The moment their names were called, Llana and the others stepped onto the stage once more. But unlike earlier, the venue was now completely empty.
The audience had already left after casting their votes, and the results would be broadcast separately to build anticipation. The bright stage lights from earlier had been dimmed, replaced by a few soft spotlights that barely illuminated them, making the atmosphere feel even quieter and more intimidating.
In front of them stood a table, and on top of it were four boxes covered in black satin.
Llana took a deep breath, then calmly fixed her gaze on JYP, who stood across from them on a small circular platform, a black clipboard in hand.
"Annyeong~ I know this has been a rough week for all of you. Gathering an audience and performing for them on the same day isn't easy, is it? Good job, everyone," JYP said, smiling proudly at them like a father looking at his children.
"Why do you think I gave this mission?" he asked, pausing as his eyes moved from one trainee to another. "Anyone?"
'Eh?! What's with the sudden recitation…?'
Llana kept her posture straight, but internally, she was already groaning.
She didn't really want to speak right now. Her social battery was completely drained, and her thoughts felt sluggish, like her brain had decided to shut down for the day.
She was already nervous just standing here, waiting for the results. And now this? It only made things worse.
'What's the best way not to get picked in this kind of situation…?'
[Ding!]
[Suggestion: Avoid eye contact.]
'No, that's the worst of all tactics.'
She immediately rejected the system's suggestion.
Avoiding eye contact was a no-no. It was the worst possible strategy. From experience, avoiding eye contact only made you stand out more. It practically screamed, "Pick me, I don't know the answer."
[Then maintain eye contact.]
Hm. A psychological tactic.
Maintaining eye contact plays a critical role in how you perceive others, and how they perceive you.
It makes you look confident and unafraid to answer. It's a classic move. The kind low-key smart students use during graded recitations, locking eyes with the professor as if daring them to choose someone else. A silent "go ahead, pick me if you dare." look.
That had always been her favorite method whenever there was a sudden recitation and she didn't know the answer. It worked seven out of ten times.
'Right… that's the best method.'
Just act calm and indifferent, and look directly into his eyes.
'But… what if I actually get picked?'
She couldn't control what others thought. And JYP wasn't the type to follow predictable patterns. On top of that, they were being recorded. It was unlikely he'd choose someone who looked like they couldn't answer
She needed to come up with an answer first before pretending to be confident.
Otherwise, she'd just embarrass herself in front of everyone… and on camera.
Imagine trying to look confident, only to fail at answering something so simple that even a preschooler could handle it.
[And why are you overthinking this? It's not like the question is apocalyptic.]
The system butted in. Even with its electronic voice, Llana could almost hear the tired tone.
'Yeah… why am I overthinking it?'
She was too lazy to answer, yet somehow still ended up stressing over it.
Seriously.
"Llana?" JYP called.
Llana snapped her head up. "Ne?" she responded, tilting her head slightly and blinking twice in confusion.
She had gotten distracted and hadn't heard him.
The others giggled at her reaction.
JYP laughed. "I'm asking you the question."
"Oh, that…" She paused.
'Wait… what was the question again?'
[Idiot. He's asking why you think they gave you the promotion task.]
[Seriously. You have an eidetic memory and you still can't remember? Where did your brain go?]
'Lost in its own thoughts…'
[Ha. Ha. Ha.]
Llana resisted the urge to roll her eyes. 'I got distracted,' she shot back defensively.
Then, after a brief pause....
"To test our passion?" Llana answered.
"By giving us this kind of task, you're testing our passion for our dreams, the effort we're willing to give, and the sacrifices we're ready to make. It reveals how deeply we value what we love and how far we're willing to go to achieve it."
Passion works like a driving force that keeps you moving forward no matter how difficult things get. It's like wood that fuels a fire, keeping the flame alive. And when that passion fades, the fire slowly dies with it.
"You're right."
JYP nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping across the trainees. "This world is full of talented people. Everywhere you look, there's someone faster, smarter, better. But talent alone doesn't make you last."
