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┏━━━━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━━━━┓

-ˋˏ EPISODE ONE, PART TWO ˎˊ-

┗━━━━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━━━━┛

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CINDERS DANCE STUDIO ,, 09:48PM

Who's first?

A heavy silence falls upon the room, the trainees glance at one another, waiting for a brave soul to step up. The atmosphere in the room is so tense, it's almost surreal. Eventually, the silence is broken by a boy who tentatively raises his hand, spitting out three words as he does.

I'll go first.

All the boys quickly turn their heads to some impressed with his bravery and others rather skeptical of his confidence.

WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING? CLAP FOR HIM! SHOW HIM SOME ENCOURAGEMENT!

Awkwardly, the boys applaud for his bravery, some letting out very forced and nervous cheers. quickly crouches in embarrassment and uses his hands to cover his face, flustered at all the attention.

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. . .➴ 𝙋.𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

I only recently joined the company about a year ago, so I wasn't really that close to -hyung and didn't really think much of him. But, when he took the initiative to go first, my respect for him immediately shot up.

I actually did not expect to step up like that. It takes massive guts, and I've known him to be rather timid and soft-spoken. It was rather enlightening to see him push himself, and I really really applaud him for his effort and determination.

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. . .➴ 𝙋.𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒

What made you want to go first?

It's weird... perhaps it was because my mom taught me to be brave, or I wanted that one minute of pride.

As the oldest trainee in the room, it sometimes feels like a slap in the face when I see that I'm still stuck in the practice room. I watch my friends go up onstage and launch successful careers while I'm stuck wondering if I'll ever make it up there next to them.

Multiple clips of back in his trainee days appear on screen, showing him training alone before slowly being joined by more and more people as he made friends at .

But I remembered talking to my mom when I was really doubtful about my idol career; she reminded me that I came all the way from New York to Korea to achieve my dreams...I shouldn't let negative thoughts get in my way. There's no turning back now!

I guess in that moment of impulse, I remembered that conversation and I wanted to prove those who are rooting for me right.

I hope that you can support me and help me achieve my dreams of debuting!

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Good luck! The stage is all yours.

All the best!

Smiling nervously at the mentors' well-wishes, quickly gets in position to ready himself before "PSYCHO" by starts playing on the studio speaker.

performed by

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As his performance ends, quickly thanks the mentors and bows down, moving to the centre of the studio. His face, however, looks a little grim despite all of the applause he's receiving from his fellow trainees. The mentors look at their clipboards, each with their unique set of notes of the trainee's performance, before finally picks up his microphone to speak.

You dance like water in two ways: fluidity-wise...and taste-wise. It was bland, I have to admit...

nods at the mentor's critique, agreeing to his points as he gulps nervously.

Your skill and technique are there, and I think that everyone is impressed by your ability as a dancer. But, you're here to be an idol. Your job is to pull the audience in and enchant them.

You had the fluidity, the flow, the technique, and even the potential. But, throughout the performance, where the hell were the facials? Why were the charm, charisma, and idol presence nonexistent?

then stares fiercely at , who is briefly stunned by the mentor's harsh remarks. But, like a champ, he takes all that constructive criticism in while the other trainees all look nervous in their own spots. Tensions in the studio are running high.

I am extremely disappointed. Put your potential to better use, and do better next time.

I have to agree with -sunbaenim and -sunbaenim here. You have excellent control over your movements and great fluidity, but you performed like you were rehearsing in a dance studio by yourself. Do keep your audience in mind.

With all three mentors done giving their critiques on his performance, bows down, thanking the mentors respectfully once again. Before he can walk off the stage however, picks up his microphone to give him some advice.

Take the mentors' words to mind... but not to heart. That performance may not have been your best, but I must say that I applaud you for your bravery.

Your mentors from have noted that you're a rather quiet and soft-spoken individual, so when you pushed yourself outside of your comfort zone, I was actually very impressed by your attitude. I'm hoping to see more of what you have to offer throughout this program.

Upon hearing 's words, gives him a bright smile. Soon, all the other trainees start clapping and cheering for him, leaving the boy to feel flustered but proud at the same time.

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. . .➴ 𝙋.𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

-sunbaenim's words were actually extremely heartwarming to hear. I think it really touched my heart and made me realize that aside from having the skills to debut, the right attitude is also very important.

His performance may not have been ideal, but he most certainly allowed himself to stand out a lot more by simply pushing himself out of his comfort zone. It was also an eye-opener for me.

I was actually feeling very disappointed in myself from the mentors' words, but -sunbaenim really helped lift my spirits when he pointed out the one thing I did right... (to ) Thank you!

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Alright! Who's going next?

[raises his hand ]I'll go.

