▌ EPISODE FOUR: The First Eliminations. 
❪ PART ONE. ❫

⚠️ PLEASE DON'T TAG THE APPLIERS INLINE TO THEIR OC'S RANKING. It hasn't ever happened in any of my applyfics, but better be safe than sorry. It's plain disrespectful towards both me as the author and the applier in question, so don't do that. Please. ⚠️

A new week has started for the Seiyuu Academy 2 students...

And we're back to the usual location.

The school theatre.

The students are currently waiting for today's host to arrive in studio.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHEN YULIAN ꜜ she/they（CLASS FOUR） ― [holding MOE's hand] Ah... I'm so scared, Moe...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ MIZUTANI MOE ꜜ she/xe（CLASS ONE） ― [stroking YULIAN's hand, leaning her head on their shoulder] Aw, no, you shouldn't be... We'll survive this round and the next ones together, Yuji!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHEN YULIAN ꜜ she/they（CLASS FOUR） ― If my princess says so... All I have to do is to believe you, then~!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ MIZUTANI MOE ꜜ she/xe（CLASS ONE） ― Mhm!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ JEON YUL ꜜ he/they（CLASS THREE） ― [not far from them, praying] Please let me be eliminated, please let me be eliminated, please let me be eliminated...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― [joining his prayer] Please let me be eliminated, please let me be eliminated, please let me be eliminated...

Yew, just... Give up.

You're going to last until the finals at the very least.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SHIN SEOYOON ꜜ she/xe（CLASS THREE） ― [swinging her legs from her seat] Aaaah, it's taking so long! Where are the others?!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ NATHAN CHAE ꜜ he/they（CLASS THREE） ― [panicking] Wait, where is Kyu?!

Gay, gay, homosexual gay... Always worrying about his man...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― He said he was hungry, so... He should be back soon? I think?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ NATHAN CHAE ꜜ he/they（CLASS THREE） ― ... Does he think it's the time to eat right now?! And why not in front of me? [pouts] I bet he looks cute when he stuffs his cheeks with food... ♡

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― ...

Is she jealous or what... 😭

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― First of all, even if I can tolerate your indecent displays of affection, don't do that directly in front of me; secondly, only I can judge or bully Kyu; last, but not least, he has his reasons to eat now of all times, so let's not comment on that!

Jealous, and flexing that she knows the most about Kyu at the same time...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ NATHAN CHAE ꜜ he/they（CLASS THREE） ― And why's that?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― None of your business, Han Farm.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ NATHAN CHAE ꜜ he/they（CLASS THREE） ― [pouting] Enough with the nickname! Aw man...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― [shrugs] Ask him yourself if you want to know.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── 𝄞 ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

❪ INTERVIEW ❫

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― Sorry, he might an idiot, but he's MY idiot. I'm not gonna air his business in the open for everyone and their moms to know.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ "MARIA" ꜜ she/they（STAFF） ― Yeah, but he's going to do that himself since he loves oversharing.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― ... True, but hey! At least that's his personal choice.

Flawless logic...!

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── 𝄞 ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

As the students arrive and talk among each other, a known face makes its entrance...!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ??? ꜜ ???（???） ― Good morning, everyone !

It's today's host, Seo Junyeol, mostly known as Sector 7's leader Clyde!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― I will be the one to guide you through this ranking announcement today. Are you excited?

The students give mixed reactions, but ultimately they're all pretty much excited to see the outcome.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Since the beginning of the voting, we have received a total of 27,766,850 votes from all over the world!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HAN JUNKYU ꜜ he/him（CLASS ONE） ― Eh?! That's crazy...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HAN SUNGYEON ꜜ they/it（CLASS ONE） ― Right? So many people voting for us... Regardless of our ranking, that is!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Tonight, 10 contestants from 37th to 28th place will be eliminated. I wonder who will be the lucky ones to survive tonight?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEOK IJUN ꜜ he/him（CLASS ONE） ― Ah, so scary!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― This is so cruel...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ NAM HANEUL ꜜ she/they（CLASS TWO） ― I really, really need to survive...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― And finally, remember that after the Class Tournament, additional bonus points were given to the winning class!

