1% || I-LAND

v. nothing unusual

The eight I-LANDERs left all gathered near the gate entrance, curious about who would be coming in. They were all wondering if one of the people that had been eliminated on the last round would come back to them like they all hoped they would at some point.

Cheers erupted the moment the people in the gate were revealed. Everyone patiently waited for them to get down the stairs before embracing their friends, happy to see that they were back. 

Aeri had to keep herself from furrowing her eyebrows when seeing Youngbin and kept her chin high up knowing that his plan to get her out of the competition had not worked like he wanted it to. 

She threw a small smile inn Kyungmin's way after seeing him look so shy in the new environment, his lips curved up as well. She didn't hug him like she did for the others because she was not yet acquaintance with the boy but it did not stop her from welcoming him as well.

"I knew you'd be back," she said to her friends after squeezing their body in her arms, letting them cry.

"I'm sorry Ni-Ki didn't make it," said Jake in her embrace, knowing how close the two had gotten. 

There was something truly captivating about their friendship that left the other I-LANDERs in awe. Aeri, who was quite reserved, didn't talk a lot with the others unless they initiated the conversation. The mystery building around her due to her shyness had somwaymade the other contestants put her on a pedestal.

But Ni-Ki--who was one of the youngest out of everyone in the survival show--had managed to get glimpses of who she was despite the very little time they had with each other. Of course, he had not been the only one to do it, but the fact that they had a four year age gap and managed to get along this well made the other I-LANDERs envy their bond a lot.

"It's fine, you did and that's all that matters for now," she answered, feeling her heart squeeze at the mention of the younger boy.

"Congratulations," she said to Jay, happy that one of the first boys she roomed with was back. He deserved it. "I swear I almost missed your snores at some point," she laughed, her voice slightly muffled by their hug.

After congratulating Jake and Kyungmin as well, she smiled widely when the banners of their faces dropped among the one that were left, where they belonged.

"Now, we'll reveal the third test for the I-LAND and the GROUND," announced The Voice, interrupting their euphoria. The words 'REPRESENTATIVE UNIT' appeared on the screen making everyone confused, waiting for further explanations.

"In this test, I-LANDERs and GROUNDERs will pick representatives to determine their fates in a competition of vocal and dancing skills. The number of representatives will be 3 vocalists and 3 dancers. The rest of the members will not be performing on stage."

"The total of each score will determine victory or defeat. If the GROUND wins, then six I-LANDERs will be eliminated. If the I-LANDERs win, then there will be no eliminations."

They had to win. Aeri didn't think she'd be able to eliminate any of the boys that stood next to her.

"Now we will reveal the test song for the unit test. VOCAL : 'Butterfly' by BTS. DANCE : 'Rainism' by Rain, 'Three Dopeboyz' by Dynamic duo, 'One of a kind' by GD. Now, please select the members who will represent the fate of the team."

Immediately after seeing the test of the week, she knew that she wanted to be a member of a representative unit. Her voice being her strong point, she didn't even have to think about which unit she wanted to be part of. 

"Representatives may be changed at anytime. The test will be performed in 6 days."

"Any recommendation for the vocal representatives?" asked Seon once they were all seated, making Sunghoon raise his hand immediately.