"No warning. No prep. Just vibes and vengeance."
That's how Minju described the latest training announcement that had everyone buzzing with excitement and anxiety.
Haru stared at the company bulletin board, feeling stunned and a little overwhelmed.
"Surprise Dance Unit Evaluation: All trainees will participate. Top 3 will receive solo stage privileges. Teams randomized. Battle format."
He read the notice again, and then a third time, hoping it would somehow change.
"It's like they want us to cry," he mumbled, feeling the weight of the situation sink in.
Minju, on the other hand, was already floating in circles above his head, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Battle format! This is it! The arc where you defeat your rival with rhythm and pain!" She twirled around, her enthusiasm infectious.
"I don't have a rival," he said, trying to keep his cool.
"Then you should become one!" Minju exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with determination. "This is your chance to show everyone what you've got! Think of it as a challenge—a way to step up your game!"
Haru sighed, feeling a mix of pressure and anticipation. The idea of competing with others in a dance battle was both thrilling and terrifying. He thought about the other trainees, each one talented in their own right. What if he didn't measure up? What if he froze on stage?
"Come on, Haru! You can do this!" Minju cheered, landing neatly beside him. "Just imagine the spotlight shining on you, the crowd cheering your name! You'll be amazing! Plus, solo stage privileges mean you'll get to show off your unique style!"
He couldn't help but picture it—a bright stage, his friends cheering, and the music pumping through the air. Maybe, just maybe, he could rise to the occasion.
"Okay, okay," he said, feeling a flicker of determination start to grow. "I'll give it my best shot."
"That's the spirit!" Minju beamed, her excitement radiating. "Let's train hard and make those vibes work for us! We'll show everyone what we're made of!"
Haru nodded, feeling a bit more confident. With Minju by his side, maybe this surprise evaluation wouldn't be such a disaster after all. He took a deep breath and imagined the rhythm of the music flowing through him—ready to embrace this new challenge.
The teams were announced during the roll call, creating a buzz of anticipation in the air. Haru, Minhee, and a new trainee named Daesung found themselves grouped together, which made them all a bit nervous.
And who were they up against?
On the opposite side stood Han Seojun, Riki, and a guy named Jinwoo. Jinwoo was known for his incredible dancing skills, and he had abs that looked like they were chiseled from stone—which seemed almost unfair.
Riki looked across the room with a confident smirk and said, "Guess we're enemies now." His tone was playful, but it added to the tension of the situation.
Minhee let out a long sigh, clearly not thrilled about the upcoming battle. "Wonderful. I hate battles. There are just too many limbs flying around, and it gets chaotic," he complained.
Meanwhile, Daesung stood frozen, his face pale—like he might throw up from sheer anxiety. The pressure of the competition was clearly getting to him.
Behind them, Minju clapped her hands enthusiastically. "Don't worry, team! I've got moves!"
Haru groaned quietly. "No."
Minhee glanced over. "No what?"
"Nothing," Haru muttered, waving it off.
Minju floated closer, undeterred. "Come on! Last time was just a warm-up. This time I've got a full routine!"
"No," Haru said again, more firmly this time. "Last time you tried to teach us choreography, I pulled a hamstring and dislocated my self-esteem."
Minhee raised an eyebrow. "You… pulled your what?"
Minju crossed her arms. "But now you're stronger!"
"That's not how injuries work!" Haru hissed under his breath.
Minhee gave him a strange look. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Haru said quickly. "Just—stretch trauma. Old ghost... I mean, gym injury."
Minju giggled. "You're really bad at lying."
The atmosphere was tense, with a mix of excitement and dread as they prepared for the challenge ahead.
Training began that afternoon, and it was a big deal for everyone. Each group was tasked with creating a 90-second dance piece that they had to perform in front of the heads of both the vocal and dance departments. It was a great opportunity, but it also meant a lot of pressure.
They had only three days to get it all together.
That meant three long days filled with late-night rehearsals, sore feet, and even some foot cramps from all the dancing. The meals weren't much better either, as they often ended up eating poorly microwaved dumplings. Not exactly gourmet food, but it was enough to keep them going.
Surprisingly, Haru wasn't the worst dancer in the group—which was a relief for him.
Minju was always near the mirrors, pointing out where they could improve their timing.
"Your left foot, Haru. No, the other left!" she would say, trying to correct him.
Haru would grumble back, "I swear you make me worse on purpose."
But Minju just smiled and replied, "I build character."
Meanwhile, Minhee quietly adjusted their blocking, making sure everyone was in the right spot for the dance.
Daesung was a bit nervous, but he was quick at picking up the dance steps. He had a natural talent for it, even if he felt a bit anxious.