With Class One getting first place with 18 points during the Live Voting, a total of 18.000 benefit points was added to the ones earned by each Class One student!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― How did the bonus points affect the individual results? Let's find out starting now.

The lights dim, with only the main stage being properly illuminated.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― I will now call the classes in pairs based on their opponents during the Class Tournament, leaving out the Top 7 and Rank 27; if your name hasn't been called yet, there's still a chance for you to be among the survivors.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ QIU YUNZHI ꜜ he/they（CLASS ONE） ― This system is so anxiety inducing... [sighs] What did I expect, though?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― After all four classes hear the results, the Top 7 and Rank 27 will be announced.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― [clapping his hands] Well, then! Let's do this!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ EVERYONE ― Yes!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― We'll start with Class Two and Class Four, male teams.

The students from the classes that just got called stand up on the main stage.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KIM JUNSEONG ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― Ah, how nerve wracking...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/they（CLASS TWO） ― [sighs] I'll prepare myself already... I know I won't be called at all.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HEO SEONWOO ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― I highly doubt that, Muchen.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/they（CLASS TWO） ― [shrugs] It's OK even if it ends up being the truth, though; I accepted my fate long ago.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KIM JUNSEONG ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― His boyfriend is waiting for him at hoOW!

Muchen kicks Junseong in the legs!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KIM JUNSEONG ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― What boyfriend, Seonwoo? Are you sure your hearing is alright? Who said Muchen has a boyfriend?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/they（CLASS TWO） ― Dude.

Junseong... Shut up.

I beg you.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― I have the name of the first survivor in my hand, the student ranked the highest among the boys who performed (G)I-DLE's TOMBOY in the Class Tournament.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― As for his ranking... He reached Rank 9.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HIURA ASHINA ꜜ she/her（CLASS FOUR） ― Oh my, that's pretty high...!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― Mhm... Based on the pre-vote results... Zheng Huan, maybe?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHA YUBIN ꜜ she/her（CLASS FOUR） ― Maybe? What about Yang Insoo, though? He was also pretty high back then.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― No.

Damn, the resentment from the Class Tournament is only growing stronger...

Not like I can blame her, though.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― The very first survivor of this Ranking Announcement is none other than...

ZHENG HUAN
❪ CLASS FOUR ❫
1,116,650 Points

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Starting strong by entering the Top 7 during the pre-vote, Zheng Huan has now ranked 9th. Still an impressive achievement nonetheless! You should be proud of yourself.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ZHENG HUAN ꜜ he/him（CLASS FOUR） ― Ah, yes! [making a heart with his hands] Thank you all for supporting me until this point! I will do my best to keep up the momentum and debut~

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ZHENG HUAN ꜜ he/him（CLASS FOUR） ― And even if it doesn't work out in the end, I'll be grateful for the experience and move on to adult life as I should. Thank you once again!

Zheng Huan walks to his seat, while the rest of the students clap their hands for him.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHEON JUNSEO ꜜ he/him（CLASS FOUR） ― How surprising... And here I thought he'd stay in the Top 7? Life sure is unpredictable.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― I agree, Junseo! Speaking of unpredictable results, let's move on to Rank 10~

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― With a difference of over 100k points, this student significantly rose from his original place in the ranking... To the point he's actually the highest riser overall today!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HEO SEONWOO ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― ... Oh?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHA YUBIN ꜜ she/her（CLASS FOUR） ― It has to be Kitae...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHEN YULIAN ꜜ she/they（CLASS FOUR） ― Right? Wasn't he very low at the beginning?

Bae Kitae, whose place in the ranking was Rank 35, had a Main Vocalist role in the TOMBOY performance during the Class Tournament. 

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YANG INSOO ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― What about you, Noeul?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHOI NOEUL ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― E-eh? No no, that can't be... And I wasn't that low to begin with, so it's surely someone else...

Noeul turns towards the person currently standing next to him.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/they（CLASS TWO） ― ... Why are you looking at me?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHOI NOEUL ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― You were last place last time, weren't you?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― Oh, right! If someone rose that much, it has to be you.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/they（CLASS TWO） ― Pff, nonsense.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Well, then... Let's read the results together!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― From Class Two...

