Chapter 31
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 31
Chapter Title Hanging Out with the New Guy
I was toweldrying my hair when I let out a groan.
Yeah, of course the first day of vacation should be spent with family.
But I figured theyd want to see my face, which they hadnt in so long, for at least another day.
Nope. Two days in, and everyone was itching to get out of the house.
Even in Grand Quest Saga, proposals like this never came all at once.
Suddenly, it felt like Id stumbled into an otome game.
Logically speaking, the right choice was to go with Kang Siyoon and Heo Yubin, people I was already close to.
Being with them put me at ease, too.
But Yoo Minha had been nagging at the back of my mind for a while now.
Especially how he never mixed with the other trainees and always stayed by himself.
I flopped onto the sofa and closed my eyes.
My guts telling me hes not the rude or illmannered type Baek Sihwa made him out to be. Theres gotta be some misunderstanding, or someone deliberately badmouthing him.
If I needed more logical ammo...
Fine. No reason to turn away a trainee with killer basics and a handsome face whos approaching me first.
Who knows what kind of luck hell bring back for the next mission.
With that line of thinking, I called Kang Siyoon first.
You called the second you saw my text?
Got something to say, so I called.
Why do you sound so dramatic even on the phone? Youre scaring me.
Siyoon. Mind if we bring one more today?
Huh?
I could hear the slight confusion in Kang Siyoons voice over the phone.
You wanna invite someone besides the three of us? Who?
Someone whos already gotten up close and personal with us.
...I think I know who, but please skip the phrasing that could lead to misunderstandings.
Sorry. Slipped out like a habit.
Yoo Minha, right? Why him all of a sudden? Weve never even talked except that name tag incident.
I explained the whole situation, and Kang Siyoon let out a sound of understanding.
You really have a knack for drawing people in, huh.
Not on purpose.
Talented guy. Anyway, Im cool with Minha coming. Problem is, theres another key player Im not.
Thats what I was worried about.
No need to spell it outwe were on the same wavelength.
Heo Yubin, super shy and only relaxes around close friends.
Yoo Minha, on the flip side, with his freakish charm and boundless energy.
Wonder if its okay to put those two in the same room.
But whatever. What can we do? You wanna get closer to him, right, Karis?
Felt like hes at least not a bad guy. Fresh character, too.
Networkings huge, even just one more connection. Minha was Tier 1, right? Skills are solid.
I burst out laughing for a second.
Kang Siyoon, thinking the exact same thing without me saying a word.
Siyoon, stop peeking into my brain.
Hahaha! Busted again. You hacking mine all the time? Watch out.
But its not just about connections. Theres something about him that piques my curiosity.
...Because of what Baek Sihwa said back then?
Yeah.
What kind of past lets someone trashtalk so openly?
Why call a loud guy who seems like he just loves comics a jerk?
Purely, I was hooked on this brandnew twist in this round.
I got back to the point.
Then tell Yubin youre okay with it.
Karis, I wish you luck.
Dont mimic other peoples speech patterns.
I always wanted to try it once. Kinda addictive, you know? Might do it more.
...Manticore bait.
I namedropped the toptier monster from Grand Quest Saga and hung up.
I took a sip of water and called Heo Yubin.
He picked up before the third ring.
Karis hyung!
Resting well, Yubin?
Totally! Homecooked meals after so long feel like heaven. But why the sudden call?
Oh, just a change to todays plans.
When I said Kang Siyoon had okayed Yoo Minhas sudden addition, a groan came through the phone.
Ughhhh... If you hyungs already decided, I dont get a say.
No. If you hate it, we can cancel
No way! I just realizedif I back out like a coward again, Ill never escape being a shutin. So bring Yoo Minha!
Yubin, you seem a bit different overnight.
Not overnightliterally just now!
Easier to convince than I thought.
Wonder if thisll really be okay, but I messaged Yoo Minha last.
I was planning to go out with my old roommates, but if youre cool, the four of us
Yesyesyesyes, Karisnim! You mean the guys who ripped off my name tag mercilessly? Ill get revenge today! Tell them to brace themselves!
...Got it.
Yoo Minha sounded ready to bolt out the door, but I calmed him by mentioning the original meetup time.
Then we made a group chat.
Yoo Minha Cant wait to hang out!! lol emoji You guys like basketball??
Kang Siyoon Played a ton in high school, basketball and soccer lol
Yoo Minha Ooooh then lets play after food to digest! Ill bring the ball thumbsup bunny emoji
Yoo Minha Location still Gangnam?
