The host's voice echoed across the hall again.
"Let's welcome our next group—our new buddies, fresh rookies! Give it up for the bright flames of tomorrow!"
Applause spread like wildfire.
Minty instantly leaned closer to Dream, eyes sparkling. "Oooooh! New buddies! Let's see what they've got!"
Dream giggled and waved toward the stage. "Hello, hello~!"
The camera zoomed in as the trainees stepped out. The group of four walked out in matching soft pastel outfits, radiating cuteness.
One trainee stepped forward and chirped, "I'm a little bit daring~ never mind the cute lady!"
Another followed. "We're here to win your hearts!"
The rest of the group struck playful poses, some doing hearts, some spinning with sparkles in their eyes.
Lee leaned toward Yan and whispered in a monotone voice, "Do I really have to act cute like that?"
Yan replied without blinking, "Oh no. I'd rather lose."
They both sat stiff like CEOs trapped in a boyband documentary.
Even Ming-Ji couldn't hold back a laugh. "They're hopeless."
Jun, of course, didn't even flinch. "You two shut up. Be serious."
"Aw, come on," Dream said, elbowing him. "Don't act like a frozen brick. Let the kids have fun."
Jun glanced at her. "I'm not a brick. I'm… selectively reactive."
Minty laughed loudly. "Selective my foot! He's just afraid to be darling~!"
The crowd roared with laughter.
Jun sighed. "This is chaos."
As the group finished their bubbly introduction, the judges gave them grades.
Dream gave them a "E" with a proud smile. "You gave me energy! Cute and clean!"
K scribbled in his notes without looking up. "Your dance was 2.1 beats behind. Average. Grade: F
Ming-Ji clapped. "I loved it! I want to learn that 'daring' line!"grade E
Jun simply nodded. "O."
East said, "O"
"Next group," the host announced.
One after another, groups came up. Some performed perfectly, some cracked under pressure. Some cried onstage. Some stormed off with rage.
The emotions ran high.
And then…
The host's voice boomed:
"Next up—Group Majesty!"
Whispers ran through the crowd.
Lee's eyes widened behind his mask. Yan raised a brow.
Group Majesty… That was William's team.
A group of five boys stepped onto the stage. William was second from the left. He wore a hoodie with the hood pulled up and a cloth mask covering most of his face.
The cameras zoomed in.
Jun narrowed his eyes.
Even Dream leaned in. "Why is he hiding that face?"
Minty tilted her head. "He looks cool but so nervous…"
William's hands were trembling. His shoulders stiff. He looked like someone tossed him into a storm.
One of his teammates, a tall boy with dyed blue hair, elbowed him playfully.
"Hey! You were the one hyping us up! Now you're shaking like a puppy!"
William muttered, "I'm not."
"Then look at your hands," another laughed.
William stared at them—trembling uncontrollably.
He turned his face away.
East, the producer, observed through the camera monitors. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"He's scared."
Ming-Ji noticed too. "I hope he doesn't freeze up."
Onstage, Dream smiled sweetly. "Hey there, sweetheart—why cover your handsome face? We want to see it!"
William stammered. "Uh… it's… part of the concept."
Dream nodded with a playful wink. "Okay~ let's see what this concept performs."
William swallowed hard.
He was about to step into hell.
As the music started, the group began to perform.
At first, William tried to maintain control—cool gestures, precise footwork. But the trembling hadn't stopped. He missed a beat. Then another. He was shaky, and his vocal tone fell flat for a second.
Ming-Ji noticed immediately.
Jun did too—but he said nothing yet.
East slowly stood up and crossed his arms.
"Hmm…"
After the performance, Dream leaned toward her mic. "Sweetheart, you okay?"
William tried to stay composed. "I'm fine. Just… acting cool."
Jun chuckled softly. "You're acting like my brother. He's studying abroad now. Same vibe."
William stiffened.
Ming-Ji whispered, "Oh come on, you always talk about your brother when you're annoyed."
Jun rolled his eyes. "Shut up and focus."
East finally spoke.
"William," he said firmly. "You look like you've lost your own voice."
William looked up, startled.
East continued. "Why do I feel like you don't trust yourself? That you don't believe you deserve to be here?"
A silence followed.
Then he handed William a bottle of water. "Breathe. Take it. No one here expects perfection."
William took it, stunned. Even the other contestants were surprised. East rarely broke his "strict but fair" image.
Dream tilted her head. "That was kind of you."
"I'm a producer, not a monster," East replied.
William bowed slightly. "Thank you."
Ming-Ji clapped. "I liked the vibe though. It had heart. A little off, but charming."
Dream nodded. "Your expressions are good. But there's a heavy lack of confidence. That's what's pulling you down."
Jun looked at Wang, one of William's teammates.
"You," Jun said sharply. "You have something."
Wang froze.
"You have range. Power. Better rhythm than the rest. Focus on training. You could stand alone."
Wang bowed deeply. "Thank you!"
Then Jun turned to William.
"You have potential," he said bluntly. "But… too many holes. You're hiding behind charm. You'll never survive here like that."
William clenched his fists but nodded.
Ming-Ji smiled at him. "You really sounds like Jun's brother. He also used to pretend he wasn't scared."
William muttered, "There are lots of brothers in the world."
Mingji chuckled. "Short ones too. You look just like Jun's brother."
"He's shorter than me," Jun said flatly. "We call him shorty."
Minty laughed. "Shorty! That's so cute!"
Dream joined in. "I bet he's a little baby."
Jun sighed. "Are we judging or gossiping?"
East slapped his clipboard shut. "Enough."
Jun smacked Ming-Ji's head lightly. "Focus."
"Okay, okay!" Dream waved. "Let's give them their grades."
The audience held its breath.
Dream stood first. "Wang… You get a C. Good job!"
Wang almost cried with relief.
"D for you," she said to the next member. "Also D. And… D again. That's not bad at all!"
The team looked at one another, surprised. Grateful.
This show was known for being brutal. Grades like D were considered decent.
The host stepped forward.
"In this show, anything below B is still a victory. Most get E or F. Remember that."
The audience clapped.
Then the host paused
dramatically.
"Now… for William."
Everyone looked at the panel.
Jun whispered to East. East nodded once.
Dream picked up her mic slowly.
"William…"
Everyone leaned forward.
"Your grade is…"
TO BE CONTINUED