He paused, letting it sink in. "Passion does. Passion is what keeps you going when you're exhausted, when you're criticized, when nothing seems to work."
"I hope the team I'm going to build won't just be talented. It will be made of people who have the passion to endure and the discipline to sustain it. Are we clear?"
"Yes." came the chorus of replies.
JYP's smile softened slightly. "Good. Then let's move on to the results."
His gaze flicked toward the table.
"The first two groups who brought the biggest audience will get the major seat."
"The boxes in front of you contain the balls returned to you. Let's see who brought in the most… Let's start with Minor A team."
Minyoung stepped forward and carefully removed the cover.
"Oh…"
Her eyes widened at the sight of the box, roughly a quarter of it filled with red balls.
The others also gasp in surprised.
"Oh dang, they've got many." Somi couldn't help whispering.
"Minor B team?" JYP called.
Dahyun stepped forward and removed the cover.
Their box revealed nearly the same amount.
"It looks similar to Minor A team, right?" JYP asked.
"Ne," Dahyun replied, her eyes briefly lingering on the box before looking back at him.
"Minor A team gathered 102 people."
"Minor B team gathered 101 people—just one short of Minor A."
Chaeryeong let out a shaky breath. "We're in trouble…"
Somi quickly clasped her hand and turned to her, offering reassurance. "No, don't say that. The major teams' results haven't been announced yet. Don't lose hope."
Dahyun nodded as well, her hands clasped in front of her as she silently prayed. She had yet to return to the major team after being demoted during the second-week challenge. She couldn't afford to be eliminated—not before proving herself.
JYP's gaze shifted.
"Major B team, check your box."
"I feel like they'll have a lot of votes," Minyoung whispered, her eyes fixed on them.
Tzuyu stepped forward and slowly lifted the cover.
But contrary to everyone's expectations…
There were only a few red balls inside.
"So little…?" Llana furrowed her brows.
The others thought the same.
No one expected the Major B team to have such a low turnout.
"Major B team gathered… 89 people."
Disappointment showed on all four's faces as the result was announced.
Major B team consisted of top-ranking trainees online, so seeing them draw such a small audience was both shocking and unexpected.
The current online voting rankings for this week are:
1. Llana 8. Momo
2. Tzuyu 8. Nayeon
3. Jeongyeon 10. Somi
4. Chaeyoung 11. Jihyo
5. Mina 12. Chaeryeong
6. Dahyun 13. Minyoung
7. Sana 14. Natty
All the Major B team members were in the Top 8, so everyone had expected them to draw a large crowd.
Seeing their results, Llana and the others couldn't help but feel a surge of nerves.
'What if our numbers are just as low?' Llana wondered.
They did have a lot of supporters—nearly half of the left side… but what if some of them were actually their fans who had been invited by another team? The cheers had also been loud during Nayeon's performance, so they had assumed they had gathered a large crowd as well.
"oh no, we're next," Jihyo muttered nervously beside her, fidgeting.
Llana didn't even glance her way. Instead, she focused on Momo at her left. "Momo-unnie, remove the cover later when they call us."
Momo nodded in understanding.
JYP continued, "The Major B team consists of some of the most well-known and popular members, so the result is quite shocking."
"What do you think is the reason you scored low?"
Jeongyeon spoke up with a helpless smile. "I think it's because we approached students. Since the event is at night, they need to study, and their parents might not allow them to stay out late."
Llana nodded slowly. 'So that's why…'
No wonder they had gathered so few people. Targeting students hadn't been a good strategy—they had miscalculated that part.
Her own group also considered going to Hongik University to invite people, but quickly ruled it out for the same reason Jeongyeon mentioned.
JYP nodded. "Passion is important, but so is strategy. You need to be smart in how you plan and execute it."
He then shifted his gaze to the remaining group. "Major A team, you're next. I hope your results won't mirror Major B team's."
"Please open your box."