The day for the 1-on-1 battle finally came.
For this battle, Llana wore a white long-sleeve button-up shirt with a small L.E. logo featuring wings and an infinity symbol on the right chest. The top two buttons were undone, and the shirt was tucked into black fitted jeans, completed with white low-top sneakers.
"Anyeong~" JYP entered the studio and stood on the stage.
"Annyeonghaseo~" Llana and the rest bowed.
"I will not be the only judge for today. There will be two more judges, Medusa and JD, please come in," JYP announced.
Llana furrowed her brow. Medusa is a pretty well-known member of the K-pop girl group Brown Eyed Girls. As for the guy, JD.... JD is her cousin and they get along like magnets with the same pole.
Seeing him here, Llana knows things might not end as smoothly as she thought.
"We will now start the challenge." JYP passed, "the first person from a minor who will challenge a major will be.. Nayeon."
"Nayeon, please come forward and choose the person you want to challenge. "
Nayeon nodded her head and faced the major side confidently, "Tzuyu, I want to take your spot, come out."
" Ohhh, so spicy," JD commented.
Llana rolled her eyes. Unbelievable. Former Llana really must've hated this guy. The feeling was rubbing off.
"Good luck, Tzuyu." Llana wished Tzuyu as she stood up. Tzuyu gave her a nod her eyes gleaming with nervousness.
Tzuyu never imagined Nayeon would pick her. She can only smirk bitterly internally, already aware she'll lose the contest. ' I suppose it's my fault for lacking talent. Nayeon-unnie probably chose me because I'm the easiest target. Why would she pick anyone else if she can win without risking her own survival?'
Llana watched as Jiwon and Minyoung shared a silent laugh when Nayeon called out Tzuyu. And actually, she was starting to dislike the two. They had been belittling Tzuyu since the rehearsal, mocking her every chance they got while she practiced her performance. Every laugh, every sly glance from them made Llana irritated.
'Tzuyu must be losing confidence now,' Llana thought, watching how flawless Nayeon's performance was.
She didn't want to admit it, but if it came down to abilities alone, Tzuyu stood no chance...her probability of winning wouldn't even rise above five percent.
That was how unfair their fight was right now.
However, if charm were the only measure, Nayeon wouldn't stand a chance against her. Tzuyu looked gorgeous in her outfit—fitting her figure perfectly and highlighting her shape. Her confidence only added to her presence, covering up any little flaws in her singing.
But as expected. Nayeon won.
The 2nd challenger soon step up it was Jiwon challenging Jeongyeon. Jeongyeon won defending her seat.
"The 3rd minor to challenge a major member is Jihyo." JYP announced.
The major members except Llana, Nayeon and Jeongyeon breath hitch. Jihyo is a tough opponent. They would be doomed if they are chosen.
"Come out Chaeyoung." Jihyo called out with a determine expression. She wanted to win and show her talent to everyone. This time Chaeyoung has to come down.
Chaeyoung unconsciously gulp her saliva. Jihyo is talented and being a 10 years trainee is a no joke.
Chaeyoung knew winning against Jihyo would be tough, but she was determined to give it everything she had.
She could almost feel Jihyo's thoughts pressing down on her: 'Now's your chance to see what it feels like to be a minor.'
The thought made her stomach twist, a nervous flutter she couldn't shake
5 minutes later
" Welcome~ welcome~ Chaeyoung!" Dahyun welcome Chaeyoung in english at the minor side happily.
Llana sighed as Dahyun wave at her signaling her to also go to minor side.
If Llana is to choose between Jihyo and Chaeyoung performance. She would choose Chaeyoung, her is better in her opinion this is her best performance in Llana's opinion.
"The next minor to challenge a major member is Minyoung. Minyoung, please come out," JYP announced.
"Anyeong," Minyoung greeted the judges, bowing slightly.
"Since the second mission, you've been on the minor side. Why do you think that is?" JYP asked.
Minyoung hesitated for only a moment. "I think… it's my confidence," she admitted. But this time, she felt that confidence. The third challenge was about talent, and whoever she faced...even if it was Llana. Minyoung believed she could win.
JYP nodded. "Hm. Announce who you want to challenge."
Lifting her chin, Minyoung said clearly, "Llana. I want to take your spot. Come out."
'Just as I thought… it's really Minyoung-unnie,' Llana thought as she calmly walked toward the stage.
JD smirked, leaning forward in his seat as if his favorite part of the show had just begun.
"Oh, now I'm nervous," JYP said with a small smile. "Llana, are you ready?"
Llana nodded, taking a slow, steady breath as she prepared herself. The noise around her faded into nothing as she centered her thoughts.
The song she had chosen was Coldplay's Fix You.
"When you try your best, but you don't succeed…"
Her voice flowed out gently, yet it struck hard. Every note carried weight, resonating deep within those who listened. It wasn't just a melody...It was a feeling they all knew too well.
The exhaustion of giving everything.
The quiet heartbreak of pushing past limits, only to fall short in the end.
Llana sang with her whole heart, hoping her song would reach those who were feeling down, depressed, or struggling in ways words alone could not express. Comfort didn't always come from explanations or speeches. Sometimes, a song was the medicine people needed gentle enough to soothe aching souls, yet strong enough to hold them together.
She wanted it to offer warmth where it was needed most, to become a small guiding light in the dark, quietly leading them back toward hope.
Idols are role models, idolized by thousands, even millions. That's what she wanted to be.
A role model, someone who can connect with people through her songs and her voice.
Many people struggle with depression, and many don't understand it. Some don't even try. She hope this performance reaches those who need to hear it.
After Llana left the stage, Minyoung stepped up to perform.
This time, it was Llana watching from backstage, her expression calm and unreadable.
"What do you think about Minyoung's performance?" a PD asked quietly beside her.
"She's trying too hard," Llana said. "She's going out of key."
She grimaced slightly. With her skill, every misplaced note was impossible to miss.
"If this continues," she added, "her voice will crack."
Almost on cue, Minyoung's voice cracked.
"Tsk."
Minyoung is one of the best singers in this competition. She can sing well, compose her own songs, but she easily gets swayed, her confidence affects her performance, making it hard for her to show her full capabilities.
Minyoung and Llana stood again on the stage for evaluation.
"Minyoung-ssi, you didn't show what I was expecting, which is a shame," Medusa said, frowning. "Even in parts that weren't very high, you used too much force, causing your voice to crack repeatedly."
"I know you're a good singer, Minyoung," JD added, "but you cracked often and sang out of tune."
"In Llana's case, I don't really have anything to say," Medusa continued with a light laugh. "Her performance is the best among the first group so far."
"Llana, your performance was great—but also lacking," JD said, meeting her gaze. "Compared to your previous performances, this one felt lackluster."
"Let's vote," JYP said.
"I'll vote for Llana," Medusa stated firmly.
"Minyoung," JD said with a sly smile.
His answer drew a few surprised glances not only from JYP and Medusa but also from the contestants.
Llana didn't flinch. She had expected it. JD would rather die than let her win outright.
"Why?" JYP asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I still want to see Minyoung grow," JD replied calmly. "Tonight, she showed sparks. Llana, don't take it personally."
JYP nodded, accepting his explanation, letting the tension linger for a moment before continuing. "I'll also vote for…" He paused deliberately. Llana."
"Minyoung," he added, leaning forward slightly, "you have real talent as a singer. But you didn't show it on this stage. I think you're feeling burdened. it's dangerous. Fix it quickly—or you may not have many chances left."