IDOL SURVIVAL - Chapter 2 (EARLY ACCESS) (Patreon)

Boom Cha Cha La Ka

“Trainees!” The host called to the seated girls. They cheered enthusiastically for the cameras. “Are you ready for your first challenge?”

“Yes!” The girls called back with their best smiles. Yu Jun had been practising in the mirror for weeks. Her mother said she looked best from the left, so she tilted her face slightly.

“For our first idol game, our generous producers wanted to give all of you lovely ladies a better chance at screen time - so it is in fact three games!”

The girls ‘ooh’d and ‘aah’d. The offer of more screen time had Yu Jun’s heart racing, the producers really were so generous to them. It was crucial that she ensured she didn’t simply do well at the idol tasks, she must be noticed. All of her research and experience as a fan girl had taught her that nothing stood above pure and simple popularity with fans. You could out-sing anyone, but it wouldn’t matter if the public didn’t see you do it, or didn’t take a shining to you while you did.

The host’s dazzling white teeth shone as he announced, “ladies and precious viewers, I present: the arcade!”

The left side of the set pulled apart to display flashing lights and mock arcade games. The host strode over to stand beneath the largest lit-up sign that shouted ‘THE ARCADE’ for all the world to see. The girls made sounds of appreciation and pulled excited expressions.

“Our one hundred girls will be split into three groups, each representing a key idol skill. Group one will be singing, group two is dancing and the third group is for our top rappers. Each skill has its own arcade game that the girls must play and complete in order to proceed to the next round.” He waved a hand at three circles painted on the ground in front of him, each had a number and an embedded ring of lights that were switched off. “Of course, only an equal third can fit into each group. So make it into the circle of your best skill before the capacity reaches thirty-three and the lights come on, or you’ll have to squeeze into another. Last girl standing will get placed by roulette wheel!”

The lights of the THE ARCADE sign suddenly flashed red, orange and then green. A klaxon sounded through the set. The stampede began.

The least popular skill circle was clear immediately - very few girls wanted to rap. The bulk of the herd had all run to the left-hand side with circles one and two. Yu Jun was among them. Her feet pelted the shiny floor, but she held back from pushing herself so hard she panted or sweat. The cameras would catch any unsightly moment.

She skidded over the painted line into the first ring: singing. Another girl collided into her and they stumbled with arms wrapped around each other. They righted themselves quickly and were both relieved to see they were inside the circle still. The lights switched on, barring anyone else from joining them.

The girl apologised profusely, nervously tucking straight strands of hair behind her ears. She was cute. Yu Jun brushed away the apology, she wasn’t hurt or anything. The crash might even make it into a funny compilation video online!

The circles were filled and the leftover girl, 17, was left to one side. Her fate would be decided by a giant colourful wheel dragged out by masked staff members. The host announced he would be spinning it and revealing the games after the advertisement break.

The cameras drooped slightly as the operators sped away for water or talks with fellow staffers. They were off the air, for now.

The girl, still pressed close to Yu Jun, pointed to the number badge pinned to her shirt. “We are number neighbours!” she gasped happily. Her own badge read: 99.

“That means we should stick together!” Yu Jun replied cheerfully.

“Definitely!”

They introduced themselves, 99’s name was Yu Na. Their matching names fired them up even further, it was definitely a good omen. Yu Jun took stock of everything else they had in common, looking over her number neighbour carefully. Both had straight black hair, full bangs, dark eyes, slim body type. Yu Jun was disappointingly shorter, though. And her eyebrows weren’t as prettily shaped, they curved a little strangely regardless of how much shaping, waxing and plucking she endured.

“I’m a little nervous,” Yu Jun admitted. She felt the urge to chatter while they awaited the host’s return.

“Me too,” Yu Na agreed. Although there was an excited energy to her words.

Yu Jun added, “my mouth feels so dry. My voice cracked during my interview.”

Yu Na frowned softly. “I’m sorry, friend,” she said. Her expression appeared so genuine, Yu Jun was jealous, she wished she could act as well as Yu Na. “I don’t have water.” Yu Na rummaged under her skirt and Yu Jun flushed, embarrassed at the girl’s strange behaviour. “But I’ve got some lip balm so at least your lips won’t look dry.” She revealed a small plastic pot that she had been keeping under her clothes.

“Thank you so much!” Yu Jun exclaimed, accepting the small item.

It had a fake cherry smell, like candy. Yu Jun smeared it over her bottom lip and rubbed them together to spread it evenly.

The host returned with long strides, taking his place in front of the main camera in the moments before the producers waved their hand signals to inform them they were once again live. Yu Jun slipped the small plastic container back to her new friend who tucked it under her skirt.

The host re-introduced the show to any new viewers tuning in before spinning on his heel to call to the trainees, “are we ready to take a look at the arcade games ahead of our young trainees?”

The girls cheered. The girls in the singing group far more confidently, Yu Jun noted proudly. She gave Yu Na a knowing smile, they were certainly in the best circle. Yu Na returned it with a wink.

