Chapter 153
For the second preliminary round, the two groups had to cooperate to complete the mission.
First, one member from each group would run the same track as the first preliminary round.
This time, however, they had to run in a relay, with each person running for 2 minutes and 30 seconds in turn, instead of running together and helping each other as in the first preliminary round.
When the person running on the A-course stopped after 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the person on the B-course would continue running from the parallel point where the previous runner stopped, also for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
The devices that needed to be operated by the partner in the first preliminary round were all pre-arranged this time, so there was no need to worry about them.
Additionally, the main goal of the second preliminary round was not to finish quickly, as evident by the fixed 2 minutes and 30 seconds running time.
The important thing was to collect small balls placed around the track into a fabric pouch designed like a bag.
The balls had the names of ingredients written on them.
The rule was that only the ingredients written on the balls they collected could be used for cooking later.
If they managed to find only one ingredient, they would have to cook using only that.
In a way, the success of the cooking, which determined whether they would be eliminated in the preliminaries or advance to the finals, depended on this race. Without ingredients, how could they cook?
Therefore, there was a lot of discussion about who from our team would participate in this important race.
“I’ll go.”
I was our team’s representative.
“Can you do it?”
As I double-checked the tightly tied shoelaces, Seo Moon-gyeol asked in a worried voice.
This wasn’t the first time he had shown such concern.
“Why do you all think I can’t do sports?”
Back in my prime, I was a well-rounded person with both brains and brawn.
Let’s overlook the fact that it was about 10 years ago.
Let’s also overlook that kids of that age were generally all prodigies and athletes.
Anyway, as seen from the members’ concerns, the process of me being selected as the player was tough.
When did they ever say I could do whatever I wanted and then opposed it?
But originally, parents cannot win against their children, no, older brothers against the youngest.
I convinced them with logic, and they let me do it.
Don’t ask how logic and insistence can coexist.
It was possible when I set aside my dignity as the eldest.
The truth is, I insisted on being the player because I could heal my injuries if I got hurt, unlike the other members.
Earlier, during the first preliminary round, someone got slightly injured, dampening the mood.
Fortunately, I heard the injury wasn’t severe, but it could have been more dangerous with bad luck.
The other reason was that I could really do well.
Of course, members like Seo Moon-gyeol, who didn’t seem to lack athletic ability, or Ban Yo-han, who didn’t appear dull, could do well.
Kang Ji-woo was excluded because he had to cook.
But I could do well too!
Earlier, when I told the Airies that I would be participating in the second preliminary round, they seemed worried. This was an opportunity to refresh my image of being weak and fragile.
* * *
– “Next, it’s time for the Orca and Cheristine teams, who performed in the previous situation play and the first preliminary round. On Raon from Orca and Ji Young-seo from Cheristine will be competing.”
– “Young-seo sunbae will run the A-course first, followed by Raon running the B-course.”
As On Raon, who had already warmed up, stepped forward and was shown on camera, the atmosphere in the hall buzzed as if on cue.
It was still too surreal for the world to get used to his otherworldly visuals.
Watching the bright and clean-cut handsome face made the fatigue from sitting in uncomfortable seats all day vanish momentarily.
– “Ji Young-seo from Cheristine, could you share your thoughts?”
“I’ll do my best, but I want to apologize to Raon in advance.”
Ji Young-seo, who came out with On Raon, said with an awkward smile.
– “Why is that?”
“I’m not good at this.”
– “That’s honest. But it’s okay. It doesn’t seem like Raon will do exceptionally well either.”
At Han Gi-joon’s words, On Raon approached the camera and exaggeratedly shrugged as if to ask what he meant by that.
– “Do you think you can do well?”
“Yes! I can do well.”
– “Better than Seong-ha earlier?”
“…Yes!”
Although On Raon thought that it wasn’t true when recalling all the things Seong-ha showed in the first preliminary round, he nodded for the sake of pride.
At the same time, Seong-ha, noticing a camera focused on him, lifted the corner of his mouth slightly. The Airies’ cheers formed the background.
– “No, they keep competing among themselves…”
At that moment, Seo Moon-gyeol whispered something in Seong-ha’s ear.
Looking slightly deflated, Seong-ha enthusiastically waved the Orca cheer slogan he had received from an Airie earlier.
It was an action that only close friends could pull off, drawing chuckles from here and there.
Soon, the Orca and Cheristine race was ready to start.
– “Ready… Start!”
With the bang, Ji Young-seo started running.
