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┏━━━━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━━━━┓

-ˋˏ EPISODE ONE, PART ONE ˎˊ-

┗━━━━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━━━━┛

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CINDERS DANCE STUDIO ,, 09:40PM

The month's evaluation was finally complete, yet as trainees stand up and exit the dance hall, ten boys don't move from their spots. They'd been told to stay behind by one of the staff members earlier that day and had been wracking their brains trying to figure out why for the whole two-hour evaluation.

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. . .➴𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

I was pretty nervous honestly. I thought they were cutting me or something...

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

I saw nine other dudes still in the room with me and thought, 'There's no way they're debuting ten of us; the lineup was decided like a month ago. There's no way.'

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The remaining trainees look expectantly towards the two sitting in the center of the room, but the pair simply continue to pack their stuff. Finally, they stand up and make their way out of the studio; the only signal that they knew the trainees were there at all being a knowing smile from .

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Good luck.

And with that, the door clicks shut.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

What the-

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

So I suppose this isn't a debut evaluation then...?

At that notion, many of the trainees look crestfallen. Others simply yawn and glance at the clock, wondering when they'll get to go home for the night. Still others look petrified, wondering if this is the end of the road for them.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

But we were asked to prepare a performance?

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

[shrugging] Perhaps that's to judge whether or not we're worth keeping around...you know they're debuting , a group of nine, now they have to prune through the leftovers.

Just as the volume levels begin to rise in the room, and trainees begin to debate their reason for being here, the door swings open. Ten heads swivel to stare, and an assortment of shocked noises comes from the crowd as two familiar faces enter the room.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Sorry we're a bit late boys.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

[yawning] No, we're not late, they told us to wait outside to build suspense

shoots a charming smile at the group, but the camera shows her taking in each of their faces-seeing both old friends and new trainees alike.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Wow it's been a long time since I've been to a monthly evaluation, eh? Did CEO SEUNGMIN get his coffee today or was he cranky?

The boys laugh at that, but are still utterly confused when plops herself down onto the seat where the had commanded the room from minutes prior.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

AHEM

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Well, I have quite the news for you fellas!

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Your company, , is planning to debut a seven-membered boy group.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

You're all currently being considered for a spot on that team

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. . .➴𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Okay, so I might not be the best at math but I recall counting ten of us in the room, not seven...BUT WHATEVER WHO CARES OH MY GOD MOM I MIGHT DEBUT???

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

It's nerve wracking actually, knowing that they're going to choose seven out of the ten of us...the three people that don't make it are going to feel even worse than they would if there were say...fifteen people in consideration.

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⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

However, you are not the only ones being considered.

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. . .➴𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

wELP nevermind then-

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At this, many of the boys raise their eyebrows, looking at each other with an equal mix of surprise and confusion. Just the prospect of debuting threw them for a loop, but this news was making even less sense as time went on.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

You see, your company, has decided that they want to...spice things up.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Every company has a different style, no? Every group under a company has common trends: similar techniques, similar strengths. So, what would happen if we brought together trainees from several different companies to create a group with varied training backgrounds, balanced strengths...the works.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

[smirking] I mean...at the very least it'd give you something to prove, yeah? That idols are at the top for a reason, that your training isn't lacking when put to the test against other trainees.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

[whispering to ] Is he saying what I think he's saying?

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

And so we have gone and hand-selected five top trainees from some of the best entertainment companies in Korea. The fifteen of you will all fight for a spot in the seven-membered group, . Let's meet the lucky five, shall we?

The shocked trainees are given no chance to recover, because at that moment the door swings open and five boys walk into the room looking both nervous and self-assured all at once.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Wahh they're all so handsome

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

[whispering] Where do you think they're from?

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

[confused] Probably...Korea?

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

I was asking what COMPANY you idio-

Before can complete his remark, the five boys take their seats right next to him and begins to speak, forcing the boy to snap his mouth shut.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Now that that's over with, I should probably introduce myself.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

As you may or may not have figured out by now, I'm your host, KANG MINHO.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

And I'm your rap mentor, .

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

For those who don't know, is the main rapper, dancer, and fotg of rookie monster group . With experience debuting under , and extensive knowledge of the current skill set an idol must possess, is a perfect fit for our lineup of judges.

