Day 0 - The Class List Part 1

Hey, everyone. It's L.D. here continuing our story of the Gauntlet. So as you know by now, Hyun-ae and I are on our way to a studio owned by TV5 (it's a new broadcasting company here in the Philippines, made as a revival of sorts from its previous identity as ABC 5 which I admit sucked as the years went by). There I was with my sketchpad and pencils when Hyun-ae told me:

"You're joining the idol contest, too?!"

And shit. I am royally fucked. W-What idol contest? Please make some sense.

"B-B-By idol contest... what do you mean by that?", I asked Hyun-ae.

"Well, have you heard of Girls' Generation?"

"I heard them in passing. I mostly know Super Junior and their Sorry Sorry thing, then Wonder Girls and that Nobody crap."

"Hey, it's not crap, oppa. I think it just had too much that's why it became annoying for some.", Hyun-ae pouted at me for calling Nobody crap.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to describe it that way. I'm... not good with words.", I said while scratching my head.

"It's okay. What we're joining today is what one would call an idol contest, and since I mentioned Girls' Generation and you mentioned Wonder Girls, I think you already know what that means."

Yet I don't have a single clue. Just tell me, you... oddly pretty girl. I couldn't do anything but tilt my head in wonder.

"We'll be singing and dancing like you've never sang and danced before. Haven't you had any song and dance numbers when you were in high school?", Hyun-ae asked me.

"Uhh... do cheering competitions and Christmas Choir crap count? I danced like an idiot there.", I asked.

"How did your class do on those competitions?"

"We won 2nd place when I was in 2nd year high school. That was actually a Class Yell contest to see who had the best screamers. I was the screamer back then, and my throat gave out on the last yell we had. That same year, we had the Christmas Choir thingy and we also won 2nd place because we did like Sister Act 2 there."

Hyun-ae giggled at me after hearing this. "Sister Act 2?"

"Ever heard of Whoopi Goldberg?"

"Yeah. I'll have my baby sister download a torrent for it."

"The next year, we had a mandatory cheerdance competition for class. We won second place once again, though that was because we screwed up on one part and stood like statues for a whole minute. We redeemed ourselves the next year when were high school seniors by winning the damn thing after giving it all we've got.", I shared. Hyun-ae moaned in awe.

"Ohhhh. Nice one, oppa.", Hyun-ae told me.

"That doesn't change the fact that I'm still a loser though. Look at me. I'm short and fat.", I sulked.

"How can you be a loser? Yeah, you're short and fat, but you're very cute.", Hyun-ae told me as she crossed her arms. "I can tell you're really kind too, so any girl would be lucky to have you."

"Oh, uhh... t-thanks.", I said. She smiled at me, and when she did, I don't know why but it's like a halo wrapped around her head like she was an angel. Like something went, 'shalala-lala-lalaaaaa.' Then she leaned over close to my face, we're nose to nose, and then....

"Oppa? Are you okay?", Hyun-ae asked.

Oh crap. I drifted in my mind. That nose to nose thingy didn't happen, trust me.

"Gyuh!", I flinched while blushing madly. Hyun-ae clasped her hands together as she wondered what's wrong with me.

"Are you really okay?"

"Y-Yeah. I'm good.", I said.

"Now that I mentioned a girl being lucky to have you... are you single?", Hyun-ae asked.

WHOA, WHOA, WAIT A MINUTE. WHERE ARE YOU GOING WITH THIS?

"M-M-M-Me? Single? Uhh... yeah, I am.", I said in a panic.

"Oh. Me too, I'm also single.", Hyun-ae shared. We stared at the space in front of us for a few seconds until I broke the silence.

"...I'm not doing much, if that's what you're asking.", I said. Hyun-ae's eyes became wide open as she heard this.

"Aniyo, aniyo, you're getting the wrong idea! I'm not looking for a boyfriend right now, I just wanna do this contest!", Hyun-ae screamed. My mind stalled after hearing this.