As he had apologized to On Raon beforehand, his speed wasn’t very fast.
Rather than pushing himself to go far, Ji Young-seo aimed to collect all the balls nearby without missing any.
In no time, Ji Young-seo’s 2 minutes and 30 seconds were over.
Shortly after, checking the ingredients Ji Young-seo had collected, Kang Ji-woo and Lee Da-in, who were in charge of cooking, looked worried.
He had chosen ingredients that were quite difficult to utilize.
Now, they could only rely on On Raon.
This time, On Raon positioned himself at the middle point of the B-course, parallel to where Ji Young-seo had stopped.
‘Green onions, garlic, onions… and something that can be the main ingredient…’
Recalling the essential ingredients Kang Ji-woo mentioned, On Raon signaled to the staff that he was ready.
Bang! The starting signal went off again.
– “He’s going, he’s going. He’s off!”
With the cheers of the supporters behind him, On Raon quickly began crossing the large, spinning stepping stones, winding the pouch string around his wrist.
– “Wow, he’s incredibly light on his feet.”
Watching On Raon fearlessly cross the dizzying, spinning stepping stones, Han Gi-joon exclaimed in admiration.
Despite not seeming to exert much force, his speed was noticeably swift.
Now, about a year since his return.
On Raon had become well accustomed to controlling his body, and even such minor movements were in perfect rhythm, almost like a dance.
Although he had recently shown exceptional variety show skills with his team members, those who unconsciously thought On Raon might not have good athletic abilities due to his uniquely delicate and poignant appearance were astonished by his unexpected agility.
– “He’s so agile, like a cat!”
He didn’t forget to collect the balls along the way.
On Raon, who had remembered the locations of the good ingredients from watching the previous races, diligently picked up the balls as he sped through the track, stopping suddenly to catch his breath.
So agile that despite Ji Young-seo not having gone far, he was already facing the last obstacle.
The final obstacle was a manual zipline set up over water that reached up to the knees.
Normally, a zipline starts at a high point and moves to a lower point, but the idol variety competition’s zipline required the participants to move entirely by their own strength, without any potential energy.
There were teams that got eliminated in the first preliminary round because they couldn’t pass this manual zipline.
Despite that, there was only one ball placed beyond it.
It was pork.
It was the only meat ingredient available, excluding sausages and ham.
– “Time is tight.”
– “Raon, will you cross or not!”
Even if he managed to cross in one go, it was uncertain if he could reach it within the remaining time.
But with time left and meat in sight, there was no retreat.
– “Ah, he seems to be running for it!”
Determined to give it a try, On Raon grabbed the zipline handle, pulled his body back, and then ran forward.
With no slope, if he lost momentum midway, there was no option but to forcibly push the wire with his arms.
‘Damn it.’
…That was exactly On Raon’s situation now.
He had progressed about two-thirds of the way along the wire when his movement completely stopped.
‘I knew this might happen because my strength is lacking…’
But he couldn’t just give up there.
When the time limit ended, On Raon boldly let go of the handle.
Hanging there indecisively in a hopeless situation would only embarrass him more later.
Water splashed beneath his feet.
It would have been nice if it ended there.
Thinking it was over, his body relaxed, and as he landed, his foot slipped, causing him to fall into the water with a splash.
As he reflexively placed his hand on the ground, a system window teasingly popped up before his eyes.
[<It’s Okay to Fall> – Achievement reward granted. (Achievement condition: Fall once on flat ground, mountain, and water)]
Are you kidding me?
Thanks to Larry’s kindly irritating remarks, the embarrassment of having made a fool of himself in front of many people vanished instantly.
– “Are you okay?”
Receiving a towel and microphone from a staff member, On Raon got up and shamelessly responded to Han Gi-joon’s question.
“Uh, are you guys okay?”
– “Us?”
On Raon winked brightly at the bewildered Han Gi-joon.
“Our group is water-type, so when we’re with water, our charm level increases.”
– “Water-type?”
– “I know! Orca means killer whale, right?”
“Yes. We’re already handsome, but now that we’re wet, we’re even more handsome, which is a big problem.”
It was astonishing that he could say such things so nonchalantly and be accepted.
“Mineral water, sports drinks, or water park advertisements. We’re always ready and waiting.”
On Raon, who had requested a water bottle from a nearby staff member, brought it close to his face and smiled refreshingly at the camera. He was romanticizing summer far ahead in the middle of winter.
It was an impressive self-promotion ability that worked regardless of the situation.