THE TRAINEES START
PRACTISING THEIR SONGS!

[ WM 1 | BAE BOYEON ] : Shall we learn the chorus together first? Then we can learn the other parts later, since it's different for everyone and it'll be harder...

[ WM 1 | LEE GYEOUL ] : Okay!

THE GIRLS WATCH THE DEMO
VIDEO AND TRY TO FOLLOW IT...

[ WM 1 | SHIM SEOHYUN (C.) ] : So the hands hit down like this, and the legs... [ tries the move ] ah, okay. I got it.

[ WM 1 | IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : 1, 2, 3 and... Ah, I can't remember it...

[ WM 1 | SHIM SEOHYUN (C.) ] : Don't worry! See, try just the hands first...

seohyun does the dance move,
and heiran follows her

[ WM 1 | SHIM SEOHYUN ] : Great! So the legs do this action, and the knee goes up when the hands hit down!

[ WM 1 | IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : Like this?

[ WM 1 | SHIM SEOHYUN ] : Oh yeah! You're getting it!

━ [ interview room ] ━

[ WM 1 | IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : Among us, Seohyun was the fastest to get the choreography. She helped me learn a lot faster and understand the moves better, so I was really grateful...!

━━━━━━━━━

SOME TIME LATER...

BOTH THE WHATTA MAN TEAMS
HAVE THEIR FIRST TRAINING
SESSION WITH THE MENTORS!

[ CHUNGHA | M. ] : Hello girls! How have your practices been going?

[ WM 2 | HORIKOSHI KAISARA ] : Omg, it's the original singer!

[ CHUNGHA | M. ] : Yep, I'll hold high expectations for you guys then! [ laughs ] Just kidding, I'll be able to help you pick out the little details to improve!

━ [ interview room ] ━

[ WM 2 | NA HANEUL ] : Chungha-sunbaenim's really nice and friendly with us, but I couldn't help but feel pressurised... Not only was she the original singer, she's also from my company, I feel like I really can't disappoint her.

[ WM 2 | NA HANEUL ] : But I'm confident I will do well! I'll work hard until I can show my very best!

━━━━━━━━

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : But there's twelve of you, so it might be hard for me to observe all of you...

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : That's why I've brought someone to help me out! Unnie, you can come in~

SHE SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE
CHUNGHA IS CLOSE WITH!

WHO IS IT?

[ ?? (M.) ] : Hello~

FORMER I.O.I AND PRISTIN
LEADER, IM NAYOUNG!

SHE ALSO PARTICIPATED
IN WRITING MANY OF I.O.I
AND PRISTIN'S SONGS!

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : Hello girls! How are you guys doing? I watched the first episode and lots of you were really talented!

[ WM 2 | BAE BOYEON ] : Oh my god, it's like the pressure suddenly doubled [ laughs ]

[ WM 2 | LEE AERIM (PLEDIS) ] : She's so cool even when she isn't doing anything, I can't believe I used to work in the same building as her...

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : Don't be pressured, I'm just here to help! Don't forget that both of us experienced a survival show too!

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : That's right! Nayoung-unnie's here to help me in improving you, as well as to coach the rappers amongst you girls!

[ NAYOUNG (M.) ] : Yep, let's get started! You girls have been split into two groups right? Can the first group come up?

TEAM ONE STANDS IN ONE
LINE IN FRONT OF THE
MENTORS!

[ NAYOUNG (M.) ] : How far are you guys with your practices?

[ WM 1 | IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : We've memorised and rehearsed our lines, and we're more or less done learning the choreography!

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : That's great! Could we have a listen?

THE GIRLS SING THEIR
RESPECTIVE LINES...

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Trainee Heo Haein... you're the main vocal?

[ WM 2 | HEO HAEIN ] : Yes...

WHAT IS CHUNGHA
GOING TO SAY?

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : The notes in the chorus aren't easy to reach, but your falsetto is really powerful. Good job with that.

[ WM 1 | HEO HAEIN ] : Ah, thank you!

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Trainee Im Heiran, can you sing the first line again?

[ WM 1 | IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : Jinachimyeon aswieul geotgata nan, nundo jangeul jjikeo bolkka saljjakman~

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Your voice is very loud and clear which is definitely good on stage, but you're straining your vocal chords a little. That might make you get a sore throat instead, so don't strain too much! Try to use your stomach voice instead.

[ WM 1 | IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : Okay!

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Try to press on your stomach and say "ah~"

[ WM 1| IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : Ah~

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Try to engage your diaphragm more. "Ah~"

[ WM 1 | IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : Ah~

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Oh, that's great! Try to use this instead!

[ WM 1 | IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : Okay, thank you!

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : Trainee Lee Gyeoul, could you rap your part again?

[ WM 1 | LEE GYEOUL ] : Ah, yes...

