Chapter 14
The second day dawned in shades of blue and red. The trial was supposed to last a week, but it already felt like five days had dragged by. Hard to believe only one had passed. Yesterday's events had been so densely packed with chaos, that was why. But it was only day two now, and the real experiments were just beginning. Half excitement, half dread. If the physical exams had been that intense, whatever came next in the main trials was bound to bring more trouble. Probably something humiliating. I'd be lying if I said I didn't secretly hope for another erotic mishap, but that wasn't the issue. The problem was I was already branded a pervert. The changing room incident from yesterday flashed in my mind. Tripping naked, legs splayed, rolling around with my dick fully exposed. Over a dozen people had seen it—men and women alike. Could I really survive the remaining days? Honestly, worry was winning out.
While I was lost in those thoughts, the exam room door swung open and a researcher stepped in.
"Rise and shine! Anyone still sleeping, get up now!"
Groans erupted from all corners at the researcher's prodding voice. Rustling from the bunk beds, sheets being yanked.
"In one hour, assemble at the same spot as yesterday's final gathering. There are penalties for being late, so move fast."
The word penalty snapped my eyes wide open. That could affect my 5 million won. I hopped down from the bed, grabbing my toiletries. Toothbrush, soap, shampoo from yesterday's supplies—that was it. First things first, I needed to wash up. Heading to the baths, the vibe was off even at the entrance. Men and women crowded together chaotically. Maybe because of last night's fiasco, everyone was shooting hostile glares. Guys shrank under the girls' stares, while the girls eyed the guys like threats. After a full day of those physical exams, relations between the sexes were inevitably sour. No way was I squeezing in there—I'd just get called a pervert again without even washing. I turned on my heel toward the restrooms instead. There was a line there too, but it beat the baths' cutthroat atmosphere by a mile. I brushed at the cramped sink, washed my face with soap, shampooed my hair. Water was cold, but bearable. I toweled my hair roughly dry, slipped back into my lab clothes, and headed to the assembly area. Along the way, I saw plenty of guys skipping the wash altogether, heading out with bedhead. Part of me envied that carefree attitude toward looks around the opposite sex. But no matter how rushed I was, I had to wash my hair or it bugged me.
I arrived at the assembly hall early, it seemed. Fewer than twenty people so far, scattered across the vast space. Most still wore yesterday's exhaustion on their faces. No one I knew—well, technically there were people I knew, but pretending otherwise was safer. I stuck to a corner, waiting for everyone to gather. More trickled in steadily. And whenever they spotted me, they'd whisper to the person next to them.
"That's the guy from the baths yesterday..."
"Oh, the naked dude who came out after exams?"
"He wasn't even covering up—shaking it around on purpose! Total perv, right?"
I wanted to plug my ears. Yesterday's impact had been too massive. Just one night of sleep, and my reputation had plummeted straight through the floor into the basement. Dodging stares, I pressed myself closer to the wall. Wishing I could turn invisible. Moments later, several researchers entered. The one who looked like the MC stepped forward.
"When your name is called, come up, take your pill, and swallow it right here. Each pill is labeled with a name—double-check so you don't take someone else's."
Pills. I'd known they'd come eventually since it was a new drug trial. But now that the moment was here, a chill ran down my spine. No clue what they did. Hell, I still didn't even know what the experiment was about. Names started getting called one by one. Raise your hand, step forward, verify the label, swallow with a cup of water. Everyone looked tense. Some stared at the pill in their palm forever before downing it; others tossed it back without a second thought.
"Han Si-woo."
My turn. I stepped up. Eyes bored into me from all sides as I walked. Whispers. More whispers. Ignored them. Had to. Checked the label: 'Han Si-woo'. Correct. Tore it open—a single small pill. It was colored. Swallowed it with water. Felt it slide down my throat. A flicker of anxiety about what it might do to my body, but 5 million won had me resolved already. Back to my spot. It took a while for all 36 to cycle through. Finally, the last one swallowed, and the MC spoke again.