WANG MUCHEN
❪ CLASS TWO ❫
980,900 Points

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/they（CLASS TWO） ― ... WHAT.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KIM JUNSEONG ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― See? I told you!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/they（CLASS TWO） ― This is rigged.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HEO SEONWOO ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― Please, just accept it. You really rose like that.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/they（CLASS TWO） ― Ah, I... [holding the microphone tight] I'm very thankful. I promise I will work hard and always do my best so I don't disappoint you.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/they（CLASS TWO） ― I'm actually pretty confident about my skills and I believe I will be able to last for a long while; still, I admit the initial result did hurt my pride, so I didn't expect to rise high this soon.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/they（CLASS TWO） ― I will do all I can to make you proud of me, you won't regret this... Just so you watch.

As Muchen is done with his speech, Junseong hugs him tight, with Seonwoo and Noeul patting his back before letting him go to his seat.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ MIAO QIUYE ꜜ he/any（CLASS THREE） ― I will give him another charger for free to celebrate, I guess...!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HONG INKYU ꜜ he/any（CLASS THREE） ― Ah, so nice to the others but not to me... I see...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ MIAO QIUYE ꜜ he/any（CLASS THREE） ― [chuckles] Support my charger-selling business and maybe we'll talk.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HONG INKYU ꜜ he/any（CLASS THREE） ― Since when are you the one doing the scamming instead of being on the receiving end? No, thank you!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Let's continue with the ranking announcement. Is there any other survivor among the students who performed TOMBOY?

The students wait in fear for the host's announcement.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― There is another survivor indeed.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― The next one reached Rank 21 today.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ EVERYONE ― ?!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHEON JUNSEO ꜜ he/him（CLASS FOUR） ― That's 11 ranks away from Muchen! This might be the last one... I'm so scared!

Funny considering you were trying to quit, Junseo.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― It is also his first time to ever appear in a Seiyuu Academy 2 ranking.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YANG INSOO ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― Oh, so it's either Junseong or Yiyuan... They weren't there for the pre-vote, after all.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Well, then... The next survivor for today's Ranking Announcement is...

KIM JUNSEONG
❪ CLASS TWO ❫
692,150 Points

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― With determination and perseverance despite his class's situation, Junseong has proved himself to the public and is now able to proceed to the next mission. Congratulations!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KIM JUNSEONG ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― Ah, thank you! [bows down]

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KIM JUNSEONG ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― I am extremely thankful to those who have been by my side during these hard times... Without Den's leadership, I don't think I would have ever been able to reach this point... And Muchen and Seonwoo really helped me stand up a bit more for myself.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KIM JUNSEONG ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― I'm not necessarily sure I will debut, but let's work hard regardless of the results! I will not let you down.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HEO SEONWOO ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― We're pretty sure of that, Junseong.

The two classmates exchange a friendly gesture with the other students clapping in the background.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KIM JUNSEONG ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― Come on, Seonwoo... Survive... You got this!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HEO SEONWOO ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― [unconvinced] Mhm.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Let's move on, then! I wonder if there's any other survivor among you all~

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KIM JUNSEONG ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― Please... Please...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ZHENG HUAN ꜜ he/him（CLASS FOUR） ― Guys... Please...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― There's one more!

The students exhale in relief.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― We're threading dangerously close to the elimination line with this one, as we're about to announce Rank 24.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHEN YULIAN ꜜ she/they（CLASS FOUR） ― Oh... They only called Zheng Huan out of our classmates...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HIURA ASHINA ꜜ she/her（CLASS FOUR） ― Right... [sighing] Let's hope at least this one is from our class...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― The student whose name I'm going to call soon had a Main Position during the Class Tournament.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHA YUBIN ꜜ she/her（CLASS FOUR） ― [gasps] Doesn't that mean we have 2 in 3 chances?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HA SEOYOON ꜜ she/her（CLASS FOUR） ― It's either Kitae, Yiyuan... Or Seonwoo from the other class...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HIURA ASHINA ꜜ she/her（CLASS FOUR） ― Mhm... Probably Seonwoo, then. Wasn't he Rank 19 in the pre-vote?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHA YUBIN ꜜ she/her（CLASS FOUR） ― You're right, but didn't Muchen rise a lot? By that logic, so can Kitae...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHEN YULIAN ꜜ she/they（CLASS FOUR） ― It's also true Junyeol said he was the biggest riser, though...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHA YUBIN ꜜ she/her（CLASS FOUR） ― Ah, that's right... Argh, I'm so stressed!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― It is finally time for the reveal! Who will be the lucky one at Rank 24?

