▌ EPISODE ONE: Orientation.
❪ PART FOUR. ❫

NOTE: This chapter contains spoilers about the pre-vote. To discuss the results, please, use the #forum section in the Discord server with the Spoiler tag. Don't reveal anything in any other setting, please! It ruins the surprise... I'm already bad at making it interesting in chapters with shorter ranking announcements, so don't make it even more boring by spoiling it to the others!

It's almost the end of the first week... Guess what that means?

It's time for the pre-vote results to be announced once and for all.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Hello there!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― The moment of truth has finally arrived~ Are you ready to find out who the watchers at home have deemed to be the most interesting based on the profiles alone?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Remember that this is just a pre-vote. First impressions have their weight, sure, but just because you're in the highest spots it doesn't mean you'll debut. Let's work hard until the very end!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ EVERYONE ― Yes!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Amazing! Before proceeding, let's answer this question: how many members made it to the final lineup in the last edition?

Half of the students raise their hand, most of them calmly...

And then those three are jumping on their seat while screaming at the top of their lungs.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― [scared for her life] ... Kyu?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HONG INKYU ꜜ he/any（CLASS THREE） ― 12!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― I guess you'd know that considering how obsessed you are with Huij- I meant, you translated the first edition so what did I expect! Haha!

She should've called him out for that, honestly.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― But Kyu is correct! niveau seuil, the group that came out of Seiyuu Academy 1, is made up of 12 members. They recently debuted with their first studio album On the Borderline, which also serves as a soundtrack compilation album for the homonymous animated movie they're in. Viewers and students, make sure to check it out!

Any info related to the group itself and the album can be found on the book for Seiyuu Academy 1 or the Wiki!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― That being said... The production cut that number for this edition, but we'll find out how many will debut later together... The fight will be even fiercer this time around! Now, then...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Production, show the ranks from 37th to 28th place!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/they（CLASS TWO） ― Oh wow, last place... [sighs] Can't say I'm totally surprised, though.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KIM JUNSEONG ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― I'm sure it'll go better as we go on!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/they（CLASS TWO） ― ... You're not worried in the slightest, are you?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KIM JUNSEONG ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― [shrugs] First of all, I'm here on babysitting duty... And I wasn't among the options available anyways! So no, not really.

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

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KIM JUNSEONG ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― Looking at the bright side... I did vote for you, since the pre-vote started before I came here.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ WANG MUCHEN ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― ... It's OK, I don't care. I guess the rumors got to the public, huh... I just need to prove them wrong.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Nice spirit! But... The average audience is made up of BanG Dream! and from ARGONAVIS fans, so I highly doubt that's the reason!

That's right... Most of us don't know any of the people here, actually-

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Well then! Let's proceed with those who ranked between 27th and 18th place!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― Hmm... I think AmaRanTh actors are ranked higher...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SHIN SEOYOON ꜜ she/xe（CLASS THREE） ― Did you mean "I thought AmaRanTh actors would be ranked higher"? 

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― Ah... Eh... Right! Sorry...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SHIN SEOYOON ꜜ she/xe（CLASS THREE） ― Don't worry! You're still making great progress in Korean, right Nathan?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ NATHAN CHAE ꜜ he/they（CLASS THREE） ― Mhm! I'm really proud of you, Xiaoqiong! 

✹ ﹒ ﹒ NATHAN CHAE ꜜ he/they（CLASS THREE） ― She's right though, isn't she? Sieun, Juno and Mingyu were on the top spots last edition... But I guess affiliations aren't everything.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ CHOI NOEUL ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― I mean... I think it's a decent placement! I will work hard and show everyone what I'm capable of. I didn't think I'd get past the bottom line, to be honest...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― You got it, Noeul!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Seeing you motivate each other is very nice, really! I wonder if you all will keep this positive attitude during evaluations, especially while being in different classes~

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HEO SEONWOO ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― ... That sounds ominous.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― [whistles] Who knows~ Missions tend to get the worst out of everyone, after all... I'm curious to see how you guys will deal with your stuff!