"Ohhh. Uhm... alright, then.", I said. Another awkward moment. Yeah, I feel you guys cringing, so how about you try being in this situation and I cringe at you?

Sorry about that.

"...But you really are very cute~. Can I take you home instead?", Hyun-ae said as she leaned on my shoulder while clinging on my arm. "You're like an oversized chibi~."

"Really?", I said.

"Really."

"So... we're gonna sing and dance. What will happen after?"

"That's up to mister Mike to share.", Hyun-ae said. Mike chuckled from the front of the vehicle.

"You'll know soon enough.", Mike told us. We both fell silent afterwards, so we spent the rest of the trip without saying another word.

I don't know how much time passed since I got in the truck. Probably an hour or so, and when we got there, we saw a UST bus parked nearby with a freaking army of dancers coming out of them. It's the Salinggawi whatever they call them - UST's pride in cheerleading shit. I honestly don't care about them that much.

"Salinggawi's also here. Odd.", I said.

"Salinggawi? Aren't they those pep squad people?", Hyun-ae asked. We were both alone so we stayed together.

"Yeah. I don't really get what they actually do though. You might fit in with them since you seem good at dancing.", I told Hyun-ae.

"Oh, oppa... I might not be a good fit even if they do hip-hop and streetdance. I mean, I'm Korean. Most of us do our own thing, and they seem really mean.", Hyun-ae shared.

"So now what?", I asked. I was carrying a big-ass duffel bag full of my clothes and stuff while Hyun-ae dragged her suitcase and sneakers around; we're like an idiot couple who got lost at a random place.

"I have a mixtape for my performance. You should go over to a booth to fix yours quick."

"Oh fuck, I forgot. Mike!", I yelled. Mike laughed and pointed to a dome-like building which I deduced would be where we'll be performing stuff.

"Right over there. Once you get inside, look for Big Zeke. He's our guy for fixing mixtapes.", Mike instructed. "Hyun-ae, you should label yours and give it to Big Zeke, too."

"Understood.", Angel said.

We went straight for the dome, not minding all the other people congregating at the site. So we're looking for this guy named Big Zeke who's likely the one handling all the music and shit like a DJ. Big Zeke. Probably just a conceited midget acting all tough.

"Uhh, excuse me? Can you tell us where Big Zeke is?", Hyun-ae asked around as we arrived at a music booth.

"Boss Zeke! Your first two customers are here!"

I did say earlier that Big Zeke might be a piddly-ass midget. Welp, I was wrong. This really huge Samoan dude stood up from one of the chairs and approached us, and Hyun-ae ran behind my back because Jesus Christ, this dude's like 10 of me. I'm like staring up at freaking Rikishi, for God's sake.

"Uhh... h-hi.", I said while trembling. I can feel Hyun-ae also trembling behind me.

"Oppa, he's huge...!", Hyun-ae whispered to my ear.

"Name's Big Zeke. You two lovebirds performing together? Ya gonna do Endless Love by Lionel Richie?"

"Oh, uhh, nononono, we're not!", I said in a panic.

"We came together but we're doing it solo!", Hyun-ae added.

"Alright, no need to get defensive."

"I... actually forgot my mixtape. Mike told me I can pick a song. Is that okay?", I asked Zeke.

"Welp, you better hurry and choose. The rest of you will be here soon.", Zeke instructed before turning to Hyun-ae. "How about you, baby girl?"

"Here!", Hyun-ae said as she handed over a CD. "Track 3, please."

"Sweet~. Alright, short dude, you go over there and pick your song."

I browsed through the files in their gallery for a song I could perform. I need a song that is at least a decent match for my vocal range - I have a very deep voice and if I do high notes my throat just dries up and I sound like a boar getting neutered.

Alright... I now have a song....

A few hours passed. It seems everyone's being sorted, and by gum, I'm not that good in math but I can tell at least 300 of us in the auditorium right now. I was seated at the upper seats with Hyun-ae, so we had a view of everyone else from above.

"It's so high, oppa.", Hyun-ae shared.

"Y-Yeah... so high."