"Everyone's taken their pills. Now we'll proceed with the program."
The word program sent a ripple through the hall.
"Before we start, we'll divide everyone into two groups."
He paused for effect.
"Those who took the blue pill are Group A. Red pill, Group B."
Murmurs swelled. We'd assumed same pill, but different colors? Different drugs? Uneasy glances crisscrossed the room. Then the MC clarified.
"Just to be clear, it's the exact same drug for everyone. Only the color differs."
Sighs of relief echoed everywhere.
"Group A to my left, Group B to my right."
Chaos as people shuffled, bumping shoulders. "Mine was blue—what about you?" "Red." Soon sorted: exactly 18 each side. I scanned my group. That's when eyes met—Park Ha-young. She froze for a split second, then looked away. Awkward expression. Still uncomfortable about yesterday? Whatever she thought, just having a familiar face in my group was a relief. Better than lurking solo against the wall. Still, approaching her first was tough. She'd seen me fully naked, even the slit of my dick, and kicked my shin to boot. No matter our usual friendship, acting normal after that was impossible. So I glanced at the opposite group. Sure enough, two standouts: Yoon Seo-yeon and Na Ye-jin. They drew eyes anywhere. Yoon Seo-yeon with her long straight hair swept to one side, Na Ye-jin arms crossed, surveying the room. Even from afar, beauties shone. As I picked them out and eyed the others—
Someone tapped my shoulder from behind.
"Hey, Han Si-woo. Not even gonna say hi?"
It was Ha-young. I whipped around, startled. She stood with arms crossed, glaring playfully. Not the murderous look from yesterday—mixed with her usual mischief. I'd figured our friendship was toast after that, but here she was approaching me. I nearly teared up.
"Oh... uh, didn't see you there."
My voice cracked pathetically. Total lie—she knew it. We'd locked eyes earlier. Sure enough, she sighed.
"You're famous now, y'know. Pretty sure everyone here knows you."
And cue the stares prickling from all directions. 'Oh, a girl's next to the perv.' My head ducked instinctively. Seeing that, Ha-young lowered her voice, whispering.
"Yesterday... thanks."
I looked at her, stunned. She glanced away, shy, ears faintly red. She meant when I'd exited naked, drawing eyes without covering up so they could grab clothes. And blocking with my shirt for the three of them to change. That thanks hit deep. Amid everyone finger-pointing at me as a creep, one word of gratitude felt huge. Our friendship was intact. I barely held back hot tears when the MC spoke up again.
"In this main program, your two groups will compete against each other."
The air shifted at compete.
"On the final day, the winning group gets an extra million won."
Silence. Then explosion.
"A million?!"
"For real?!"
"That's 6 million total!"
This wasn't just a 5-million-won gig anymore. Eyes that'd been dead from fatigue lit up. Even the exhausted faces perked at that number. Me too. Why not win the extra cash? 6 million would cover overdue utilities and cards with plenty left. I glanced at Ha-young; she nodded. Same thoughts. Peeked at the other side—Yoon Seo-yeon wide-eyed at Na Ye-jin, who smirked and clenched a fist. Figured, Na Ye-jin seemed super competitive. As motivation peaked, researchers moved. They unfurled huge tarps, erecting a wall between A and B. Over two meters high, fully blocking sightlines. What the hell? Yesterday's physicals had tarps too. Bad premonition hit as memories resurfaced. Wall complete, the MC announced loudly for both sides.
"First program is simple."
Pause for drama.
"The group that collects the most clothes wins."
The buzz froze cold.
"Put all your clothes in the baskets we're handing out—team effort."
A researcher plunked a huge plastic basket in our group's center. Collect clothes? From where? I looked around. No spares in sight. Just the basket and 18 participants in lab clothes. Everyone realized it at once. Clothes were right here—on our backs. Icy silence blanketed the hall. Eyes met Ha-young's. Her face screamed no way. Same as mine. But after yesterday, it wouldn't take long for no way to turn into of course.