Chapter 90

Once again, same time on the screen.

The trainers’ final lesson.

After the vocal, rap, and dance classes ended.

Trainers explaining to the trainees how to select the center for the final stage.

[Filming singing and dancing simultaneously…]

Interviews of each trainee who hopes to become the center passed by one by one.

[Since this is the last stage, I really want to be the center.]

[This is the last chance…]

[I want to show you.]

Leaving behind the viewers who are dying to know who the center is, the VCR ended with the subtitle [Who will be the center of the debut evaluation!?]

Then back on stage, the MC grabbed the microphone.

As an experienced and famous MC, they skillfully mixed in ad-libs while interviewing the trainers to buy time for the participants to prepare for their stage.

“Alright! After a long journey, we are finally at the last debut evaluation where the 7-member debut group will be born!”

The MC, who had been stalling for the right moment, finally shouted.

And the venue echoed with successive cheers.

“The 13 trainees will be divided into two teams of 6 and 7 to present two songs: [Glide] and [Brighten Up].”

“Two stages. Two centers. I’m sure the viewers are curious about who became the center, right?”

– Yeeees!!!

“The center will be revealed through the upcoming stage! First! Let’s meet the center selection process and stage for the [Glide] team! It’s show time!”

*

“Ah, the bathroom? Hurry back!”

Seo-yoon Unni dashed out of the waiting room towards the bathroom.

Oh dear, Kim Seo-yoon.

In the bustling waiting room under the stage.

The staff shouted here and there.

“[Glide] team! You need to move to the stage in 3 minutes!”

The hands of the hair, makeup, and coordinator teachers busy adjusting the final touches.

Brushing and tidying up hair.

Double-checking outfits and makeup.

“I’m heading out now!”

On the way out of the waiting room.

Before I knew it, Seo-yoon Unni, who had returned from the bathroom, approached and tightly grabbed my hand.

‘What’s up with this all of a sudden?’

“Do-hee, let’s not be nervous and just do what we’ve been doing, okay?”

Though it seemed like she was trying to act like an older sister, Seo-yoon Unni’s hands were shaking.

“Shouldn’t you be taking some calming pills or something?”

“…I forgot to bring them.”

Seo-yoon Unni, who often got nervous.

She carried calming pills during the trainee’s monthly evaluation.

“Hana Unni had some!”

“Really? Why didn’t you tell me sooner!”

Kim Seo-yoon ran ahead towards Hana Unni, who was passing through the hallway.

“Ugh…”

In the chaotic situation.

The [Glide] team moved towards the stage.

My hand started to shake again as the cheers echoed from the stage.

Excitement or maybe tension.

‘I should have taken some calming pills too.’

The members stood in a circle.

At the moment, wanting to say some nonsense from the tension, Hana Unni’s face flushed as she reached out to the center and shouted.
At that moment, Hana Unni, with her face flushed, reached out to the center and shouted.

“Hey everyone, let’s gather our hands!”

Everyone shouted a phrase and brought their hands together in the middle.

“Yeah…!”

“Sure!”

“Okay… let’s go!”

“We can do it!”

Me too.

“Yeah!”

Hana Unni led the cheer, creating a slogan based on the song title during the practice.

“Rush to Flight!”

“Fighting!”

Then the staff received a communication and shouted various things urgently.

Pointing at the stage equipment.

“Now we’re getting ready! Get ready! We’re going in!”

*

Back on the stage, the screen displayed.

The selection process for the [Rush] team’s center was underway.

[Chae-rin is really refreshing…]

The viewers watched the participants compliment each other, hoping their pick would become the center.

Finally, the final two center candidates were selected through the team’s internal voting.

The faces of the two appeared split-screen with the caption [Do-hee & Eun Se-ra trainees!].

– The center is definitely Do-hee lol.

– Shut up, it’s Se-ra.

– Queen Se-ra’s aura is no joke lol.

– I’m so glad both Do-hee and Se-ra are center candidates ㅠㅠㅠㅠ.

– Meanwhile, I didn’t get to see our Hana as a center during Produce…

– Chae-rin and Seo-yoon also suited the center role well…

A personal interview with the two candidates came on.

[Eun Se-ra: I do want to be the center, but… Do-hee is cute…! You can give her the center!]

[Do-hee: Just being a center candidate is nice, but I really want to be the center!]

[Q: Eun Se-ra trainee said she would yield the center to Do-hee…]

[Do-hee: (looking flustered) Um… Ah… Se-ra Unni, fighting!]

[The final center for the 'Rush' team will be announced shortly!]

With the caption, the viewing screen returned to the performance hall.

The screen showed behind the stage with the faces of the [Rush] members split into six sections.

The theme melody of [Rush] began to play.

And a gradient sky color like the wind poured into the screen.

Finally, cloud-shaped letters rose into view on the screen painted with the sky.

[Rush to Flight!]

To the rhythm of the theme melody and uptempo beat, the stage props slowly rose in front of the screen, prompting cheers from the audience.

When the stage props fully positioned above, the cheers reached a peak.

On the stage props, five members posed in a semi-circle around the center with their hands on each other’s shoulders.

And the trainee standing proudly at the center bobbed her head up and smiled.

As the camera zoomed in, the caption appeared on the viewing screen.

