The Malicious Member is Back! - Chapter 55
After filling the broadcast time with a bit of banter among several trainees, Choi Gaon cleared his throat and began to lead the segment.
“Now, getting back to the main topic… I’ve just informed you that the theme for this second competition is a 5 vs 5 and 4 vs 4 cover mission, right? You all have some ideas popping into your heads right now, don’t you?”
At that, Choi Gaon and Ji Hwa Sung, who had become quite familiar with each other by now, shouted in a lively voice.
“How do we form the teams?”
“That’s exactly it!”
Having received the okay sign from the production team, Choi Gaon then pulled out three round capsules from his pocket.
“Could I have trainees Bang Yu Chan, and Gao Yan, and Seong Won Hyeop please come forward?”
Without any further explanation, the three trainees stepped forward, exchanging confused glances.
Reading the ‘Why us?’ clearly written in their eyes, Choi Gaon chuckled and extended the capsules towards them.
“No need to look so suspicious. These are something good, just for you. Please, choose one capsule each.”
Sparked by the mention of ‘something good’, Gao Yan’s eyes lit up.
“If it’s something good, Gao Yan will take it first.”
“Uh, huh? Then me too, I’ll do it quickly!”
“Haha, take your time! I’m not running away!”
After a subtle jostle for the capsules, Choi Gaon finally began to explain.
“The three of you are currently ranked 13th, 14th, and 15th, right? That’s why we had to draw lots for a fair process. Could you please open the capsules?”
Pop―
“What does the note inside say?”
“…’10 Protein Bang Bang Emperor Energy Chocolate Bars’? What’s this?”
“Um, mine says ’10 volumes of Heart-Full Love Romance Novels to Fill My Heart’.”
“Wow, both of you have won gifts sent by our sponsor! Congratulations, let’s give them a big round of applause, everyone!”
‘It’s basically saying we got nothing!’
Clap, clap, clap…
Caught off guard and now part of the PPL, Gao Yan and Bang Yu Chan could neither cry nor laugh as they received the broadcast-worthy applause from the other trainees, arms full of their ‘prizes’.
“But then, I am….”
And beside them, looking bewildered, Seong Won Hyeop was instructed by the production team to show the note he was holding towards the camera.
[Cops win!]
Choi Gaon smiled and announced,
“As some of you may have guessed by the note in Seong Won Hyeop’s hand. Yes, the game we’ll be playing to decide the teams is ― Cops and Robbers!”
Cops and Robbers.
“Wow….”
Trainees who spent their childhood in South Korea and Japan had their faces instantly light up with nostalgia.
‘We used to run around like crazy….’
The fierce chases of childhood played across schoolyards, classrooms, playgrounds, and even throughout the neighborhoods.
“Wut? Cops and thieves?”
“What are cops and robbers? Gao Yan doesn’t know such things.”
For the trainees from different cultures who were unclear about the game, Choi Gaon continued with the explanation.
“Cops and Robbers is kind of like tag. Except, instead of the robbers hiding in one spot, they can keep moving and try to evade the cops until they are caught!”
Choi Gaon then pulled out handcuff stickers in four different colors from his pocket. The pocket looked small on the outside but seemed to hold a lot more than expected.
“Last time, the top-ranked trainees got the benefit of choosing their team members, right? This time, we’re flipping it ― the opportunity goes to those with the lower ranks!”
“―!”
A murmur of surprise spread among the trainees.
So, what he means is….
“Oops, there’s a bit more to it. It’s not about picking but catching their team members… right?”
So, the meaning was that the other three low-ranked trainees, including now-selected Seong Won Hyeop, would become team leaders, hunting for their team members like hyenas.
Depending on the game results, a single team could end up having the top 1, 2, and 3 ranks all together.
The word ‘low ranks’ injected a newfound energy into the shoulders of those trainees who had felt intimidated.
This could mean…
Even those lagging far behind could once again bask in the spotlight!
“Ah, but then, this might reduce the motivation for the other ‘thieves’ to run away. To prevent that in advance, another benefit will be given to the team members who are caught last in each team. You’ll have to give it your all in the game!”
Soon, Seong Won Hyeop and the other three lowest-ranked trainees lined up beside Choi Gaon, eyeing the seated trainees with an intense gaze.
Facing their enthusiasm, Choi Gaon whistled loudly.
“Before we start, let’s give our cops some fitting props and hear about their determination. Ryota, would you like to start?”
Receiving a police cap from the production team, Ryota pressed it firmly onto his head and spoke in a chilling voice,
“Since I was young, I’ve been the god of Keidoro (ケイドロ: Japanese for Cops and Robbers). I’ll show you my class.”
“He says he was a god! Now, how about Han Sang Woo?”
“I was chosen before, but this time, I will seize it with my own hands.”
“Such determination! How about you, Seong Won Hyeop and Lee Chae Hyuk?”
“All the high ranks will end up on my team.”
“I can run 100 meters in the 10-second range.”
“Wait, a track and field talent who runs 100 meters in the 10-second range aspiring to be an idol?”
Lee Chae Hyuk, who himself questioned the relevance after speaking, awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
“Hmm, that could work. An athletic idol. You’d excel on sports variety shows, right? Looking forward to it, Trainee Lee Chae Hyuk.”
“Yes, yes! Thank you!”
“And now….”
As Choi Gaon watched excitedly, he nodded to the production team’s cue and stretched his arms towards the auditorium’s display screen.
Then, a stopwatch with ’30 seconds’ in red letters appeared on the display.