In the other studio, HyeMi beckoned the girls towards her as she started on a quick pep talk. The girls nodded solemnly as HyeMi reiterated reminders. They had been told to make themselves comfortable while the techies sorted out some problems with the sound system, but none of them could really relax, pacing about restlessly as they waited for instructions. HyeMi glanced towards the sound booth from time to time to make sure everything was in order. She stood poised, and ready to act, but in reality, she was feeling as nervous and unprepared as the rest. KyunJi had lost the bright twinkle in her eye, where worry took its place, though an anxious smile was still plastered on her face. She nodded reassuringly to MiYoo, who seemed to be having a hard time. The rest of the girls were engrossed in recalling the steps and lyrics, and a hysterical HaRu turned to an equally edgy HyeSun, trying to ascertain that she had the right choreography in mind. 

There was a commotion in the sound booth as the super junior members entered, still discussing about the previous group's preformance. They quickly shushed when they saw the girls turn towards the one-way mirror separating them in confusion. The techies tapped their mics before announcing that they would be going through the song promptly. The girls shot each other fevered looks as they shuffled to their respective places. HyeMi checked their positions in her head and visibly relaxed when she confirmed that they were indeed in the right positions. The starting beeps sounded and the trainees instantly exuded a different aura as they stood up straighter and prepared for their first verse. 

The girls moved off perfectly in time with the music, and with every well-executed movement, they became bolder as their confidence rocketed. KyunJi heard her voiceover as the music started up and made an extra effort to synchronize her verse. She held the microphone close to her lips as she went through the choreography diligently, her voice breaking cutely at the end of her first sentence. She tried hard not to break form, but her eyes crinkled as she stopped herself from gigling, a huge grin plastered on her face as she finished the rest of the verse with a flourish. Instead of being embarrassed, KyunJi had become more comfortable as she accepted and laughed at her own mistakes. The super junior members chortled along good-naturedly as SungMin prodded at a brooding figure. "HeeChul-hyung, why are you so serious?" The elder turned away from the scene in front of him and whispered to the camera, "Kyeopta..." His bright eyes bore straight into the camera as he nodded, blinked, and returned his gaze to the trainees, leaving an amused SungMin staring after him.

RuiXian took her cue and continued the verse, singing straight into the mic. She was unnaturally hyped up today and the adrenaline was still pumping from hearing KyunJis slipped note. RuiXian belted hers with care and shot the elder the triumphant look, to which the elder rolled her eyes. HeeChul sniggered at the exchange as LeeTeuk watched on, murmuring something about HeeChul and problem kids. SiWon shot two thumbs-up at the nearest camera. "Look at their comaraderie..." EunHyuk popped up into frame as he continued, "They look like they'll play well together~ I can't wait for their variety shows - hopefully we get to guest on that!" SiWon placed his elbow on EunHyuk's shoulder as they nodded at each other, pretending to lip-sync along.

MiYoo emerged from within the group and sang rigidly into the mic, holding it particularly still so her voice didn't waver as she sang into the mic. It got a little awkward as she tried to move the rest of her body along with the upbeat and fast-paced song with as much zest as she could manage without disturbing her mic-holding hand. The super junior members burst into laughter as KyuHyun dabbed at his eyes. "She - she looks like a - a mulfunctioning gif!" He doubled over in laugther as DongHae started choking and coughing beside him. "- but her moves are all so neat and on point!" Henry pointed out, pursing his lips and giving a solemn nod of approval, turning back to the screen, before breaking out into laughter again. "Ah... We must protect her..."

The girls went into formation for their little hip-wiggle, and as the girls pumped their arms in the air and brought them forward enthusiastically, a single mic slipped and flew towards the glass separating the trainees from the techies and super junior members, missing it by a mere few inches. There was a collected gasp as MiYoo stood frozen mid-line, the rest of the girls torn between continuing the choreography or stopping to make sure everything was alright, and a harried JinRa ran forward to retrieve her wayward mic. Shock was plastered over the super junior memers faces as they let out a sigh of relief at the almost-accident. "Ohhh~" SungMin whispered shakily as he clutched at his chest with wide eyes. JinRa lowered her head in mortification as she returned to her spot, and MiYoo picked up where she left off, the entire group on edge after the unexpected event.  

