Haru's voice arrived faster than Ara's female voice.
Plotter's voice followed, "Game's over~ Team Haru is the winner."
"Yey!" Team Haru's members genuinely cheered while Rayen fisted the air.
"I won, I won!" Haru rejoiced.
'All cameras are on me!'
He struck a grand pose as the winner in front of the camera.
"Tsk." Ara scowled at her loss.
"Congratulations to Team Haru~"
"Now, the groups will choose their songs in the following order: Team Haru, Team Ara, Team Iris, Team Yeon, and finally, Team Jiji."
***
The song selection had ended. The representatives of each team regrouped with their members, including Haru.
His face was definitely smug. "Aren't I amazing?"
Rayen's attention went back to Plotter when the creepy host settled back in the center of the stage.
"Settle down, everyone," Plotter said.
Everyone's attention turned toward him. Once the murmurs of celebration died down, he continued speaking.
"Our first round's theme will be, How-To Idols."
The screen onstage revealed five songs in total.
["Undead" by Redberries
"We Will Conquer" by Kings
"Keep The Beat Alive" by Hannari
"Resurrect Me" by Soulrise
"Hula Hoop Girl" by Win Stephanie]
Rayen was familiar with some of them. No, actually, the term 'familiar' wasn't quite right.
Some of these songs were global hits.
Yet, Rayen's head tilted to one side in confusion.
'Why these songs, though?'
"Here are five non-idol songs," Plotter explained. "I want you to turn them into one and prove that you are the one deserving to debut."
The murmurs returned. These non-idol songs only meant one thing, starting the choreography from scratch. How many days would they even be given?
One by one, the songs were played at Plotter's cue.
Rayen turned to his teammates and leader.
We Will Conquer was the most catchy. However, it's also mostly acapella, so aside from making a choreography, they might have to rearrange the song too, which would take more time. Still, because of its easy beats, the choreography should be easy.
If Rayen was given the chance to choose, he would pick this.
But suddenly, Haru faced his teammates. "Guys, I'd like you to put your trust in me, can you?"
Everyone on the team glanced his way.
"I want to choose this song," Haru said, pointing at one particular song.
[Resurrect Me by Soulrise]
"....." Rayen pursed his lips.
"But it's..." Minho said, trailing at the end.
'Resurrect Me...'
Rayen pondered. Resurrect Me is also iconic. It's a dramatic alternative metal song featuring a blend of delicate operatic melody and rock elements. However...
"It's too hard?" Haru asked, raising one of his brows.
It was indeed hard for the average singer as the melody is either high or raspy. It's both opera and metal, so it's only natural.
Minho didn't answer and only bit his lip, but his expression implied that what Haru said was exactly the one on his mind.
"And that's why I want to choose this song," Haru said. "Didn't you hear what that creepy host said? We have to prove that we deserve to debut. What's the most surefire way to do that?"
"By performing the hardest song," Binh finished Haru's words.
Haru nodded, his expression proud. "So, do you want to trust me now?"
Rayen glanced at the leader of them. What he said made some sense, but looking at him and his smug expression, he really didn't want to trust this guy at all.
The others seemed to be thinking the same.
"Guys, I want you to think carefully. That creepy host is definitely doing this on purpose."
"... What?"
"He's purposefully laying out all songs that aren't on the same level of difficulty. In short, he's testing us!"
Rayen couldn't compare the two songs as it's both iconic in their own way, and he could sing either, but it's true that the level of difficulty between the two songs have great gaps. Even tone deaf people could sing We Will Conquer, after all, it's mostly like a chant than a melodic song.
Realizing this, the members all turned toward Plotter. The latter seemed to sense their eyes and glanced their way, meeting their gazes with a creepy smile.
The three members flinched and trembled as they averted their gazes.
"If we clearly choose the easiest option, we've already failed the test," Haru added.
"Then, why don't we choose the songs with medium difficulty?" Kate asked, looking at the other songs in the list.
Haru's face scrunched up in apparent disgust. "Then we'll be stuck as mids. Do you want that?"
Kate lowered her gaze.
"We're the first to choose. If we look like a wuss by choosing the easiest song, it's over before we even begin. But if we choose the medium difficulty, it would look like we are accepting our limits. Do you want that?"
No one responded.
"I grew up watching these kinds of shows. I know the ins and outs of it. We have to always make an impression on the viewers to get their support. So, the only way to do this is to choose this song."
Haru pointed once again at Resurrect Me.
It took a long while, but finally, one of the members nodded.
"... Fine. I agree," Binh said.
Once he said that, the other two guys, Minho and Renjiro also nodded. Haru smiled widely and turned to the remaining members.
Rayen's lips crooked. After having heard what Haru said about choosing the easy choice, what could he say to oppose it now?
Well, he could only hope that the choreography they would make would be easy.
Liam silently stared at Rayen, and eventually also nodded. The last one to agree was Kate.
After all the teams had made up their minds, they each made their choice.
[Team Haru: Resurrect Me
Team Ara: We Will Rock You
Team Iris: Undead
Team Yeon: Keep the Music Alive
Team Jiji: Hollaback Girl]
Once everyone had given their choice, Plotter also announced the end of the first round assignment.
"You have 14 days to prepare."