[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Is there any trainee who would like to go first for the evaluation?

TWO TRAINEES RAISE THEIR
HANDS AT THE SAME TIME!

━ [ interview room ] ━

[ ELSIE QUINN ] : Honestly I thought he was joking, would anyone even want to go first? But there really are...

[ AHN JUNGHWA ] : I was shocked when she raised her hand, she seemed like a young cute girl, but that look of confidence on her face was on a whole new level.

━━━━━━━

WHO ARE THESE TWO TRAINEES...?

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Trainees ASUKI TAKARI and CHOI JIYEON. I admire your confidence, but we have to pick one, so how would you like to determine who goes first?

the two trainees look at
each other for a few moments

[ ASUKI TAKARI ] : If she's okay with it, I'd really want to go first, and show my skills.

[ BAE BOYEON ] : (whispering to NA HANEUL) It's too early for war to go down...

[ CHOI JIYEON ] : Actually...

ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE A BATTLE?

[ CHOI JIYEON ] : I'd gladly let trainee ASUKI TAKARI go first.

━ [ interview room ] ━

[ STAFF ] : Why did you volunteer to perform first?

[ CHOI JIYEON ] : Ah, I thought no one would volunteer. I'm pretty confident I can do well, so I didn't mind going first if no one else wanted to. So when I saw that trainee ASUKI TAKARI wanted to do it, I of course let her!

[ ASUKI TAKARI ] : Since young, I've felt that if you don't show everyone what you can do, they'll use and defeat you with what you can't do. I learnt this the hard way.

━━━━━━━

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Before we start, here's a general flow of how it'll go. All trainees will be graded on not only their skill, but also their expression. Bear in mind that I'm not an idol, but as inexperienced as your audience, and that is how you will be judged.

[ HAN SEOLJI ] : Oh that's true, I didn't think about that...

[ KANG CHAERYEONG ] : I'm starting to get nervous now.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : I'll give you some feedback after your performance, but you won't know anything about your result until all performances are over. With that, trainee ASUKI TAKARI, please come on stage.

ASUKI TAKARI STEPS ON THE STAGE WITH CONFIDENCE!

[ LEE GYEOUL ] : Isn't it scary to stand up there alone first? I admire her...

[ HWANG EUNKYUNG ] : I really hope she does well.

asuki takes a deep breath,
with all eyes on her.

[ ASUKI TAKARI ] : Hello everyone! I'm going to show the talent that practice can give you! I'm Asuki Tkari, please support me!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Trainee ASUKI TAKARI, are you confident?

[ ASUKI TAKARI ] : Yes! I'll definitely show you the best!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Alright, then you may begin.

[ HAN CHAERI ] : She's so young and cute!

[ SEO AHYOUNG ] : I know right? She's full of charms I could never have, I bet viewers are gonna love her.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Firstly, I want to praise you for choosing a rather cute song that suits your image and can show your charms, it was a good move on your part.

[ ASUKI TAKARI ] : Thank you!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : That aside, there are many other songs with cute images, some of which would be more challenging than the song you chose. If you want to leave an impression, you're going have to stretch out of your comfort zone and show that you're different and more talented than the others.

[ HEO HAEIN ] : That's harsh, but it's true.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Trainee ASUKI TAKARI, have you been trained in rap?

[ ASUKI TAKARI ] : I've received a bit of training and I enjoy it, but it's not my main skill.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : It's good to want to show your various skills, but it can backfire if you don't practice enough.

━ [ interview room ] ━

[ ASUKI TAKARI ] : I know it might have seemed harsh, but if it was the truth, I had to know, and that's the only way I can ever improve. I'm someone who hates others lying, so I'm glad he gave it to me straightforwardly.

━━━━━━━

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Trainee ASUKI TAKARI, you may return to your seat.

[ ASUKI TAKARI ] : Thank you.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Trainee CHOI JIYEON, would you like to go next? Please come up on stage.

[ CHOI JIYEON ] : Yes.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : You can introduce yourself whenever you're ready.

[ CHOI JIYEON ] : Hey there! I'm your lovely chicken, Choi Jiyeon! Please sit back and relax. Enjoy!

[ NA HANEUL ] : How am I supposed to relax in this situation, haha!

[ JIAN HUREN ] : She's adorable ahh!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : (laughs) Trainee CHOI JIYEON, you're born in 2004?

[ CHOI JIYEON ] : Yes!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : (sighs) Trainees are getting younger and younger... alright trainee CHOI JIYEON, you may begin.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : My comments are generally the same as those with trainee ASUKI TAKARI earlier. The concept was refreshing and cute, and it suited your young age well. However, at the same time, your voice is rather high pitched, which doesn't fit the rap parts of the song very well.

[ CHOI JIYEON ] : I understand.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : To all the trainees, I want to reinforce that song choice is very important when doing a performance, and even more so for your upcoming evaluations. Instead of picking a song you like, or a popular song, it's crucial to pick a song to fit your skill sets and charms. Trainee CHOI JIYEON, you may take your seat.

[ CHOI JIYEON ] : Thank you.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Now, is there anyone else who wants to go first?

[ SHIM SEOHYUN ] : I'll do it.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Alright, please come up to the stage.

[ BAE BOYEON ] : I'm really looking forward to her performance, she looks like she'll be really talented.

[ LEE AERIM ] : She looks kind of intimidating, maybe she'll go for a dark concept?

[ NA HANEUL ] : Right? The previous trainees have all been so cutesy, and she's from Source Music so I'd expect her to be similar to Gfriend's concept too. I guess we'll find out soon!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Likewise trainee SHIM SEOHYUN, please introduce yourself.

