After our last performance, we listened to more live fan messages backstage that were the sweetest thing I've heard.  It really was what I needed to hear today, it made me really emotional though. I not only wanted to be an idol to dance and sing on stage but I also wanted to achieve that fan-artist relationship so many groups have with their fanbase.  The videos tonight were big motivator.

I wanted to debut so badly.  I needed to know that giving up figure skating for good was worth it.  I needed it.

"6 by the global votes, 2 by producers will debut in this ceremony. I'll announce the first debut member by global votes."

I bit my tongue, this was it.  They're announcing the members of the ENHYPEN.  I had no clue what my chances were, but I just hoped they were enough. "The first debut member recieved 1,137,323 global votes, placing 5th out of 10." My eyes widened a little bit, that was for fifth place?  How many votes did first and second place have?

It really felt so long.  Just waiting in silence as the MC dragged out the details.  The 5th place winner was part of the Fake Love unit.  So I quickly quieted my own hopes.  But I was happy that either Heeseung, Sunoo, or Sunghoon would debut for sure now.

"The first debut member is... Lee Heeseung."

My face broke into a smile as it dawned on all of us that Heeseung's debuting.  I nearly laughed seeing Heeseung's expression.  None of us were surprised as we hugged and congratulated him.  He was the ace, it was no surprise.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Then one by one it went like that.  Severe anxiety and then cheering when one of us were chosen.  After Heeseung was announced, then it was NiKi, Jake, Jay, and Jungwon.  I was really proud of them cause only we knew the real and full extent of how hard the four of them worked for this. 

"Now, I will announce the sixth debut member.  The sixth debut member received 1,088,413 global votes, placing 6th out of 10.  In all tests of part two, this member received the debut badge." I let out a shallow sigh.  That was either me, Sunoo, Sunghoon, or K.  "Among these four, one of them is a debut member.  The person who always in the top of every test in I-Land.  Will it be Park Sunghoon?  Or the one who survived from the Ground and made it to the final test, Kim Sunoo? With his consistent, high-quality performance acknowledged by all, will it be K?  Or the I-Lander who never ceased to amaze the producers and global viewers.  Will it be Kim Soojin?"

I clasped my hands tightly together in front, trying to keep them from shaking as we waited. "The sixth debut member is... Park Sunghoon"

I immediately whipped my head around and looked at Sunghoon who doubled over in shock.  I quickly walked over to him and hugged him before any of the others could, "Hoon!  You did it!" I said proudly, laughing to disguise the emotions in my voice.

Sunghoon took a second to register my words, before he hugged me back.  "Debut with me please." He mumbled into my shoulder as the others patted him on the back.

I chuckled and cupped his face, letting go of the hug, even though Sunghoon held on to me tightly, "Whatever happens, Hoon." I said, remembering last night when we talked. "You're debuting.  You deserve it." I told him, wiping the tears off his face.

Sunghoon held onto my hand, "I can't do this without you, Soojin."

"You will if you have to." I said sternly before pushing him slightly to the front. 

I watched Sunghoon proudly as he gave his speech.  I never once stopped smiling.  If I wasn't chosen as part of the line-up tonight, then at least Sunghoon would.  He deserves it a thousand times more than I do.  Even though I badly wished I could join him as he walked over to the debut zone with the other six, I just clapped from afar with Sunoo, K, and Daniel.

"Six of the debut members are decided by global votes, and soon, the seventh and eighth members to debut will be decided by the producers." I bit my lip anxiously, I didn't know whether I had a better chance to debut from global votes or the producers. "Who will be the last two members to debut by the producers' choice?"

I had no faith in myself at this point. Two out of the four of us would be chosen, and I knew it wasn't going to be me.  K, Sunoo, and Daniel were probably some of the most popular I-Landers.

"Producers, please proceed to discuss and decide the last two debut members."

The producers then quickly joined together and started discussing in hush whispers that no one could hear over the background music, deciding which of us would debut. 

I turned my head slightly and looked at the debut zone.  I made eye contact with Sunghoon and he nodded his head.  Giving me the smallest smile, making feel just ever more calm.  I nodded back and took a deep breath.

There was still a chance. "Producers who watched I-Landers the closest, I'm curious who they choose. Out of the remaining four, only two will be chosen by the producers to debut. And two will be eliminated."

The MC looked at the producers, "Producers, have you made up your mind?"

Bang Sihyuk picked up the mic, "Yes."

"The producers have made the call. Only two seats remain. Who will be the last two members to debut?"

I felt the bright lights shining on my back. Only making me more nervous. I was prepared for the worst. And I hoped I was wrong.

"The survival game watched by the whole world, I-Land. So far, six members have been decided to debut. Only the seventh and eighth members to debut remains unannounced." The MC held up two envelopes in his hand, "I have the producer's decisions in my hand. In 2020, through Bang Sihyuk's producing, among the final 8 who will debut as global idols. Who will be the last two members to take the glory of debuting by the producers' choice? Now, I will announce the seventh member to debut."

We watched as the MC took out the cue card in the first envelope, "Yes, the seventh member of Enhypen to debut is... Kim Sunoo."

I immediately started clapping for Sunoo. Daniel, K, and I walked over to him as he covered his mouth in shock, "Chamber 5 really did it." I joked, shaking his shoulders.