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. . .➴𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

When I heard RYUJIN was a judge I swear my jaw dropped. We've been friends since trainee days, so the idea of her being a mentor is...awkward? [laughs] Never underestimate though...she might be younger than majority of the competition, but she knows what's up.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

RYUJIN's an incredible rapper, and I'm sure she has a lot of great advice to give--being a super rookie and all--so I'm excited to learn from her!

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⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Now that you've met your rap mentor from , I think it's time to meet our other two judges as well.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

If we're bringing in trainees from other companies to add variety to the group, our mentors should be from diverse backgrounds as well, don't you think?

The door opens one last time, and the eyes of the trainees go wide in shock as they see who enters. Hands are put over mouths, screams are muffled, and the boys let out their excitement in any way possible.

The boys rush to stand and bow to the senior artist, still trying to process that she's really standing in front of them.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Welcome , our vocal mentor. Hailing from a small company, group was widely regarded as a flop during their debut years before a sudden rise to fame that has turned them into some of the biggest stars in the industry today. is one of the top vocalists of this generation and knows how cruel the world can be to the unfortunate. Fame doesn't come easy, and who better to teach you that lesson than the phoenix herself.

nods at the boys as she makes her way over to . The younger artist also stands up to bow, before the two sit down at the judging panel.

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. . .➴𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

I think I can just die happy now...wow. -SUNBAENIM is one of my biggest inspirations and she has such an interesting story. I'd be honored to receive lessons from someone of her stature.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

I'm also terrified

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Absolutely terrified

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

I nearly passed out when I saw who it was. -SUNBAENIM is a star. A worldwide star. One of the most talented vocalists of this generation. And she's not only going to mentor us, but judge us as well.

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All eyes had been on , but once she steps away from the doorframe, the person that's been standing behind her is left exposed.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

No way. No freaking way.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Are you seeing what I'm seeing? No, that can't be, because I'm imagining this, right?? The best dancer in kpop isn't standing in front of us, right??

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Having debuted at the young age of 15, was one of the first and the youngest Thai idol in kpop during 2011. With a successful group and solo career under , he's widely acknowledged as one of the greatest dancers in the industry, and one of the most skilled artists of his age. The fact that he debuted almost a decade ago means has had plenty of time to refine his craft and is prepared to share his knowledge with you now--as the dance mentor of .

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. . .➴𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

[ blinking rapidly ] You broke me. I am stunned. My biggest idol is standing there, right after you told me I'm about to compete for my debut. Systems overload, systems overload, SYSTEMS ARE OVERLOADING-

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

-SUNBAENIM is one of the reasons I became an idol in the first place, I think I'm dreaming.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Oh shoot, I have to dance in front of him...nevermind then, this is a whole NIGHTMARE

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smiles at the awe-struck boys as he makes his way over to the judging panel, greeting both and while begins his spiel.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

With fifteen talented boys hailing from the four big companies of , , , and , there's plenty of talent to go around. We'll watch these boys take their skills to the next level throughout several rounds of competition, as they utilize the advice of our three incredible mentors, and experience all sorts of new things.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

After every round, each boy will be placed into either (seven spots) or (eight spots) depending on their performance that day, as judged by the mentors. There may also be subtiers present within these general placements in order to create an overall ranking (). Never get too comfortable with your spot though, as one performance can change everything.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

You've all prepared a performance for today I assume?

He glances towards the boys that immediately nod their heads with either vigorous enthusiasm, or extreme nervousness...there's not much of a difference between the two so we can't be sure.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Wonderful...then welcome to , a battle of company pride and individual achievement. The first round will begin now, good luck.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

who's first?

A/N : lol sorry for gif less chapter I got lazy and the gifs lar sent said "i won't animate myself bc I won't want to" :p I swear I gif hunt another day

A.CTIVE CHECK ❯❯

╰┈➤ non-participating trainees can comment

your oc(s)' names down and answer to the

question below

- comment in-line your impressions of the four

trainers and which trainee(s) you're rooting for

besides your own. if you have a both

participating and non-participating ocs, you

only need to comment

© this page was written by Diya.