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. . .➴ 𝘽.𝙀𝙃𝙄𝙉𝘿 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝘾𝙀𝙉𝙀𝙎

⸝⸝ ⸃ !! VOICE/OVER

Hello, I'm vocal-dance trainee under . I also happen to have the longest training period among the trainees that are competing on .

⸝⸝ ⸃ !! V/O

I always wanted to pursue music, but never knew how to bring it up to my parents. Continuously putting off the conversation resulted in me somehow entering university as an economics major. It was a topic which my parents were passionate about, but I was--to put it lightly--not.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !! V/O

Still, I minored in music and just crossed my fingers, hoping for the best. Luckily, scouted me during my second year, and for the first time in my life I decided to do something for myself by saying yes.

Video clips of during his trainee days are shown on the screen, each of them playing in chronological order as they spanned from 2016 to current day, showing the vast improvements the male trainee has made over the span of four years.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !! V/O

For the past four years I've had family members asking me when I'll give up the act, when I'll come home, when I'll drop the childish dream and finish university. I hope to show them that I can be successful as an idol, and I sincerely hope that you will all support me on my journey. Thank you!

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The mentors, all aware of 'sreputation, smile optimistically as they look forward to his performance. While the boymakes his way centre stage, shoots him an encouraging smile. Having known for a long time, she sincerely wants to see him do well.

Good luck.

nods his head, and takes a deep breath before the music begins to play. A couple of lines in, 's eyes widen imperceptibly as she recognizes the song to be by her own group, .

performed by

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Once the song ends there's a short pause for to catch his breath, then picks up the microphone to begin the critiques.

You've got nerve, I'll give you that. Performing a song right in front of herself...that was either a very bold move, or a very dumb one.

I liked it.

Hearing that, visibly relaxes, before tensing up again as continues.

You lose a bit of consistency with high notes; it's a bit shaky on that end. Other than that, you projected your voice very nicely and it's clear you're trained on how to use your diaphragm and stomach to regulate breathing and power. Nice choice of song. It really allowed you to show off your skill.

Many trainees look impressed that was able to receive compliments from . Even the boy himself seems to be in a state of disbelief.

I'll leave most of the critique up to , as it is her song that we're discussing here...but personally I think you did excellent. It was certainly strategic to intimidate your competition with your intense charisma, emotional projection, and I think even the rap trainees could take a page out of your book when it comes to gestures.

With nothing but positive remarks pouring in, things are looking good for . However, the most important opinion has yet to be heard. The original singer of the song reaches for her microphone, face unreadable as she raises it to her lips.

I was a bit skeptical when I realized you were doing a song, but...

pauses, worrying everyone in the room, before breaking out into a soft smile.

You pulled it off very well. I love what you did with my rap; you truly transformed the song into your own and performed it with such power and energy. It seems all those years of training paid off, I don't really have anything to critique. Consider me a fan.

With that star-studded evaluation, is finally able to relax. As he bows to thank the judges, a beaming smile overtakes his features, and the boy is met with plenty of pats on the back when he makes his way back to his seat next to his fellow trainees.

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. . .➴ 𝙋.𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒𝙎

-hyungtruly showed what it means to be a senior trainee. He even arranged the song by himself! I'm just proud that I can say I'm under the same company as someone so talented.

I'm in the same training group as , having joined the company six months after he did, but even I was blown away by his performance. He's always been someone that gets super nervous before going on stage--even today he looked like he was going to throw up before he got up there. However, once he started to sing it was like he transformed into a whole new person! He didn't look the least bit nervous!

I'm so relieved that the mentorsapproved of my performance. I had no idea that a member was going to be judging me today, and I was so worried about how -sunbaenimwould react. Thankfully she liked it...phew, that was stressful.

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It seems 's performance would be hard to match, as trainees murmur amongst themselves, hoping someone else would take the fall so they don't have to. Finally, after a long, awkward pause, clears his throat.

Have a little faith in yourselves.

The trainees all look amongst themselves, emboldened by 's brief but impactful words. At last, a somewhat intimidating boy steps forward, determination etched on his countenance. Some of the trainees look away, unsure of what to make of him; but suddenly, the boy's features break into a grin that immediately eases the tension in the room.

I'm so ready for this.

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. . .➴ 𝙋.𝙀𝙍𝙎𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Would you mind giving us a really quick introduction to your background and who you are?

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Sure! Hi everyone, my name is from . I was born in London, England, in 1996. So um, I guess you could say I'm an oldie. Sort of.

breaks into a dorky but charming smile.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

I used to take part in an underground hip-hop group as a rapper and a dancer, but when I turned 18, I went back to my hometown, Japan, and auditioned for . I think that was the best decision of my life.

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

What made you want to become an idol?

⸝⸝ ⸃ !!

Honestly, I used to think being an idol was really lame. I was just too focused on the competition, you know? But then I started looking up to a few idols, ones who eventually became my role models. They were the ones who inspired me to pursue this career and follow in their footsteps.