The green room monitors displayed the official broadcast countdown in glowing red numbers.
"All trainees remain seated unless called to standby," a production assistant announced, clipboard in hand.
Olympus Hall filled the screens, its audience waving light sticks in blue, pink, and silver.
Different sections had gathered beneath banners bearing their favorite trainees' names.
The house lights dimmed. Cheering surged before anyone appeared onstage.
My pulse quickened, even though Vocal Team wouldn't perform for hours. Something about hearing that roar through the walls made elimination feel suddenly real.
A floor assistant moved between the rows, checking that our microphones were switched off and reminding us not to leave without clearance.
On the screen, cameras swept across the audience. Somewhere among those banners were people who had voted for me before.
I wondered whether they would still be there when the results were announced.
"Ace Team to backstage standby."