"May we call on... mister Lawrens Dumandan from the University of Santo Tomas?"

HOLY SHIT. ME?! WAIT, WHAT THE HELL?!

"Fighting, oppa!", Hyun-ae cheered.

"Oh shit....", I muttered. I went to the back to prepare myself. So now everyone has a short, fat dude in a red hoodie, a grey Affliction shirt, black slacks and sneakers in front of them about to perform.

"Mister Dumandan. Our first signee. Welcome.", Eddie greeted. He was with Mike and Big Zeke at the center of the auditorium with three women. "You remember me, Eddie G. This is Mike. You know Big Zeke by now from the booth, and we have three lovely ladies here - MJ Lee, our dance instructor. Kim Goeun, also one of our dance coaches and main choreographer, and Alaina Reynoso, our vocal coach."

I bowed in response to the judges. Yeah, I'm not the typical kid who goes "hi" and waves at everyone. I'm a bit more polite than the standard idiot.

"We'll be evaluating your performance today and determine which class you belong to. Class A is where you will go if you turn in a great performance. Class B is the next best class, C is average, D is subpar, F is for the worst. Are you ready?"

I gave a nod to get it over with. Zeke then turned and asked the DJ to play my song, and that song was "I'll Be There For You" by The Moffatts. Yeah, THAT cheesy song.

"Nananana, nanana, nanana na! Nananana, nanana, nana...."

Everything just suddenly went silent, and it's like time slowed down except for my own movements. Then the mocking sound of laughter just buzzed around.

Ahahahahaha!

I've tried singing for a practical exam before because nobody else had the balls to stand up for our class. Instead of supporting me, they made fun of me instead. Laughing behind my back. Dancing like Fortnite bastards even though Fortnite didn't exist back in 2009. That all played in my mind at the most crucial moment....

"Tired mm this morning winat look in yurr ays

I layk to see ya lele layk yer lossen loneleh..."

"Oh no! Oppa, what happened?!", Hyun-ae gasped in horror. I could see her worrying from where I'm standing at.

Real laughter began to settle into the entire auditorium as I continued the shitshow I pulled. I even danced a little but I looked stupid in the end. Mercifully, we didn't need to do a full song, but shit... that was a long two minutes.

"When ye call ma be there~"

The laughter in the entire place... it was deafening to me. Hyun-ae was up there, just looking at me with a worried expression. Everyone else - pointing and laughing like they just saw a bunch of bullies prank a helpless kid, but the judges, they were not laughing. MJ, Goeun and Alaina looked shocked and worried. Big Zeke just stared. Mike looked sad, but boss Eddie? He was nothing short of pissed off. Not at me, but at everyone.

"Òrale... I don't see how this is funny for you all. Pendejos, pendejas... cierra la boca. That means all of you... SHUT. THE FUCK. UP.", Eddie growled. Everyone went silent because it was completely unfair - I was the first to perform and I made a complete ass out of myself, then they treated it as something that was a big deal.

"I'd like to hear his normal voice.", MJ, one of the ladies who's Korean, requested.

"Lawrens... can you speak to us in your normal voice?", Mike asked.

What the fuck should I say?

"You can tell us a little about yourself, sweetie.", MJ told me.

"Uhm... I'm from the University of Santo Tomas, studying Fine Arts and Design. Advertising Arts, to be exact.", I shared. MJ's eyes widened as she slapped Mike's arm in disbelief. Miss Goeun and miss Alaina reacted the same way, but without the arm slapping.

"His normal voice is deep...!", MJ remarked as she wrote on her paper. That's the last thing I heard from them since they all huddled together to decide on my class. Boss Eddie then turned his microphone on to speak to me for the results.

"Mister Dumandan, mi vato... you have a lot to work on. Vocals, I don't think that song suits you, but who's to say? Dancing could use a lot of work but maybe... maybe with a little push. You'll also lose weight along the way, I think that's also impeding your movement. You have a good face and a deep voice, and you look very sincere and humble. For now though, holmes... you're going to Class F.", Eddie announced.

