41 Don't Drop The Ball (2)

"Number 95, please come to the stage." Aika watched as yet another contestant walked up onto the stage. Originally, she indeed hadn't been feeling nervous, but as time had passed the nerves were gradually building significantly.

The biggest factor involved was the sheer number of people who didn't make it past the entrance competition. So far, out of the 94 contestants whether individual or group who went up, only 8 of them had been accepted as entrants to the actual competition. She had known that the real competition was highly exclusive and didn't have many contestants from her research, but seeing people perform and repeatedly get rejected in person was so much harsher and nerve wracking than looking at videos and information online.

Suddenly, Aika was jolted out of her nervous thoughts when she heard the woman singing on the stage completely miss a note and then fail to even sing the next word. Apparently, the nerves weren't just getting to her. Now, she was beginning to understand why the rich contestants had wanted to go first... It wasn't for priority selection or a belief that more of them would get in like that, it was to avoid the increased nerves as time went on.

So far, the leading group everyone thought would win was Royal Harmony, the group Emma was in. They had gone first and immediately been accepted and she had heard people whispering about them having professional coaches who had guided them through every step so far.

Luckily or unluckily, she couldn't decide, while 100 contestants were accepted to attempt to enter this year and were all judged at the same time and participated in the same competition, there were two different categories. Once you got passed the initial entrance round, they were divided into two groups, solo and groups, and each category would have separated rankings.

Part of her wished that she would be directly competing against a group that had Aria's sister in it, but the rest of her was glad to have an easier competition so that their long term goals could happen and wasn't concerned over the short term pettiness.

Quickly the last person before her was called up, Number 99, Zachary. Before he left for the stage, Aika called out, "Good luck! Let's get to the finals together!"

Surprised, Zachary glanced back at her and gave her a thumps up before walking onto stage far more confident than he had been earlier on. A mere 30 seconds into his performing, the judges cut him off and turned to discuss with each other.

Around the room, the people who had been told to stay all had their attention drawn to the only person who hadn't been allowed to finish so far.

"Wow, I guess he's just that bad?"

"Yeah and look at him, he's not very hot at all..."

"Did anyone actually hear him sing? I wasn't listening..."

As people whispered, one of the judges, a famous idol from Golden Stars, Joseph Tailor, held up his hand for a moment and stood. "Stop gossiping pointlessly."

After he silenced the room, several minutes passed and everyone grew somewhat confused at the judges long conversation.

On the stage, Zachary found himself hoping that the conversation wasn't related to his older brother. Everyone on the judges panel was related to or worked for Golden Stars, so it wasn't entirely impossible.

Eventually, Joseph cleared his throat and spoke. "We apologize for the interruption, there was just a minor issue relating to the broadcasts and we had to stop for a moment. Please start over, Number 99."

Starting once again, Zachary performed the same exact song he had been starting before and received appreciative nods from the judges and the now attentive contestants. At the end, the judges all looked at each other for several seconds before unanimously voting to pass him into the official competition.

"Number 100, please come to the stage." Finally, it was Aika's turn to perform and the nerves were starting to make her jittery. As she walked to the stage, she thought back to what Aria had said the night before. She had spoken lightly but with a hint of seriousness and had only said, "You're incredible, just don't drop the ball and you'll win easily!" The memory seemed to help her shake off the built up nerves and she walked the final steps up confidently.

Throughout her entire performance, Aika felt she performed every single second perfectly and her smile gradually grew as she got farther in.

When she finished, the judges shared the same glances they had after Zachary performed and Joseph announced once again. "Congratulations Number 100. We'll see you tomorrow."

Despite knowing she should be celebrating getting in or excited, all Aika could think about was how great it would be when she gets to her parent's house and gets to be congratulated by Aria and tell her she got passed the entrance competition.