The studio was already loud before the first question dropped.
Both groups at their buzzer stations. Cameras live. The audience section at full capacity. The host had done his opening and the energy was the kind that came from people who had been waiting for weeks and were finally here.
LUMEN on the left. NYXALIS on the right.
Clean competition on the surface.
Under the surface, NYXALIS had a different agenda.
★☆★☆★☆
Before the round started, Junhyuk found a camera angle.
Not an accident. He moved to the edge of the stage, found the exact angle where Haejin had a clear line of sight, and walked toward the production area where Soorin was standing with her kit. Close enough for Haejin to see. Not close enough for anyone to say something about it. Just close enough.
He leaned slightly toward her.
