The announcement came the next day.
"All contestants, gather."
The room filled quickly.
Faster than before.
No one wanted to be late now.
Seoryeon stood with the others, posture straight, focus sharp.
The screen lit up.
"From this point forward, contestants will be divided into two groups."
A pause.
"Major… and Minor."
The words landed hard.
SYSTEM ALERT:
Ranking Tier System Detected
"Major team will receive better training conditions."
Murmurs started.
"Minor team will face limitations."
Silence.
Seoryeon's chest tightened.
This wasn't just ranking anymore.
This was separation.
Names began to appear.
One by one assigned.
Seoryeon watched closely.
Her name appeared.
Han Seoryeon — Major
Her breath caught.
SYSTEM UPDATE:
Tier Placement: MAJOR
Performance Bonus Active
Relief but not fully.
Because she looked around.
Sana.
Also Major.
A small exhale.
Momo Major.
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
But not everyone.
Some familiar faces Minor.
The divide felt real now.
The Major practice room was different.
Cleaner.
Brighter.
More space.
But the pressure higher.
"Don't get comfortable."
Nayeon's voice.
Seoryeon glanced at her.
"…I won't."
Nayeon nodded slightly.
"Good."
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Affinity: Nayeon +2
Practice started immediately.
No warm-up.
No easing in.
Just performance.
Jihyo led again.
"Major means expectation," she said.
A pause.
"So act like it."
The music started.
They moved.
Sharper.
Cleaner.
No room for mistakes.
Seoryeon adjusted quickly.
Her timing on point.
Her presence stronger than before.
But still "…You're holding back again."
She exhaled.
"…I know."
Momo stepped closer.
"Then stop."
Simple.
Still not easy.
During break Seoryeon passed the Minor practice room.
Smaller.
More crowded.
Energy different.
She saw them.
Working just as hard.
Maybe harder.
Her chest tightened.
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Emotional conflict detected
"…This isn't fair."
"No."
She turned.
Sana.
"But that's how it works," Sana added softly.
Seoryeon looked back at the room.
"…Then we just have to be better."
Sana smiled slightly.
"Exactly."
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Affinity: Sana +3
That night Seoryeon stood in front of the mirror again.
Major.
It didn't feel like a win.
It felt like pressure.
SYSTEM UPDATE:
Status: MAJOR — MAINTAIN POSITION
She exhaled slowly.
"…I'm not going down."