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

✹ ﹒ ﹒ MIZUTANI MOE ꜜ she/xe（CLASS ONE） ― "The worst out of everyone"? I'm scared to see Jayden, then...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ JAYDEN IM ꜜ he/him（CLASS ONE） ― ... Excuse me?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEOK IJUN ꜜ he/him（CLASS ONE） ― [sighing] Oh my God... Not again...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Quiet there! Let's go on with the ranking announcement for this phase, shall we?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Before that, though... Considering this is the batch including the students right before Top 7, can you guess how many members will this edition's lineup have?

... She didn't notice her slip up, did she?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ BEON HANA ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― ... Seven?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Correct! How did you guess this easily, though?!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ JAYDEN IM ꜜ he/him（CLASS ONE） ― You literally sa-

✹ ﹒ ﹒ MIZUTANI MOE ꜜ she/xe（CLASS ONE） ― [covering JAYDEN's mouth] It's just that Hana is genial and great at guessing.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Wow, I can see that!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ BEON HANA ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― Wait, n-

✹ ﹒ ﹒ MIZUTANI MOE ꜜ she/xe（CLASS ONE） ― Don't try and be humble, Hana. That's the truth, isn't it?

... NO? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Anyways... Yes, Hana is correct! For this edition, the production decided to cut down the number from 12 to 7 members.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― So, before seeing the Top 7, let's announce the ranks from 17th to 8th place!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Judging by the results I have in my hands, people from 13th to 8th place were actually all pretty close to getting a spot into the Top 7! How do you guys feel about this accomplishment?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HONG INKYU ꜜ he/any（CLASS THREE） ― ... WHAT.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HEO SEONWOO ꜜ he/him（CLASS TWO） ― So nobodies can end up high in rankings now?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HONG INKYU ꜜ he/any（CLASS THREE） ― [grinning] Well, THIS NOBODY is higher than your 19th place and more akin to Huijun's ideal type, so I'm winning in at least two departments!

The way he can make everything about Huijun is alarming. Stop it.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HAN SUNGYEON ꜜ they/it（CLASS ONE） ― I'm pleasantly surprised... But I'm not stopping here, obviously! I will work hard to get into Top 7 properly!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HAN JUNKYU ꜜ he/him（CLASS ONE） ― Knowing you it won't be difficult, Sungyeon-ie!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ JAYDEN IM ꜜ he/him（CLASS ONE） ― [annoyed] ... Are we interrupting something?

For once I agree with him... Can these two stop being homosexual for a second?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― [pouting] C'mon, quiet everyone! We're not done yet...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― This Top 7 reveal might seem uninteresting since, if someone paid enough attention, they can easily figure out who got in... But what if I told you there's another small perk for an even smaller number of people?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― ... It's that, isn't it?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Correct! Junyeol and I mentioned it when we first met you all. The Top 4 contestants, along with being in the first hypothetical lineup, will also get to perform the first opening song as what we like to call the opening band!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SHIN SEOYOON ꜜ she/xe（CLASS THREE） ― Ohh, that makes things much more interesting now... Xiaoqiong, you got this!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― [praying] In the name of Kanata Nijo, in the name of Kanata Nijo, in the name of Kanata Nijo...

I shouldn't be surprised by someone who's kindating a Kanata Nijo kinnie... But really?

Not like I can complain, actually. She has taste!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― [chuckles] Shall we see our first Top 7, then? Production, please show us who would debut based on the pre-vote alone!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― ... HUH?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― Is this real?!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― ... What the HELL.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― [thinking] I mean, I figured out by not seeing my name earlier, but...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW AND ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ― This is a joke, isn't it?!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― It's not... Although I think one of you two would like to believe it is!