Three cloaked, boxy objects were wheeled out. Yu Jun hopped a little on her toes excitedly and clapped her hands. They lined up side-by-side and the masked staffers leading them out disappeared behind them swiftly.

With a wide flourish the host whipped the middle cover off, revealing a familiar machine for the dancing skill group.

“Dance Dance Revolution! I love that game!” Yu Na shouted excitedly.

The other girls broke out in fresh giggles at her words. Of course, any teenage girl would recognise this game. The host froze.

He lifted a hand to his ear piece before yelling over the din of the fluttering girls, “99! OUT!”

The giggles stopped. All noise stopped bar the stomp of heavy boots. A masked man approached the group, pistol in hand.

It happened so quickly that Yu Jun had no time to avert her eyes. The pistol was pressed direct to Yu Na’s temple, angling the exit point away from the ninety-nine statues behind her.

The bang noise sent an unintentional jolt through Yu Jun’s body. The squelching of pieces of Yu Na’s shattered head hitting the ground brought a shiver next. Then, the thump of the rest of her body landing brought Yu Jun out of her own. She was a spirit standing above her own body for a few seconds. With a slow, collecting breath, she climbed back into her frame.

“Idol Survival would like to sincerely apologise to our sponsors for the brand name that was just mentioned.” The host spoke directly into the nearest camera, without a glance at the small body that was dragged away by people in dark clothes and masks. He continued to apologise for any inconvenience the brand naming had caused, and assured viewers that Idol Survival took broadcasting regulations very seriously. His professionalism was unmatched. Yu Jun had a lot to learn.

The ninety-eight other girls hurriedly composed themselves behind him. Some hid behind others to retch. Yu Jun maintained her mild, sympathetic smile towards her nearest camera.

“However, we now have a group number divisible by three, and we wouldn’t want to cause any confusion to our viewers, so one girl will be moved to the singing group for proper co-ordination.” A ripple of tension ran over the rap and dancing groups. Some girls were already losing their bright smiles, it would take far more than that to take away Yu Jun’s smile. “Luckily, we have one unplaced trainee! It is a shame we won’t get to use our grand wheel, though. An enormous thank you again to our incredible set designers for creating it for us.” The host spun grandly on his heel to gesture at the girl who was still stood on the other side of the arcade set beside the oversized wheel. Her badge read: 17. She was shivering on thin legs. Singing must truly be her worst skill, Yu Jun figured. How embarrassing.

17 approached the first ring, treading delicately around the blood spatter until she was inside the lights.

The host pulled away the remaining two covers, revealing the singing game to be karaoke and the rap game to be a timed, multi-player, lyric-writing game. Despite the games being common for most arcades, the host gave the viewers a tour of each machine and explained the upcoming games. When he was finished, groups two and three were lead to other rooms to await their games. Their reactions would no doubt be filmed and broadcasted as they watched the singers. Yu Jun hoped they gave her a good reaction, maybe it would make her go viral!

Group one were provided with a row of newly-numbered seats, denoting the order of game play. Yu Jun hurried near the front, not wanting to be lost amongst the middle girls. It was well documented that those that performed first or last in a showcase were most well-remembered. She nabbed the second seat. While they were choosing their places in the line, two staffers ran mops along the section of floor where Yu Na had lain.

Yu Jun’s turn came quickly. The girl who went first did well. Not perfect, but fine enough to pass. Anything beneath a GOOD final result, and you were out. Yu Jun knew if it weren’t for her incredibly dry mouth, she could get a PERFECT. She approached the machine carefully, peeking over her shoulder to smile nervously at the cameras and then laugh at herself. She took the microphone and placed herself on the multi-coloured plate that had words of encouragement lit up around it. The song was random. But that made no difference to Yu Jun, she knew every female idol song released in the last decade. No matter how small the company, if it was released as a physical CD then she knew the songs word for word.

The song began and Yu Jun was hitting every word correctly, but not quite every note. Her voice cracked multiple times. She could only hope it came off as charming. Husky voices were sometimes sexy.

The intense lights, not only of the studio but of the arcade set, were creating a prickle of sweat on the back of her neck as she got to the last third of the song. It was a sweet song about following your heart and treating your friends well, Yu Jun was all sugar as she performed. It may not be a real stage, or a real audience, but it was her first true performance.

The song ended and the screen flashed: GREAT!

She was safe.

Yu Jun giggled and did a mini celebratory cheer on the plate. The seated girls clapped for her and the host congratulated her on her pass. She returned the microphone and skipped to her seat, elated.

When the main camera pulled away from her, another girl taking centre stage, a sickening feeling suddenly crashed into her. She continued to smile in the background, glad to be safe. But it was as though the echo of the first gun shot had finally caught up with her now that she was sitting still. 99’s death shook her in the opposite way to your lottery numbers being one digit off. As though her proximity in number to the dead girl was an omen. So close. Almost her. The numbers didn’t mean anything, Yu Jun knew this logically. But in her subconscious, anxiety prickled at her whenever she thought of the dark-haired girl she had shared lip balm with.

But, Yu Jun reminded herself, to be remembered it was better to go first or last. At least Yu Na would be remembered.