Gangster to Idol

The first episode played on, building anticipation until it reached the moment everyone was waiting for: the introduction of the groups.

Although they performed in groups, each trainee would be judged individually.

Throughout the competition, a trainee might find themselves standing alone under the spotlight, battling for their future. Only 10 would win the coveted debut.

In rare instances, 12 trainees made the cut — after all, idol groups typically formed with four to seven members.

Sometimes, two boy groups debuted. Other times, it was one boy group and one girl group. There were even moments when a solo artist captured the judges' hearts and claimed their place on stage.

It was unpredictable, intense, and everyone fought for their shot at stardom.

First up were the girls from Sweet Song Studio — a rising star in the industry. Despite being a small recording company that had only begun a few years ago, they had already made waves with their unique sound and bold performances.

The girls from Sweet Song Studio stepped onto the stage with an air of confidence. Their performance was a vibrant mix of energetic choreography and harmonized vocals that showcased their unique sound.

The transitions were smooth, their movements sharp, and their presence commanding.

Each member shone in her own way, effortlessly blending talent and charisma.

As the judges delivered their scores, it was clear they were impressed — every girl received a solid 34 points, except for one who fell slightly short with 30, her nerves showing just enough to impact her performance.

Next up was Eclipse, a powerful boy group from Nova Entertainment renowned for their intense choreography and dark, edgy concept.

As soon as the music hit, Dylan and Lexter exploded onto the stage, their movements spot on and electrifying. Their synchronicity was flawless as they weaved through sharp, aggressive dance steps while maintaining perfect vocal control.

Dylan took command of the performance, his stage presence magnetic and his energy unmatched. His charisma drew all eyes to him, and it showed in the scores — Dylan earned a stunning 37 points.

Lexter, though incredibly skilled, slightly faltered in comparison, scoring 34.

Together, they left the audience buzzing with excitement.

"Dylan's probably going to take first," Riku sighed, leaning back as he watched the scores roll in. "He's practically a debuted idol already. The guy has two million followers."

"Is that so?" Cain replied, unbothered, casually munching on a pack of crackers.

"Seriously, how much food do you have over there?" Riku asked, eyeing C.C.s seemingly endless supply.

"I'm not sharing," Cain said flatly.

"I . . . wasn't gonna ask . . .

," Riku muttered, awkwardly holding his stomach as it growled. He took a deep breath, trying to ignore his hunger. "At this point, I just want to make it into the top ten. With scores like these flying around, I'm not sure if we even stand a chance."

"It's only the first episode," Cain said, licking his fingers with zero concern. "Plenty of time to improve and boost our scores."

Riku forced a smile, trying to cling to C.C.s calm confidence. "Yeah . . . right."

Next up was Sapphire, the elegant girl group from Lunar Wave Entertainment, renowned for their ethereal performances and mystical themes that captivated audiences.

Their stage was adorned with shimmering moonlit backdrops, and the group moved with graceful precision, every step seeming to glide like a dance beneath the stars.

"Oh my god, I think I'm in love," Riku sighed, sounding like a love-struck fool as he leaned back in his seat, his eyes practically forming heart shapes. The other guys were just as mesmerized, captivated by the beauty of the girls from *Sapphire*. Each member was stunning in her own right, leaving the men in awe.

Except for Cain.

His stomach churned at the sight of them. Why were the men and women performing on the same day? On the same stage? It felt... wrong to him. They should've been separated, he thought.

The idea of possibly having to interact, or worse—touch—one of the girls during a performance sent a shiver down his spine.

On the side, Fifi floated casually, sensing what was going through his mind. "You know, you better deal with that sooner rather than later," she whispered. "There might come a time when you'll have to perform a duet with one of them. You might even have to... hold hands during a routine."

"Shut up, I know," Cain snapped under his breath.

"Huh? What was that?" Riku turned to Cain, confused by his sudden outburst.

"Nothing," Cain muttered quickly, avoiding eye contact.

Riku raised an eyebrow, puzzled. He always found C.C. a bit strange—talking to himself one moment, suddenly shouting the next. Maybe it was just his way of hyping himself up. He had heard that some people did meditation or self-talk before and after performances.

Maybe C.C. was one of those types, psyching himself up in his own weird way.

Sapphire's show was over. Selena, the group's leader, finished their performance with a hauntingly beautiful vocal that had the judges nodding in appreciation. Her control and tone were impeccable, drawing the audience in with ease. She earned a solid score of 35.

Ariana, the main dancer, delivered fluid movements, her body flowing like water as she danced to the song's enchanting melody. Though she was mesmerizing, the song didn't allow her to showcase her full potential. She was given a score of 32, falling just short of expectation.

Elise, the visual, had an ethereal presence, her voice delicate and soft as she tried to embody the mystical theme. However, her choice of song limited her vocal range, and her score reflected that 32, just like Ariana.

Lina, the youngest member, had the energy and charisma, but her nerves showed. Her high notes faltered, and despite her graceful performance, it wasn't enough to push her higher. She received the lowest score of the group, a 30.

While they maintained their signature style, it became clear that their choice of song hadn't given them the opportunity to fully showcase their individual strengths, leading to an overall performance that, while stunning, lacked the punch the judges were hoping for.