Chapter 91
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 91
Chapter Title The Brutal Final Round
The final rounds format was outrageously harsh.
The trainees had to engage in fierce mind games with each other, and inevitably, someone would get pushed out of their desired song and position as a result.
Feelings were bound to get hurt, but they couldnt show it outright.
The one silver lining was that they entered the practice room with detailed positions already assigned from the start, which made it feel like theyd skipped the awkward phase upfront.
We can just slap our names on here right away.
No need to divvy up parts? It feels kinda weird.
After song selection, theyd always discussed part distribution with their teammates.
Even here, it was common for trainees sharing parts to compete in skill showdowns.
But today, they could peacefully just stick their names on without any fuss.
The only catch was that the leader had to be decided right here and now.
Eungyu hyung, you have to be leader all the way!
I think Eungyu hyungs the right choice too.
But someone else might want to do it. Lets start with a show of hands
No ones volunteering!
Really?
Chae Eungyu raised both hands in surrender amid the barrage directed at him.
He glanced my way, clearly about to ask the same question as last time.
You not gonna take it?
I gave the same answer, subtly nodding.
Center positions more than enough for me.
This song was far from easy, even just for the center spot.
And even though my stats had grown a ton from skill points and proficiency compared to the early days, my Dance was still stuck in the A range.
That meant I had to make up for the gaps with sheer practice volume.
Taking on the leader role on top of that would leave me zero time.
Sorry, Eungyu, but passing the leader baton was the smart move.
And just like that, the leader sticker went unanimously back to Chae Eungyu.
Take care of us to the end, hyung!
Once a leader, always a leader! The field commander on the court!
Haha, thanks everyone. Ill do my best.
As everyone clapped enthusiastically for Chae Eungyu, Ji Yooncheol stared blankly at the air, his hand twitching faintly.
I sideeyed him.
...Hes not showing it outwardly, but hes shaken mentally too.
Chae Eungyus worry had come true.
Ji Yooncheol was under serious psychological pressure right now.
No matter how much hed grown taking key positions in survival rounds, todays setup felt completely different.
The final round with debut on the line. He had to pour everything into this last stage, but he couldnt even do it with the song he wanted. At 17, the situation itself was brutally cruel.
Baek Sihwa, sitting opposite Ji Yooncheol, looked pale too.
Shed taken the full brunt of four straight displacements.
This doesnt bode well.
A vague unease flitted by, but there was no luxury to dwell on it.
First things first, under Chae Eungyus lead, we started memorizing the choreography and formations for the song.
Minha, can you help out again this time?
Of course! Im always ready to assist hyung!
Thanks.
Chae Eungyu once more borrowed Yu Minhas quick learning ability, honed during their prep for the previous song.
Yu Minha would pick up the moves first thanks to his fast choreography pickup, then Chae Eungyu would refine the details and explain them in depth.
But they hit their first snag right away.
Wow, this wave is brutal.
Is, is this the right move?
Kang Donghwi and Heo Yubin stuck out their tongues at the chorus choreography combining waves and steps.
It felt like your upper and lower body had to move independently.
Especially the inplace steps that slid like on iceinsane skill required.
Lets run the chorus five times first. Start at 0.5 speed, then full speed.
Yes!
Chae Eungyu smiled like hed anticipated this level of difficulty.
With members weak in dance scattered around, repetitive practice was a musthed come prepared.
But about an hour into the reps, a second issue exploded from an unexpected angle.
Uh, um... Doesnt the balance feel super off right now?
Yu Minha, watching our group dance from the front, spoke in a worried tone.
From up here, its like... the left side feels a bit slow on tempo, but the right sides moves are overly forceful and fast.
Minha, go back to your spot and lets dance it together? Ill watch from the front this time.
Chae Eungyu wiped his sweat and took Yu Minhas seat.
They reran the chorus once more.
...Minhas right. Left and right feel off. Yooncheol?
Yeah?
Can you try loosening up a bit? Compared to the others, your side feels way too fast and tense.
...Got it.
Ji Yooncheol nodded silently, accepting the feedback.
But his eyes had a unmistakable droop to them.
His straight shoulders slumped forward slightly.
Standing in the center, I wiped my forehead and quietly clocked the issue.