TRAINEE LEE GYEOUL RAPS,
BUT HER VOICE FADES OFF...

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : Can you do that again? I can't hear you. You need to be loud and confident for this song. It's a powerful song, and power is also a must-have as a rapper.

━ [ interview room ] ━

[ WM 1 | LEE GYEOUL ] : I felt so pressured because I can't do the rap that well, what more the original rapper was right there, in front of me...

━━━━━━━━

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : By the way, how did you guys even choose your positions? [ looking through their profiles ] None of you guys specialise in rap.

[ WM 1 | IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : Ah... Boyeon's the best out of the rest of us in rapping, so she said she didn't mine taking one of the rap positions...

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : Gyeoul, you should learn from Boyeon. She's a vocalist, and yet she was willing to take up a rap position. And she's doing better than you. How would you feel if you had to be a vocalist? You should treasure this opportunity.

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : I'm not a rapper and I hate to say this myself, but I have to agree with Nayoung-unnie on this one. If you can't have confidence now, how are you going to have confidence on stage in front of a large audience? Just think that the stage is yours, it might be your last chance to shine, so have confidence and rap loudly.

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : [ sighs ] Okay, can we see your dance now?

[ WM 2 | LEE DAHYUN ] : [ whispering to her teammates ] I feel bad for her...

the girls do their part of the dance

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : You girls learn choreography pretty fast! Trainee Im Heiran, you're definitely a skilled dancer and I can see that, but I did notice you get lost a little at some parts. You should be good after some more practice!

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : Trainee Heo Haein, you looked a bit awkward. Are you not comfortable with this concept?

[ WM 1 | HEO HAEIN ] : Ah, it's a little out of my comfort zone, but I'm trying...

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : It's good that you're trying. The lyrics show that you're trying to charm someone to come to you, so try to show that kind of charm!

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Trainee Shim Seohyun, you're the center right?

[ WM 1 | SHIM SEOHYUN (C.) ] : Ah, yes!

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Good! You really fit the concept perfectly, and you stand out well!

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : All in all you guys did great! Can group two come up now?

GROUP TWO FORMS A LINE
IN FRONT OF THE MENTORS!

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : How far have you guys gone with the practice?

[ WM 2 | LEE DAHYUN (L.) ] : We finished learning the choreography, but we haven't really memorised the lyrics much.

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : Okay, can we listen to you guys sing? You can hold the lyric sheets!

[ WHATTA MAN 2 ] : Okay, thank you!

THE GIRLS SING...

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : There sure are lots of talented vocalists here! Trainee Ahn Junghwa, you're the main vocal? Your voice suits the high register well!

[ WM 2 | AHN JUNGHWA ] : Ah yes, thank you!

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : Trainee Horikoshi Kaisara, your rapping was amazing! Your voice is really unique and suits the rap well, and you're good at expressing the emotions of the song!

[ WM 2 | HORIKOSHI KAISARA (C.) ] : Ah, thank you so much!

━ [ interview room ] ━

[ WM 2 | HORIKOSHI KAISARA (C.) ] : I was so happy, it felt like I received the highest level of praise from Nayoung-sunbae herself! Viewers, I'll show you the best, so look out for me on stage!

━━━━━━━━

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : Trainee Na Haneul as well, you did a pretty good job! The rappers in this team are really good, I'm glad to see that.

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Alright, can we see your dance?

THE GIRLS SHOW THE
MENTORS THEIR DANCE,
AND TRAINEE LEE DAHYUN
ENDS IT OFF WITH A WINK!

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Ahh, I like that wink! Your expressions were really good throughout the dance, keep it up!

[ WM 2 | LEE DAHYUN (L.) ] : Thank you!

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Trainee Yeon Chaerin, you have charms but you need to practise more. It looks like you didn't put in as much effort as the rest did.

[ WM 2 | YEON CHAERIN ] : Ah... Okay.

[ NAYOUNG (M.) ] : Trainee Horikoshi Kaisara, you really are a talented trainee, I think you'll do well! Your stage charisma is really good for this song! You definitely deserve the center.

[ WM 2 | HORIKOSHI KAISARA (C.) ] : Ah, thank you so much!

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Alright, that's that for today, I hope we gave you girls some useful feedback!

[ WHATTA MAN GIRLS ] : Thank you~

THE GIRLS HAVE A FEW MORE
DAYS OF PRACTICE...

[ WM 2 | KANG CHAERYEONG ] : Should we take a break now?

[ WM 2 | NA HANEUL ] : No, let's do it once more.

━ [ interview room ] ━

[ WM 2 | LEE DAHYUN (L.) ] : Haneul-unnie always says that, I like her motivation. Hana deo (one more)!

[ WM 2 | HORIKOSHI KAISARA (C.) ] : It's kind of become a running joke now, we call her Na Hana-unnie instead [ laughs ]

━━━━━━━━

AND SUDDENLY...

