"Nice diction from Xavi so far," commented Key as he exchanged gazes with Drew.
The latter replied, "I am impressed, too. It seems Xavi practiced A LOT and worked hard on his pronunciation."
Soon, Daeho's melodious voice took over. In the chorus, none of the lines were modified. The three others stayed in place and let their oldest member own the stage. While the guy was initially nervous, thankfully, it did not earn a negative reaction from the judges.
Before his turn, Jun patted Daeho on the shoulder as the latter walked to the back. He gripped his mic above his mouth at the start of his rap. He matched Xavi's energy from the first verse.
"Days passed like the waters of a river you could only touch once.
I remember talking to my parents, who silently worried about my future,
and remember all the parents worrying about their kids.
Nobody wanted their children to end up in unstable jobs.
Out of fear that, even in the afterlife, they would continue to be anxious.
I told them, to have faith in myself and that I know nothing is permanent,
Apart from a heart that never wavers due to endless support.
Was I being too impulsive and full of myself back then? Should I have answered 'change'?"
Jun appropriately made an awkward expression depicting a conflicted youth before he moved on to the next lines.
Producer-Director Song leaned forward and clasped his hands, "Why didn't I know he had the potential for rap, too."
"He's done quite well. Both him and Xavi." Producer Keys answered.
The three other Inhabitants Jun mentioned in his lyrics were not named, but their real-time facial expressions were flashed on the big screen behind Jun.
Seth's chorus came, and Daeho harmonized with him as the two rappers danced on one side. The high notes that did not end even as the last rap section took over earned a clap from the audience and the mentors.
"The pillars in our hearts." The two vocalists were pouring out their emotions as they belted out, holding on to the last note until their veins bulged. "Yes, you! None other than you!"
'I don't want to be overridden,' Jun exchanged lines passionately with Xavi, who finished the story about the last Inhabitant, Seth.
At last, it was the final rap section's turn.
With an intense look in his eyes, Jun took a step forward and powerfully rapped in a loud voice. At this point, the MR was matching the intensity of the moment, it was like a volcano was about to explode any time. Hotter, and higher. Jun's voice kept the momentum and even made the atmosphere more heated.
"Someone said that when you follow your heart, you can be sure
That you won't ever ever regret it, yes you won't ever regret
Because even if you calculate your every move, it's not like life
Ever goes according to plan.
So, there is no need to calculate at all.
We have you anyway. We're all ordinary after all,
But with each other and you, we feel like the world is behind us!"
"Please remember this fact, my dear supporters and friends.
Your tender hearts and support meant a lot to us.
You made us take the first steps and dream!
Remember this, everyone listening to this song.
In our hearts, the truly extraordinary ones.
Are none other than you!
YOU ARE THE WORLD BEHIND US!"
The last line was basically a yell that came out of Jun at the top of his lungs. It reverberated throughout the place for nearly 5 seconds.
Silence. The MR stopped right after that shout.
Was it the powerful shout? Or the meaning of those words?
No breathing could be heard, as if making a sound was prohibited. The lights assembled in the middle, where only Jun could be seen. He was panting with closed eyes, standing there with a straight back.
How many seconds had passed before things resumed normalcy?
The emcee took a while before he remembered to lead the round of applause for the finished performance. Actor Lee Seo-hyuk mumbled, "Wow... Just wow. I am honestly mindblown."
The previous acts also made him utter the same words since they also showed various shock factors. However, the only one who made the actor slash mentor too speechless was this recent one.
Claps thunderously echoed. Regardless of affiliations or camps, everybody moved their hands. More than anyone else, the ones moved by the lyrics were the trainees themselves. The Landers also took the challenge of entering a survival show because they, too, had people behind believing in their talent.
Reminded of these people, some began to cry, and even now, as the applause rang, tears streamed down their eyes.
"For me, it's my grandparents. They unconditionally believed I was the best performer in the world when I sang at their anniversary last year." Even the eldest, Jinho, looked moved and lost in nostalgia.
"Why is Jun hurting us like this?" Another Lander laughed hollowly.
The opposing rap team kept their silence.
Sujin and the others smiled sincerely and welcomed their rap team passionately as they returned to the Inhabitants' side.
The judges signaled the emcee to postpone their inputs, so Lander's rap team was made to come to the stage right after.
It was a competition, so the opposing group still did their best. However, it was hard to beat the energy and impression that their rival left.
When Jun's team was declared the winner, it was no surprise. "Rap section's winner --- Congratulations, Greenhouse Team!"
"The score between the Greenhouse and the Barren Land is 2:1 in favor of the Greenhouse. Once again, congratulations Inhabitants!"
Winning in this round meant that there would be nobody eliminated. The Landers bowed their heads in regret while the Inhabitants cheered and jumped joyfully.
Jun's group got hugged by everyone.
Before the Landers returned outside, the emcee announced the benefits of those who won per category.
"Winners of the Vocal battle, Dance Battle, and Rap Battle will gain a separate privilege."
The cameras rolled around as everyone anticipated the next announcement. Some attempted to guess what the privilege would be.
The emcee teasingly tapped the monitor next to him.
Jun laughed and shook his head when he saw it, "Draw?"
The leaders of the winning groups went up and chose among the mystery boxes plastered on the screen.
The vocal team got 'Letters from fans and phone calls to loved ones.'
The dance team got a 'Three times Unlimited buffet, exclusive menu course from Head Chef Jo.'
Meanwhile, the rap team got a 'one-day vacation outside the Greenhouse.'
All the prizes reddened the eyes of the jealous non-winners, especially the one won by the rap team.
"I can get outside a day?" Of course, the one who could not believe it was Jun himself. It did not happen in his previous life.
A moment later, the youth laughed. Jun's laughter continued as people congratulated him. This time, he was genuinely happy. Nothing made him happier than the fact that he gained an opportunity to step outside.
For a day, he could free himself from the suffocating survival show building.