PD Kwon's voice rang through the cafeteria speakers, smooth and unflinching.
"Due to exciting developments with our main sponsor, NOCTURNE COSMETICS, who've graciously moved their flagship product launch to align with our Halloween Special Stage—"
Jisoo sat up straighter. "Wait, what—"
"—the Second Live Stage Evaluation has been rescheduled to three days from now."
The cafeteria exploded.
Trainees shot to their feet, voices overlapping in protest and disbelief. Trays clattered. Chairs scraped against tile.
My mind went blank.
Three days.
Not seven. Not even five.
Three.
We'd barely scratched the surface of "PHANTOM." The choreography was incomplete. Line distributions are still contested. Hyunki breathing down my neck at every turn.
And now we had seventy-two hours to deliver a polished, broadcast-ready performance.
"This is insane," Jisoo whispered beside me, face drained of color. "We can't—there's no way—"
Yuhyun's jaw clenched. "They're pushing us to break."