HEO SEONWOO
❪ CLASS TWO ❫
551,550 Points

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Despite his inexperience on the idol side, Seonwoo has demonstrated that with determination and lots of hard work, everything is possible!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HEO SEONWOO ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― Ah, I'm flattered... [chuckles] But I do have some experience.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Ah, that's right! From what I know you majored in Performing Arts at Seoul Institute of Arts, is that right? That's quite impressive.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HEO SEONWOO ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― Thank you. [bowing] I prepared myself to be here for a fun time and not a long one, but I'd still like to thank everyone who has voted in order to keep me here.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HEO SEONWOO ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― Even if I dropped a few ranks, my journey is not over yet. Prepare yourselves to see more of me.

Before going to his seat, Seonwoo winks for the camera, causing the others to gush over him.

Pretty privilege sure helps getting away with something this embarrassing...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― [chuckling] Ah, what a charming man, isn't he?

... 🏳️‍🌈🤨?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Let's move on with the ranking. Is there anyone else among those who performed TOMBOY?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ NATHAN CHAE ꜜ he/they（CLASS THREE） ― At this point there's likely no one else, right...?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Right after Seonwoo... We have Rank 25.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ NATHAN CHAE ꜜ he/they（CLASS THREE） ― ... Nevermind.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― [chuckles] This contestant also had a Main Position in the performance, this time in Class Four. I wonder who that could be? Let's find out together.

LIU YIYUAN
❪ CLASS FOUR ❫
528,950 Points

✹ ﹒ ﹒ LIU YIYUAN ꜜ he/him（CLASS FOUR） ― ... Hah?! This is not a funny joke.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― [with a hand on YIYUAN's shoulder] I'm sure you'll get other chances to rise in the ranking, Yiyuan! It's just the first ranking after all.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ LIU YIYUAN ꜜ he/him（CLASS FOUR） ― Eh? No, no... Get me out of here.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― [sighs, fixing his tie] Please, if you have nothing interesting or inspiring to say, you can proceed towards your seat instead.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ LIU YIYUAN ꜜ he/him（CLASS FOUR） ― Oh no, I do.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ LIU YIYUAN ꜜ he/him（CLASS FOUR） ― [holding his microphone tight] Thanks to everyone who believes in me and brought me this far...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ LIU YIYUAN ꜜ he/him（CLASS FOUR） ― Now, start loving yourself and stop doing that. Don't believe in me. Vote whoever you want as long as their name isn't Liu Yiyuan, and you'll soon realize that-

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Go to your seat.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ LIU YIYUAN ꜜ he/him（CLASS FOUR） ― Yessir.

Yiyuan walks — or, more accurately, runs — to his seat as instructed.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― [sighing once again] I have no time for this... Let's move on, shall we?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEO JUNYEOL ꜜ he/him（HOST） ― Do we have another survivor among the students who performed TOMBOY?

Find out in the next part!

FEVEN'S CORNER !!

We're finally back on track! These days have been quite hard, honestly, so although the chapter in itself wasn't too difficult to write, finding the motivation sure was; I also noticed too late that I did not add the hangul for Yiyuan's surname in his graphic but I couldn't care less since I have very little time on the computer where I make everything, so...

With the recent news coming out (Seunghan's departure, mostly; but there's also other stuff you won't care about like Kimisute's EoS), my medication working improperly and some appliers pulling weird tricks on me, I'm in terrible condition both mental and physical health wise; when is it any different, though? Hahaha. Haha.

That being said, let's do our best to finish this show properly before 2025 comes... I will work hard by writing chapters in time, and you should by following the story actively 🤞🏽 I believe in us both!