Chapter 30
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 30
Chapter Title Heading Home
The day after Episode 2 of Idol Training Simulation aired.
The dormitory building was filled with the sounds of trainees packing up their things.
Got my brush, clothes all packed. Hmm. Should I grab the shampoo and lotion too?
Were coming back in a week anyway, isnt that overpacking, hyung?
Im swapping in some comfier clothes, and the rest just in case? I like organizing stuff.
Ah.
Cell 31 was no different.
Kang Siyoon meticulously packing everything from clothes to lotion.
And Heo Yubin, whod haphazardly stuffed his bag and was now rolling around on the bed.
I couldnt help but chuckle at their starkly different personalities.
Good thing they balance each other out somehow.
Until the first global vote closed, the next phase of Idol Training Simulation wouldnt begin.
The fateful crossroads deciding survival or elimination.
Only those who made it through here could advance to the second team battle.
While the votes were tallied, Episodes 3 and 4the first team battle footagewould air.
In the meantime, the trainees had no choice but to take a forced break.
Naturally, theyd use this time to head back to their longvacant homes.
Kang Siyoon neatly packed his last items into his suitcase.
There, all done. Yubinah, straight home, right?
Yeah!
Then like we said yesterday, lets take the subway together. Karis?
Kang Siyoon and Heo Yubin both lived in Gangseogu.
My old oneroom was in Gyeonggido, so our paths diverged.
Ive gotta head back to my place too. Dont worry. Korean public transits all mapped out in my head.
Hmm, its not your transit knowledge Im worried about.
Kang Siyoon tilted his head with a playful smile.
You got your mask?
Mask?
If you head out to a bus or subway like that, youll 100 get swarmed by crowds. Your visuals are too standout.
Ah.
It hit me late.
Right after returning from Grand Quest Saga, my mind had been solely on joining Idol Training Simulation.
Id rushed the application, got accepted, packed light, and come straight here.
Never imagined Karis von Walden would draw this much attention from the start.
Only now do you turn into an airhead.
Sorry. Forgot the mask.
I only brought one myself, what now.
II only have one too.
No worries. Well swing by a convenience store on the way.
My roommates looked apologetic for not being able to lend one, but I just shrugged it off.
The Idol Training Simulation site was remote, so we had to take a bus out.
A quick stop at a store right after getting off in the city center would sort it.
Wish we could all go together, but oh well.
I made a group chat, so we can keep in touch there!
Got it.
The front of the Idol Training Simulation site was lined with large buses.
The trainees, buzzing with excitement at the thought of freedom after so long, boarded with light steps.
Karis, be careful getting home. Text when you arrive.
Im not a kid.
Karis hyungnim, stay safe! Always watch out for people and cars!
Im old enough to handle myself.
Even right up to boarding the Gangseogu direction bus, Kang Siyoon and Heo Yubin fussed over me.
Twentyeight in the real world, plus ten years in Grand Quest Sagabeing babied wasnt half bad.
After seeing off my roommates, I went hunting for the bus marked Southern Gyeonggi.
It wasnt far, and I spotted it quick.
Hm?
But there was a trainee lurking around it.
Face kinda familiar, but the mask hid it, making it hard to tell.
He glanced my way, then waved frantically and ran over.
Karisnim! Hi!
Yoo Minha flashed his usual energy, pulling off his mask with a grin.
Caught off guard by the unexpected face, I kept my cool and smiled back.
Good to see you.
You heading to Gyeonggi too? No way! My family homes there.
What a coincidence. But why werent you on the bus? Hanging out here?
Oh, that.
Yoo Minha hesitated for a split second.
So quick a regular person might miss it, but Karis von Waldens battlefieldhoned dynamic vision caught it clear.
Bummed cause all my friends live different directions! Gotta head to Gyeonggi solo.
Same as me. My roommates all went to Seoul.
Khkhm! Well, since were here.
A fist suddenly thrust out in front of me.
Yoo Minha averted his gaze, clearing his throat a few times.
Straight out of a manga character.
Wanna ride together?
I cant get home without this bus.
II mean, can I sit with you?!
Sure, thats fine.
Thank you!
He lit up like a kid at my okay.
We boarded the fairly empty bus and took seats side by side.
