#performance.

at first she wants to perform one of the raps she’s already composed. she has a lot of good material that hasn’t seen the stage, that would probably elicit at least a smirk from tiger jk. she could fit a little singing part in there. maybe she’s no vocalist, but she doesn’t sound like a dying cat. jiamin got by in global icon, so eunji could come up with something around that level.

thinking about the challenge, though, soon sets off a stroke of inspiration. she’s writing lyrics, mumbling them under her breath in the shower. eunji feels powerful. like a lion watching its prey at the watering hole, calm, amused, yet blood surging with hunger. she wants to win, and she feels like she can if she plays this right. if she were offered a contract, she might even consider taking it. even bobby’s complaints about trc only make it sound like new turf waiting to be conquered.

the recommendation is to show up early and make sure she gets a space, which annoys eunji, but she does it anyway. she stands silent amidst the mass of chattering hopefuls, lip curled as the line slowly advances. too much work went into this to back out. the lines she wrote, the moves she choreographed, the sickest beat that she could produce with her (still rather limited) experience. hours spent rubbing at her temples, deep in her creative space. thoughts interrupted only by the occasional shuffling feet of her roommate. suji was good to not disturb her. she knew what was up.

the outfit she chose is her usual style. a black tank top and short shorts that cling to every curve, with a hint of cleavage to match. accessorized with black high-top sneakers and a large army-green shirt, which she had to tie around her waist in the hot weather. trc idols tend to look flashy, but auditions are all about showing skills. sex appeal being the most important one that eunji has to offer. would a major company even want to sign a former member of a group like flashbang? with the weight of all those r-rated fancams floating around the dark corners of youtube? eunji doesn’t know, but she might as well be up-front about it.

“pyo eunji,” she says as she takes center stage. “this is my own composition.” her eyes survey the crowd briefly, and they flick darkly over the panel of judges. a smile barely flickers across her lips. it’s time for her meal. what happens afterward doesn’t really matter. the beat that she made bursts forth from the speakers.

Yo I came here to rock the party You belong to me now No time to waste with no-talent fakes Copycat bitches sit down

she grins, her face stretching so wide it almost hurts. but she doesn’t feel anything. it’s like her body is moving on its own. there’s a speaker at the front of the stage, and eunji props her foot against it. her body rolls and waves in time with the beat. this is effortless. the contestants who went already are watching in disbelief, and their boyfriends are watching in lust. that’s what she likes to think.

Ten thousand hands reaching out to touch Oh! [laugh] dangerous If you’re moving forward Better wear gloves I might be venomous

eunji squats down as she raps. she glares into the eyes of a young man in the first row. that sickening grin is still splitting her face. she wanted to look calm and seductive for this performance, but it seems the fun is getting to her. she’s spitting out the words, showing off her fast-paced flow like a machine gun. the beat thumps in her spine. then it comes to the singing part, a chorus of sorts. since it’s a short performance, though, there’s no repeat.

Eyes on me, eyes on me only This is your only chance Don’t do something you’ll regret Keep your eyes right here, eyes on me

for all the force in her voice when she’s rapping, her singing voice is softer. pushing it would only make it break. so eunji wrote this section with a breathy, deeper tone that melts into the beat. she sings it now, eyes laser-focused on the judge panel. they remain perfectly still as her body moves. her legs, her spine, her shoulders twist like a snake being charmed. the judges won’t be fooled into thinking she’s their next top vocalist, but she can at least get by. more importantly, she can move her body.

a dance break comes next. this is the best part. the beat doubles up on itself. ever since the disbandment of her prior dance group, eunji’s been hard at work in the studio. trying to push herself beyond her limits. she drops to her knees, and her long hair flies left and right as her fists pound the air. it’s a controlled destruction. it looks wild, fierce, yet she hits the beat tightly. and she leaps to her feet, lips pressed to the mic as she delivers the final verse over her shoulder. 

My flow running over every no-name bitch Billion won CF, don’t you want a piece 82-59-86 That’s your triple threat, right here Peace