This was it. It was happening. This was finally it. 

It was do or die and Jaemin would finally find out which it was. Would he do? Or would he die?

That was all he could think of as he was herded back onto the stage with the others. As always he squinted agains the harsh stage lights before his eyes grew accustomed to the barrage of lights that made up the stage. He could just about see the empty seats in the back where the audience had sat before. 

There was so much nervous energy, he wished he could do something. He reached for the hem of the shirt but he didn't want to be seen on camera fidgeting like a nervous wreck. Yeonhee was talking and he hadn't been listening. What if she'd said something important and he'd been too busy being terrified to listen? 

"Why don't we hear how our 10 finalists feel?" Yeonhee says. He must have missed her opening words. What if she'd said something important? 

Yoonshik was the first in line. "I think I can speak for all of us when I say that this has been an incredibly experience I will never forget," he said. "It has been an absolute privilege to get to know these guys and I will happily congratulate the winners."

"I don't regret a single moment I spent with these guys working hard to show what we can do," Ted said. "All of them. I couldn't be prouder of all of our achievements whatever happens tonight."

"I'm so grateful to my teammates who trusted me even when I wasn't skilled enough," Hyuk said. "When I had so much to learn. I still have much to learn, but given the opportunity I would like to keep on learning with them and I will always cherish the memories I made here. And thank you to Fringe Entertainment. You gave chances to the chanceless."

"We all grew really close during this show," Jeongha grinned that goofy grin of his. "We're like a big happy slightly dysfunctional family now, all of us. Whatever happens I don't regret joining one bit. I love all these s. Atlas is going to take over the world I just know it."

"I did not know what I was getting into when I started," Daebak said with a laugh. "But I'm glad I did anyway. Now I know, and now I have all these great memories and learned all these new things. Thank you for everyone who made this happen."

"When I joined I didn't think this show would mean as much to me as it did," Inho said. "Oh- eh I don't think I was supposed to say that but I just did so-" Jaemin had to laugh. It was rare to see the guy flustered. He wondered if they were going to cut that part and relaly hoped they wouldn't. "What I'm trying to say is this experience has meant so much to me, and these guys all mean so much to me. We've shared good moments and bad moments, and that's something nobody can take away from us."

"Today some of us will become singers," Hanjin said. Jaemin was starting to really feel antsy now, the line was getting closer and closer to him. "And some of us will crawl back into the woodworks we came from. Whatever happens I hope all of us keep in touch anyway."

"I entered this show knowing that I would probably not make it," Halli said. "As a, well, little interloper as some people have put it, I kind of just came in like a wrecking ball," he laughed. "If I get eliminated or not doesn't matter. I was here and I did what I did and I got to meet these great guys. Thank you."

And then it was Jaemin's turn and everyone looked at him expectantly. He'd been terrified of what to say but now that the moment was here Jaemin just opened his mouth and talked. "It's been 9 years now since I started training," Jaemin said, voice catching. He cleared his throat. "But I think out of all that time, right now is the most memorable moment," Jaemin said, voice surprisingly steady. "Whoever gets to debut, let's not cry today but instead congratulate them." 

Next to him Halli laughs. "You're the one always crying hyung!" 

"I'm the last one," Hugo said. Jaemin noticed his mask was still off, the scar in plain sight. He kind of liked it better this way, without the constant hiding of his face. He was more person now. "All of these guys are extraordinary," he said. "Every single one. I would fight for all of them." Jaemin saw him throw a pointed look towards Seona and the other judges and not for the first time he admired Hugo's guts. "Figuratively, of course." Somehow he wasn't sure if that was figurative at all.

"And now it is time to find out who made it into the final group," Yeonhee said. She motioned to five small platforms arranged on the offshoot of the stage in front of the judges' table. "When I call your name please take your rightful place on one of those platforms."

That was it. That was where he had to go. There was no other way, no other acceptable answer. Jaemin wasn't sure he had a future if that future wasn't on one of those platforms. He glanced at the others and they seemed just as nervous as he was. Even Halli looked anxious. Even Hugo did. 

"I will now announce the winners," Yeonhee said.

"The first member of Atlas is..." Park Jaemin, he thought, willing her to say the words. "Lee Hyuk!"

There was a breath of relief from Hyuk, and a happy slap on the back from Daebak before Hyuk went over and took his place on the first platform. And he deserved it. Everyone knew Hyuk deserved. Jaemin was happy for him, but he was also terrified. 

"The second member of Atlas is..." Park Jaemin. "Jo Jeongha!"

"Yes!" Jeongha cheered before remembering to bow and say thank you. Jaemin couldn't help but smile at Jeongha's obvious joy and exaggerated reaction. Then Jeongha cast a worried glance back at the others and that one small moment was gone and the anxiety returned. Jaemin started fidgeting with his shirt.

"The third member of  Atlas is...." Park Jaemin. "Lee Halli!" 

Halli looked up, surprise in his eyes. "Me?" 

Yeonhee laughed. "Yes, you! Please take your place on the platform, Halli."

"Thank you!" Halli bowed and quickly made his way over. He looked almost guilty. Jaemin was conflicted, he hadn't thought Halli would make it so he hadn't really considered him c