Sunoo let out a sob, "Noona..." I laughed and hugged Sunoo with Daniel and K.

"You did a great job, hyung." Daniel said, ruffling Sunoo's hair.

I kept smiling as Sunoo went to speak and take his rightful spot in the debut zone.  But I did feel disappointed. I had one last chance but it seemed slim at this point.

"Now I will announce the eighth debut member, chosen by the producers.  I have this decision here." I stared at the black envelope as he opened it.  It really felt like my life depended on it.

MC nodded at the camera, "One spot remains.  Who will be the eighth member to debut as part of Enhypen?"

I closed my eyes as they started the suspense music again.  Looking at my feet I could see my light changing from red to white over and over.

"The last member to debut is..."

"Kim Soojin."

My legs nearly gave out. No way. Before I knew it, I felt tears running down my face. Just vaguely I could hear the cheers and clapping as Daniel and K surrounded me.

"Noona! Noona! You're debuting!" Daniel said excitedly, jumping up and down.

K cooed, "Soojin, you can't be so shocked can you?"

I looked at the two boys sadly, "But— you guys—" Daniel and K weren't debuting?

"Don't worry about us, noona." Daniel said, keeping a smile on his face. Only making me sadder.

K grinned and patted my head, "You work hard for all of us, if anyone should get the last spot it's you." He sighed at my reluctancy, "Go, Soojin, you're debuting. You can't change it."

I took another deep breath and wiped my eyes. Everything seemed to come back now. The other I-Landers were cheering and calling my name. Looking over to the debuting members, I saw them also clapping. Sunghoon especially was.

A staff member ran over to give me the mic. I had to take another second before I spoke, "Oh... thank you, everyone, who had faith in me," I said as I stepped onto the platform, "Thank you, producers who have enough faith in me to choose me." I felt relieved when they smiled at me and nodded. "I remember, last night I thought I wouldn't make it.  But, now I'm here, and it feels so surreal.  Thank you to those who were constantly with us through I-Land.  I wanted to prove to everyone that I was worthy enough to debut.  That I was strong enough.  Now I will prove that I am strong enough to stay.  As a member of Enhypen now, I will show you that I'm worth it."

Bang Sihyuk picked up his microphone, "Soojin-ah, you are one of the most capably trainee I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Many people doubted having a female trainee in a show with male trainees, but the reason why I added you is because I knew that you were close to debut.  That you would see any chance and take it.  Even if it's not normal circumstances.  You powered through every test and challenge during I-Land.  And we all applaud that not only you kept your perseverance up, but you also helped those around you.  Which is what I think truly earns you the title of I-Land's angel.  And now Enhypen's angel."

I grinned and bowed my head, feeling pure happiness and relief as I gave the microphone back and walked to the debut zone.

When I walked halfway through, Sunghoon ran off his platform and to me. 

"Oh god!" I gasped when he embraced me in a hug.  Picking me off the floor in the process, spinning me around.

When he was done, he leaned his forehead against mine, not letting me go.  I could hear the other members running to us, "I knew you could do it." Sunghoon muttered.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and laughed, "Yeah, we're debuting now.  You better get used to me being around twenty-four-seven."

Sunghoon laughed and if I could bottle the sound I would, "Sounds perfect, Angel."

"Soojin!" I turned around and Jake hugged me, practically pushing Sunghoon out of the way, "Oh I'm so glad you're debuting!"

"Sunghoon was having a panic attack during the announcement." Jay said jokingly, ruffling my hair.

Heeseung hugged me around the shoulders, "I'm so happy you're part of Enhypen with us."

"Noona!" NiKi said happily, throwing himself on me, followed by Jungwon and Sunoo.

I laughed, "Hi! See, our dance machine made it through."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"The final eight members can proceed to the center of the stage."

I dabbed the final tears on my face as Sunghoon intertwined one of his fingers with mine.  It was all happening so fast.  Half of us weren't even done crying.

"They are the eight members of Enhypen."

We stood shoulder to shoulder on stage as the new idol group, Enhypen. I was beyond happy. It felt like a dream that I was debuting with these seven.

I jumped when confetti cannons sounded off behind us. I could hear Sunghoon laughing as he held my shoulders steady when I flinched.

"Guys, come on, group hug." Heeseung said, putting his arm around NiKi.

The eight of us gathered around in a huddle.  Patting each other on the back.  We were the final team now.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
I-LAND COMMENTS

1. AHHHHH SHE DID IT GUYS SOOJIN DEBUTED 😭

2. I'm so happy for Soojin!!  She deserves it so much 💙 💙

3. DID NO ONE SEE THE HUG THAT SUNGHOON AND SOOJIN HAD LAJDLSJFLSDJ

4. Soojin's scared look when she realized Daniel and K werent called 🥺

5. THE PRODUCERS FINALLY DID SMTH RIGHT AND CHOSE SUNOO AND SOOJIN

6. Enhypen's chemistry is really like no other ❤️

7. And people doubted Soojin when the first episode aired 🙄 LOOK AT OUR ICE PRINCESS NOW

[a/n hi everyone!  I finally did it 🥹 only took 6+ months 💀 BUT YAY
Note tho I am going to have a lil break before posting the en&hi chapters.  Mostly because it's almost summer break and I'm going in a trip the second school ends.
For those in the US enjoy your summer break and everyone else enjoy a good day!]