Gangster to Idol

However, tonight\'s performance felt . . . familiar.

The girls started strong, with bright choreography and cheerful expressions. The kind of performance that got them this far, but it became apparent that they were playing it safe, staying within their comfort zone instead of pushing the boundaries.

Maya, the group\'s leader, delivered her lines with precision and flair, her dance moves sharp, but there was a sense of routine in her performance. While she remained polished, there was nothing unexpected or daring about it. She earned a respectable 32 points, but it was clear the judges had seen it all before.

Lila, the main dancer, was as graceful as ever, her smile lighting up the stage. She moved with the practiced ease that the audience had come to expect from her, but despite her fluid movements, there was a lack of risk or ambition in her routine. Like Maya, she secured 32 points, but it wasn\'t enough to elevate her above the competition.

Rhea, the group\'s visual, whose soft, melodic voice flowed through the song. While her performance was pleasant, she seemed to hold back, her stage presence not quite reaching the level expected. The judges noticed, and she fell just short with 30 points.

Though Radiance performed well and maintained their signature brightness, it felt like they were stuck in place, unable to break free from the mold they\'d created for themselves.

In a competition where innovation was key, their unwillingness to take risks made their performance feel stagnant, leaving the judges hoping for more in future rounds.

"Whoa, they\'re being really harsh on the big companies," Riku muttered, his face crunch with dismay. "Couldn\'t they go a little easier on the girls?"

Cain was unfazed, and bit into a cookie, his expression neutral. "Everyone\'s judged equally. They entered this competition knowing the stakes, so they\'ve gotta\' face the same standard as everyone else."

Riku blinked, more surprised by C.C. munching yet another snack. "Seriously, where do you keep getting those snacks from?"

Cain glanced over at him with a lazy smirk. "These won\'t fill me up. I need a real meal. Rice, steak, something that\'ll actually satisfy me."

Riku shook his head, still baffled. "I don\'t think we\'re gonna be getting five-star meals in here. Once we\'ve been locked in this competition for two months, we\'ll be lucky if we\'re not just surviving on fruits and veggies."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Cain asked, his brows furrowing in confusion.

"We\'re gonna be on a strict diet while we\'re here," Riku explained, lowering his voice.

Cain\'s eyes widened in shock. "You mean . . . no booze?" How was he going to live?!

"Shh!" Riku quickly pressed a finger to his lips, trying to silence C.C. "Careful, you might get filmed, and they could edit that in!"

Cain scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "Everyone drinks. It\'s part of being human."

"Yeah, well, idols don\'t drink in public. Remember that," Riku whispered back, eyeing the cameras cautiously.

Fifi, floating nearby, smirked. "This kid\'s got a good head on his shoulders," she chimed in, then shot a glare at Cain. "Unlike this idiot."

Cain could only roll his eyes, popping another snack into his mouth.

As the performances continued, no one could seem to surpass Dylan\'s impressive 37 points. The anticipation built as the final act prepared to take the stage.

"Finally . . . finally, after this, we can settle in and get some decent food!" Riku said, almost on the verge of tears at the thought.

Cain slouched, arms crossed, and stared at the empty snack wrappers. He felt a gnawing emptiness. "For a high-end production, you\'d think they\'d have a bigger budget for food for the trainees."

"Shh!" Riku hissed, glancing around. "Keep it down, C.C. The production staff might hear you and hold a grudge. They could mess with your performance in the future."

"That sounds a bit extreme," Cain said.

"It is, but it\'s happened before," Riku replied, casting another wary glance. "Trainees who acted arrogant in past shows found themselves sabotaged by staff. They never made it past the middle stages of the competition."

Cain stayed silent, but Fifi nodded in agreement. "That\'s the reality of the industry. How you treat your colleagues can have serious consequences. An idol has to be perfect at all times. That\'s why Mental strength is just as crucial as talent to withstand this kind of pressure."

Cain didn\'t comment as the last group went unto the stage.

The last performer took up the stage. Inferno — a hard-hitting boy group from Blaze Entertainment — was up next. Known for their explosive rap lines and aggressive stage presence, they were ready to set the stage ablaze.

The lights dimmed, and the electrifying beat of Inferno\'s track exploded through the speakers. The trio stormed the stage with raw energy and undeniable charisma, each member showcasing their unique strengths.

Rex, the lead rapper, took center stage with his commanding presence and blistering flow. His verses were fierce, his energy high. He owned the stage, delivering his lines with such intensity that it was impossible to look away. His performance earned him a solid 34 points.

Blaze, the main dancer, brought the heat with his powerful choreography and dynamic moves. His synchronization with the beat was flawless, and his aggressive dance style matched the song\'s intensity perfectly. Blaze also received a score of 34 points.

Damien, the group\'s vocalist, struggled to match the energy of his peers. While his voice was strong, his performance lacked the same ferocity and stage presence as the others. He seemed a bit overshadowed by the raw power of the rap and dance elements. As a result, he earned a lower score of 30.

Inferno\'s final act left the audience buzzing with excitement, even though the mixed scores showed there was still room for improvement.

"I guess that\'s the downside of being in a group," Fifi chimed in. "Your performance can either get a boost from your teammates or be overshadowed by them."

The first part of the show wrapped up, and the contestants finally had a chance to retreat to their assigned rooms and eat good food.

Everyone was famished!

Now, the big question loomed: Who would their roommate be?