(Practice Room)
"This is our time to finally remove those who don't belong in the Major Group and reclaim our seats," Jihyo stated, looking at the members one by one.
They were currently in the practice room, sitting on the floor, thinking about who in the Major Group they wanted to challenge in a one-on-one battle. They decided to plan together so they could discuss who to choose, making sure that no two or three of them would challenge the same person, to avoid making things difficult for themselves. If too many of them challenged the same person, they would also end up facing each other, making it harder to claim the Major seat.
"Chaeyoung and Llana have to come down. They've been sitting in the Major seats from the beginning," Jiwon said.
"Yeah, they both need to come down," Dahyun pouted. They must have gotten really arrogant by now, sitting there, eating salads, and chatting animatedly without her. She really, really miss being with them.
Alright, let's take them down to the Minor Group," Jihyo said after a moment of thought, a determined glint in her eyes. She could already picture them bragging around in the Major Group, and she was more than ready to see them fall to the Minor Group.
(Llana & Chaeyoung: …Why does everyone think that we're showing off?😭 )
"I want to try that once," Nayeon added. "You, come out."
"Hahaha! I thought my heart was being ripped out with the necklace!" Dahyun exclaimed, putting her hands over her chest as if ripping her heart out. "Haaaa!" she cried, making a pained expression.
Eunsuh watched the others laugh and share their experiences. She felt envious, unable to relate to them. As they talked about what it felt like to be in the Major Group or placed in the Minor Group, she stayed quiet on the side and felt out of place, like an outsider.
She could only smile bitterly as they animatedly described what it felt like to have the necklace ripped from their necks or to be called out in front of everyone.
She was the only Minor member who had never been in the Major Group. 'I need to hurry and show everyone that I have talent too, while there's still time,' she reminded herself.
"Who will fight Chaeyoung?" Jihyo asked, looking around at the others as she waited for their opinions.
"If we want to bring Chaeyoung down, then we need someone who can really fight her… I think Jihyo is the best choice," Nayeon said seriously.
"That's fine with me, but is there anyone else who wants to challenge Chaeyoung?" Jihyo asked. When no one spoke up, she nodded and added, "Then I'll be up against her."
"Next, Jeongyeon-unnie. Who would want to challenge her? Minyoung I think you can match her" Jihyo asked then focuses to Minyoung.
"...But I can't call out Jeongyeon," Minyoung said, rejecting the idea.
"Why?" Jiwon asked, curiosity in her voice.
Minyoung hesitated, biting the inside of her cheek. They were all once a team… for her, calling Jeongyeon out felt like a betrayal.
"Because we were all once a team, it would be hard," she finally explained, her voice tinged with reluctance.
Jihyo let out a small, almost imperceptible sigh, feeling a little helpless at Minyoung's martyrdom. If Minyoung wanted to stay and win, she couldn't let her emotions get in the way… she had to put herself first.
"Then, Jiwon. Do you think you can win against Jeongyeon-unnie?"
"Sure. If we're talking about singing, I'm confident I can win," Jiwon said, thinking it over. She couldn't deny it--she was a little jealous of Jeongyeon. Talented, charismatic, and tall, Jeongyeon always drew attention. But Jiwon thought she could still win if the competition focused on singing.
"I'll take Sana-unnie" Chaeryeong raised her hand.
The rest also followed and said who they wanted to challenge.
Then their thoughts turned to Llana.
"Ugh, what about Llana?" Jihyo asked, frowning.
"..."
"..."
"Yah! Everyone, why is no one saying anything?" Jihyo laughed helplessly, throwing her hands up. She already knew what everyone was thinking. Who would even want to challenge her anyway?
Since the very first day, Llana's performances had exceeded everyone's expectations. She could sing flawlessly, hit every note with precision, and carry emotion in a way that drew the audience in. She was beautiful, tall, and elegant, and on top of that, she could compose and write her own songs.
The only unknowns were whether she could dance or rap—but even then.
Would anyone dare bet on a rap or dance battle?
No one would.
Especially not when their survival in the competition—and the fear of elimination—was on the line.
The room fell silent, the weight of her abilities pressing down on everyone. Confidence faltered; even Jihyo, who have confidence in her talent, hesitated at the thought of going up against Llana.
All eyes slowly turned toward Minyoung, locking on her like she had just been chosen as a sacrificial lamb. Her stomach tightened, and she gulped nervously.
"W-why is everyone looking at me?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Uncertainty written all over her features.
Momo let out a small, helpless laugh. "Well… you're the only one who doesn't have a match yet, Minyoung-ah."
"I-I…" Minyoung's words caught in her throat. She had expected hesitation, but not the full weight of everyone silently urging her forward. The room seemed to shrink around her, and for a moment, she wondered if she could even step up to the challenge.
'Was giving up the chance to challenge Jeongyeon-unnie really a good idea?' She regretted saying no.
"I think you have a big chance against her. You still have all those songs you composed, right? I really think you're the only one here who can fight her. You should challenge her with a self-composed song," Nayeon said, offering encouragement. She truly believed Minyoung could go against Llana—she just needed a little confidence.
"Okay…" Minyoung murmured, still unsure. Llana's songs were far better than hers, and she didn't feel she could match them. But now, she had no choice. She had already rejected the first suggestions of going against Jeongyeon, and everyone else had their opponents chosen. She couldn't back out again.