"Good luck, June!" Jisung enthusiastically said. "Do a good job out there."
June nodded his head and proceeded backstage. Another disastrous trainee was performing, and the mentors weren't pleased since so many talentless trainees had already gone.
The independent trainees would perform next, and Xin, Hoon, and Jiyong were performing before June.
The three other independent trainees glanced at him as they practiced.
"The weirdo's here again," Hoon said. "I'm glad we got to perform before him. I'm sure he will put the judges in a bad mood and ruin our chances if he goes first."
Xin nodded his head. "This brother's really strange. Is the pink cat his concept?"
"Hey, June," Jiyong said. "Don't mess up our image, alright? And make sure you don't associate yourself with us."
June glanced at them and nodded.
Xin scoffed. "He doesn't even talk to us. What an arrogant man."
"The next group, it's your turn," one of the crew members said, pushing the three independent trainees to the stage.
As soon as they entered, the trainees burst into a big applause. Every season, the trainees and mentors looked out for independent trainees since unpolished gems might be hidden among them.
"Good day, trainees and mentors! We are the independent trainees," Jiyong said.
"Please take care of us well," they said in unison.
"Ah, independent trainees. I always look forward to watching your performance every year," Jihyun said. "Go ahead and perform."
The trainees gasped when they heard the intro of the song.
"Infinite Rhythm by EMBER? They're singing this song? But it's so high!"
"As expected from the independent trainees. They're brave because they have nothing to lose."
"Tell me about it. They don't have to carry the company's reputation with them."
"With this song, they must be talented."
June watched the trainees through the screen. It seemed like the status window could only be seen in person. He couldn't see their stats on screen, so he had no idea how their stage was going to turn out.
"I hope they're good singers," Jihyun said. "This song requires great vocal skill."
"You spoke too soon," Woo-jin said. "These trainees are focused on dancing, too."
It was true. Xin, Jiyong, and Hoon weren't as bad as the previous performers, but they're still mediocre. Their vocals were unstable, and their dancing was nothing special. They also didn't project their facial expressions well either.
As their performance ended, an ambiguous atmosphere was created.
It was a performance that was neither good nor bad.
"All of you get two stars," Hyerin said.
The three of them bowed their heads, quite disappointed, before heading backstage to place their star stickers. They felt much better, however, when they saw June standing just right behind the stage.
Jiyong smirked at him as he put on the two stars. He was sure that June wouldn't get any stars at all.
At last, June entered the stage, and the hall was in shambles once again. The other trainees thought he'd remove his mask this time, but he was still wearing it!
"Good day to you all," he said, a delicate and soft voice resonating through the high-quality speakers. "My name is June. I'll be in your care for today."
"His voice is more delicate than I had thought," Ren told Zeth. "He must sing well."
Zeth chuckled and continued to look at June. "He seems funny. I like him already."
The mentors looked at each other and tried their hardest not to laugh.
"Umm, trainee June?" Bone said. "This mask. Is it a concept?"
June nodded. "Yes," he said. "I like cats."
The studio burst into laughter after that. Minx chuckled in his seat. This brother never fails to make him laugh! He answers so seriously, too.
"I like cats, too," Hyerin said amidst her laughter. "But will you take it off? We need to see your face."
June shook his head. "I cannot do that for now, mentor."
"Oh," Jihyun said. "So, you're really not going to show your face?"
He shook his head. "Not right now."
Woo-jin sighed. "I really don't understand kids nowadays."
Since June sounded so serious, the judges moved on to another topic.
"Trainee June, why did you join this show?" Minho suddenly asked. The actor couldn't help but become curious about June's identity. There must be a reason why the production crew had recruited him!
"I want to become an idol."
Gun chuckled. "That's it?"
June nodded, the pink cat's ears flopping as he did so.
"This kid doesn't talk much," Gun said to Hyerin. "But he's funny. I'm curious to see how he is on stage."
"You can go right ahead and perform, June."
June took a step back and waited for the music to start.
"Woah! He's using a hand mic?"
"He's wearing an all-black outfit; he must be singing a rock song."
"It must be a dark concept!"
"I can already imagine his stage performance."
An unfamiliar tune played, and everyone frowned in confusion.
A ballad? He's going to sing a ballad?
However, as the intro progressed, they realized that the song was familiar. The mentors and trainees exchanged glances in disbelief at what they were hearing.
"Am I wrong?" Woo-jin asked. "I feel like I have heard this song a lot."
Minho nodded his head. "Yes. Where did I hear this again?"
Jisung, too, had heard this tune plenty of times before. And it was when he was tasked to care for his young nephew.
His eyes widened in surprise when he finally realized what it was.
He's going to perform a song by Little Meow Meow?