IT'S THE DAY OF THE
PERFORMANCE!

[ LEE SANGYEOB (H.) ] : Today, we have an audience of 1000 seated in front of us! First, let's welcome the groups that will be performing Whatta Man!

[ AUDIENCE ] : [ cheers ]

[ LEE SANGYEOB ] : [ pointing to team one ] Would you like to introduce yourselves first?

[ WM 1 | IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : Ah yes! 1, 2-

[ WHATTA MAN TEAM 1 ] : Hello, we are EMICATE!

[ WM 1 | BAE BOYEON ] : Emicate means to spring up or shine out, so we're prepared to outshine the other group!

[ LEE SANGYEOB (H.) ] : Wow, I like that confidence! Team two, what do you have to say?

[ WHATTA MAN TEAM 2 ] : Hello, we are ECLAT!

[ WM 2 | HORIKOSHI KAISARA (C.) ] : Eclat means to create a dazzling effect, and bring applause! We'll definitely not lose to EMICATE, and we'll steal their spotlight!

[ LEE SANGYEOB (H.) ] : Both teams seem to be going strong! Are you girls ready for your performance?

[ EMICATE & ECLAT ] : Yes!

i had to shift the lyric video to
"unlisted" due to personal reasons,
but the link will be commented here!

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : Wow, they really did well.

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : Right? I was a little worried for Im Heiran because she seemed to not be able to learn the choreography as quickly as the rest, but she really did it perfectly, and her stage presence was shocking.

IN ACTUALITY, THERE WERE
MANY TIMES TRAINEE
IM HEIRAN WAS SEEN
PRACTISING ALONE...

━ [ interview room ] ━

[ WM 1 | IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : For me, the term "give up" doesn't exist. I may be slower at memorising the choreography, but I'll work hard, and once I get the choreography down, I won't forget any part of it.

[ DG 2 | HWANG EUNKYUNG ] : I'm not performing Whatta Man, but I'm roommates with Heiran-unnie. Sometimes I see her doing the hand movements to the song in her sleep, it's kind of scary... [ laughs ]

[ WM 1 | IM HEIRAN (L.) ] : It's my first time on stage and I really want to do well, what more I'm their leader, I don't want to disappoint them!

━━━━━━━━

[ LEE SANGYEOB (H.) ] : Wow, that was a powerful performance! To both groups, do you have anything you'd like to say to the fans before they vote?

[ WM 2 | SHIM SEOHYUN (C.) ] : The best things come from the most unexpected places. I'm your angel in disguise, Shim Seohyun! If you want to see more of the different sides of me, please vote for me so I can stand on this stage again! I'm really grateful to my members who gave me this center position, so vote for them as well!

[ WM 2 | AHN JUNGHWA ] : Hey there, I'm your number one target, Ahn Junghwa! Please vote for me~

[ WM 2 | LEE DAHYUN ] : Hello, I'm Woollim's Lee Dahyun! My members and I have worked hard to bring this stage to you guys, so please vote for us~

[ LEE SANGYEOB (H.) ] : Alright, the audience, you may start voting now! Girls, you may go to the back and wait for your results!

[ EMICATE & ERATO ] : Thank you!

THE GIRLS WAIT
NERVOUSLY...

[ WM 2 | HORIKOSHI KAISARA (C.) ] : Ah, I'm so nervous! I really hope I did well as the center...

[ WM 2 | LEE DAHYUN (L.) ] : I'm sure you did, no one could have done that better! Plus you received so much praise from the mentors, you definitely did a good job~

THE SCREEN LIGHTS UP,
AND THE RESULTS ARE REVEALED!

NEXT TIME ON EQUINOX...

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : If you're a weak dancer, you just have to work even harder than the rest, got it?

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : There's one thing I can't help but notice...

[ IM NAYOUNG (M.) ] : How did you guys choose your center?

[ CHUNGHA (M.) ] : [ ??? ] would've made a better center.

[ ?? ] : I tried to work hard, but I felt so stressed... [ wipes her tears ]

THE GAME-CHANGER
ARRIVES...

[ WM 2 | IM YESEUL ] : That's five times the size of the audience, it's crazy...

BENEFIT VOTES !

[ SANGYEOB (H.) ] : Who will receive a total of 5000 bonus votes? Let's reveal it now!

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

[ a minute of min ]

hehe hello !
i hope you enjoyed this chapter <3

when writing the "feedback
from mentors" parts,
i take info from your form
as well as your activity during
the missions! it feels like i'm just
making them blatantly say stuff
to each trainee, so idk if it's boring
for you guys? ㅠㅠ i've never been
a good writer lmao.

this chapter was only the
whatta man teams, so to be fair,
the next part (dream girls teams)
will be updated in two days!
(unless wattpad hates me)

after which, comment voting
will start and last for one week!

are you guys excited?