star | stray kids female member

十七┊show me the money 777 ‣ ep. 2

once again, eunbyeol was in front of the venue building, about to walk in when she heard her name being called.

"xiao!" a cheery voice exclaimed.

it was slightly muffled due to her earphones playing music but she still managed to hear it. she turned around, taking one of them out, and smiled at the boy.

"hi, coogie!"

"hey," he giggled. "did you just get here?"

now walking side by side, the two of them headed to the side entrance where staff members were.

"yep! you too, i'm guessing," eunbyeol said.

they were greeted by a cameraman on the way in, asking how they were feeling before being guided inside.

it didn't take long for the other contestants to show up. before coogie and eunbyeol knew it, everyone was present and then the rappers entered the room in groups. ordered from the least amount of fight money, the two were one of the last to go in.

eunbyeol stood between nafla and ek considering her and the former we're tied for first place.

after a moment of waiting, kim jinpyo settled himself up on a platform and read from his cue card.

"the top skilled rappers that were selected through the intense evaluation are now gathered here right now," he began. "this round that has been entirely changed is a battle for fight money."

names of all the contestants started to show up on the screens beside them, appearing one by one.

"are nafla and xiao's fight money real?" fever questioned.

zene the zilla looked over. "that's amazing."

"for this round, we will stray from the original one versus one battle," jinpyo added. "there will be battles of up to three people."

"we will introduce the triple battle. anyone who wants to battle with the randomly selected rapper is able to challenge them. among the rappers who come forward to challenge, the selected rapper can choose their opponent."

the rules continued until the first card was picked up.

chillin homie.

eunbyeol watched as he stepped down the bleachers and up on to the stage.

"what criteria will you use to choose your opponent?" jinpyo asked.

"i will choose based on who's easy to win against," the rapper responded, confidence radiating off of him.

nodding, jinpyo let out an "ah" before saying, "is there an opponent you would like to go against?"

"new champ hyung."

unamused, eunbyeol glanced around at the other artists as chillin homie recalled new champ's ballsiness and disregard during the previous elimination rounds. the tension between the two was thick and made her feel uncomfortable.

fortunately, they were then let off to discuss their performance and the next rapper was called.

d.ark, or woorim as he had told eunbyeol to call him when they met, ran up to the stage with excitement written all over his face.

patiently, eunbyeol waited until she was either called up, called out, or felt the need to want to battle with someone specific. the last option was unlikely though.

after majority of the contestants were chosen and out of the room, jinpyo picked up one of the last cards.

"xiao!"

she put up a nonchalant facade as she made her way to the stage.

"is there anyone in particular that you'd like to go against?" jinpyo asked.

"not really," eunbyeol responded. "i'm a little nervous to see who'll come, though."

the man nodded. "speaking of which: if you'd like to go against xiao, please step down."

┊〄┊

"hey, let's do well."

eunbyeol nodded in agreement and wore a soft grin before the three rappers got into their places; her being in the middle.

she overheard the producers talking about the next battle and were debating on whether it was her or nafla up next.

"it's a fight for over twenty-four million won," swings pointed out.

"alright, let's bring them out."

"how did you three manage to become a group?"

before eunbyeol could lift the mic up to her mouth, owen ovadoz spoke. "xiao was chosen then choi eunseo and i both stepped up."

swings let out a chuckle and asked, "do you think you could beat them, xiao?"

"hey! don't burden her," giriboy laughed, lightly hitting swings's arm. "do well, everyone!"

the trap beat began and xiao's demeanor almost instantly switched.

"look at her confidence," changmo murmured to the quiett.

with a small, smug grin, eunbyeol closed the performance.

"wow."
"amazing."
"they're so good."

"to be honest, i don't want anyone to lose," the quiett said. "you guys were all amazing."

"you're like a group; a trio," added changmo.

"right, right. how do you feel about becoming a trio?" the former joked.

"i'd love that. gotta get money somehow," owen laughed.

"what do you think, xiao?" swings asked.

she was taken back and shyly chuckled. "ah— well.. i already have a team i'm more than happy with."

changmo nodded and muttered to his ceo, "the bond stray kids have."

"mm, it's strong, huh?"

the producers continued to compliment and critique the three rappers until swings announced that he would be saying who won.

"xiao.." he paused. "will continue with us."

the metal bars fell on owen and eunseo's, creating a loud sound and causing eunbyeol to jump.

"oh my god," she laughed.

"ah, i'm honored i get to shake xiao's hand," the quiett smiled. "i'll never wash my hand."

she sheepishly smiled and shook everyone's hands, bowing in gratitude.

swings patted her hat-covered head. "congratulations. keep working hard."

"thank you!"

➥ 終 [fin.]
➥ ahh it's been so long ( つ᷄.̯σ̣̥᷅ )