Chapter 438: What Should We Do From Now On (2)
Jin-Sung and Goh Yoo-Joon faced each other, still completely devoured by their roles. I feigned ignorance of their acting and asked, "It looks like there's a fierce mental battle brewing already. Should we reveal the first phrase?"
When I moved slightly to show the monitor where the CEO had been, a phrase appeared on the screen.
[Chronos and Rings will walk together forever]
"Our first phrase is 'Chronos and Rings will walk together forever.' Now, we need to decide who goes first. How about rock-paper-scissors?" I suggested.
Goh Yoo-Joon waved his hands and grimaced. "Come on, rock-paper-scissors? That’s so childish."
"Yeah, let’s decide this with something cooler."
The source of this c𝓸ntent is freewebnøvel.coɱ.
"...Alright then. Both of you, hands out front."
This was why people didn’t usually leave me in charge of hosting. Whenever I tried, the members started fooling around. I ignored the members’ relentless teasing and forced Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung to stretch out their hands.
Goh Yoo-Joon tried to ignore me but ended up stretching his hand out after taking a hit from me.
"Let's settle this in one go. Rock, paper, scissors!"
"Scissors!"
Goh Yoo-Joon showed scissors with a robust call, and Jin-Sung showed rock.
"Alright, Yoo-Joon. You decide. First or second?"
"I’ll go first."
"Great. Before we start, how about saying something to each other?"
Both put their hands in their pockets like in the script and stared each other down.
"Wow, you guys are... impressive," I murmured in amazement and pointed at Goh Yoo-Joon with my cue card. "Let’s start with you, Yoo-Joon. Any word to Jin-Sung?"
"I swear on the CEO’s honor, I will show these Gori High guys a lesson."
"Alright, and Jin-Sung?"
From a distance, Joo-Han shouted at me. "Host! Your reactions are too bland!"
I laughed awkwardly and waved my hand. "No, no. I’m having fun. Now, Jin-Sung."
Jin-Sung clenched his fists. "Today, I will take over Joo-Han High."
"Great! Thanks for sharing, guys. Let's start the game."
"Hey! You should put more sincerity in your comments!" Goh Yoo-Joon suddenly remarked in my direction.
I shook my head as if surprised. "Huh? Are you scolding me now?"
"Eh, of course not~"
"Then let’s begin. Yoo-Joon, start with 'Ch.’"
"Chronos, what does it mean to you?"
And so, a lengthy and nonsensical twenty-syllable poem began. The members stuck to the rules at first by conversing in poem format, but things quickly devolved into nonsensical utterances.
Of course, as the situation became more absurd, the game ended up more entertaining. Therefore, I significantly lowered my judging standards, but there were still times when they were at a loss for words.
"Br!"
"Brightly spirited, I really like that in you. It's been a while since I’ve seen such vivacity. We should have a meal together!"
What in the world? I laughed.
"We eat every meal together, don’t we? You seem to be speaking off the cuff, but alright. Next, 'Wa!’"
"...Walk? How about that! Let’s talk over a meal!"
"Wow, this is such an unprecedented situation. Jin-Sung is struggling to find words and gives up on food. Can you believe it? Now, next, Yoo-Joon. 'Get!'"
Poem-making was tricky with some letters. Even seasoned comedians usually glossed over them with a joke.
"Oops." Goh Yoo-Joon faltered, then flashed a playful smile and threw a heart sign at Jin-Sung. "Gotcha!" He delivered it with the same energy as when we both hosted a music show.
The other members froze, and Jin-Sung was the one who crumbled. Technically, Jin-Sung lost according to the rules, but I gladly raised his hand in victory. "Jin-Sung won!"
"Ah, why?!" Goh Yoo-Joon yelped.
"Well, it was too painful watching you play. Anyway, Jin-Sung wins!"
"Yes!!!" Jin-Sung roared victoriously while Goh Yoo-Joon refused to accept the outcome. He whined and clung to Joo-Han. I realized my mistake.
"Hyung, I lost. I even did 'Gotcha,' but Suh Hyun-Woo called it a loss."
"Why’d you go with 'Gotcha?’"
As Joo-Han reproached Goh Yoo-Joon, his gaze piercingly shot toward me. He gave me a look as if yelling ‘You made my team lose?’ at me.
"Ooh, I’m so scared."
"Joo-Han hyung is seriously competitive. Have you ever seen him give that look to Suh Hyun-Woo before?"
Indeed. I shielded myself from Joo-Han’s gaze and extended my hand. "The winner, Jin-Sung, please stay put. Your next competitor is Joo-Han. Please come forward. Now, the top ranker of Joo-Han High, Mr. Bloody Wing."