Yep... figures. That horrible shit I showed landed me in Class F.

"Go get your ranking sticker and gauntlet backstage, mijo."

I bowed once more to thank the judges, and as I prepared to walk backstage, I noticed that Hyun-ae was gone from her seat. I turned around facing away from everyone else, and as I made the trek to collect whatever it is that I need to get, I could hear the laughter again in my head. It all resumed in my mind. I'm a loser in school. Now I'm gonna be a loser in front of the world. It felt like a jackhammer pulverizing my head that it dulled my senses, until....

"Oppa!"

I snapped back to reality and saw her - Hyun-ae. She was now wearing a pink top, denim shorts and low-top sneakers. Wow, how did she change clothes so fast...?

"Are you okay?", Hyun-ae asked. She looked really worried about me. "What happened?"

"Well... I have no idea. I'm just not used to this thing.", I told her.

"Don't worry. Just do your best and work hard! The worst is over, and the best is onda-onda!", Hyun-ae cheerfully assured.

"W-What's onda-onda?", I asked. I kind of short-circuited since she was acting cute.

"It means 'coming' in Korean.", Hyun-ae shared. "Need a hug?"

"N-No, it's fi--", I groaned as Hyun-ae wrapped her arms around me and gave me a hug. Oh shit, something's soft and big on my face....

"Class F should help you out a lot, oppa. You can also ask me for help.", she told me before going up the ramp. I walked away from her shortly, but before she stepped out to the stage, we glanced at each other and locked eyes. She smiled at me and waved, then she disappeared into the black curtains covering the entrance to the stage.

"Hehhh....", I sighed. I then continued my way to get my rank sticker and gauntlet. One of the production staff handed over an orange sticker with a big-ass F on it. It's more like a velcro thingy which can be attached on other things. Right beside the stickers was a table with A LOT of bracers on them. Shiny gold bracers, silver, bronze, then black gloves with some kind of plate which was similar to a 1-peso coin in terms of color (it ain't shiny either).

"Class F gloves are there.", the staff pointed away from the table and led me to a rice sack full of cheap white clip-on gloves. Wow. Way to beat a dead animal.

"...Thank you.", I said with a rather demotivated tone. I took one of the gloves and put it on, now I look like a cheap-ass 170-pound Michael Jackson. I always hated these gloves - the last time I wore them was at a school concert seven years ago where they just ripped off my hand in just two hours.

So now that I got my "gauntlet", I made my way back to my seat. Hyun-ae wasn't there, obviously, but a lot of eyes were fixed on me. Leave me alone, for God's sake.

"Nananana nanana nananana!"

"Taindis mohning winna lookiyoray!"

They mocked me for what I did. Most of them had these pep squad uniforms on them. They kept singing like idiots and even copied how I danced. Big talk from a bunch of dickheads who never won a cheerdance competition in years. If you guys don't get an A, joke's on you.

"Hey, the old man said don't laugh at him. He was first, he's nervous."

This Indian guy interrupted the pep squad people, scolding them for their mockery. A long-haired dude also butted in against them, along with three tall girls, two with bobcut hair, the other had long hair. The girls were really pretty, wow.

"Yeah, cut him some slack. If you guys don't get an A, you'll just look like a bunch of roosters for cockfighting with your stupid high school costumes.", the long-haired dude said.

"I like college pep squads, but this one, what you're doing, nope.", the first tall girl with the bobcut hair said.

"Take away your teamwork, all you are would be a bunch of sissies who want to buttfuck each other.", the second tall girl added.

The squads left me alone shortly after they got scolded. Yeah, shut the fuck up.

"I don't think it's all bad. You just picked the wrong song.", the Indian guy said. "I'm Raj, by the way. Raj Patel. You're Lawrens?"

"Yeah....", I answered back as we shook hands.

The long-haired dude also looked at me and offered a handshake. "Yamamoto Sora-desu. You can call me Sora."

"O-Okay.", I replied back as we also shook hands. One of the tall girls with bobcut hair then leaned on me from behind.

