Ren's voice cut through the chaos. "Please treat me like any other trainee."
He bowed—deep, formal, practiced perfection.
The gesture should've been humble. Instead, it felt like watching a king pretend to kneel before peasants.
"Let's give Ren a warm welcome," PD Kwon commanded.
Applause rippled through the hall—half genuine, half obligatory. I clapped mechanically, watching Ren navigate the rows of trainees.
He settled into an empty seat near the back. Cameras swiveled, tracking his every movement.
The hall quieted again.
"Now then." PD Kwon's grin widened. "Let's discuss what you've all been waiting for—the Second Live Stage Evaluation themes."
My pulse kicked up. Around me, trainees leaned forward. Jisoo gripped my sleeve.
"As you know, this round focuses on Halloween Special Stages. Dark concepts. Horror. Gothic romance." PD Kwon gestured toward the screen behind him. "But we're adding a twist."
Of course there was a twist. There was always a twist.
