It had been a week since the truce between Seojun and Daehyun, and during that time, Section D had been grinding their asses off.
Practice stretched until the late hours—sometimes past midnight. The wooden floors of the studio were slick with sweat, and exhaustion had basically become our schedule.
Seojun wasn't barking at Daehyun anymore. Daehyun wasn't trying to outdo him either. They didn't exactly get along, but for the first time since I joined, the two moved like they actually shared the same goal.
Jiho said it felt like "watching a volcano and a glacier learn to dance together."
And weirdly… he was right.
As for me, I'd spent every evening visiting Minsoo.
The smell of broth and grilled meat always greeted me first when I arrived at his stall. It was small—barely enough room for six stools—but it felt warmer than any dorm or practice room ever could.
That night, I slumped down, every muscle in my body screaming.
Minsoo glanced over from behind the counter and grinned.
"You look half-dead, kid."
I chuckled weakly. "Half? That's generous."
He slid a steaming bowl of ramen toward me. "Section D's been training like maniacs, huh?"
"Evaluation's tomorrow," I muttered, poking at the noodles. "One mistake and it's over."
Minsoo leaned his elbows on the counter, watching me. "You know, you've been here almost every night this week. You need to rest?"
"I do rest... from time to time. Sometimes."
Minsoo gave me an unbelieving look.
"Fine, I admit I don't rest. But I just... don't want to mess up," I confessed. "Everyone's counting on me to keep up. I can't afford to be the weak link."
He sighed softly and came around to sit across from me. He voice lowered—it was gentle and warm, like an older brother talking to his younger sibling.
"Hanuel," he said. "You're not there to just survive. You're there to show something. Bring meaning to the people you want to convey your message to. People don't remember perfection—they remember hard work and effort."
I looked up, puzzled.
He smiled faintly. "You keep thinking too much about the steps, the cues, the judges. Forget them. When you walk out there, dance like you did the first day you realized you loved it. That's what they want to see—the part of you that's real."
His words were deep and heavy.
He reached over, patting my shoulder with that familiar grin.
"Tomorrow, don't perform to prove you belong. Perform because you already do."
I smiled back. "…Thanks, hyung."
He chuckled. "Don't thank me yet. Just promise me you'll eat something before you faint on stage."
I laughed. "Deal."
The next morning came far too fast and it was hard to believe that the Evaluations were here.
Rows of crimson velvet seats filled the hall, occupied by producers, vocal trainers, stylists, and even Aurora's director sitting stoically in the back row.
The stage gleamed beneath bright overhead lights. LED panels framed the edges, humming faintly as they prepared for the first performance.
Beside me, Chanho muttered, "I feel more nervous than when I was writing my Suneung."
Jiho replied dryly, "That's because this is much bigger than the Suneung."
Daehyun stood silent beside them, his gaze locked on Section B across the aisle. Section B sat with lazy confidence, all dressed in black, smirking like they'd already won the evaluation.
"Look at them," one boy from Section B called out, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Section D made it this far? Guess they'll take anyone these days."
Daehyun's jaw clenched tight. "Say that again, and I'll—"
Jiho grabbed his shoulder. "Not here. Save it for the stage when we defeat them."
I leaned in, whispering just loud enough for him to hear.
"Fighting them will only lead to more chaos. Use that energy to wipe them clean on stage."
Daehyun exhaled sharply through his nose, but nodded.
Before anyone could say more, the lights dimmed, and the hall hushed.
A single spotlight flared at the center of the stage.
"Welcome to Aurora Entertainment's Pre-Debut Evaluation!" announced the host, Yoon Shin-hyuk.
The audience clapped politely.
"Today," he continued, "Sections B, C, and D will perform self-prepared concepts—designed, choreographed, and styled entirely by the trainees themselves. The results will determine which section moves forward toward debut."
My pulse hammered. I caught the faint reflection of myself in the polished floor—blue and pink hair catching the light. I barely recognized that person.
"Let's begin," Shin-hyuk said. "First up—Section C!"
Section C — "Candy Crush Love
The LED screens exploded into color—pink, blue, mint, and yellow streaks dancing across the walls.
Five boys bounded onto the stage in pastel jackets and ripped jeans, each holding oversized candy props.
