The stage was ablaze with energy as Team Adorbz emerged victorious in the Production Mission. As he listened to his teammates' elated screams, June couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.
June knew just how hard they worked for this. A part of him knew they were bound to win, but the magnitude of this victory was still surreal.
They hugged, high-fived, and exchanged victorious glances. The other teams clapped for the team, most of them thinking they deserved it.
June also knew how much this victory meant for his teammates.
For Jangmoon, this victory was an important motivator. The memories of Xin looking down on him during the past mission still haunted him up to this day. And now, he believed that Xin would finally eat his words. Jangmoon wasn't useless after all.
Daeho, the serious guy in the group, also couldn't contain his excitement. As their team's name was announced as the winner, he even leaped into the air, surprising his past teammates. He had always been serious from the start, so it was a new sight to the other trainees.
Ren, who doubted himself in the beginning, felt genuine happiness and pride in his heart. Personally, this was a very significant moment. It was the very first victory he had achieved without Zeth, whom he had always lagged behind.
The ghost of his past failures and insecurities seemed to have been exorcised at this moment. He looked at his teammates, especially June, and felt a deep sense of gratitude. They had believed in him when he, himself, didn't. Now, they have finally done it.
As Ren continued celebrating, he accidentally locked gazes with Zeth. It couldn't be denied that there was an awkward tension between them, serving as a reminder that they still weren't on speaking terms.
However, at that moment, they both smiled, a silent acknowledgment of each other.
Meanwhile, Casper saw this opportunity to express his joy in ways he had always wanted to. He moved in to hug June, just as he would lift his cat, Luther. With his strength, he hoisted June in the air, causing the latter to exclaim in shock.
June, taken by surprise, reacted instinctively and kicked Casper's jewels, causing him to release his grip.
"Watch it, Casper. Or I might just turn your future babies into ghosts," June warned, pointing at him with narrowed eyes.
Casper pursed his lips and silently moved away, still clutching onto his crotch as he felt the wind get knocked out of his body.
The victorious atmosphere quieted down as Minho chuckled and raised his hand. "Settle down now, trainees. We still have more things to discuss. I shall now reveal the trainees who won in their respective groups."
His words were met with silence, with the trainees now eagerly waiting for the announcement of the individual winners.
"For the Electro-Techno team," Minho paused for effect, "the winner is... Lin Zhi!" Applause and cheers erupted from the Electro-Techno team's corner, and Lin Zhi stepped forward with a wide smile, confidently accepting the recognition.
He was in a bad mood just a while back because his team didn't win, but hearing he won the individual benefit appeased his anger a bit.
"Moving on to the Grunge Pop-Rock team," Minho continued, "the winner is... Jisung!" Jisung's face lit up with delight as he made his way to the front, where his team cheered him on enthusiastically.
"Next up is the Trap K-Pop team…we have Zeth!" Minho declared. Zeth humbly smiled and stood at the front, his teammates giving him a pat on the back.
"The winner for the Moombahton team is... Sehun!" Cheers and applause once again filled the room as Sehun shyly stepped forward, scratching the back of his neck. He hadn't expected to win against a high-ranking trainee like Leo, so this was a pleasant surprise.
"It's you," Ren whispered as the announcement for their team was next. His other teammates also looked back at June, all expecting him to win.
"June," Minho smiled, locking gazes with the trainee. "You've done it once more. You had the highest votes among all the trainees in this evening."
June's teammates surrounded him, offering their hearty congratulations with warm smiles.
The support from his teammates was heartwarming, but June felt a bit overwhelmed by the attention. He simply nodded in gratitude before making his way to the front.
"Now, for the team benefit," Kang Minho announced, "June's team, congratulations once again. You have the incredible opportunity to have your song posted on Durian, the largest music platform in Korea!"
The studio fell into envious awe.
"Fuck, we could have done a better job."
"I wish that was us."
"Maybe we should have picked Bubblegum Pop."
"And give the audience a heart attack? No thanks."
"Now, onto the individual benefits," Minho said, causing the trainees to turn silent once more.
Usually, the benefits would be revealed during the start of the mission. However, the production crew has kept it until now. As a result, the trainees were more curious than ever.
Minho's gaze shifted to the words written on his cue cards, and a look of unease passed through his eyes. It was for a mere second, so most of the trainees didn't notice it.
June, however, frowned when he noticed this.
"Honestly," Minho began, "I wish I didn't have to say this, but I must. Only the top 20 contestants will be making it to the finals."
"However, we won't be holding a voting this week, so there will be no direct eliminations based on the current rankings."
The trainees exchanged puzzled glances, trying to decipher the show's intentions. If not through voting, then how would the remaining contestants be whittled down to the top 20?
"Do you remember when I said a while ago that the trainees with the highest votes will have a vital impact on the course of the show?" he asked, and the trainees murmured in agreement.
June finally realized what was happening.
"The trainee who garners the most votes in their team," Minho began, his voice filled with intensity, "will have the responsibility of eliminating one of their own members."
"For the five trainees standing in front, the choice is now in your hands," he concluded.
