Second Try Idol

“Whose place is available for us to come over today?" I asked

“Why so out of the blue?" Joon-Hwan's baffled question prompted Yoo-Joon and me to silently flash our mission paper.

Then, Hee-Su quietly pulled out his phone and said, “I will check with my mom."

“Wow, thanks."

“Count me in!" Daniele exclaimed.

I then nudged Lee Cheol-Min next to me and asked, “Do you have time today?"

“Part-time job."

“Ah, tough luck. Okay, then. I feel sorry for you though." Actually, it was a mere formality. Knowing his job commitments, I had expected that he wouldn't be able to join.

Gesturing with his hand, Hee-Su said, “My place is available. Just brace for my noisy sis! She is hella loud."

“So, it's just Lee Cheol-Min who can't make it?"

“Yep!" Daniele had been busy with his modeling work lately, and Joon-Hwan also had just found a part-time job. Luckily, their free time aligned well this time.

On Ki-Hoon's eager gaze from the front was hard to miss, but Yoo-Joon and I kept ignoring it.

It felt like he'd come over with just one eye contact, but I no longer wanted to mix with him, beyond just protecting Lee Cheol-Min. Therefore, On Ki-Hoon seemed to hold back and merely watched us without intruding.

“Short class today because of Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo's mission?"

“Probably not.”

“Surely they wouldn't shorten it just for us~ Ahem!"

“Joon! Don't be arrogant!"

“Oops, sorry~"

Amidst the noisy excitement about the unexpected visit to our friend’s house, Kun-Ho stepped in and faced the class. “Class wraps up quickly today, right?"

“Yes!"

“The early finish is to ensure you all create lasting memories with friends as your graduation is nearing." The mention of graduation stirred the crowd. “Enjoy your time out with friends and relish good food after the class. Well, we are not forcing. Just optional."

“Yes!"

“I love the enthusiasm. That's it for today. Class president."

Yoo-Joon sprang up. “Attention, salute!"

As our classmates eagerly gathered their bags to leave in groups, returning their mics to the production team, I couldn't help but notice On Ki-Hoon still gazing in our direction, particularly at Lee Cheol-Min.

“Lee Cheol-Min, let's head out. We will walk together till we part ways."

“..."

Lee Cheol-Min sensed the stares and nodded subtly. In response, On Ki-Hoon frowned and started fiddling with his phone. Shortly after, Lee Cheol-Min's phone rang, and he hesitated before answering.

It was absurd how On Ki-Hoon's demeanor shifted as soon as he returned the mic. I shook my head in disbelief and followed Hee-Su. Unable to intervene directly while still on camera and mic'd up, I could only silently cheer for Lee Cheol-Min.

‘Just get through today.’

I hoped that my involvement wouldn’t lead to a dramatic shift in the future or precipitate the unveiling of everything tomorrow. If things went according to plan, Lee Cheol-Min would have a much easier time if he could just hang on for one more day.

***

“Just a heads-up…"

“Seriously! Fine, Hee-Su! Just open the door!" Daniele's patience wore thin against Hee-Su's dallying.

Yet Hee-Su persisted. “E…especially you, Wow Joon! Watch out for my sister, she can get crazy."

“As if you'd call me 'Wow Joon' in front of her too."

“Got it, okay?"

It made me wonder how wild his sister was. All through the ride in the crew's car, Hee-Su only talked about his sister. I knew she was a Chronos fan, but Hee-Su's words painted a picture of an obsession that had deepened with days, which was filled with videos, screams, and songs.

“Last I heard was 'Suh Hyun-Woo is divine.'"

“Suh Hyun-Woo's her top pick? What about me?"

“That was the latest! She was once like, 'I want to gift Yoo-Joon a Rolex.'"

“Pffft!"

“Steer clear of her room. You'd pass out. It seems like she's got a thing for you two the most."

Daniele then huffed and puffed. “Ah! Open the door! My legs are killing me!"

“Okay, okay......" The front door to Hee-Su's house finally swung open. As we stepped in, we were greeted by delicious aromas and a cozy, warm interior bathed in sunlight. The living room was bright even without lights.

“It is a whole different world from Joo-Han's room."

“Yeah, right? Let's ask for a place like this next time. It'd be great for weekend chilling."

“Deal."

As Goh Yoo-Joon and I quietly exchanged our thoughts about the house, Hee-Su's mom emerged from the kitchen and greeted us with quick steps. “Welcome! Why are you just standing at the entrance? Come on in, quickly."

She was just as caring as Hee-Su. At this moment, she said, “Hee-Jeong, come out and say hi! Aren't they your favorite oppas?"