"I'm Gerphil! You're cute!"

Ngyuh. S-She's really pretty.

The other tall girl also waved at me, and while she looked tough, she seemed really shy and sensitive.

"I'm Cho Yeon-ae, but you can call me Ivy."

"O-Okay, uhh... Gerphil, and Ivy. Sora... Raj."

The third girl slapped my knee lightly.

"You forgot me~. I'm Sali. Sali Amistoso.", the third girl with long hair complained.

"Sali... o-okay. N-N-N-Nice to meet you all."

"Hey, relax! At least you're done performing for now.", Gerphil comforted me.

"I did bad, huh?", I asked.

"Yeah, you really sucked.", Ivy told me.

"Hey, cut him some slack. I bet you would freeze too if you went first.", Sora told Ivy. We turned our attention back to the stage, where I saw Hyun-ae standing in the middle.

"Annyeonghasseyo! I'm Shin Hyun-Ae from the University of Santo Tomas, 15 years old."

"Miss Shin. I hope you do better than the first two.", I heard boss Eddie tell her.

"Wait, what happened?", I asked.

"Ah, after you performed, it was the Salinggawi Dance Troupe's turn to show their stuff.", Gerphil shared.

"And? What happened?", I asked further.

"Oh, they danced very nice, but nobody sang one word. When the old man asked them to sing, they refused, so they all sent them to Class D.", Raj told me.

"It was shocking!", Sali added. "They really want us to be full packages."

"Are you full packages?", I asked as well. They all chuckled nervously except for Ivy.

"Ohh, after seeing you and those guys who got D, we're not so sure of ourselves.", Sora lamented.

"Yah, I prepared a dance routine but my voice is like nerdy.", Raj shared.

"I thought it was a singing contest only, so... I don't have a dance routine.", Sali said as she gave a nervous chuckle once more.

"Naman, there's more pressure to do our best after those disasters. No offense, bebe.", Gerphil said.

"None taken.", I told her.

"Well, I think I can get an A.", Ivy told us. We all looked at her as Rihanna's "Only Girl (In The World)" played before looking back at Hyun-ae.

"La-la-la la

La-la-la la

La-la-la la (uh, yeah)

La-la-la-la"

Wow, wait. Hyun-ae?

"I want you to love me

Like I'm a hot ride (uh yeah....)"

My eyesight wasn't the best, but that moment gave me some sort of eagle eye crap. Yeah, she wasn't the prettiest of the bunch, but when I watched her dance, she looked so... passionate about it.

"Oof!"

Oh shit, she stumbled a bit, but she took it like a champ!

"Only girl in the world

Girl in the world....."

....Whoo!

*clapping*

"Yes! That's what we're looking for!", Big Zeke yelled.

"She did better than Lawrens and the Salinggawi Troupe."

"Wait, wait, can I try a dance again?", Hyun-ae asked.

Everyone gasped when she asked this. Hell, I was surprised myself. She already did good but she wants to do more.

"I stumbled a bit but let me show more, please?", Hyun-ae begged.

I couldn't see how Eddie was taking this, but I could make out a gesture from him telling her to proceed. He however took to the microphone again and said:

"I'll pick a song for you, miss Shin."

I could feel Hyun-ae gulping. She stood on the stage waiting for the song to start, and I could tell her head's like having all those formula meme thingies floating around so she can formulate a choreo.

Then, this familiar electronica-like melody played. Call it coincidence, but the moment this hit, both Hyun-ae and I lit up and smiled.

"Never thought that I'd fall in love, love, love, love

But it grew from a simple crush, crush, crush, crush...."

Hyun-ae was all smiles and she just popped off. She was so cute dancing some hiphop to the song and freestyling! Wow... just wow. She ended the routine sitting with her knees up, and there was an ovation for her.

"Wow. Shin Hyun-ae from the University of Santo Tomas.", Mike said.

"...Miss Shin. I hope you can be an example to your university. Class A."