Yew falls to his knees, horrified, as he realizes something...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― Congratulations on your first place, Yiruri! And congratulations to Xiaoqiong, Yew and Mire too, because they will join you in the recording of Seiyuu Academy 2's opening song!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― NO...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― Hell YEAH!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― [wiping some tears away] Ah... I'm so happy! Thank you, everyone! I will do my best to keep my beloved first place!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― That's the spirit! I wish you and everyone else good luck~ I wonder how things will turn out as soon as evaluations start...?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HANAZAWA MOKA ꜜ she/her（HOST） ― That being said... The Top 4 can now follow the staff in the studio for the rehearsal~ Two of the teachers will be waiting for you there, along with some special guests. Everyone else is dismissed for the day!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― Oh? I wonder who that could be...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― I can't wait to find out! I'm so excited! Let's go!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― Yes!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― ... What did I do to deserve this.

I don't know either, Yew.

The four, guided by Hao and Hoon, finally reach the studio.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEULGI（TEACHER） ― Oh! There you are. Congratulations to all of you!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― [bowing] Thank you so much, Seulgi-sunbaenim!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― ...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― You've been awfully quiet ever since we came here... What's up?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― Mh?

Xiaoqiong seems to be struggling to speak...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― [in Mandarin] Is your in-ear translator broken? Seoyoon said you can't speak Korean at all, so...

She nods energetically... So cute...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― [slightly grinning] Here, then. My Korean might not be the best, but I don't need it just as much. Don't worry, I didn't use them so they're still clean.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― ... This is the most I've heard you speak, Yew! What were you two saying? Tell me, tell me!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― [switching back to Korean] Nothing, nothing...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― [waving their hand in front of XIAOQIONG] Earth calls Xiaoqiong...?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― [smiles stupidly with her hands on her heart, entranced] I will never take off these in-ears.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― ...

Don't act like you wouldn't do that if Alice gave you something! Let her live her fangirl dream!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ UESAKA SUMIRE（TEACHER） ― ... I was sure they'd be here already?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEULGI（TEACHER） ― Mh?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ UESAKA SUMIRE（TEACHER） ― The production called someone to help out the members of the opening band before the recording... But they aren't here ye-

Someone knocks on the door of the studio!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ???（???） ― [in Japanese] Sorry, we're late!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ??? 2（???） ― There was traffic on the way... But we're here!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEULGI（TEACHER） ― It's fine! [bowing] Nice to meet you! These are the four students you'll be working with.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― [shocked] Goodness...! I'm so honored to be blessed with your presence!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― [bowing] Same for me...!

────────────────────────

❪ INTERVIEW ✶ ❫

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― I don't know any of the five women in front of us, but I didn't want to embarrass myself...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― Xiaoqiong, on the other end... She looks like she was about to faint...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― [rocking her chair] I met... RAYCHELL... I met... RAYCHELL... My beloved... RAYCHELL...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― Oh, wait... I think one of my friends are obsessed with her too.

HEY. This callout is not nice at ALL.

────────────────────────

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ??? 3（???） ― Ah, so nice~ Nice to meet you! I hope we can be of any help.

One of the live bands from BanG Dream! Girls Band Party, RAISE A SUILEN!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ UESAKA SUMIRE（TEACHER） ― Given the show's collaboration with the franchise, the members of RAISE A SUILEN were chosen to help you train in preparation of the recording of the opening song.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ TSUMUGI RISA（SPECIAL GUEST） ― [clapping, excited] Feel free to let us know if there's any problem! I'm so excited~ I can't wait to work with you all!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ NATSUME（SPECIAL GUEST） ― [chuckles softly] I think you might have to sit out this one, though...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ TSUMUGI RISA（SPECIAL GUEST） ― E-eh?!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KURACHI REO（SPECIAL GUEST） ― Well... This band doesn't need a DJ now, do they?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ TSUMUGI RISA（SPECIAL GUEST） ― ...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― [chuckles] They're messing with you, Tsumugi-san... Of course you can help the vocalist~ You even recorded the demo, remember?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ TSUMUGI RISA（SPECIAL GUEST） ― OF COURSE I REMEMBER!