HyeSun took the lead shakily at first, straining as she expected to be called to pause the rehearsal, but as she progressed and there was a lack of indication that anything was wrong, she vsibly relaxed and continued the dance with a burst of energy. "Mine, mine!" EunHyuk gestured to himself and formed a little heart with his fingers. "Nan dongsaengie~" KangIn strode past EunHyuk to take a closer look and clouted him on the head o get him to shut up. "They'll hear you!" EunHyuk "tch-ed" and shot a dirty look at the elder, but quietened down as he watched his litle sister perform with undisguised glee. HyeSun excelled at dance, but her voice faltered, although it wasn't clear if it was due to her mic-holding. Nonetheless, she gave it her all.

HaRu stepped up shyly, and did a double-take when her voice wasn't captured by the mic, before remembering to turn it on. She had a relatively short line, and her forehead creased in disappointment as she melted back into the shadows, albeit after a well-placed high note. The super junior members seemed to have felt it as well, and offered silent encouragement behind the glass. "Gwenchanayo~ [it's okay] it's just a rehearsal - just make sure you turn it on three days from now!" SungMin made a "hwaiting" gesture and nodded solemnly. HyeMi glanced at the girl with concern, but HaRu was too absorbed in the aftermath of her mistake that she failed to notice the leader. HyeMi brushed past the younger as she took centrestage, leading their combined sections. They girls came together, and parted, and JinRa stood out for her part.

She stood gingerly in the center of the stage, clenching her mic tightly, obviously uncomfortable. Nonetheless, her voice came out clear and crisp, and was met with applause from the other side of the mirror. JinRa did an awkward bow, as if apologizing for the commotion she had caused earlier, and the super junior members smiled at the girl's innocence. "I like her voice - it's really unique!" KyuHyun nodded with his arms across his chest, deep in thought. JinRa did a little hop and made space for the next girl.

KyunJi took the stage again, and this time, her mic control was significantly better, and she seemed like one of the few who were not really bothered by the mishaps onstage, the other being RuiXian. The girls got together at the center of the stage and synchronized their choreography to a T as JinRa harmonized along. YonNi strode out confidently and fluently sang her part before rejoining the others in one swift motion. The super junior members were mesmerized by her professionalism and her colleced demeanour. "She must be a great help to the leader..." LeeTeuk vocalized absent-mindedly, to the jealous protests of the other members. Are you saying we're not good enough! "Aniya~" The flustered leader swiped at the members before pausing, "Yup, she's probably a greater help than all of y'all combined." YonNi was a natural, her actions cutely accentuating the endearing nature of the piece.

MiYoo sang the overlying tones as the performance progressed rather successfully, as MinJae led without any mistakes, her agyeo eliciting squeals from some of the members. KyuHyun and SungMin shared a glance, both wondering how their fellow labelmate Onew would react to his close hoobae's efforts in the group. MiYoo remermerged as the song drew to a close, and the girls' faces brightened in relief. The girls ended the song and stayed for a beat before breaking formation and thanking the staff. The super junior memebers cheered for the girls as well, as MinJae trooped towards JinRa and checked her mic for her. JinRa let out a sigh of relief as it was pronounced a-okay by the elder, and MinJae patted her head comfortingly.

This group undoubtedly had better mic control than the other, but still, HyeJin quickly went through the basics of mic-handling, as she corrected MiYoo and JinRa conscientiously, and reminded the latter to hold onto the mic tightly, especially during parts where vigorous choreography was involved. An abashed JinRa nodded as she let slip a gurgle of nervous laughs. HyeMi rubbed her back affectionately as she listened in, paying extra attention, since she didn't have much of a mic check during the rehearsal. HaRu constantly flicked the power button on and off during the entire briefing, reminding herself to always check her mic before she sang. HyeSun had her mic turned up, and that was it.   

As with the previous group, they were quite certain of who would emerge as the best performer, but the most improved would have to wait. HyeJin called for individual mic checks on the floor and after making sure that they were comfortable, called for a second run-through. The girls eased up considerably as they got ready, eager to perform better on the second try. 

The super junior members stayed to watch, although they were not obligued to sit through the entire rehearsal. 

author's note:     I'm done up till the first elimination - and I'm here to ask all of y'all for a favour before I decide on the subsequent line-up... >>here (readers without characters feel free to vote as well!) another four more chapters till the first revelation!

YAH who chose eight members for the first question hahaha y'all will be the death of me seriously! 

I'm joking I love y'all too much~

but reallyyyyyyyy? you brats.