Chapter 51
Translator 8uhl
Chapter 51
Chapter Title Perfect Timing
I stared at the poster, which had been produced with tremendous quality, and let out a groan.
.
To be honest, it wasnt something I hadnt anticipated at all.
Fortunately, I was well aware that the number of people cheering for and liking Karis von Walden kept steadily growing.
But seeing the posts and ad photos right in front of my eyes like this made it hit home in a whole new way.
The timing is perfect. This is an opportunity too good to pass up.
It lined up exquisitely with the air date for episodes 6 and 7.
The absolute best window to extend the fever time right up until the end of the second global vote.
And with my trainee experience and knowledge already in hand, I knew exactly what to do during this break period.
As I was packing a few simple things to head out of the dorm building, a message notification pinged on my phone.
Kang Siyoon Dude, did you see you got subway ads?? Screenshot
Kang Siyoon Mines going up at Gangnam Station on Line 2 too lololol
Kang Siyoon Last day of breakwanna do an ad tour together?
Apparently, Kang Siyoons subway ads were going up at the same time as mine.
This was another highly unexpected development.
Looks like his fans banded together to get him out of that infamous dilemma zone as fast as possible.
Tenth place might look high right now, but in the end, it wouldnt be enough to debut based on the finale.
It was that maddening rankjust high enough to tease debut territory but unable to break through the concrete wall.
Thats why they were jumping into preemptive work to secure a solid spot in the second or third votes.
I pondered Kang Siyoons text for a moment.
Teaming up with this guy should be fine.
If I went adhunting with other trainees or headed to spots swarming with fans, I could get caught in unintended controversies.
Something similar had happened in the previous round.
A few top traineesnot from the same agency, cell, or teamkept hanging out together, and that drew mindless haters.
The survival format itself pitted fans against each other in constant battles, since shooting down your rival was the only way to survive.
That bred plenty of people desperate to tear down any trainee they saw as a thorn in their side.
Looks like Song Hyeongbins got a bunch of ads too. Good thing he didnt invite me along.
No need to get any closer to the number one trainee here.
Even if we were teammates, Song Hyeongbins fandom had a hardcore core with fierce loyalty.
Put simply, his fans were extremely wary of anyone getting bundled with him.
Theyd say you were latching on to leech off the top trainees fame.
That it was obvious you were approaching him on purpose.
Since they could tear into you like that, I wanted to avoid private hangouts as much as possible.
On the other hand, Kang Siyoon and I had been together since the early days of Idol Training Simulation, so no such issues would arise.
Without replying to the text, I called him right away.
Hey, Karis. Saw the message?
Ive confirmed. We have things to prepare, so itd be best to meet up today.
You still at the dorm? I didnt go home this time either, so Im sticking around.
Then thats fortunate. Lets meet at 3 p.m. on the first floor of the dorm building and head to Seoul together. There are a lot of places we need to hit.
Huh? Isnt it just subway stations
Pitiful. Ill explain the details later.
Huh? Huh?
I hung up, leaving Kang Siyoons bewildered question behind.
I packed my things at top speed and headed down to the first floor right on time at 3, where Kang Siyooneyebrows furrowed deeplylightly smacked the top of my head.
Who the hell calls someone pitiful and hangs up like that?
Sorry. But it was truly pitiful
Youve gotta explain why its pitiful, you insolent punk!
Please stop mimicking my speech patterns.
Thats kinda tough. Its way too addictive and fun.
I suppressed a sigh and left the dorm building.
After boarding a bus into central Seoul, I gave Kang Siyoon a quick briefing.
Now, were going to visit the subway stations where fans might be waiting for us.
Indeed.
Meaning theyre waiting all day just for a single glimpse of us, not knowing when we might show up.
So it shall be.
I pressed on with the explanation, trying to ignore Kang Siyoons weird historical drama speech.
Doesnt it seem only right to show our gratitude to people whove waited so long for us?
Thats obvious. But I have no idea what to do about it.
Surprisingly, the answers simple.
I recalled what Id seen and heard while living as an idol trainee. And what Id actually experienced participating in Idol Training Simulation.
Fans want to hear our sincere feelings more than anything. And they crave things that arent available anywhere else.
The quickontheuptake Kang Siyoon nodded the moment he heard sincere.
You mean theyd love handwritten letters.
Exactly. If we write handwritten letters and stick them at the spots with our ads, everyone who comes looking can read them. And theyll feel rewarded for supporting us.
Hmm, hmm. Definitely a good idea. But didnt you say there were a lot of places to hit? Its not just letters, right?
I chuckled.
