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The day of the first survivor announcement arrived.
Jiwoong maintained a straight posture on an uncomfortable chair and didn't say much. His concern wasn't about survival, but rather about his ranking. He wanted to be in the first place. It was an earnest desire, but since they were in a place where half of the trainees would be eliminated soon, he mostly kept silent.
Jongwoo, who was sitting next to him, continued to laugh and chat. Despite his efforts to ease the tension, Jongwoo's anxiety was palpable to Jiwoong. Jongwoo kept bringing his fingers to his mouth, then biting his lips, and constantly adjusted his posture, as if trying to stop falling down.
"Wow, this is really tough."
As they reached the middle part of the ceremony, Jongwoo almost spat it out with a sigh and covered his face with one hand. At that moment, when Jiwoong saw his fingers trembling, he couldn't help leaning towards him and whispering something.
***
Finally, the Backdoor team was called. Jiwoong grabbed Jongwoo's hand with force although it was cold and damp like a dead fish. As the names of the survivors were called one by one, Jongwoo's face became paler and he began to lose his words.
Despite all odds against Jongwoo, Jiwoong still could hear the very words that he had said to Jongwoo earlier loud and clear in his head.
"Control your expression. You will be called soon."
It wasn't just meaningless comforting words. Even in this tense moment when their breath was constricted, Jiwoong was fully convinced that Jongwoo had to make it.
After the fourth episode was broadcasted, the full versions and fancams of each stage were uploaded. As soon as Jiwoong confirmed their performance with the full version, his fingers were clicking on Jongwoo's fancam, completely engrossed. After playing the video twice in a row, he let out a long sigh. It was crazy, really.
An impenetrable backdoor that is off-limits to anyone and everyone. It was a place that lured people as both dangerous and desirable at the same time. Jongwoo lived up to that ironic and complex concept as if he were possessed. He poured out everything he had, from rap, dance, and facial expressions to ad-libs.
Jiwoong empathized with why Jongwoo was smiling after finishing the stage. He had done everything he could. Without resting for even a moment, he had lived for 2 minutes and 30 seconds as if it were both a blink and an eternity. His immersion was amazing, and the training before the immersion was intense.
You slayed every bit of it. I would vote for you too. As a veteran with 7 years of experience in the field, Jiwoong could say with confidence that a stage like this doesn't just flow through people's minds. From the moment the fancam was released, there was no doubt about Jongwoo's survival.
***
"Jongwoo, it should be Jongwoo, definitely."
He's been hearing his name here and there since earlier. But he has already slipped up too many times to place his hope on it. After four people from the Backdoor G team got picked in a row, Jongwoo was almost crushed by the feeling of defeat.
If my name doesn't get called... would I be able to walk back to the chair on my own? Well, even if I'm not called here, there is still a place for the 52nd survivor left. But again, thinking about continuing this draining effort until the bitter end, being the 52nd candidate would feel like torture rather than hope.
Will the next stage be given to me? Although he has no regrets, he can't shake off this lingering feeling: I still have more to show. I'm not done impressing you yet.
"Less than 2 years of practice."
A hint was thrown at Jongwoo, referring to him. But he just shook his head. It's true that his name has three letters and he has less than 2 years of practice. So what? It's all pointless. He doesn't even have the heart to say that "Yeah, I wish it was me," to other trainees around him. Only the words that Jiwoong said earlier kept repeating in his hazy mind.
"Control your expression. You'll be called soon."
As if that could happen. But when Jiwoong says it, it happens. Even in this situation where he can hardly trust anyone including the production team, the public's mood, or even himself, he could rely on Jiwoong. Jongwoo clenched his last bit of strength and raised the corners of his mouth. And at that moment, the Star Master's verdict was announced.
"It's Yoon Jongwoo!"
He gripped the microphone tightly like it were his lifeline and thanked Jiwoong as calmly as possible.
"I'm so grateful to Jiwoong Hyung who chose me to join the team.."
He then called each of his team members one by one, saying that he loved them so much. It bothers him that Jiwoong is missing from his list of beloveds, but he doesn't dare to single him out. Just thinking about it makes him feel a knot in his stomach, so Jongwoo tried to find an excuse. Jiwoong doesn't like it when people overreact..
From 67th to 38th, this was the beginning of a dramatic reversal.
* Writer's notes: Thank you for reading. If you have enjoyed the story, please consider including Jongwoo in your 3 picks. He is in desperate need of more support after being kicked out of the Over me team, which was his 1st song choice and for which he worked so hard.
