Even though Saesong and Daha are out of the competition, I can still feel their energy filling the dorm as the rest of us prepare to pack our bags. The room is a mess. So much shit has piled up underneath the bunk beds, in the wardrobes, even in the drawers of the nigthstands.

To make sure we finish this job smoothly, I encourage the rest of the group. "Let's go! Why don't we pair up and split the room in three areas? This way, it'll be much easier and it won't take us much time." The others warmly welcome my suggestion and we clear the dorm in a little over two hours.

At the production's request, we pack everything except the outfits we plan to wear for the final. I have to keep Saeha from giggling as she grows increasingly more nervous, while Daneung paces back and forth in the room, fiddling with her hands. Even though we have started sorting our misunderstandings, there's still a long way to go.

***

The staff have told us to show up to the theater for the third time, this time bringing our best outfits. It's our final challenge. I look myself in the mirror for the tenth time today, knowing that looking the part will help me even though I'm aware it's not what matters the most.

I can't believe this journey is coming to an end. Whether it takes me to long lasting success, it's mainly up to me. It's me who has to make the ultimate effort to make my dream come true.

This challenge will seal my fate. If I do well, lots of doors will open in front of me, regardless of whether I win the competition or not. If I make a poor figure, though, that will be the lasting impression I leave and it'll become harder to recover from it. Not necessarily impossible, but I'll have to do more to remove that stain.

Everyone stares at my red gown and perfectly pulled back hair. Seungsik, who has recovered from his illness in time for the final, visibly blushes. Why do I suspect he's had a crush on me all the time and hid it until, like, now?

He holds a white envelope in his left hand. For some reason, he secretly passes it to me. Is he attempting to bribe me? Seoyoung suggests I open it when I have a chance. For now, I hide it underneath the corset of my gown.

"Welcome back... This is the final night. The one that will make one of these lovely girls' dream of a lifetime come true. They've fought, they've persevered, they've struggled... But they've always been able to recover from their stumbles." This is the first time since the beginning of the show where I appreciate Seungsik's pathos. In a night like this, it sounds meaningful.

"Anyway, before I announce the last challenge, I want to thank the production team who made this show possible, the staff who worked intensely through it. Then, our judges, the contestants and, most importantly, our amazing audience!"

I see familiar faces in the crowd. Saesong and Daha are in the front line, joined by Hyewon, who seems to have recovered as well. Mari, on the other hand, is still absent. I'd like to believe she's cheering for us finalists from afar, though. But, the most pleasant surprise tonight is to see my parents and sister... next to Saesong! This means they must've already met her before they made their way to the theater.

Now, it's time for me to focus on the challenge. Seungsik reveals that we'll have to compete individually and that, apart from the usual points from the round, there'll also be a bonus for the contestant who "has shown the best progress throughout this journey." This makes things even more interesting.

"You'll be assigned a song in a different language—no Korean. I hope you're good at languages, because this is going to be extremely difficult for you." I know English, recall having studied Japanese, and remember a little bit of Spanish because I tutored a Mexican student for a couple of months when I was in university. But, if the test consists of delving into a completely new language, I'm toast.

"Don't worry! You'll be given simplified lyrics, so that you'll have an easier time learning your songs in the allotted two hours." I can hear the others complain around me. I, on the other hand, understand the purpose of the challenge, even though I admit it's a little extreme.

Especially because my assigned song is in... Italian! I only know it's quite similar to Spanish and words are usually pronounced as they're written. However, theory is one matter, while practice is a completely different story.

Rehearsal for this crucial round starts amongst cheering and a winding round of applause.

***

It's the moment. As I revise the lyrics and go through some particularly tough words, I line up with the others as the final challenge is about to come to the performance stage. The first one is a nervous Saeha, who almost stumbles on French. Daneung mutters. "It isn't her forte, is it?" She quiets down on her own, before anyone else can shut her up.

Next up is Seoyoung, who has to try her hand at Arabic. She, who has mostly had a string of stellar performances, seems to be struggling with the pronounciation. Two staff members snicker, much to our disapproval as Hyanggi and I shake our heads.

A commercial break comes afterwards. Using the excuse of a bathroom break, I leave the backstage to open the envelope tucked underneath my dress. I expected the worst at first; however, it's simply an apology letter. 'Dear Saesom, even though I expressed my sorrow at what happened during the seventh challenge, I feel the need to address you again and renew my apology for my behavior in that circumstance.

'I should've maintained a more appropriate attitude and posture; instead, I made a serious evaluation mistake. In no way shall I blame you for the outcome, or point the finger for the backlash my reaction caused. I hope you know that I never meant to run away from responsibility. I was ready to face you straight away. My absence was merely due to health reasons.

'That said, I won't necessarily ask you to forget what happened or forgive me. That would be too rich of mine. I hope, however, that we can bury the hatchet and finish this competition on a high note for the sake of professionalism.

'Thank you for reading this letter.
Best wishes, Park Seungsik.'

Had I received the letter immediately after the offensive behavior, I would've made confetti out of it without letting him explain himself. Thank God some time has passed. I would've resented Seungsik forever, something that's not exactly in my nature, but Mom and Dad taught me that forgiveness is the best way to heal a wounded soul.

So, I fold the letter and put it back under the corset before dashing back to the backstage, where I realized it's already my turn. Boyeon has just finished performing her song, which she claims it has been her biggest effort in the competition so far. Honestly, I don't feel like blaming her.

Now, I have one thing left to do: rock that stage and make everyone who has believed in me proud.