TDOCD Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Second Round Theme Announcement​

Who is that?

He replayed that scene several times in his mind.

Wasn't that just like an idol you'd see on TV?

Ryu Jae-geum tilted his head in puzzlement.

As he'd noticed before, watching his sister through Start Plan often - no, always - felt strangely unfamiliar.

Just like how she had shown surprisingly skillful singing and dancing during the last audition, just now she had found the camera and presented herself like someone who had been performing on broadcasts for years...

Even though several others got the same amount of close-up time after Ryu Ji-ye, none of them had her impact or gained such enthusiasm from the production team.

Ryu Jae-geum finally had to admit it.

'What can I do... She really seems to have talent.'

Or perhaps she was truly sincere about this path.

Despite being ignored until the very end of the song, she had seized that one proper moment she was given and made it count.

If even he, her own brother, was impressed, surely the viewers watching this scene through broadcast would react just like the production team did.

***

"...That's a wrap for filming. Good work everyone."

"Thank you for your hard work!"

The seven-hour shoot, including rehearsals, had finally ended.

"Wow, this was no joke."

Han Da-min placed her hands on her waist and hung her head low.

"Huff... huff... I'm exhausted..."

Even Min Ha-young, known for her excellent stamina, stumbled and bent forward, gasping for breath.

If the two members with the best endurance were in such a state, the condition of the others was obvious.

Seo Ra-eun and Choi Song-yi couldn't even voice their exhaustion as they sat slumped on the stage. Of course, I was no different.

"Stamina... Need to exercise... Whew..."

I was completely laid out, using Ra-eun's thigh as a pillow.

Though turned off now, the stage lights still radiated residual heat.

If possible, I wanted to quickly leave the stage and rest comfortably, but that wasn't an option.

We were stuck on the elevated stage platform, raised as high as our first-round ranking.

Until all the teams below cleared out, we were trapped up here.

Who would have thought they'd make us dance for seven hours straight?

I heard they don't usually do such long rehearsals these days. It was truly grueling.

'But it was fun.'

When would I ever get to perform on such a grand stage again?

With the lights and cameras, I got caught up in the moment and danced with excitement.

Actually, dancing and singing for seven hours was quite familiar to singers.

While Ryu Ji-ye's stamina might have been lacking, as Hong Yeo-eun, it didn't feel particularly challenging.

I seemed to have successfully made eye contact with the camera during my ending fairy moment too.

Zzing-

"Teams will descend from the stage starting with  5th May Rookie."

Finally, after all the teams below had cleared out, our platform began to lower.

"Ugh... my legs hurt. I can't walk."

"I'm sleepy now."

We all made our way down from the stage, each voicing our complaints.

Unfortunately, our schedule wasn't quite finished yet.

Despite completing seven grueling hours of filming, we still had another shoot remaining.

After a brief rest, we headed to the set prepared at one corner of the venue, still in our performance outfits.

They said there would be an announcement for the second round's theme here.

"Whew, it's fortunate we finished right before it became dangerous. I almost collapsed during filming."

"Girls, make sure to ice your muscles when you get home, okay?"

"Yes..."

We spent our short break time sitting in chairs.

While wiping off sweat, getting our hair fixed, and occasionally doing interviews with cameras that approached us during the wait-

"We're starting filming! Trainees, please gather on the platform by the stage!"

The production staff's voice called out.

The trainees, who had been sprawled out looking like they might faint at any moment, dragged their tired bodies toward the platform.

On the low platform, barely ankle-height, So-hae from Simplay was already standing with a cue card in hand.

"Everyone worked hard for a long time. Have you all been well?"

"Hello!"

The trainees responded energetically as if they'd never been tired. So-hae gestured with a friendly smile.

"Please gather by teams. And make sure to stand in an orderly fashion as a group. You know what I mean, right?"

At her words, the trainees instinctively arranged themselves in neat lines.

The filming naturally began.

"You all just finished filming the group song - aren't you tired?"

"We're okay..."

"Yes..."

"Oh my, everyone seems so drained?"

So-hae chuckled knowingly and continued.

"I'd like to let you all rest right away, but unfortunately we can't. We still have something to do, don't we?"

At that moment, text appeared on the monitor beside her:

[Second Round Theme Announcement]

Since everyone already knew this was coming and was exhausted, there wasn't as much commotion as before.

Seeing the trainees' lukewarm reaction, So-hae quickly continued.

"I'll announce the theme for the second round. ...Oh my, everyone's faces look tired but their eyes are sparkling."

So-hae looked at the trainees endearingly before pointing to the monitor.

"No need to build suspense, right? Show it now!"

New text appeared on the monitor:

[Team VS Team]

Team versus team battles.

Finally, a truly competitive theme had emerged.

"The second round's theme is team battles. You'll compete against opponent teams determined by drawing lots."

So-hae continued explaining the competition to the trainees, who were staring at the monitor with wide eyes.

"The song selection process will be announced during training camp, and you'll have one week to prepare your best performance."

She went on to explain the evaluation criteria - the second round would combine judges' evaluations with pre-voting results from the group song performance.

The team with the higher combined score would win.

"That concludes the explanation of the second round."

So-hae paused briefly with a slight smile before adding meaningfully:

"You really need to prepare your absolute best."

The trainees, who had been whispering things like 'Wow, one-on-one battles already' and 'This is scary,' turned their attention back to So-hae.

"There were no eliminations in the first round, right?"

Elimination.

Just hearing that word made my heart sink.

Min Ha-young, who had her arm linked with mine, tightened her grip.

"This time, among the three losing teams, the team with the lowest score will be eliminated from Start Plan."

An even deeper silence fell over the already quiet venue.

So-hae emphasized again:

"Let me repeat - eliminations will come from among the three losing teams."

In other words, even if a winning team scores lower than a team that lost in a different battle, the winning team is exempt from elimination.

Who we'd face in battle would be crucial.

A small side table and a square box were set up in front of So-hae as she finished her explanation.

"Well then, shall we determine who will compete against whom? First place team, please come up and draw your opponent."

"Ah, we're first..."

5th May Rookie, called first, looked at each other with burdened expressions.

Seemingly uncomfortable about being the first to step onto the platform in front of everyone, they hesitated for a while before their leader finally went forward, looking tense.

"If first place goes first, we're next, right?"

"Ah, you're right... Who wants to go?"

Of course, our team was just as reluctant to go up to the platform.

The camera was pointed straight at us, capturing our reactions. Han Da-min glanced at the camera and cleared her throat.

"Anyone want to volunteer? Anyone good at drawing lots?"

"..."

"...Seems like no one."

Choi Song-yi spoke as if she'd expected this.

Her reaction made sense. While Min Ha-young was generally outgoing, our team basically consisted of all shy people.

It would be intimidating to go up on the platform while receiving the focused attention of all the still-unfamiliar trainees.

"Should we decide with rock-paper-scissors? Loser goes up?"

"Okay... but unnie, wouldn't losing at rock-paper-scissors mean bad luck for the drawing too?"

"Ah, is that so? Then maybe the winner should..."

"No, no. As the leader, I should..."

Oh geez, I should just volunteer. Being the center of attention - what's the big deal about that?

Just as I was about to step forward for the sake of my shy teammates...