She doesn't.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― [holding back her laughter] If you say so... Has everyone an assigned role already?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEULGI（TEACHER） ― No, but they did submit their preferences while auditioning for the show, so... How about this arrangement?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― Absolutely fine by me! I was worried... Glad I can play the guitar, though~

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― Oh... Bass? Sure! Not my preferred choice, but I won't complain...

That was... Oddly unconvincing.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― [sighs] I guess I was lucky... I'll be fine with the drums.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SEULGI（TEACHER） ― And for Yiruri, of course, the vocalist position!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― ...!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― It sounds like no one has complaints, so let's proceed!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― Mhm! C'mon guys, we got this!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― Yes, yes...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― ...

The four students finally start practicing on the song after listening to the demo for a few times. Thankfully, with their instruments being their preferred choices, that won't be too hard...

Right?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― Great, Xiaoqiong! See, it didn't take you long to learn your part.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― Mhm... It's just I'm not a great fan of playing the bass myself, you know...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― Ah, really?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― In general... Not many people pay attention to it, right? Ah, but in your case... You also sing with such a powerful voice, so naturally people can't take their eyes off you... But I don't! And I don't like feeling irrelevant!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― I mean... Not like I want to steal the momentum from Yiruri, of course she deserves it... I just wish I could be a bit more important... I stopped playing it back when I had a band for the same reason. I just feel replaceable, you know? And then-

All of a sudden, Xiaoqiong freezes...?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― WAIT... I'M SORRY... I DIDN'T MEAN TO VENT...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― Hey, no, it's OK! Come here for a second and sit next to me.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― [as XIAOQIONG sits down] Listen, it's important to deal with these feelings now instead of bottling them up, so thanks for speaking up about them to me, really.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― [putting a hand on XIAOQIONG's shoulder] Sure, the bass doesn't play the main melody, so it's easy for it to be pushed to the background and left unacknowledged by the public. However, it plays a greatly important role within the band in itself.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― Right...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― ... You're still unconvinced, I see. Let's try an experiment, then. Shall we call the others?

RAYCHELL calls the other three members of the opening band... What does she have in mind?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― Thanks for coming here, everyone! Can we play the song two times? The first time without the bass... We'll add Xiaoqiong to the second performance though!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― Oh, sure!

The three play the entire song from beginning to end without Xiaoqiong, as RAYCHELL records them. The result is... Well...

Not something I'd expect from a band that has to perform in a day.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― ... This was not your best, I won't lie. Yiruri's singing was as nice as usual, but the instrumental base...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― I'm sorry... I think I messed up.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― It was difficult to keep up! Yew was offbeat and I couldn't even listen to the bass since, well...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― We'll try again with the bass as I said before, then. Ready, Xiaoqiong?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― ... Yes.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― [smiling] Perfect! Again, from the start...

The band plays the entire song once again from the beginning to the end, this time accompanied by Xiaoqiong's bass.

Much better, now!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― Aaaand... Done! [ending the recording] This was much, much better, I'm sure you noticed as well.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― I like how the drums sound when the bass plays along with them. It sounded much more hollow before, didn't it?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― Right! I could play to my full potential since the bass was playing, too... I think we'd be lost if Xiaoqiong wasn't with us.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― I couldn't agree more~ But I wonder if someone else is on our same page...?

Everyone turns towards Xiaoqiong, who is holding her bass with a smile plastered on her face.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― Ah... Yes... I suppose... I can be pretty helpful with the bass, too...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― Why... Did you have any doubt before?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ RAYCHELL（SPECIAL GUEST） ― It happens to the best ones too. Well, I suppose you can always listen to these two recordings whenever you have any doubt... You clearly have a talent for the bass, so if you want to keep playing it, I greatly recommend you to do so.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― Right!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― [dramatically wiping a tear away] Ah, you guys... I feel like I'm on an idol-themed anime now...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― I mean... This shit show is close enough to that.