Having one member whos insanely good at dance is actually making the balance worse.
Not every teammate in a group can have equal skill.
But if one person stands out way more than the rest, the overall balance can crumble.
Especially if their dance isnt just technically superior but excels at expressing feel.
Technical prowess might blend into the group dance somewhat.
But if they groove in their unique style with different lines, they stick out like a sore thumb.
This song was refined choreography with waves and steps, not rigid sync.
Any standout expression beyond a certain level could wreck the equilibrium.
Ji Yooncheols talent was just too superior, unintentionally tanking the groups balance.
It was a frustrating spot for him too.
Hed probably pushed extra hard to nail his part perfectly.
Yet that caused the formations balance to break, so no wonder he looked so down.
Lets go again. Five, six, seven, eight.
They reran the chorus on Chae Eungyus count.
Itd be a lie to say Ji Yooncheols mentality was unshaken.
His eyes still carried a shadow.
He visibly relaxed per Chae Eungyus request, matching Heo Yubin and Kang Donghwis tempo as best he could, but the balance still felt off.
Sorry! Well practice harder!
I feel so bad for being a burdensuper sorry right now.
No, no. We just started today, right? Plenty of time, its fine.
Lets pull an allnighter and grind!
The weaker dancers gritted their teeth and vowed to step up, which seemed to smooth over the performance issues somewhat.
But after lunch, when vocal practice kicked off, the exact opposite problem hit.
Yooncheol, youre subvocal 2, right?
Yeah.
Lets try the prechorus part first?
Ji Yooncheol handled the section right before the chorus.
But the pitch wobbled unstably.
The moment I realize it, it tightens around my throat.
Pitch isnt climbing right.
...Yeah. Feels tough.
Ji Yooncheol probably never planned on subvocal 2. Hell, he likely hadnt even considered this song at all.
Hed picked the other one thinking it suited him better.
Forced into a part beyond his vocal range, he was delivering shaky live takes.
Plus the mood dip from the dance session earlier.
No way he could peak.
The smile faded from Chae Eungyus face.
Uh... For now, keep singing your part to get familiar. Yubin, once youre done with Sihwa, can you help Yooncheol too?
Yeah!
The tables flipped in an instant.
Heo Yubin, struggling with dance earlier, was now roaming to help with vocals.
Ji Yooncheol, whod toned down his dance to match the team, was the one getting vocal coaching.
Hate to say it, but...
This was a mess.
No stability in vocals or dance right now.
On paper, the lineup screamed killer stage.
But in practice, massive discord was brewing.
No way leader Chae Eungyu missed it.
His face grew grave in real time.
I cant help him right now either. Just gotta nail my center role in practice.
It was only day one, no need to panic yet.
But human intuition is a scary thing.
If this dragged on, the final stage could be a disaster.
Chae Eungyu was probably thinking the same.
Hes been leader the whole survival. Hell want to prove himself to the end on this final stage.
With that drive, hed crave a flawless show.
But chasing perfection meant pressure and stress inevitably followed.
...For now, lets watch how it plays out.
Two days into practicing the song.
Aware of its way higher difficulty than past stages, the trainees ditched sleep to grind.
We got this!
Much better than yesterday, Yubin! This hand movetwist your wrist inward more, itll feel easier.
Selfappointed dance helper Yu Minha radiated positivity, supporting teammates struggling with choreo.
Kang Donghwi and Heo Yubin, weak in dance, followed his lead as hard as they could, but details were still lacking.
Dance is one thing, but vocals are worse.
When the two songs first dropped, everyone fixated on the choreo.
Plus, theyd picked songs and positions without hearing full tracks, so after listening endtoend, tougher than expected was the vibe.
Main vocal Heo Yubin delivered stable vocals, but subs were struggling.
Baek Sihwa and Ji Yooncheol hurting most.
Baek Sihwa was halfchecked out.
Constant displacements from desired spots wrecked her already shaky mentality.
Vocals werent her strong suit anyway, so she suffered extra.
Act up now, and itd be game over, so she barely clung on, diligently practicing.
Ji Yooncheol was hitting walls with his mismatched part too.
Chae Eungyu clapped and encouraged despite watching the whole mess.
Even though he had to be hurting too.
But during the judges midpractice eval, all hell broke loose.