Me For basketball, Han River near a park sounds better.
Yoo Minha Then Ill find a spot near Yeouido!!
Heo Yubin grateful cartoon character emoji
It flowed like that.
Just like real life.
I finished getting ready with a black cap and black mask.
Mirror check straightup criminal vibe. But safety first.
On the subway to Seoul, pregame memories flooded back.
Last time I went out to eat with friends my age... when was that?
Grand Quest Saga memories didnt count.
No way the empires crown prince could stroll the streets leisurely.
So realworld flashbacks, which were even worse.
After debut failure, holed up in my room alone.
Friends drifted away naturally, leaving only games.
...Looking back, what a trash life.
Days in Grand Quest Saga were brutally tough.
Midway, I wanted to quit so bad.
But getting a shot to rediscover lost passion and dreams made those 10 hellish years feel rewarded.
Yeouido Station hit, so I checked the group chat first.
Felt like I arrived earliest.
Kang Siyoon Sorry, subway delay, 5 mins late
Heo Yubin Sorry, drying hair, 10 mins late sorry sorry
Yoo Minha photo Heading out with basketball!!
My hunch was spot on.
Kill time wandering the station.
First thing that caught my eye subway ads.
Soon, ads for trainees who succeeded in fundraising will pop up everywhere.
Last round, around primary team battle airing, bigname trainee ads exploded.
Same timing this time, for sure.
Subway ad tour events coming up soon.
With todays crew, theyll definitely drag us all on one.
I pictured the future chaos and ran a hand through my hair.
If I cant avoid the mess... might as well make the most of it.
About 10 minutes later, they trickled in.
Sorry Im late.
No biggie. Didnt wait long.
Brought Delimanzhu, eat up.
Kang Siyoon, Heo Yubin, Yoo Minhain that order at Yeouido Station.
Four of us together felt kinda weird.
Great to see you all! Been a while!
Same. Things got too heated back then for proper hellos.
GGGlad to see you.
Yoo Minha, zero stranger danger, shook hands heartily all around.
Kang Siyoons straightforward too, no issues.
But Heo Yubins slim hand stuck out, flopping up and down like a paper doll on a string.
I cleared my throat and quickly rescued his arm.
Lets grab food first. Minha, find any spots?
Scoured on the subway. Western, Chinese, Japanese, Koreanwhich you like?
Kang Siyoon heard and patted Heo Yubins shoulder.
Yubin, you pick.
HHuh, uh, eeh. MMe?
Youve been yapping about stuff you wanna eat since yesterday.
BBut deciding heres huge pressure...!
I nodded once, and Yoo Minha beamed innocently opposite.
Heo Yubin glanced between us, squeezed his eyes shut, and mumbled.
WWestern... wanna do that...
Westerns great! Been craving pasta.
No pasta at dorms, so yeah, me too.
I found three Italian spots! Sending to chat.
Everyone approved, and Heo Yubins tension eased a bit.
But the relief was shortlived.
Oh yeah, were same age! Nineteen this year, right?
YYeah.
Drop formalities? I love making friends! Cool if I go first?
YYeah, uhhuh.
Feels awesome having a buddy I can trust with my back!
IIll do my best.
On the way to the restaurant, Yoo Minhas icebreaker tsunami hit Heo Yubin.
Heo Yubin floated along like a buoy in waves.
Five minutes flat, and the sameagers were bantering casually.
Kang Siyoon, watching from behind, poked me giggling.
Yubins got a friend now, huh?
...You not seeing his eyes spinning?
Nah, hes always like that. Hell love it once he warms up to Minha.
Feels like Yubins staminall tank before he feels comfy.
Yoo Minhas restaurant pick was solid.
I inhaled crab cream pasta, satisfied.
But across from me, Heo Yubin couldnt tell if aglio e olio was going in his mouth or nose.
...So Ive got tons of lifechanging comics? But this ones the best. Mustread, got it? You watch anime, so you know it for sure.
YYeah, saw it. Cough. Back then.
For real? You know your stuff! Knew we clicked from the start. Whats your top lifechanger? Spill.
WWell, lemme think. Haha...
Kang Siyoon, polishing off a steak, eyed Yoo Minha with fascination.
Like a scientist studying a rare specimen.
Hows he talk that fast and still eat pasta?
Right? Normal persond be too fullmouthed to speak.
Gills or something?
Thats a stretch, Siyoon.
Ehey, back me up sometimes.
I shook my head.
Sameagers or dongsaengszero normal ones.