Everyone laughs at Yew's statement!

Well... Everyone except the man himself, actually. But it's useless for him to complain, they won't let him out either way!

And so, after a long training session full of corrections from the guests...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ NATSUME（SPECIAL GUEST） ― Ah, Yew... I think you're playing those drums too powerfully. Let's tone it down a little, mh?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ YEW ꜜ he/him（CLASS THREE） ― I'm sorry.

... And external distractions...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HONG INKYU ꜜ he/any（CLASS THREE） ― ... Can I hide here while you practice?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― Kyu, no! What are you doing here?!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HONG INKYU ꜜ he/any（CLASS THREE） ― Den is chasing m-

✹ ﹒ ﹒ ADELAIDE BEAUCHÊNE ꜜ she/her（CLASS TWO） ― [slamming the door open] HONG INKYU.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HONG INKYU ꜜ he/any（CLASS THREE） ― FUCK.

... It is finally time to perform the final version of the opening song in front of the other students.

In the backstage...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... WHEN WILL WE BE ABLE TO PERFORM.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― [chuckles] Soon! Don't scream, though... You need to preserve that voice of yours for the performance, mh?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― [sighs] Fine...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ KOBAYASHI MIREI ꜜ they/she（CLASS ONE） ― Aren't you nervous, Xiaoqiong?

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― Mhm... I kinda am, to be honest! But I found myself a good anti-stress~

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― ... My cheeks.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― You don't like that? Sorry, I'll sto-

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― NO!!! KEEP GOING, PLEASE...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― If you say so...!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ "HOON" ꜜ he/him（STAFF） ― It's time! Please, come on stage.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ GUAN XIAOQIONG ꜜ she/glam（CLASS THREE） ― ...!

✹ ﹒ ﹒ HUR YIRURI ꜜ she/they（CLASS ONE） ― It's about DAMN TIME!

❛ IN THIS SCENE WHERE YOU AND I ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERS... ❜

https://youtu.be/c5WnByHTt2Q

❛ I WANT TO CAPTURE TODAY LIKE A MOVIE. ❜

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SHIMIZU REN ꜜ she/her（CLASS THREE） ― Wow... Definitely not what I'd expect from a survival show's opening song, but it's so soothing I won't even complain.

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SON YUNSEO ꜜ she/her（CLASS FOUR） ― Right! Our Yiruri has such a nice voice, and the others played their instruments beautifully...

✹ ﹒ ﹒ JEON NAKYOUNG ꜜ she/siri（CLASS THREE） ― [smiling wide] Mhm! But I can imagine how annoyed Yiruri must've been when they told her she was going to sing~

✹ ﹒ ﹒ SHIMIZU REN ꜜ she/her（CLASS THREE） ― I would like to think she matured a bit and that she didn't cry "I want to rap! I want to rap!" instead... [chuckles] That wouldn't be in character, though.

Well... True! But you might be wrong, this time.

FEVEN'S CORNER !!

End of the episode! I would've loved for it to end in a less... Abrupt way. But I'm writing this at 4 AM and I've went well over 4200 words?! So no, I'm not wasting any more time. I don't need to make this more difficult for the readers 😭

Anyways, congrats to the opening band! They'll have their own "kprofiles" page in the extra book and also an updated extra photo specifically made for this release. If we ever have other bands, this will happen again~

This being said... Prepare yourselves! The first mission will start in a day or two (as preparations are almost ready), so please be as active as you can... Especially if you didn't complete the first active check we had. I'm looking at you. I'm very concerned. Unless there's anything that requires you to take a break, BE THERE. PLEASE.

P.S. (written at 11 am) I forgot to put the screenshot with the final results from the voting, but since there's a lot to explain, I will put that in a specific chapter!