table of stiff faces, the cold eyes, Joong's unreadable glare. Then back to Frame confused.
Thank you for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts-please leave a comment below. Stay healthy and take care!
<3