Day two of the variety show dawned brighter and louder than the first, with an even larger crowd gathering around the multi-stage setup. Energy surged through the venue as artists, crews, and fans buzzed with excitement. Word had spread overnight about the surprising moments from day one, and expectations were sky-high for what was to come.
Mitsunari arrived in a navy windbreaker and joggers, having barely slept after spending hours with Jeren the night before discussing ideas for their upcoming collaboration. Despite the tiredness, he was more than ready for what day two had to offer. He glanced over the schedule and grinned as today was packed with challenges that leaned heavily into musical creativity and physical team games.
The first event of the day was the Melody Maze, a game where teams had to find pieces of a melody hidden around the studio complex and then perform the full version once assembled. Mitsunari was paired with Luna from KIK UP, Mark from TurnUp, and Seunghee from MAYZE. Their blend of vocal and rhythmic talent gave them a real advantage.
Running through hallways, searching under tables, and solving musical riddles made for a chaotic start. At one point, Mark accidentally triggered a water trap while pulling a melody clue from a fake piano. The whole team burst into laughter, soaked but still determined.
Once all melody pieces were collected, their team reassembled the tune into a jazzy, upbeat performance that impressed the judges. Mitsunari rapped the bridge while Luna harmonized effortlessly with Seunghee and Mark's smooth vocals. They placed second, but the synergy they built in that moment was worth more than a trophy.
Next came the Rhythm Rope Gauntlet, a hybrid challenge combining double dutch jump ropes with synchronized footwork set to beats. Teams had to jump and stay on rhythm while a DJ altered the tempo every thirty seconds. One missed beat, and they were out.
Mitsunari's team this round included Mina, Johnny from TurnUp, and Maria from MASH. While not all were strong dancers, their timing was impressive. Mitsunari held the rhythm center with his internal sense of tempo from rapping, guiding the others vocally with subtle counts.
They made it to the top four before Johnny tripped on a fast beat switch, sending the team into a heap of laughter. The challenge ended in playful teasing, especially from Maria, who blamed Johnny with mock outrage for "throwing the finals."
After a quick break, the show moved into the Genre Mashup Battle, where groups were assigned contrasting genres to blend into a single performance. Mitsunari's team drew "Trap + Disco," which immediately caused groans and laughter. Blending those was no easy feat.
With Bella from MASH, Wonyoung from KIK UP, and Hoya from TurnUp by his side, Mitsunari got to work. They quickly built a concept that was a futuristic retro vibe. Bella crafted the melody, Hoya handled rhythm, and Wonyoung choreographed slick disco-infused moves. Mitsunari wrote a rap verse layered in auto-tuned falsetto.
Their performance turned heads with its creativity. It was weird, wild, and somehow worked. Judges praised their risk-taking and chemistry. Though they didn't win, the crowd cheered them louder than any team so far. The connection between the artists was real and electric.
During lunch, Mitsunari found himself sitting with Lilia and Danielle, talking about the industry's pressure and the fun of shows like this breaking that tension. Danielle asked about his writing process, and they ended up writing a silly two-line jingle about spicy ramen on the spot.
Afterward came the Vocal Tower, a relay-style challenge where each member had to add a vocal or instrumental layer on top of the last. With a timer running, every ten seconds another artist had to join in. Mistakes reset the whole sequence.
Mitsunari's team for this challenge featured Yuri, Suho, Gahyeon, and Chaewon. They rehearsed briefly before stepping into the circle. Yuri laid down a smooth harmony, Gahyeon added a falsetto, Suho did beatboxing, Chaewon dropped soft piano chords, and Mitsunari closed it with a rap interlude. They managed to complete the challenge flawlessly.
Their cohesion impressed everyone, with even other idols clapping and pointing in approval. A few judges whispered among themselves about wanting to hear a full song from that lineup one day.
As the day wore on, the show introduced a surprise segment called Lyric Labyrinth, a maze filled with lyric fragments. Artists had to find pieces to create a chorus with meaning, rhythm, and rhyme. It was both physically and mentally exhausting.
Mitsunari went in with Jeren, Yujin, and Victoria. They moved fast, grabbing lines off hidden walls, under cushions, even from inside fake vending machines. Once collected, they built a soulful, poetic hook that combined their lyrical strengths.
Judges highlighted their lyrics as one of the most emotionally resonant compositions of the day. Mitsunari and Jeren, in particular, had a synergy that had become a hot topic among the other artists.
During a quieter moment between challenges, Mitsunari chatted with Chaewon and Gahyeon about personal struggles in the spotlight. The conversation was raw and honest. They talked about burnout, comparison, and the pressure to always be better. It wasn't a challenge, but it might've been the most important moment of the day.
The second-to-last event was DJ Roulette, where a random DJ spin dictated genre, tempo, and mood. Artists had to improvise a 30-second performance based on the combination. Mitsunari got "Lo-fi, 70 BPM, Regretful."
He pulled it off with a whispered rap, full of emotion, backed by Yuri's soft humming and Lilia on the keyboard. The room went quiet during his part as there were no cheers, no claps, just full attention. It was the most intimate performance of the day.
The final event was a massive All-Star Collaboration Performance. Every artist had been secretly assigned a team throughout the day, and those teams now had to prepare a finale showpiece. Mitsunari's team included Luna, Johnny, Mina, and Bella.
They combined rap, vocal harmony, and dance in a medley that transitioned from ballad to uptempo dance. Mitsunari opened with a rap, Mina took over with a power note, Luna and Bella harmonized, and Johnny broke into a solo dance that transitioned to group choreography.
The crowd erupted. It was a perfect cap to the day with an explosion of talent, creativity, and joy. Even the camera crews were seen smiling as they filmed.
As the show closed, all the artists gathered onstage. Confetti rained down as hosts thanked everyone and teased a final day of behind-the-scenes games and bonding tomorrow.
Mitsunari stood among the lights and chaos, glancing at his fellow artists. Over just two days, he'd built real friendships, creative bonds, and memories that would last far beyond this event.
Walking offstage, Jeren gave him a thumbs-up. "We've gotta get in the studio next week," he said. Mitsunari nodded. "It's time."
For Mitsunari, day two of the variety show wasn't just about winning or performing as it was about connecting. If today was any sign, this event was becoming one of the most important moments of his journey as an artist.