By the second day, Haru whispered to the others, "Honestly, we're not half bad at this."
Minhee nodded in agreement and teased, "Yeah, you're only 60% bad."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Haru replied with a smirk, knowing they were all just trying to support each other through the tough process.
Despite the challenges, they were starting to feel a sense of teamwork forming, and it made the late-night practices a little more enjoyable. They were becoming a group—working together, and even sharing some laughs along the way.
The day of the battle arrived faster than anyone had expected.
The training hall, which usually buzzed with chatter and practice, had been transformed into a small stage. Judges sat in a row across from the dance floor, their serious expressions showing just how important this event was. In the back rows of the hall, other trainees filled the seats, whispering to one another as they sized up their competition. You could feel the excitement and tension in the air.
When Haru's team stepped up to perform, he could hear some quiet murmurs from the audience:
"Look, that's #13."
"I can't believe he's a dancer."
"Let's hope he doesn't trip again like last time."
Minju hovered nervously just out of sight. Her hands were pressed together in prayer as she kept repeating to herself, "Don't fall. Don't fall. Don't fall." She was clearly anxious but hopeful for their performance.
Then, the music began to play.
And… they danced!
Their movements were tight, synchronized, and filled with confidence. Haru was amazed at how he hit every move with a sharpness he didn't even know he possessed. Each expression on his face matched the beat of the music perfectly. His smile—oh, that smile—flashed just long enough to catch the attention of the crowd, resulting in a few gasps of surprise and excitement.
As they struck their final pose, the hall fell silent for a moment.
Then, the applause erupted.
There were even a few loud whoops of excitement.
Minju, unable to contain herself, spun through the air, screaming, "YESSSSS! MY BOY!" Her joy was infectious, and it felt like all their hard work had finally paid off. The atmosphere was electric, and for Haru, this moment was everything he had trained for. The thrill of performing and the support from his friends filled him with pride and happiness as they awaited the judges' scores.
Then it was time for Seojun's team to take the stage.
And they were… nothing short of amazing.
They combined power, precision, and style in a way that left everyone in awe.
Seojun hardly blinked as he moved, his body slicing through the air like a sharp knife cutting through butter.
Haru watched intently, his jaw tight with concentration.
"Damn," Minhee whispered, clearly impressed.
Even Minju, who usually had something to say, went totally quiet, captivated by the performance.
When the final beat dropped and the trio struck a perfect pose mid-air, the crowd went wild.
There were screams, cheers, and even a few whistles of admiration.
Riki walked past Haru with a confident smirk on his face. "Not bad, huh?" he said, clearly enjoying the moment.
Seojun paused for a second. He looked directly at Haru.
And for the first time ever—he nodded at him.
Minju floated down next to Haru and asked, "Was that… respect?"
"I think so," Haru replied, still trying to process what had just happened.
"Should I be jealous?" Minju teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, you definitely should be," Haru said with a playful grin.
Minju couldn't help but smile back, clearly enjoying the light-hearted banter between them.
The results finally arrived the next day, and everyone was excited to see who had made it to the top.
1st place went to Seojun's team.2nd place was taken by Haru's team.3rd place was a different group that Haru didn't even notice, because he was too shocked to pay attention.
Incredibly, they had made it into the top three!
Minhee whispered with excitement, "We're getting a solo collaboration stage. This means we'll have a real chance to show ourselves to the world!"
Daesung blinked in surprise and asked, "Wait, I didn't die? I'm still here?"
Minju, upside down and floating in the air, laughed and said, "Yes, sweet boy! You survived! You're still here with us!"
Back in the dorm, Haru sat on his bunk with a towel draped over his head. His legs shook from a mix of exhaustion and the rush of adrenaline still coursing through him.
Minju perched casually on the edge of the bed frame, watching him with a thoughtful expression.
"That was really cool," she said softly, her voice filled with genuine admiration.
"Yeah," he replied, trying to catch his breath.
"You're getting better at this," she continued. "Not just with your dancing. I mean, you're also getting better at… being seen by others."
Curious, Haru pulled the towel down from his face and looked at her. "You really think so?" he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
She smiled warmly at him. "You're not just haunted by your past anymore, Haru. You're actually glowing—like you're shining bright on stage."
He couldn't help but roll his eyes, a grin creeping onto his face. "That's just sweat, you know," he said, trying to play it down.
She playfully nudged his shoulder with her elbow. "In idol terms, that's basically the same thing. It means you're putting your heart into it!"
As he listened to her, Haru felt a sense of pride swell within him. Minju's words made him realize that he was making progress—not just as a dancer, but also in how he felt about himself.