I can't believe I've just finished my first ever recording session in a real studio! This opportunity isn't the "once in a lifetime" kind of chance, but it has to be the stepping stone for what could be my future career.

At production's orders, Dohee warns me not to share about the song with anyone, not even people I trust the most. He claims it's supposed to be a surprise. I wonder when it'll be officially out-I'm confident it won't take too much.

I return to the dorm with renewed high spirits as I look forward to more challenges. No-one notices I'm keeping myself from yelling that one secret, much to my relief.

***

It's time for a new episode. After the usual preparation, including hair and make-up, it's time for us to hit the stage. Seungsik awaits us with his plastic grin and fabricated posture. If he wants better opportunities, he has to learn to be more natural in his poses.

"It's a brand new day, which means a new episode of Turning Point: Road to Stardom has just started. This is your favorite host, Park Seungsik! Are you ready for a new, amazing challenge?" There's barely any enthusiasm in our answer, but he doesn't care.

"But, first, here are the results of the first challenge. Remember that the winners will have an advantage for the next one." A moment of suspense follows as the score board glitches, ready to rebeal the results. I close my eyes until I hear a ping.

Seungsik announces, "The winners of the Vocal Transformation Challenge are... Daneung and Seoyoung! They earn 50 points and the advantage for the next round." It's fair. Their performance has been the most convincing and the one who awakened emotions in listeners (including myself) the most.

On the luminous board, I can see the other scores. Hyewon and Boyeon were close second with 40 points. In third place, earning 30 points, stand Hyanggi and Daha. Saesong and Saeha take fourth place with 20 points.

This means only one thing: mine and Mari's performance has been deemed the worst. We only get 10 points. The outcome, though not what I hoped for, isn't completely unredeemable. Dohee, among other panelists, seemed to be impressed. So, what went wrong?

I go to the others to congratulate with them. First, I turn to Saesong and Saeha, my only friends here so far. "Don't worry about your score, you still did great! I'm sure the next challenge will be better for you," I say, earning their approval but also some pointed glares from the others. Surprisingly, though, not from Boyeon.

She singles me out. "Well, well, well. Saerom, right?"

I correct her, trying to maintain a neutral tone. "It's Saesom."

She doesn't seem too apologetic. However, I don't mind at the moment. She has done way better than me, so I'm not in the position to act petty towards her. She reprises, "Okay, yours and Mari's performance wasn't quite harmonic, do you realize that?"

I gulp and let her continue. "Still, I think I've underestimated you so far. You might've made a few mistakes here and there, but you carried that performance. Mari, on the other hand... She sounded so dull. Like-"

Uh-oh. Mari has overheard Boyeon. I can sense a fight coming in a matter of two minutes at most. The former clears her throat and approaches me in a threatening manner. "Excuse me, not only you underperform, but also have the audacity to backtalk about me to butter up to the others? Learn your place, missy, because you aren't lasting long here. Trust me."

In a surprising move, Boyeon defends me. Hands on her hips, she turns to Mari with a frown. "Mari, stop it. You may not like that girl, find her sappy and overly optimistic, but who are you to treat her like that? You know you did way worse than her, so step up your game, okay?"

Mari doesn't reply. She grinds her teeth, bows and leaves. She doesn't want to accept responsibility over her poor performance but, at this point, it's not my problem.

Meanwhile, I thank Boyeon for standing up to that crybaby, but she simply shrugs and shifts her focus to Hyewon and Daneung. I take my place between Saesong and Saeha, ready to hear what awaits us next.

Seungsik restarts talking. "So, girls, I assume you've had your fair share of thoughts about your scores. But now, off to the second challenge. Are you ready?"

We all shout in unison. "Yeah!"

"Great! Since the first round was vocal based, this time we want to test your dance skills. So, here comes the... Dance Battle Showdown!" Dancing? Cool! I've never taken actual classes at an academy or anything like that, but I've learned a lot by myself replicating choreographies. I'd also showcase them at my busking performances.

I wonder who among the others has a professional background. If that's the case, they have an important advantage on the rest.

"This time, you'll be divided in three teams: two groups of three, and one of four. Daneung, Seoyoung, since you won the previous round, you'll be able to stick together for this one, too, and you'll be part of the largest team." Being in a team of four can make the difference when it comes to creating a choreography that's supposed to leave the mark.

Seungsik adds, "You'll also be able to pick your two teammates. So, choose wisely." I highly doubt they'll consider me among the options. "The remaining contestants will be placed randomly in the other two groups." Oh, shit. I hope not to end up with Mari again. She holds a grudge against me and will use that as an excuse to present a half-assed performance.

Daneung and Seoyoung retreat for a couple of minutes to discuss their strategy. They aim to repeat themselves and get more excellent scores. As three minutes pass, Daneung is ready to reveal her pick. "We choose Hyanggi. We think she has great dance skills." Interesting. She hasn't shown much of her personality yet, but has an intriguing stage presence.

Seoyoung concludes. "Our second pick is..." This time, suspense falls on the stage. She sighs; then, her eyes are locked on Saeha's. I don't know if it's a distraction tactic or if she's effectively going to be part of their team.

Daneung finishes Seoyoung's sentence, ending this frustrating anticipation. "Saeha." Bingo. I've called it. By bagging her and Hyanggi, Daneung and Seoyoung have formed the strongest team for this challenge. This means the rest of us have to take measures to counterattack or, in a more realistic view, defend ourselves.

Seungsik invites us to pay attention to the board. "When it pings, you'll find the group you're assigned to." I close my eyes again, hoping that a miracle happens and, first of all, I don't end up with Mari again; secondly, I get a chance to be with Saesong. I think we'd do great things together.

Guess what? Luck has taken a weird turn with me this time. I've managed to avoid Mari, but I couldn't get Saesong in my team either. The two of them are together, joined by Boyeon. Either they'll do amazing or they'll implode due to the infighting.

This leaves me with Hyewon and Daha. I'm not sure about them. Hyewon has often laughed at me so far and doesn't seem to have taken a friendly stance towards me. Daha... She simply hasn't talked to me at all.

This challenge isn't merely about dancing. We'll have a lot of bonding to do. I can't afford to get another low score.