Still Cheering for You | Seventeen (OT13 X Noona Reader) PLATONIC

2014 – PLEDIS TRAINING CENTER

The evaluation day arrived faster than anyone expected.

Tension thickened the air as the trainees gathered in the practice room, stretching, reviewing their routines, and mentally preparing themselves for whatever came next. No one spoke much— not even the usual chatterboxes like Seungkwan or Mingyu.

You stood among them, rolling your shoulders to ease the stiffness. But despite your best efforts to appear calm, your stomach churned with anxiety.

The company executives sat at the front, their expressions unreadable. Trainers lined the walls, clipboards in hand. The room felt colder than usual, despite the heat from hours of nervous rehearsing.

“Alright,” one of the trainers called out, flipping through a list. “We’ll start with vocal evaluations.”

Jihoon, Seungkwan, and a few others stepped forward first.

The moment the music started, Jihoon’s voice filled the room, controlled and unwavering. Seungkwan followed with his signature power, his voice raw with emotion. Even the ones who had less experience held their own, fighting to prove they deserved to be here.

By the time the last trainee finished, you could feel the way everyone’s hearts pounded in their chests.

“Next— dance.”

You inhaled sharply, stepping forward alongside Soonyoung, Dino, and a handful of others.

The moment the beat dropped, everything else disappeared.

You weren’t just moving— you were fighting. Every turn, every pop, every transition— it had to be perfect. No hesitation, no mistakes.

This was your chance.

And yet…

It wasn’t enough.

The moment the song ended, you felt it in your bones. Something was off.

It wasn’t that you had messed up— not visibly, at least— but you could feel it. A split-second of hesitation, a slight delay in one of your transitions.

It was small, almost unnoticeable.

But in an industry where perfection was expected, small mistakes could mean everything.

AFTER THE EVALUATION— PLEDIS DORM

The results weren’t immediate, but everyone knew the process.

Some would be praised. Others would be given one last chance to improve. And a few— a few wouldn’t get another chance at all.

You sat in the dorm’s common room, staring blankly at your untouched dinner.

Across from you, Jeonghan was absentmindedly peeling an orange, his usual relaxed expression unreadable. Joshua sat beside him, humming a tune under his breath, though even he seemed subdued.

“You okay?” Seungcheol’s voice broke through your thoughts.

You looked up, finding him watching you carefully.

“I don’t know,” you admitted, voice barely above a whisper.

Seungcheol didn’t say anything for a moment, then sighed. “No matter what happens, you’ve worked hard.”

You let out a soft, humorless chuckle. “Sometimes, working hard isn’t enough.”

Jeonghan glanced up from his orange. “Maybe not.” He shrugged. “But it’s better than giving up.”

You scoffed. “Easy for you to say.”

Jeonghan arched a brow. “Is it?”

You hesitated. You knew their struggles—you knew how much each of them had sacrificed to be here. You weren’t the only one afraid of what came next.

Still, the weight of uncertainty pressed heavy on your chest.

“Just… don’t disappear on us, alright?” Seungcheol said suddenly.

You blinked at him. “What?”

Seungcheol’s gaze was firm, his voice softer now. “No matter what happens, you’re still one of us.”

For a moment, you couldn’t speak.

Because deep down, you knew the truth.

Not everyone would debut.

And if it came down to it— if you were the one who had to leave—

Could you really stay?

🦌
ShiningInPurple