Backstage, other contestants watched through monitors. Some were impressed, others became worried, because every strong performance increased the pressure.
Sunmin stood among them, arms folded, expression neutral, watching carefully. Beside him, Jihoo let out a whistle. "They're doing well."
Sunmin nodded. "Hm."
"Especially Doyun."
Sunmin nodded in agreement and added. "He's improved very much."
Jihoo looked surprised. A compliment from Sunmin? That was very rare.
*
The song approached its climax, the hardest section, the section that had caused the most trouble during practice. Doyun moved into center position as the formation split apart, then reassembled. The timing had to be exact. One second early or late could ruin the visual effect.
The music was building high, and then higher. And then exploded; boom!
The five contestants moved simultaneously. Perfect. Their dancing was neatly synchronised.
The audience gasped.
