Thoooooooooooooom!!
The dramatic sound of the beat dropping before several seconds of silence, as all 7 contestants on the stage dropped their heads before raising them simultaneously.
The blond man with the princely appearance in the center position brought his slender fingers to his lips and slowly kissed them before pivoting to the left, and Levi Temple, the boy with a short blond buzz cut, replaced him and started rapping in short, fast bursts.
This guy, this guy, this guy, this guy
This guy's really real
Imma show you something something something something
Something you can feel[1]
From your head right to your toes
Right on those lips and on your nose
Girl, I don't mean to be so bold
But you've got me out of control[2]
Levi Temple ended his quick rap with a cocky wink and then transitioning to the back with the other members dancing, the blue-haired member Choi In-su slid into place and began singing in a soft, breathy voice.
Girl, I'm so real
These feelings are real
My heart bleeds for you
Tell me what can I do~
As Choi In-su pointed from the ceiling to the audience and the music began to swell, William Forbes slid back to the center, and he began singing in a sweet, high-pitched voice.
My soul is calling out to you
I need you in my life
I'm real, you're real
These wounds we cannot heal
They mark us deep in silent ways
And still I can't stay away for a day
Day-
Day-
Day -
Day-
The lyrics repeated like a glitch as a surprisingly deep voice came out of Daniel Kim, the brightly smiling contestant with bright orange hair.
He swapped with William Forbes to take the center, and then began rapping his verse in a monstrously low tone.
Monday, your feelings are real
Tuesday, you say you can't feel
Wednesday, I sit and hope
Thursday, you crush me. Nope
Friday, I lay and weep
Saturday, I cannot sleep
Sunday, it just repeats.
As he finished his verse, the beat dropped, signaling the song's dance break.
With Daniel Kim, the shortest member anchoring the center, the seven contestants performed a dance with sharp lines, perfectly synchronized choreography that caught the eye, and intense movements with power behind them.
With a synchronized jump, William Forbes transitioned to the center, singing another verse before passing the center role to Suzuki Rei and Tae Young to harmonize, and then Jerome Tyler to rap.
As the song entered the final chorus, William Forbes took the center once more, leading the group through the energetic final section of the choreography and ending the song with a clear high note.
As the music ended, the crowd was silent for a bit before the audience screamed in excitement and aggressively pressed the clickers in their hands.
It was a performance that did justice to the song of the most popular male Kpop group, BTZ (pronounced BEATZ). The song combined an electrifying beat, a catchy R&B melody, and sweet words of affection.
As the seven boys panted while staring at the judges and waiting for feedback, all three of the judges clapped with large smiles on their faces.
Selena grabbed her mic and spoke first, "What a way to start us off! I have to say I'm quite impressed, from the choreography and transitions to the way you all split the parts. It looks good, and I would definitely put you all in the top 7 spots and pass you all."
At Selena's words, the audience began cheering again, and after Ryan Leary, the MC, calmed them down, Larry Jackson started to speaking.
"That was a great performance, as I'm sure you all know. You all did phenomenally, but for me, the standout performers in order are definitely William Forbes, Daniel Kim, Levi Temple, and Jerome Tyler. Naturally, you all pass and are definitely in the top 7."
As the young men smiled excitedly, Bing Yongsun grabbed the mic and spoke in his characteristically calm tone.
"I think you all did wonderfully, and to me right now, that performance was debut-ready. I'm sure BTZ would agree that you did their song and performance justice. And William, I can see that you're the leader here. You did a good job."
"Thank you," William replied to the judges with a pleased yet humble smile.
"Thank you!"
"Thanks."
"Thank you."
Following Williams' lead, the rest of his group expressed their thanks with smiles.
"Well, we've heard from the judges, and it looks like the results are in!" Ryan Leary, the MC, interrupted the heart-warming moment to point at the two screens.
Displayed on it were the names and smaller profile pictures of the current contestants on stage next to their assigned ranks.
1. William Forbes
2. Daniel Kim
3. Levi Temple
4. Jerome Tyler
5. Choi In-su
6. Suzuki Rei
7. Tae Young
"Judges? How are we feeling about these results?"
"Looks good to me!" Larry replied with a broad smile at his top pick being at the top.
"Great! Gentlemen, please have a seat. Mr. Forbes, a moment, please. It seems that you get to sit on the throne. How are you feeling about it? And do you think that anyone will dethrone you today?" Ryan Leary wrapped an arm around the taller boy's shoulders and held his mic to his face.
"I feel great!" William Forbes smiled happily for the camera before pausing and then speaking with a determined expression, "I know that there are lots talented contestants here, but I put in a lot of hard work and effort to get here and I want to believe that I'm the best so I believe I will stay at the top."
"Ooooh cocky words. Do you hear that, audience members?"
Wahhhhhhhhhh!!!!
Booooooooooo!!!!
"You're so handsome my prince!!!"
There was a mix of cheers and boos and William waved his hands as if he were frazzled.
"Ah, don't misunderstand me. If someone does better than me, I'll just use it as motivation to work even harder so I can be on top. Because I believe that I'm the best and I want you all to believe in me too."
*********
As Ari stared at the bold declaration coming from the blond guy on the TV screen, a chilling air surrounded him.
It was him!
That bastard prick that had ordered his thugs to kill Ari for absolutely no reason!
Seeing the guy get applause and be hailed as number one, Ari wanted to rush up and take a flying leap to punch him in the face.
Instead, he took a deep breath to calm himself down after realizing that he would be escorted out by security and thrown in jail if he did such a thing.
"So his name is William Forbes, huh?"
Ari had to admit that the guy was clearly talented.
He was handsome and tall, his voice was pretty good, he could dance, and he clearly had charm.
He almost wished that he was watching the performance live so that he could see that bastard's stats.
But he comforted himself in knowing that once he got past this portion, he would have to see that bastard's face every day, whether he wanted to or not.
"When I meet you, William, just prepare yourself," Ari muttered beneath his breath.
"Huh? Do you know him? His performance was really good, right? Uh, I'm glad I don't have to go directly after that. It would be embarrassing." Jamie groaned while looking sympathetically at the group of seven that was preparing to go next.
The whole group looked absolutely miserable, and Ari winced in sympathy as the one in the center missed his cue.
"I guess, and no, I don't know him at all." Ari vehemently denied it before patting Jamie's back as the other boy began packing his guitar and heading toward the gesturing staff member.
"Your turn is up soon, so go get ready. Good luck, make sure you kill it, and see you on the other side. Got it?
"Got it. Good luck to you as well."
Jamie tapped his fist against Ari's before adjusting his cowboy hat and heading out with his guitar.
As soon as Jamie left, Ari turned his attention back to the screen, paying attention to the other contestants' performances.
Five performances had gone so far, and 22 seats were already taken.
Jamie was 10th in line to go.
He was 47th.
By the time it was his turn, most, if not all, of the 100 seats would be taken, and people would be tired of listening to 46 consecutive performances at that point.
His performance would have to stand out enough to push somebody out.
Well…it should be memorable enough even if it wasn't on par with those performances with people singing, dancing, and rapping.
After all, he had a secret weapon that he had tested repeatedly with Jamie.
"And now, we have a performance by Contestant Jamie Jones III, who composed and wrote the lyrics for his own song called 'Holding Me Back'"
Ari turned his attention back to the TV, where Jamie was standing at a mic stand while holding his guitar.
[1] I really wanted a G-Eazy feel to his flow. Chill but aggressive.
[2] I really wanted a G-Eazy feel to his flow. Chill but aggressive.