"I'm fine." Yuhyun's voice carried that familiar steadiness, the one that had anchored me through every moment of doubt since we'd reunited.
"C-rank isn't permanent. This round, I'm climbing back up. Just wait and see."
His smile radiated confidence—not the forced kind meant for cameras, but genuine belief.
Jisoo punched his shoulder. "Hell yeah, you will! We'll all vote for you!"
"Not allowed," Jinwook reminded him dryly. "Contestant voting is prohibited."
"Then I'll make everyone else vote for him!"
"Also prohibited."
"Then I'll—"
The PA system crackled, cutting off Jisoo's increasingly creative suggestions.
"All trainees report to the main evaluation hall in five minutes. I repeat, all trainees to the main evaluation hall."
The cafeteria erupted into motion.
Chairs scraped. Trays clattered. Sixty-eight remaining trainees surged toward the doors in a tide of nervous energy and forced confidence.
I dumped my half-eaten waffle, my stomach already twisting.
Here we go.
