Chapter Text
Adela stepped off the bus before being shepherded by one of the Hybe managers to the side of the busy street where the other members of Dream Academy stood. Once everyone was off the bus their tour guide clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Okay everyone” the tour guide half spoke half shouted to the group “Can you all hear me?”
The group grumbled confirmation before she continued
“Today is a very exciting day!” she continued enthusiastically, bouncing in her made-for-walking athletic shoes “My name is Hae-in Kim and I would like to welcome you all to Seoul! It is my honor to be your guide during your visit. While you are here we will have several opportunities to explore parts of the city. Because of this, we will need you to form buddy groups of three to four. These will be like your travel family. It will be your responsibility to take care of and rely on each other as we navigate the city. So please find a group at this time.”
Adela instantly turned to Megan and Emily, who squealed with excitement.
“So, we're obviously going to be a group!” Megan exclaimed, grabbing Adela and Emily’s hands and bouncing up and down, a wide smile spreading across her face. Adela squealed with them. The reality that she had made it through to the second round had still barely sunk in. She let herself soak in every bit of it. Of course, she deserved to be here, criticism and ratings aside. She had worked hard to get where she was. Besides, Megan's excitement was so infectious it was hard not to be excited.
“Of course!” Emily exclaimed, a smile spreading on her face. “I still can't believe we’re in Seoul! This is so exciting!” They continued to chatter when a tap on Adela’s shoulder stole her attention.
“Hey girls,” Missy greeted them. Would you mind having Manon join your group when she returns from her illness? I know you three tend to get along with most of the girls, so it shouldn't be much of an issue i wouldn't think”
“Of course!” Adela smiled. She knew Manon hadn't been the best team player in the past, but she should be fine to group with for touring.
“Thank you so much, girls. That's very generous of you”
Missy left to talk with the tour guide, who then clapped her hands “Okay everybody! Time for a brief walking tour before we let you explore!”
***
Walking into the Hybe building felt surreal. All around Adela were floor-to-ceiling windows, men, and women in business attire chatting on cell phones as they hastened to important meetings, heels clacking behind them. Bright K-pop music hummed through the speakers of the crowded lobby. in the small cafe by the entrance, there were a few very attractive people in caps and sunglasses that Adela could almost place as the singers of the songs that played.
The walking tour was followed by a few hours of free time where they were told to film some content of them exploring the many shops and attractions of Myeong-dong. An adventure that had produced a video of Adela trying and failing to eat a bowl of giant tteokboki that, combined with the chewiness and the spice had been nearly impossible to eat. Emily had joked it was too good not to save for blackmail before Adela had convinced her to delete it.
The Hybe managers herded the girls to a pair of elevators before pressing one of seemingly millions of buttons that whisked them up more floors than Adela could keep up with.
Finally, they were whisked out of the elevators and into a dance studio where Son stood with his usual translator. Missy joined him before getting the girls’ attention.
“Welcome to Hybe Entertainment Headquarters” Missy announced “I hope you all enjoyed the tour. I know you had a long plane ride and a busy few hours exploring, but we have just a couple more things to do before we can give you your room assignments and let you adjust to the time zone”
A faint grumble was heard before she continued
“We need to get you all in hair and makeup so we can film the mission two announcements. I think you'll all be very excited for what is in store.”
***
After a makeup and hair session that could only be likened to a movie makeover montage, Adela sat in one of the eighteen chairs, arranged in the perfect semicircle (Adela in the back of course, due to her height), ready for filming. The screen blinked to life, the robotic voice making the circle vibrate as it spoke.
“Hello again contestants, and welcome to Seoul. Congratulations on making it to mission two.” a whoop echoed amongst the contestants, smiling faces kept wide for the cameras watching.
“Let us give a warm welcome to le sserafim as they announce the assignments for mission two”
The cheers that followed were louder, and perhaps more wholehearted as the girl group appeared on the screen. Adela instantly noticed how perfectly prepared for the camera they were. Shining nails, haute couture outfits that seemed better fit for a runway announcement video, and bright smiles not unlike the one on her face, perfect just for the cameras.
“Hello, dream academy contestants! It is our honor to announce your assignments for mission two” Eun-chae’s recorded voice proclaimed pleasantly.
“We are very excited to announce that the missions will be full singing and dancing covers of two of our hit songs: Fearless and Antifragile” grinned Yun-jin.
“The team assignments will be the following” smiled Chae-won. The perfect radiance seemed to almost drip from the members as she announced the teams “For fearless there will be two teams. Team A will be Brooklyn, Lexie, Marquise, Mei, and Nayoung. Team b will be Celeste, Daniela, Ezrela, Manon, and Ua.”
“And Antiftagile will be covered by the other two teams” chimed Sakura “Team A will be Samara, Lara, Sophia, and Yoonchae, and Team B will be Adéla, Karlee, Megan, and Emily.”
“We look forward to seeing your performances of these songs. They are very dear to us!” Eun-chae said, “We wish you the very best of luck!”
The clip ended with a click before the robotic voice returned “Thank you very much to le Sserafim for announcing this mission. Good luck in round two, contestants.”
“That’s a wrap, girls” shouted a translator “Please head towards the door where you will receive your room assignments. Best of luck to you all”
Adela pulled herself out of her chair, her cheeks sore from smiling. The jetlag seemed to finally be catching up to her now that the initial shock from arriving had worn off. All she wanted was to flop into bed and catch up on the hours of lost sleep she knew she had accrued.