“Oh, mom! Don't say that! Shh!” A voice that sounded about Hee-Su's age came from the kitchen. However, his mother was unfazed by her daughter's annoyance. Then, she looked us over.

“All three of you are from the same group, right? It's hard to tell who Hee-Jeong likes more since you are all so handsome."

“Mom, you watched the show. These two are from Chronos. Their posters are all over Hee-Jeong's room," replied Hee-Su.

“Hello!"

“Hello, ma'am!"

“Ah, yes! I've seen the pictures. But I couldn't recognize you. Seeing you now makes it clear. Hee-Su, you shouldn't cling too much to them like on the show."

“Oh! Mom!"

Their family was truly harmonious. Hee-Su's sister, a fan of Chronos, was too shy to come out of the kitchen at first. It was only after we settled on the living room couch that she emerged, urged by her mom's persistent coaxing, her face flushed and her eyes seemingly on the verge of tears. “Uh... Hello..."

“Hello."

“She really likes you guys a lot. She's not usually this quiet."

As Hee-Su continued to speak, his sister's expression suddenly darkened, and she glared at him.

"Stop it, Hee-Su," she said firmly, her tone carrying a hint of irritation.

“Ah, yeah, yeah."

“I'm a real fan... I have albums... I wanted to go to the fan signing... Ah, what do I do..."

“Go have some cold water. I'm embarrassed in your stead."

Hee-Su’s sister shook her head and hid behind her mom, who was slightly more composed.

We had a brief chat in the living room before diving into the early dinner prepared by Hee-Su’s mom.

Even as we helped set the dining table in the living room, Hee-Su's sister maintained a distance from us.

“Why stay away if you like them so much?" Hee-Su teased.

“Shut up. Any closer and my heart would stop. How can you stay calm after seeing their faces up close?" his sister muttered swiftly.

“Does Daniele live in the dorm or somewhere like that?"

“No, I live at home! Not too busy with schedules! Not busy!"

“Do Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo live together in the dorm?"

“Yeah, we've been living together since our trainee days."

“Then you must struggle to find time for meals, right?"

“We manage to eat alright, but our schedules are all over the place... so, we often get indigestion."

“Tough life. Barely get to eat homemade food, huh?"

“Yeah." We responded without much thought, as we always cherished homemade meals. However, Hee-Su’s mom looked at us with a look of sympathy.

Seeing her expression, Yoo-Joon awkwardly wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me in. “During our trainee days, I often ate at his home. Couldn't go to mine much since it's far."

“And now?"

“Now, well, we resort to delivery food..." Feeling a bit like I was in a headlock, I shrugged off his arm, but then our eyes met Hee-Jeong's. She'd been staring blankly at Yoo-Joon and me. When she noticed my gaze, she quickly picked up her chopsticks and ate.

After finishing the meal, we headed to Hee-Su's room to tackle another mission, “Win a game with a friend.”

“But we only have one computer here. What game can we all play with just one?"

Hearing Hee-Su's question, Yoo-Joon and I spoke up simultaneously.

“Water balloon."

“The water balloon game."

It was one of Chronos's signature games. While Hee-Su looked puzzled by our game choice, he eventually nodded. “Okay, I’m downloading it."

“What's the water balloon game?" asked Daniele.

“You haven't played it, Daniele?"

“Never."

While Joon-Hwan explained the game to Daniele, Hee-Su suggested, “Since it's a special occasion, why not include Hee-Jeong too? We are five here, so we need one more person to make it even."

“I don't mind. Let's play together."

Hee-Su hit the download button and then went to fetch Hee-Jeong. The six of us then dove into the water balloon game and split into teams. Each team consisted of three people, and one person from each team played three rounds. The losing team would treat the winners at the canteen. Additionally, if Hee-Jeong ranked first, Goh Yoo-Joon and I promised to gift her an album signed by all the members.

“How shall we team up?"

At Joon-Hwan's question, Yoo-Joon slung an arm around my shoulder again.

“Ah, you are choking me!”

With gusto, Goh Yoo-Joon shouted, “I'm definitely teaming up with Suh Hyun-Woo. He's the ace of this game. Can't give up Suh Hyun-Woo!"

“Oh, really? I am the master of this game. Just wait until I show you how flashy my avatar is. Get excited.”

“An avatar decked out with money? I will win with just a normal one. Jeong Hee-Su, team up with me. We will take Daniele with us too.”

The water balloon game started as a taunting role-play. While they were bragging and teasing each other about who was better, I quietly warmed up my hands, a sly smile gracing my face.

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