[Center Topist Lee Do-hee]

– Wow, what do I do? She’s so pretty, I’m dying, it’s insane, why is she so beautiful, I’m going crazy.

– The center is Do-hee ㅠㅠㅠ.

– Do-hee is super pretty.

– The kids’ visuals lol, this is girl group material!
Jewels, lol, this is what a girl group is!

– Our Do-hee even took the center position, sob sob sob.

– …(breathless, dead)

Six members striking poses on the stage setup.

Starting with center Do-hee, they began to walk towards the stage like on a runway.

Each member sported a variety of white and black off-shoulder blouses, lace sleeveless tops, tube tops, sheer blouses, and dresses.

The youthful feminine vibe, straddling the line between girlhood and adulthood, already had the viewers captivated.

Finally, the six of them took their positions on stage.

The theme melody of “Glide” slowly faded away like a distant echo.

The lights went completely dark, leaving the stage in total darkness.

Now, the audience also stopped cheering and stared at the stage with eyes full of anticipation.

An introduction, a refreshing sound flowing like waves, white noise.

The white noise gradually developed a melody and turned into a theme melody.

And when a dazzling light burst forth from the stage…

The six stood in a line, led by the center, Do-hee.

Whether it was because Do-hee’s face filled the screen or just a reflexive cheer for the started stage, the audience erupted with a deafening roar.

Amidst that thunderous sound, the introduction, center Do-hee’s voice pierced through like a meteor cutting through the night sky.

– A star shining from the deepest place.

Five arms stretched out from behind, drawing stars.

Members with folded arms spread out energetically from the lineup, moving around.

The movements reminiscent of cheerleading were large and powerful.

– I’m currently catching up.

Starting with Kim Seo-yoon taking over Do-hee’s vocals.

– Please look at me today too.

Participants took turns singing lines and stepped center stage.

– Dreams dance between my fingers,

Shining the brightest light,

Please shine on me today too.

As the verses passed, the beat grew stronger.

Entering the pre-chorus, it calmed for a moment, like the calm before a storm.

– Even if darkness descends,

As long as there’s you shining for me.

Participants smiled at each other while performing mirror choreography, cheering each other on.

– As long as there’s a star to shine today,

When Eun Se-ra stepped forward as center and belted out the high note part, the comments section flooded with “Wow!” and gasps.

Before Jang-mun could write his lengthy remarks, they hit the peak tempo.

They moved into the sing-along chorus.

– Step by step, moving forward,

Even if the path is long, I will never stop.

Paradoxically, unlike the peak beat, the high-difficulty choreography became light and simple cute moves, like stretching legs and crossing arms.

– A song soothing me toward my dreams,

Thanks to that, the audience, who had their mouths agape at the high-quality stage, now smiled and watched.

Finally, the last center part of the chorus.

With comments like “Stop showing off!!!” and “No, let go, Do-hee did it first!” causing a commotion.
“Wait, no! Do-hee was the one who made the first move!” comments bursting with excitement.

Once again, Do-hee’s softened tone spread through the air.

“Rush to flight, let’s soar even higher!”

As the first verse ended, the tempo abruptly slowed down.

Like being swept away by waves, the participants swiftly moved to a new stage for the second verse.

Second verse, let’s go!

A wider stage.

The lyrics remained the same, but the formation changed.

First, lighting focused solely on the participants for that part.

At this moment, the participants for that part moved first.

And following them, the other members moved late, as if drawn by gravity.

It was a dance representing shining stars and the planets orbiting them, but the viewers just awed, “Oh…” “Wow…”

Then came the pre-chorus and Gong Chae-rin’s rap.

“I’ll illuminate the darkness, shine so bright,
Don’t let me stop,
I’ll soar to great heights,
I’ll protect you, trust me, it’s a certainty.”

Short yet appealing, the flow left a strong impression.

Passing the second verse’s chorus.

Everyone lined up in a straight line, facing backward.

The long-awaited bridge part.

“My heart is racing!”

First, An Eun-seo turned left.

“Even if I’m scared of tomorrow…”

Hana Kwon went to the right.

“Let’s go together.”

Kim Seo-yoon stepped two to the left.

“I’m bursting with excitement.”

Eun Se-ra stepped two to the right.

Finally, in the center, Do-hee turned around, taking on the main vocal part.

Riding the soaring notes, she hit the high notes.

“Rush to flight! In this moment!”

As the high notes reached their peak, colored paper scattered as the final chorus began.

“Step by step, moving forward (Oh~)”

Do-hee continued the high note ad-lib.

“Even if the road is long, I’ll never stop.”

The remaining members spread in five directions, looking at the audience, encouraging them with cute hand gestures.

Following their cues, not just the live audience but many viewers outside the screen began to hum along to the catchy chorus and mimic the hand movements.

“A song that comforts me toward my dreams…”

After the audience interaction, the members gathered back to the center.

“Rush to flight, let’s soar higher!”

As the chorus ended, an exhilarating yet bittersweet feel mingled in the upbeat melody, creating a closing ambiance.

And instead of the usual front-facing ending pose, this time, all the members looked up at the sky as they finished their stage.

As expected of an uptempo dance-pop song, “Glide” had a lively structure.

The final melody and ending pose fused, making the viewers realize the bittersweet essence of the final stage, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

And after the stage finished, the first comment appeared.

“What?! Is it already over…? Give me back my stage…ㅠㅠ”

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