What?
This, for sure, gained everyone's attention. Among all those things that could happen, this one wasn't even in the list.
But now, everything made sense.
Why they eliminated one more person in the previous episode.
Why they showed only short clips at the beginning.
Because this isn't the end.
Some silent seconds followed. A soft light was emphasizing the silhouettes of people on the stage. Some particular features were standing: some taller guys, some particular hair. Near the center, there was a short and tiny guy with a little ponytail.
That's it. San was losing it. The grip on Seonghwa's leg was tightening and the older knew exactly the reason. Soon after, the lights turned on, illuminating a whole group of fifteen ex trainees. Among whom there was, of course, Jung Wooyoung.
San's lips betrayed his intentions as he smiled widely. Too wide, but no one was looking at him. His ears twitched to catch every following word of the presenter, despite being, actually, totally distracted by the image of the other guy.
"Do you know them, right?
Tonight, they're going to perform again on this stage, making a solo, just like you. Then, the audience at home will vote for two people to come back to the competition.
Next week, you will compete for the final spots. This time, for real.
The public will also vote for you, who have gained a spot in the finals. The votes will reflect in next week ranking."
This means that San's mistakes could represent a problem for his position, but right now he didn't care. He was just expecting Wooyoung to do his best performance ever and conquering his place there. The one he deserved for sure. He wasn't even thinking about the possibility that there are fifteen people in total. I already failed once, I can do twice for sure.
Which was Wooyoung's thought, though.
He was shaking out of worries, having a hard time to keep breathing. Stepping again on that stage wasn't something he was ready for.
"You can just sit and see the other performances, now. Consider it as a break."
San's blood was trailing faster than a normal pace in his veins, something made him sure that everyone in that room could hear his heartbeat. He didn't mind feeling that exposed. It seems like the only thought that he had had for days, convincing himself that he had buried it down in his mind, but not succeeding in it, had finally his chance to break the walls and hammering out loud.
He followed every single movement of Wooyoung, like he had forgotten how he looked, which of course he didn't. The following time seemed very short yet too long, waiting for the ravanette's performance. The music arrived muffled at his ears, because his heart was doing better. Of course, he hadn't the possibility of talking with anyone at the moment, so he managed to hold everything back until the ending of the episode.
Wooyoung, who was known for being a great dancer, did a very surprising stage.
Everyone, including the judges, was expecting some powerful choreo, but this wasn't happening. Not at the beginning. Instead, he started singing a very slow song, staying still on a stool. He looked so concentrated, eyes shut and shoulders bouncing up and down, failing his willingness to show confidence and calmness.
He sang the first half of the song like this, and the audience was so taken aback that it was about to fall down. The oblivious world in which Wooyoung was throwing everyone in felt everything but uncomfortable. When the chorus started, his voice raised, and he stood up. The pitch was higher, and the veins swollen on his neck, showing all the effort he was putting. Was he having some difficulties? Maybe, but this didn't stop him from starting dancing. He started to do some contemporary steps which, for sure, very few people inside that room were able to do. And everything while still singing, holding every note perfectly.
He also looked very involved in the performance. Maybe it was because of the feeling of the song, maybe because he was very anxious, or it was just acting. In any case, the facials were perfect and not a single expression seemed fake.
When the song was coming to an end, and he hadn't stopped dancing a single second, a particular verse was coming. San, who had recognised the song, which was Habit from Seventeen, stayed still in anticipation.
He won't sing it after all this dance. It's hard.
His breath was stopping in his throat, as Wooyoung did a perfect high note at the end, continuing the chorus staying still. Then, he resumed his dancing and went on to the conclusion.
차라리 네가 좀 더 힘들었으면 해
힘들어서 내 생각도
좀 하고 그랬으면 좋겠어
나도 아무렇지 않고 싶은데
I rather wish that you were having a rougher time
I want you to think of me
Because it's hard
I want to be okay too...
Wooyoung basically ran back to his place, brushing his cheeks which were now wet. He held them back for the whole song but couldn't go on it anymore. He couldn't see the standing ovation the finalists made for him, because his gaze was too humid and foggy.
He couldn't see how Choi San had stood up before anyone else, with wet eyes and the proudest look ever on his face. If this performance could be the real entry for that final round, he'd have ranked #1. For sure. San was sure that no one in that room, including the nine finalists, had done such a great performance. Neither him, or Seonghwa, or whoever else. If this wasn't enough to let him back in, he honestly didn't know. And he was ready to punch every single person of the audience right in the middle of their faces to if not voting for Wooyoung.
Not that anyone inside here had ever doubted about his capability, but no other ex-contestant had been able to prepare such a great stage by himself, too. In the program, they had choreographers, vocal coaches and some more mentors; in their agencies, they didn't. Basically, this time, they had to set up everything by themself. And while the others pushed on the power, on the dance and the stage presence, Wooyoung decided to bet on the singing. His weak point which had always made him uncomfortable. Because if they kicked me out once, they're going to do again if I do the same things. And they know what I'm capable of.
He couldn't know that the judges were impressed for real by that. Because they knew that the eliminated didn't have the same possibilities and time of the others to prepare. And because he had been the best despite every working condition, previous issue or emotional disease.
The fifteen trainees were called back on the stage as some commercial break aired, to give time to count all the votes and make the graphics. These for sure had been Wooyoung's longest minutes of his life. Longer than the evaluation day after the training months. Longer than the drive home when he was kicked out.
He stayed still in his place, eyes still humid and directed to his feet, as he didn't have enough nerve to face the sight of the screen. As soon as the presenter started talking again, repeating all their names and starting to show the graphics, he was forced to lift his gaze, brushing his eyes. He couldn't know that San was about to choke on his own oxygen for the waiting. And so were Seonghwa and Yeosang, and his other friends. Because San hasn't been the only one missing Wooyoung, especially considering his talent, which he managed to show once again, and they were all still shocked for that performance.
Then, all the pictures became desaturated, as the two winners were highlighted.
Kim Soobin
Jung Wooyoung
Some seconds of silence followed the announcement. Wooyoung took a deep breath and stayed in hid place, looking at the other thirteen trainees walking back to their spots, while he and Soobin had to stay there, on the stage. His breath was becoming faster, and he was having a very hard time holding back all his tears.
Right after, they showed the percentage of the votes, and Wooyoung had like 10% more than Soobin, so a lot more than all the others. That's when he covered his face with a hand because he couldn't hold the crying back anymore, visibly sobbing out loud and turned the back to the cameras, while the presenter was saying something else about the finals and the competition. But, as usual, Wooyoung needed his time to process the announcement.
He, despite almost drowning in his own tears, not only felt happy, but most of all, proud.
I made it.
Again.
.
.
PEOPLE
IGHIFHGIUFG
i hope you are not disappointed with this!! i wasn't sure if going on with the story like this or in a totally different and "negative" way fjdghfugi maybe i'll rewrite also the other option someday 👀
i also started writing another story, which i'm still not sure about but you can check it anyway if you're curious, since this one is really going to an end