Hyun-ae beamed with joy - she just got sent to the best group. She sang and danced like how idols should, it seems. The Koreans in the audience roared in joy - score 1 for Korea, I guess.

"She's good!", Raj said. "She's also beautiful!"

"Not that beautiful. Mukha ngang palengkera.", someone else said.

"Hey, hey!", Sora said. "Akala mo gwapo ka ah." The jock then pointed to him.

"Mukha kang bakla! Vakkkkkkkkllllllla!", the jock said to insult Sora. He was calling him a faggot.

"At least mas maganda hair ni kuya sayo!", Sali retorted.

"And you look like you're on steroids except for your voice!", Gerphil added.

The jock then stood up. Okay, he's a big dude.

"Maskels. Mm.", the jock said.

"Ikaw na may muscles. Sheesh.", Raj said, shrugging.

"Why is it that you resort immediately to suntukan mode when your pride is hurt?", Sora asked, but then the jock grabbed him by his hair.

"Eh kung gupitin ko yang buhok mo, Japayuki?"

"Hey, hey!", Raj and I said, but he pushed us away easily. We almost tumbled down and if it weren't for Sali, we could have died tumbling all the way down.

"Shit, man, let me go!", Sora yelled. "Bakla ka ata, sinasabunutan mo ako eh!"

"Ako, bakla?", the jock said. He then flicked his hand and slid his fingers behind his own ear. "Hmph. Babae ako, 'no?"

And with that, the entire mood changed. Jesus Christ, a big dude but a fucking RuPaul. What the fuck.

"Then forgive me if I do THIS.", Ivy interrupted before giving a swift kick to the jock's nuts.

"OGGHHHHHH!"

Ivy dealt with the jock like a pro. When she hit his nuts, my mind went like "gooooaaaaaal"!

"...Wow.", Raj moaned.

"You okay?", Ivy said, seemingly reaching out to us.

"Y-Yah, I guess. We almost died, y'know?", Raj replied , only for Ivy to grab my hand to help me up. "...Right."

"You okay, Raj?", I asked.

"Physically? Yes. Emotionally? She tore my heart out."

"Aww, Raj~.", Gerphil said to comfort him.

"Lawrens is just too cute to help second! Plus, you stood up fine!", Ivy explained.

As Ivy and Raj bickered, Hyun-ae returned.

"Oppaaaaaaa~!", Hyun-ae screamed in joy as she leapt toward me and brought me down again. She then showed me a gold bracer on her wrist. "Looky looky! It's gold!"

She giggled as she showed off her new bracer.

"What did you get?", Hyun-ae asked me. I dejectedly showed my white glove.

"This cheap glove."

"Oh! Don't worry, maybe you can get a better one next time!", Hyun-ae said. She then looked around us. "Who are these people?"

"Oh, right. Hyun-ae, this is Ivy, Raj, Sora, Gerphil and Sali."

"Hiiii.", Hyun-ae greeted.

"Good job there!", Gerphil said.

"Can I see your bracer?", Raj asked. Hyun-ae then shower her bracer while the jock just crawled away in pain. Yeah, get the fuck outta here.

A lot of trainees were called down in quick succession, but after Hyun-ae set the standard, it seems we could not keep up with her. The home team's failing miserably with Sali even being sent to class F for not having a dance routine ready. Well, she danced a bit, but just like me, it was ehh.

"Oppa, I might be alone in class A.", Hyun-ae told me with a sad tone.

"No, you won't.", I told her. She then leaned on me.

"Can you come practice with me if I'm alone?"

"S...Sure.", I nervously replied. This is certainly not the equivalent to being asked out on a date, but to hell with it. A girl's asking me to be with her in a weird way.

"...Hmm?", Hyun-ae moaned. "Oppa."

"What?"

"...Are you related to that boy?", Hyun-ae said, pointing to the giant LED screen above the stage. When I saw the name, I went white. Like ghost fucking white.

IT'S MY TWIN BROTHER. WHAT THE FUCK IS HE DOING HERE?!?!

[End of Part 1. To be continued.]