Id pegged Yoo Minha as chatty, expecting fullon banter.
Wheres home for you, Karisnim?
Seongnamsi. You?
Not far! Mines Yongin. Born in Seoul, but moved there in kindergarten and stayed.
I see.
And with that short exchange, Yoo Minha zipped off to dreamland.
I marveled at his face, already snoring softly in seconds.
First time seeing someone crash out that fast.
Left me with nothing to do.
As the bus hit the highway, I pulled out my phone to check the reactions Id missed yesterday.
After about ten minutes browsing communities, my take was
Hm. Exactly as expected.
The production team had outright declared how theyd frame Karis von Walden in Episode 2.
Started with visualspopping edits, then slipped in hints he wasnt just coasting on looks.
Desperate for his dream, having come from overseas.
Admitting he lagged behind others skillwise, grinding fiercely to catch up.
And that passion didnt stop at gritit showed in clear skill jumps, hinting at raw talent.
Viewers who caught it fired back reactions like this.
Karis, every moment was so real! First kid Ive seen practicing winks till his face cramped lol
Def shows growth over level test. They practiced what, 12 weeks??
Yeah, learning this much already? Straightup talent.
Haters never saw real deal talent.
Fr, notalent kids get dropped by coaches quick, its hopeless.
Nah lol he got Tier 1 from jump. Judges saw massive gains,,,, wild yall still pushing the noob narrative for clout
Thought he was just pretty boy showboating at first, but damn, full of fire. Sorry Karis!
Karis we love you sorry thank you
Lmao whys this line in every Karis thread
But with that face, even trash dancings forgivable. Ditching himd be weird.
Wed welcome him with open arms.
Face alone makes it fun to stan hard.
Tier 1 worked wonders in every way.
It cemented an image of something not handed out lightly, proving Karis von Waldens potential.
Backed up claims he wasnt just riding visuals into survival.
Watching the live broadcast, I recalled Kang Siyoons words.
Not getting filtered negatively. Phew.
You never know.
Without this SSS looks, who knows the spin.
So far, playing out as hoped.
If current buzz is the buildup, first team battle results at ranking reveal would be the tipping point.
Center. Stage presence. Team second place.
Combined, itd fan these flames higher.
Mmm.
Yoo Minha stirred beside me.
I thought back to his level test and final eval stageunexpected skill on display.
Seems a screw loose, but definitely something there.
No clue on his Baek Sihwa connection, but my gut said Idol Training Simulation would uncover it.
Glancing out the window, still time till arrival.
I pocketed my phone and caught some shuteye.
Hadnt napped on public transit in forever didnt even feel real.
About an hour later.
Arrival.
Yoo Minha and I stumbled off the bus halfasleep.
The sun shone just warm enough.
Yawwn. Slept great. You catch some Zs too, Karisnim?
First bus nap in ages for me.
Hehe, same! Oh yeah, the mask?
Forgot to grab it, like an idiot.
Yoo Minha slyly grinned at my words, fishing a black mask from his bag.
Always carry extras just in caseperfect!
Ththanks.
Unexpected save.
Turning toward the station postbus, crowds already milling about.
Karis von Waldens blond hair was a magnet had to stay lowkey till home.
Oh, we still gotta swap numbers!
Yoo Minha thrust out his phone with a hearty laugh.
Can I get yours as thanks for the mask?
Was gonna give it anyway.
Honor!
We exchanged contacts and headed into the subway.
Mask or not, my height and hair kept drawing eyes.
Gotta catch the opposite line here. Text me anytime youre bored, Karisnim?
Feel free.
Yes! Ill hit you up later. Get home safe!
Oblivious to stares, Yoo Minha bellowed his goodbye with a 90degree bow.
I waved back, swept up in the vibe but handling that energyd take getting used to.
I boarded a quiet train and exhaled.
Get home, crash for a few days. Burned too much energy.
But the next day, two texts beautifully shattered my rest plans.
.
Kang Siyoon Yo, wanna hit Gangnam with Yubin today? Three of us. Fresh air after forever.
Yoo Minha Karisnim! emoji Stuck home with family yesterday, bodys stiff afwanna ball today?? Lunch on me!!