TDOCD Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Second Round Competitor

"Which group will face 5th May Rookie, who took first place in Round 1? Our leader Jayeon, please tell us your choice."

"Yes, the team we've chosen is... Flora."

"...What?"

The members froze simultaneously.

Us? We're going against 5th  May Rookie?

Wait a minute.

"How fascinating! Fate has brought the first and second-place teams together for this battle!" Sohae's comment brought visible relief to the other teams, while we...

Well, there was no need for rock-paper-scissors or anything else. The matchup was decided before we could even draw lots.

'This is bad.'

The air around Flora grew notably chiller.

Why did it have to be the first-place team? And of all teams, the one that Start Plan seemed to favor the most...

Meanwhile, the 5th May Rookie team who chose us couldn't hide their concern either, whispering among themselves while casting worried glances our way. After all, facing the second-place team wasn't exactly a comfortable situation.

Both teams felt the weight of this matchup pressing down on them. The only ones thrilled by this development were the production staff and trainees from other teams.

'This is really serious.'

Even without Start Plan's favoritism, defeating trainees from SU Entertainment, a major agency, would be no easy feat.

'Round 2 will have pre-voting.'

Beyond skill alone, 5th May Rookie already had fans supporting them.

But whether we liked it or not, the matchup was set in stone.

"Yes, 5th May Rookie versus Flora. Given both teams' high rankings, we look forward to another excellent performance from them. Now then, second-place Flora has their opponent, so next up... U&D! Please come forward."

Sohae quickly ushered 5th May Rookie off the stage and continued with the draw.

I stole a glance to the side.

The 5th May Rookie members were looking back at us with expressions that mirrored my own.

***

The next day, the dormitory was bustling with activity unlike our first round.

It was the first day of full group training with all six teams. The cameras, people, and general commotion had tripled compared to the previous training camp.

I looked up at the school-like dormitory building with fresh eyes before making my way inside.

Previously, only the second floor had been accessible, but with the increased number of participants, all floors were now open. The practice rooms and dining hall were set up in a separate annex.

Entering the building, I found myself momentarily lost in the new layout. Then I spotted my members huddled together in a corner of the lobby and headed their way.

"Has everyone been well?"

"Oh, Ji-ye! You're here!"

"Why are you so late? We've been waiting!"

As I approached with my greeting, the members' faces lit up and they rushed toward me.

"Ji-ye, have you eaten?"

"Yes, I have."

"Unnie, you're the last one to arrive."

Choi Song-yi spoke with a prim tone. It seemed they had all been waiting for me.

We had seen each other just yesterday and had been in nearly constant contact through group messages, yet their enthusiasm was touching.

I suddenly recalled our first day in this dormitory. Back then, we could barely speak to each other, too busy sizing one another up. The bonds of shared experience really do work wonders.

Our rapid bonding was clearly evident.

"They said to head to the auditorium once all members arrive. Let's hurry."

Fortunately, the members who arrived earlier seemed to know where we needed to go.

Gripping my suitcase handle, I asked, "Where's our room?" Last time we got to choose, I wondered if it would be the same this time.

I had asked casually, but for some reason, the members' moods suddenly dampened.

Even Song-yi's primness vanished as she frowned in displeasure.

"...What's wrong?"

What about the rooms? Why is everyone...

Han Da-min looked around at the members silently before speaking with a bitter expression.

"Let's just go see."

And as soon as we arrived at our room, I understood why they had reacted that way.

I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud, but...

'It's in the darkest corner of the third floor...'

Gloomy, and far from the cameras too.

"Well... I expected this. It was like this before too."

Min Ha-young muttered under her breath.

I tilted my head in confusion. Why would we be assigned here of all the available rooms?

Even with the increased number of participants, there were plenty of empty rooms.

5th May Rookie's room on the same floor had good sunlight and cameras installed right outside their door.

There was even an empty room next to 5th May Rookie's.

There were many vacant rooms near areas with more camera coverage.

So why here?

'...No way.'

Starting discrimination this early? They couldn't be that petty.

Well, broadcasting stations are known for being petty, but this obviously...

Suspicion and dissatisfaction bubbled up inside me, but I pushed it aside and opened the door.

Don't be too sensitive. It's nothing.

Rooms can be assigned anywhere.

"Is it just me, or does the room seem bigger?"

"The third floor has larger rooms and more beds than the second floor."

"You'll be sharing with me and Damin unnie."

Ha-young explained. So the dancers would be rooming together this time?

It made sense - we could discuss choreography and arrangements at any time.

"By the way, beds were first-come-first-serve. Since you came last, you get what's left."

"That's fine. Anywhere works for me."

Just as I set my luggage down on my bed, the production staff's voice rang through the hallway speakers:

"All trainees please gather in the auditorium."

We headed straight there.

The auditorium connected to the first-floor lobby was already occupied by other teams and MC Choi Gyu-jin.

Judging by the missing teams and Gyu-jin studying his cue cards intently, we still had some time before the main shoot.

As we took our assigned seats, I cautioned the members:

"Everyone, let's not overdo it this time. We pushed too hard last time."

I'd been meaning to say this since last week.

Our members' greatest strength and weakness was their ambition - pushing themselves without regard for their condition.

While it was great that everyone worked so cooperatively during these short-term challenges...

"Yeah, the aftermath was really rough."

Ha-young voiced what I wanted to say.

Coming from Ha-young who had better stamina than me, it really drove home how hard we'd pushed ourselves.

"That's... true."

The other members nodded in agreement.

During Round 1, we'd practiced with minimal sleep, desperate for a good result.

The side effects weren't obvious during filming when we just felt "tired," but once we got home and the tension released, our conditions plummeted.

Except for the day I met Choi Gyo-young, I couldn't do anything but sleep and eat, as if I was burned out.

We even had to postpone group song practice.

It felt like experiencing the side effects of my old dopamine addiction buff.

While our intense practice led to good results, that level of physical and mental fatigue would wear anyone down if it accumulated every round.

To maintain our passion and energy longer, we needed better moderation.

"Hmm."

Da-min nodded repeatedly.

"Ji-ye's right, let's make sure we get proper sleep this time. This is really important."

"Yes."

"How about we go to bed after 1 AM? What do you think?"

"From day one? That early? Shouldn't we work harder today?"

"..."

Didn't we just agree not to overdo it?

I stared silently at Da-min.

"Oh."

Da-min belatedly realized how her words contradicted our discussion and smiled sheepishly.

She was so used to pushing her body to the limit during practice that she'd lost perspective on what constituted "overdoing it."

I quietly ignored Da-min's suggestion and turned away.

Even if the leader wanted to continue, we couldn't.

While Hong Yeo-eun's body might have handled our practice regime, Ryu Ji-ye's stamina couldn't keep up.

And it wasn't just me - Seo Ra-eun and Choi Song-yi were in the same boat.

"Starting filming. Stop chatting and focus."

The production staff announced the start of filming.

We fell silent and turned our attention to MC Choi Gyu-jin on the stage.

And moments later...

"Standby! Cue!"

The main shoot finally began.