The sixteen of us stood in a wide semicircle facing PD Kwon.
Behind him, seven illuminated debut seats waited on a raised platform, numbered from one to seven. Our portraits filled the enormous LED screens overhead.
The audience had gone unusually quiet. During the performances, people had screamed names and waved banners. Now they simply watched.
A camera swept past us, catching every nervous expression. I kept my hands at my sides and tried not to follow the lens. After weeks of learning where to look, I suddenly wished it would point anywhere else.
Jisoo twisted his fingers together. Ren stared straight ahead, his face unreadable. Hyunki stood almost unnaturally still, shoulders squared.
I looked toward the empty seats.
Seven places. Sixteen finalists.
Nine of us would still be standing when the announcements ended.
PD Kwon raised his tablet.
