Produce 101; a show where 101 trainees gather from different companies to be on top.
At first, Victory thought it was a ridiculous idea - and watching the first season of the show proved his point - but fate seemed to bite him in the butt since he was now a registered trainee in the show.
How did this happen?
Kim Jaehwan - another independent trainee like him - was one of his best friends. Let's just say he lost a bet to him.
Hence why Victory stood in front of the mirror while staring at the camera anxiously. He was an independent trainee so he had no one to talk to while waiting. His friend Jaehwan already performed, along with his two other friends, leaving the small nineteen year old alone in the side-stage area, waiting for his turn to perform.
Victory fixed the sleeves of his green sweater as he practiced singing his lines, adjusting the in-ear piece occasionally. His heart felt like it was going to be ripped out of his chest, beads of sweat had formed on his forehead; he was incredibly nervous since the people who just finished performing were excellent, yet they received a grade too low for their level.
"You're up next, Victory," the staff member approached him and informed the sweating boy. Victory almost cussed out loud but he chose to remain calm and wiped his sweat with the long sleeves of his green sweater. His fingers were fiddling around with the strap of his jean overalls that he wore - Jaehwan had suggested him to wear it.
He watched with nervous eyes as the Pledis trainees were finishing their song, ending with a high note but somehow disappointed the teachers? Victory didn't understand; he thought the Pledis trainees were great, and he would've pondered more about it if he wasn't next in line.
The Pledis trainees went down on stage, heading towards where Victory was to get their level sticker. Victory bowed and greeted them, before continuing to practice.
Dongho noticed the boy's anxiety, so he went over to him and patted his shoulder, hoping to give comfort to him since he knew how nervous he was - everyone probably was.
Victory's face flushed red once Dongho smiled brightly at him, feeling his heart contract in something along the feelings of embarrassment and anxiety. He immediately bowed to him as a sign of respect and gratitude for the small comforting gesture.
Before he knew it, his name was called once again, so he bid his goodbye and rushed to the stage where the hundred and one boys and trainers were sitting across him. He gulped at the sight of the many eyes staring unto him, but kept calm and went to the center of the stage.
"Wah, how could a boy be this pretty?" Kahi, one of the vocal trainers, said in admiration of the boy's feminine looks. Boa, who sat beside her, agreed to her statement and read Victory's profile on her table.
"Hello, I'm Lee Victory. I'm nineteen years old!"
And just like that, the introductions were finished and the music started to play.
Dongho watched the small boy with curious eyes, somehow interested in whatever he had prepared for his performance. His eyes then widened as he heard one of NU'EST's song play in the background - though it was re-arranged by Victory himself.
He started to dance gracefully, his body hitting the right places at the right moments. His voice was stable and loud enough for the trainers and trainees to open their mouths wide at the emotion it held.
And when his performance ended, Dongho could feel the red creep unto his cheeks as he realized that he clapped the loudest out of 101 boys.
