Everyone's most awaited day finally came. After weeks of preparation, the day of their performance had arrived at last.
In every week major members always received an advantage over the minor's this week they received a complete set of makeup they can use in this challenge. Llana is already satisfied in the make-up set she previously has and her skin is sensitive so she gave hers fo her team members. Her team are so happy almost tearing up from happiness well mostly Chaeyoung.
Llana shook out her hands and let out a slow breath, trying to chase away the nervousness tightening in her chest.
The rehearsal was starting, and the first group to step onto the stage was Nayeon's team. They would be performing "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. A smart choice, given its bright rhythm that easily pulled the crowd in. If the audience enjoyed the stage, their chances of being favored would increase significantly.
"They're really good," Chaeyoung said with a nervous laugh after the performance ended.
"They're good," Tzuyu cut in calmly, "but we're better."
The words eased the tension. Momo let out a small laugh, and Chaeyoung nodded.
"Yeah… yeah."
"Could we go once more?" Jeongyeon asked from the stage, looking toward the PD.
The request was granted.
"Greedy," Tzuyu remarked with a teasing edge, making the others laugh again. Soon, they were trading jokes, their attention drifting away from the stage.
Llana watched the three of them, her brows slowly furrowing as she studied their reactions. They were growing a little too confident. Confidence was important, but this kind dulled awareness. Too much of it lowered one's guard, and lowered guards led to mistakes.
She spoke before the mood drifted any further. "Unnies… let's not take this lightly. Please stay focused and watch their performance."
Soon after the first major group finished their rehearsal and the second minor group came in.
"Nayeon-unnie's team's rehearsal is pretty good," Llana said quietly. "But it's lacking."
She gathered the others closer.
"When it's our turn, we won't sing. We'll lip-sync," she continued. "Nayeon-unnie's team will be watching us closely. If they hear our real vocals, they might adjust their performance to stay ahead. We can't let them do that. We can't let them build a defense."
"That's a good plan, but…" Chaeyoung hesitated, lowering her voice. "If we don't sing, they won't be able to adjust our mics properly. That could cause problems during the real stage."
"I've already thought about that," Llana replied. "There's a reason I asked you to practice with mics."
She smiled as she pulled out a folded sheet of paper, their names written neatly alongside specific instructions.
"I already know how each person's mic's balance."
Seeing it, Chaeyoung finally sighed in relief and gave a small nod. The others had no objections either.
Once everyone agreed, Llana stepped away to speak with the production crew.
After reviewing her notes, the PD nodded and gave his approval.
"First minor group, get ready to go on stage," a voice announced over the mic.
Llana and her team moved into position.
"We're ready."
At Llana's signal, the audio team started the minus-one track. The instrumental filled the stage, as they began to dance.
"Mwo?!"
Jeongyeon's eyes widened as she watched.
" WAH, THEY ARE LIP-SYNCING." Nayeon shouted,disbelief written all over her face.
"Isn't that kind of unfair?" Chaeryeong asked, unsure.
"They're so guarded," Jeongyeon muttered. "They won't even let us hear their real vocals and song."
"Should we do the same?" Jiwon asked her teammates, clearly impressed. If this kept up, they wouldn't be able to gauge Llana's team's real capabilities at all.
"No, don't even think about it" Jihyo said firmly dismissing the minor groups thought.
"If they don't sing now, they'll struggle later. The audio engineers will have to adjust their mics during the actual stage and that can throw off a performance."
Still, her gaze lingered on the group under the lights. 'Haven't they thought about that problem?'
_____
The battle was finally starting.
Llana and the rest waited behind the stage, standing quietly as they listened for the host's signal. The noise from the audience seeped through the backstage with cheers, chatter, anticipation. Llana took a deep breath stabilizing her breathing.
"Hello, everyone!" a bright, confident voice rang out. "I'll be your emcee for today's battle event. I'm 2PM's Chansung—nice to meet you!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
After the introductions, the emcee stepped aside, gesturing toward the center of the stage as JYP walked forward. The noise gradually died down as he raised the mic as he explain the voting mechanics.
Yes, the audience will be voting alongside JYP. They will be given two chances to vote.
The first is during the performance, where they will vote for the team they favor while watching the stage.
The second round comes after JYP gives his own evaluation.
That means the decision is entirely in their hands—who rises as a major team and who falls to minor, and vice versa.
The teams would compete against their assigned matchups. The losing team would then face another losing team. In the end, both losing teams would battle once more in an additional performance.
The final losing team will have a member of their team eliminated.
"It's finally time to meet the members you've been waiting for," the emcee announced.
The crowd immediately grew louder.
"…All seventeen members, please come out!"
"WAHHH!!!"
One by one, the teams stepped onto the stage as the emcee introduced them. Each name was met with cheers, fan chants, and excited screams as the audience called out their favorites.
"And lastly....Momo, Chaeyoung, Tzuyu, and Llana."
"WAHHH!!!"
"LLANA!"
"WE LOVE YOU, LLANA! WOOO!"
"CHOU TZUYU"
"CHAEYOUNG!"
"WAHHH!!!"
The reaction was explosive.
Their cheers were louder, stronger than the others.
The sudden swell of noise made several heads turn. Even the other teams couldn't hide their surprise. It felt as if a large portion of the audience was calling for Llana alone.
Llana froze for half a second before stepping forward with her team bowing down.
She kept her expression composed, but the energy was impossible to ignore.
The emcee grinned, raising his mic.
"Are you ready for their performance?" he shouted, hyping the crowd.
"YES!!!"
"Then let the first match begin!"