We could stop at that, but other trainees will probably think of letters as basic too. To stand out, we need to do more.
Like what?
Siyoon. Its been a while since you took photos?
Phphotos? By yourself?
The moment we got off in central Seoul, we donned hats and masks and hurried along.
Hey, at least tell me where youre dragging me.
Wait and see.
You say wait and see, but why are you just staring at your phone map?
Looking for a quiet spot. Dont interrupt.
I quickly zoomed in on the map, scanning every nearby photobooth.
Then I spotted one slightly off the main drag.
Lets go. We need to move fast.
Fortunately, the booth was empty inside.
We fixed our messy hair and stepped into the spacious booth.
Sooo, Karis.
Hm?
We really have to take awkward solo photos?
Leave a little space next to you if you can. Fans will like that more.
Kang Siyoon eyed me suspiciously but followed my instructions to the letter.
Loosen your expression a bit. You look kinda pissed right now.
Dont move and press the button now. No, dont move!
There, much more natural.
While Kang Siyoon snapped his eight photos, I coached him enthusiastically from the side.
Contrary to appearances, he claimed he hadnt done many solo shots like this, and his poses were hilariously awkward.
Uh, can we really use these?
No problem. Theyll love them even more like this.
Not sure I trust you.
A day had passed since we left the Idol Training Simulation dorm building.
I finished styling my hair and called Kang Siyoon.
Hey, I figured youd call to check in, so Ive been waiting.
You thought Id call?
Youre always so thorough about confirming stuff. Ive got you all figured out by now.
Then no need for long explanations. Be here by noon. Dont be late.
Got it.
I stepped into the living room and surveyed the large plastic bags Id brought back yesterday.
Shouldnt take too long.
Kang Siyoon arrived ten minutes early.
Whoa, when are we gonna pack all that?
Quickly.
We dumped out the plastic bags wed prepped yesterday, along with various chocolates, snacks, and string onto the floor.
Fans were truly grateful beings.
Theyd pooled their own money to put up those ads.
They invested their precious time waiting for us every time.
If we could give even a little back to people like that, this effort was nothing.
Three chocolates, one snack pack, two candies per bag, right?
Thats right.
We couldve bought prepackaged chocolate or snack sets off the shelf, but those lacked any personal touch.
I swiftly rolled up a plastic bag, tied it with string, and slapped on a Thank You sticker.
Karis, why are your hands so fast?
Difference in focus, Siyoon.
So youre slyly saying my focus sucks?
Just stating the results.
You arrogant noble punk, Ill knock that high nose down a peg someday!
We kept up this silly banter as we continued the packing.
Simple repetitive work could be boring and grueling, but I felt no fatigue whatsoever.
Compared to sharpening and bundling arrowheads back in the day, this is a breeze.
About an hour later, Kang Siyoon tied off the last bag and wiped his forehead.
Okay, all done! Finally time to rest.
Lets eat lunch and head out.
Whats on the menu?
Something easy like ramen.
Id called it something easy, but boiling ramen like this felt strangely nostalgic after so long.
I inhaled the ramen broth aroma and slipped into a brief reminiscence.
Come to think of it, back in Grand Quest Saga, whenever the food tasted off, Id crave ramen broth. How I missed that MSG kick.
Cooking on the front lines of war meant limited options, and the taste wassomething Id rather not recall.
While the ramen boiled, Kang Siyoon lounged on the sofa, flapping his photobooth strip and sighing.
Its been so long since I did solo shots, all my expressions are ruined. What now?
Mine should be around there too. Take a look. Mines probably awkward too.
Kang Siyoon found my strip and immediately grumbled.
Whats ruined about this! You just stand there breathing and it comes out perfect. Damn, putting them side by side like thisI look like a literal squid.
No helping it. Thats your face.
Todays Karis is picking fights nonstop?
I unfolded a folding table and flashed a grin.
Kang Siyoon laughed along.
Youve definitely loosened up a lot compared to before.
Me?
Yeah. Honestly, first time I saw you, I thought you were a guy who didnt know how to smile. Always so strict, solemn, serious vibe.
Hm, true. When I first stepped into Idol Training Simulation in this body, thats how it was.
Compared to thenhave I gotten a little more used to it now?
I set down the steaming ramen bowls.
Well, guess that means youve gotten more comfortable with me.
Huh, wha?
Lets eat before the noodles get soggy and head out.
Hey, whatd you just say? Hey?
Kang Siyoon kept grabbing my arm and asking, but I slurped my ramen, pretending not to hear.
Was it the hot steam?
My face felt a little flushed.