"Wow, that’s a tough opponent."
Joo-Han confidently looked at us, and Jin-Sung looked nervous as he continuously glanced at Yoon-Chan. Jin-Sung looked like prey that could be eaten any time soon by a predator.
"Shall we exchange words while looking at each other?"
Before anyone could decide on the order of speaking, Joo-Han spoke first. "I will avenge my nemesis."
"Wow, that’s impressive! Next up, it’s Jin-Sung’s turn."
"I will give winning a shot this time."
The match started between Jin-Sung, who was slightly intimidated by his clever opponent, and Joo-Han, who was confident about his victory. This round’s prompt was [Joo-Han High and Gori High rivals always meet on a narrow path]. Joo-Han took the initiative.
"Why do I always end up on a different team from Joo-Han hyung?" Jin-Sung complained.
I laughed and kicked off the game. "Joo!"
Joo-Han’s glare was intense, his expression and eyes fiercely matched the description.
"Trying to beat Joo-Han High? How dare you?"
"Oof..." I sighed without intending, and Jin-Sung grinned before running off into the distance.
"Ah! I’m too scared!"
"Why is he so serious?"
Even Goh Yoo-Joon, who lost the game, snapped back to reality at some point and sneakily tackled Joo-Han. Regardless, Joo-Han urged me to move on by gesturing at me.
Why were they taking this so seriously? I picked up Jin-Sung from the floor and pressed on with the game.
"Han!"
"Hansim[1]."
Jin-Sung gathered his composure as he tried to continue, but was immediately overwhelmed by Joo-Han’s intense stare and ended up retreating with a defeated look. "Ugh! I can’t do this..."
In the end, Jin-Sung chose to forfeit.
I shook my head at the ridiculousness of the situation and raised Joo-Han’s hand. Yoon-Chan stepped up as the next contestant. The score was 1:1. The next win would determine the victorious team. Joo-Han was a tough competitor, but Yoon-Chan was known for not easily losing in these games, making it hard to predict the outcome.
"Yoon-Chan has approached Joo-Han with a surprisingly calm demeanor."
Unlike Jin-Sung, Yoon-Chan faced Joo-Han's intense gaze yet maintained his usual composed smile.
Goh Yoo-Joon had sidled up next to me and dropped comments as he enjoyed the spectacle. "Yoon-Chan’s got some serious nerves."
Joo-Han looked at the ever-smiling Yoon-Chan and shook his head. "This guy... I can’t shake him off."
"Really?"
"He is just too upbeat."
"Are you giving up then?" I asked.
Joo-Han turned the question back on me. "Come to think of it, why are you not joining the game, Hyun-Woo? You’re with Joo-Han High too."
"That’s true, isn’t it? Hey, why are you acting neutral? You are from Joo-Han High too!"
"Ah, please, everyone. I am at the bottom of the hierarchy, and technically, the rules—"
"Why not play a round with Yoon-Chan in my place?"
"Huh? Me?"
"You’ve been ruthless right from the start," Jin-Sung muttered under his breath.
Despite there being no need, the members seemed determined to pull me into the game instead of Joo-Han. Goh Yoo-Joon had already taken my cue cards, and I found myself standing where Joo-Han had been. The director behind the camera gave a thumbs-up, clearly amused by the unfolding chaos.
Alright then.
"Fine, I will continue the game with Yoon-Chan in Joo-Han hyung’s place."
"Okay, then~ Let’s see the phrase, please!" Goh Yoo-Joon exclaimed, and the subject displayed on the screen was [Tonight’s dinner is soy meat, so let’s grab instant ramen at the convenience store instead].
"What kind of topic is that?"
"Did whoever came up with this put any effort into it?"
"Weren’t the verses more meaningful before?"
Everyone chimed in and made a fuss. I couldn’t help but laugh. "Wow, I’m not used to such a loud commotion after so long!"
My casual remark suddenly quieted the room.
"..."
An unexpected silence fell briefly, and the members' laughter faded away. Did I accidentally crack a nonsensical joke?
Before I could even comment on the weird atmosphere, the members became noisy again. The room was briefly silent, as if time had stopped for everyone but me, and the members weren’t forcibly keeping the tension up. This surprised me a bit.
But before I could make sense of the sudden silence, Goh Yoo-Joon loudly pushed the game forward and interrupted my thoughts. "Alright! Shall we start now? Let's decide who goes first with rock-paper-scissors."
1. It means Pitiful in Korean ☜