[ SHIM SEOHYUN ] : The best things come from the most unexpected places, hello, I'm Source Music's Shim Seohyun!

[ ELSIE QUINN ] : I didn't expect it but her smile is adorable!

[ IM HEIRAN ] : I was thinking the same, that eye smile!!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Trainee SHIM SEOHYUN, you may begin.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : This show sure has lots of confident vocalists huh? This was a pretty refreshing switch from the cuter concepts just now, and it suited you very well. Your expressions were amazing, and you have a very strong voice. Thank you for your amazing performance, I'll be looking forward to seeing you.

[ SHIM SEOHYUN ] : Thank you.

[ YEON CHAERIN ] : I bet she did amazing, he didn't even give her any negative feedback.

[ ZHOU XUE ] : What negative feedback would there be to give? It was so flawless, I've already fallen for her.

TRAINEES EACH PERFORM WITH DIFFERENT STYLES...

[ ELSIE QUINN ] : Hello everyone! It's your happy virus, Elsie Quinn, here to shine like a sequin!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Trainee ELSIE QUINN, you're from America?

[ ELSIE QUINN ] : Yes! I was born in New Orleans, and moved here to Korea when I was sixtenn.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : You're born in 2002, so you're still 19, that's quite recent. Is Korean hard?

[ ELSIE QUINN ] : I'm originally Korean, so my parents did speak some Korean with me as I grew up! Though I'm still not fully fluent, I think I'm improving!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Ah, no wonder you do look Korean. Trainee ELSIE QUINN, you may begin when you're ready.

[ HWANG EUNKYUNG ] : Her duality is crazy!

[ LEE DAHYUN ] : I can't believe I thought I was good at dancing...

[ LIU MINGXIA ] : She's seriously talented at such a young age, her moves are so sharp.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : I think I just found one of the most talented dancers ever.

━ [ interview room ] ━

[ ELSIE QUINN ] : I seriously thought I heard wrongly, like me? Really?

━━━━━━━

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Your performance was full of power, everything about it was impressive. Thank you, you may take a seat.

[ ELSIE QUINN ] : Thank you!

IN VARIOUS GENRES...

[ NA HANEUL ] : I am MNH's Na Haneul who doesn't like miniskirts and high heels!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : I love that you did contemporary, a genre that suited you, good job!

DIFFERENT SKILLS...

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Trainee ZHOU XUE, I'm really glad you chose to sing and dance at the same time, honestly I expected more trainees to do so. All you need is a little more training with your voice stability, so you'll be able to sing strongly while pulling off such impressive moves.

AND EVEN TRYING SOMETHING NEW!

[ YEON CHAERIN ] : Today, I'll be showing my flexibility, and teaching you guys how to stretch!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : The guidelines for this audition was to do something that showcases your abilities and skills, and trainee YEON CHAERIN did extremely well in this aspect. This show is all about finding yourself. Know your strengths, and show them to the public, prove that you're different from the rest.

AFTER TIME, ALL TRAINEES
HAVE PERFORMED!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Now, I promised I'll explain the results.

[ HAN EUNJI ] : I'm so nervous right now I could die!

[ HORKOSHI KAISARA ] : I wanna go home...

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Previously, we mentioned there were 4-5 different ranks you could be in, right?

[ TRAINEES ] : Yes!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : However, we also stated that we'll judge you fairly based on hard work, popularity and your charms. Based on this one performance, it wouldn't be fair to judge you on all that.

[ HORIKOSHI KAISARA ] : Does that mean we won't be ranked yet then?

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Instead, you'll be split into your training classes, based on what you have showcased earlier. There will be two classes - TORCH and STARS.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Stars are what shine in the sky all the time. Likewise, the trainees in this class are always working hard.

[ NA HANEUL ] : Ohh, cool!

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : But do you see the stars often now? They're still there, shining, but they're easily outshined by others. This is what can happen even if you keep working hard.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : On the other hand, torches shine all the time, and even in a dark tunnel, they'll find their way to the end. They might die out sometimes, but they'll get back up with a little bit of help from others. Likewise, you trainees might feel too tired to go on, but we're all here to help you on your journey.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : On this evaulation, I've graded how well you did in expressing your skills. But unlike other shows, where your grade might be independent from the rest, exactly the top 12 of you will be in TORCH, while the rest will be in STARS. In the harsh real world, your ranking is dependent on the others - and only one person can be at the top.

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : So now, shall I reveal the results? The trainees who made it into TORCH are...

NEXT TIME ON EQUINOX...

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : The trainees in class TORCH will get an opportunity to...

[ HAN CHAERI ] : That would be such a benefit!

[ SEO AHYOUNG ] : Wait what? Already?

[ HEO HAEIN ] : This really is a survival...

[ HOST. | SANGYEOB ] : Are you ready to cast your votes?

hi!! i'm so so sorry it's been so long :(
schools' been so hectic and

right now i'm busy dealing with family issues as well.

i understand if some of you aren't
interested with this anymore,
s

ome of you may even have
forgotten that this applyfic still exists.
i'll look at what you guys say, and if i really find that people aren't
interested anymore i guess
it would be best to stop it :")
but if some still support i might just
continue with fewer trainees!

i beg for all your understanding,
i promise the next updates will be soon :D

i've already started writing the next!

again, if you have any feedback,
be it if my writing is hard to read, or
i

portrayed your trainee in a way
i shouldn't, please pm me!

i'm so so sorry if your trainee wasn't
mentioned in this chapter, most of
i

t was just the host talking >.<

i promise as we move on your trainee
will be mentioned more!!

thank you for understanding~