They were Aurora's Section C, known for their bubbly personalities, flawless synchronization and great teamwork.
The members were:
Kang Dohyun – Leader, Main Dancer
Choi Raon – Main Vocal
Baek Taeyang – Sub Vocal, Visual
Yoon Hamin – Rapper, Dancer
Jung Minseok – Maknae, Lead Vocal
The intro started with Dohyun and Raon
Sweet like sugar, lighting up my heart / Candy crush love, where do I start?
One look from you and my world turns bright / Like cotton candy clouds in the summer light!
They both sang in harmony, sliding across the floor before snapping into finger hearts toward the audience.
Taeyang swirls the candy props like a mic and Hamin follows with a wink.
Every glance, a sugar spark / Got me dizzy, in your mark, no retreat.
You spin me 'round, no pause, no break / Heart goes pop like a chocolate flake!
Raon and Minseok moved into the pre-chorus, harmonizing perfectly:
Candy drops fall when you smile my way / Every color melts my doubts away /
I don't need a map or a sign above / You're my sweetest luck, my candy love!
Then came the chorus, all in sync:
Candy crush love, ppop-ppop boom! / Lighting up my heart like a sugar moon!
Candy crush love, never enough / You're my sugar high, my sweetest crush!
They jumped into a diagonal line, alternating waves and snaps to the beat before spinning into a star-shaped formation.
Hamin took the spotlight next with a smooth yet fast rap with his base voice which didn't correspond with the song but it made it more special:
Pop pop—sugar drop! / My heart don't stop! / Candy crush vibe—top of the chart!
Pop rocks in my veins, you're my flavor of fate / Every heartbeat syncs to the 808!
Lollipop dreams, yeah I ride that rush / Candy crush love, I can't get enough!*
He ended with a playful bite motion, earning laughs from the audience.
The hall fell silent as Minseok came forward with a solo performance at the bridge.
Oh-oh, you shine like a sugar sky / Even if it melts, I'll still try!
This sweet dream won't fade tonight— candy love will never die!
He hit the high notes effortlessly.
They regrouped for the final chorus:
Candy crush love, crash my heart again! / Every bite sweeter than it's ever been!
Candy crush love, ttara-ta POP! / Colorful dreams that never stop!
Candy crush love, ppajyeosseo~ / Candy crush love, saranghae!
They landed perfectly as pastel confetti exploded overhead.
The hall erupted in applause. Even some vocal coaches smiled.
Host: "Wow! That was something. I could feel the energy backstage and the hype. I loved it—and the audience looked like they loved it too, didn't you?"
Audience: "Yes!"
Host: "But unfortunately, my comment doesn't make you the champions. Let's hear from the judges. Starting with Park Ji-beom."
Park Ji-beom (Choreographer): "They committed to their concept fully. The choreography wasn't complicated, but the execution was tight and precise. It was simple, cute, and fast-paced—their expressions were on point. You could tell they practiced hard. Very nice."
Kim Do-hyun (Producer): "The song's catchy, the rap is memorable, and their teamwork sells it. If they improve their vocal stability, they could improve drastically."
Lee Hana (CEO of Aurora Entertainment): "They understood what it means to perform as a team. You don't always need power or complex moves to catch the audience's attention—sometimes, simple and sweet works best. Section C gave us that."
Back in the waiting room, Section D watched in silence and awe.
Hyun leaned back with a low whistle. "Wow. How are we gonna beat that? They were so good."
"Don't forget Section B's still our biggest rival," Eunjae added.
Jiho snorted. "Focus. Did you hear what Producer Kim said? Vocals and teamwork—that's our edge."
Daehyun crossed his arms. "They're all style. No bite."
I shook my head. "No, you could tell they had experience and prepared thoroughly."
Chanho smirked. "If preparedness is their strength, passion will be ours. Let's make sure Section D…"
Daehyun finished for him. "Defeats them."
The MC's voice echoed again:
"And now… Section B, please take the stage."
The air grew heavier. Section B rose, their black outfits gleaming under the dim lights, confidence dripping off every step.
As they walked up, my heartbeat quickened.
Minsoo's words echoed in my mind—
People don't remember perfection—they remember hard work and effort.