The variety show filming began and it was time for the guests’ introductions. After the introductions of senior singer Cloud and actress Hyun Jihee, it was finally Yuho’s turn to give his greeting.
“Don’t get lost! Hello. I’m 7SPOT’s third member, Seon Yuho. I’m so happy and excited to appear on a variety show that our members are doing today. I ask for your kind consideration today.”
“You’re third? You look younger than these guys.”
The first to speak to Yuho was Min Jeonga, an actress who was a regular member of the program. Yuho calmly began his answer.
“Ah, that’s because I’m the shortest. But the real maknae is Inhan.”
“No, how does he look like a maknae? Aren’t maknaes supposed to be cute and aegyo-filled kids?”
The one who objected to Yuho’s words while pointing at Inhan was actor Jin Seonwoo. Yuho hurriedly began to explain in confusion.
“Ah. Overall he is, but if you just look at his face he seems like a maknae.”
“What do you mean overall he is?”
“Ah. Well, that’s because he’s tall, but his face…”
At Jeonga’s question, Yuho looked at Yeomin in confusion, but Yeomin had no intention of helping and had a proud expression instead.
“Even just looking at his face, Yuho-gun seems more like a maknae. He really has a puppy look. His eyes, nose, and mouth are all round.”
“Ah. Thank you.”
Fortunately, Unseong jumped back into the conversation and sorted out the situation. Yuho let out a breath of relief and waited for the next question.
“What’s ‘daengsang’?”
“Puppy look.”
“Ah really? That’s right. Totally a puppy look.”
It was also Unseong who answered Jeonga’s question. Yuho looked at Unseong with sparkling eyes in gratitude. Inhan was watching that sight with a displeased expression.
After that, things went smoothly.
“Lee Yeonseo. You’re my miracle, my everything, my universe. …Yeonseo. Welcome to hell.”
Yuho reenacted a few scenes from the web drama that had become a hot topic, and then covered Cloud’s latest song choreography with Inhan and Yeomin.
The atmosphere was harmonious, and at this rate, it seemed like Yuho’s variety show anxiety would be cured in one go.
“How about letting Yuho choose instead of deciding the teams as planned?”
“What? Me?”
After all the guest introductions ended, it was Unseong who made an unexpected suggestion to the PD. Usually, they decided teams considering balance or only gave the female guest the right to choose. Yuho couldn’t bring himself to say no and just rolled his eyes frantically.
“You’re going to make him choose between Inhan and Yeomin? That’ll be fun.”
It was Seonwoo who stepped forward with delight at Unseong’s suggestion.
“I’m in.”
Not knowing Yuho’s inner feelings, even Yeomin who was next to him joined in, making the situation worse.
“I’m in too.”
Even Inhan accepted, and in this situation, Yuho alone couldn’t back out. In the midst of this, the PD made a new suggestion.
“Then instead of just Yuho choosing, let’s have Inhan and Yeomin stand in front and have people who want to be on their team stand behind them. How about that?”
“Yes. That’s fine with us.”
Before Yuho could even answer, co-guests Cloud and Hyun Jihee expressed their positive opinions.
It seemed like Yuho was the only one who found the hastily improvised team selection method problematic.
“Yes. I also… think it’s fine.”
Yuho answered reluctantly. At the same time, Seonwoo said to Yuho.
“Okay. Then Yuho-ssi, you go first.”
“Do I have to go first?”
“Yes. I think that would be super fun.”
Saying that, Seonwoo grabbed Yuho’s shoulders and moved him to a position between Inhan and Yeomin.
Since there were dozens of people waiting for Yuho’s choice, including staff, Yuho had to think quickly.
Choosing Inhan seemed like it would be uncomfortably awkward to death, and choosing Yeomin also seemed like it would be uncomfortably awkward to death. But wouldn’t it be better to be uncomfortable while being apart? Yuho moved his steps with an uneasy feeling.
“Wow. It’s our Yuho hyung.”
After everyone’s choices were finished, Yeomin, who discovered Yuho standing behind him, let out a cheer of joy and hugged Yuho tightly. Yuho couldn’t even hug back and first gauged Inhan’s reaction.
“No. Why are you gauging Inhan’s reaction?”
The one who pointed out Yuho’s behavior like a ghost was none other than Unseong. Yuho panicked and immediately made an excuse.
“Ah, that’s because I’m worried he might feel hurt.”
“Hey. Jung Inhan, you’re not the kind of kid who gets hurt by this kind of thing.”
“Right. Totally not.”
Whether he was really unbothered, Inhan had a smile on his face. And he said to Yuho with a fresh face.
“But today, I really want to win for some reason.”
A chill ran down Yuho’s spine. Having to face Jung Inhan head-on, the epitome of competitive spirit who does everything well except losing—which he hates the most. He wanted to run away to the dorm just like this.
“You don’t need to worry. Unless Jung Inhan is an idiot, would he attack you without being able to tell shit from piss?”
Perhaps noticing Yuho’s anxiety, Unseong patted Yuho’s shoulder and offered words of comfort. Unseong had also chosen Yeomin and was on the same team as Yuho.
“You think so?”
“Mm. Probably?”
Yuho asked worriedly, but Unseong didn’t seem certain either.
And Yuho’s ominous premonition wasn’t wrong. The Jung Inhan that Yuho knew was someone who always kept his word. Yuho was experiencing this firsthand.
“Isn’t the weight class difference too much?”
“Right. We should have chosen the order better.”
Jeonga, who was on the same team as Yuho, protested to Inhan, but it was useless.
Why was the decided mission event ssireum on a day like today, and why were the first batters Inhan and Yuho of all people? Yuho couldn’t even enjoy the happiness of landing a variety show appearance through a small rise in popularity and was falling into despair.
“Still, Yuho hyung is pretty strong for his build.”
“Jung Inhan is just strong. Not just for his build.”
Yeomin tried somehow to raise the tension for a match with an obvious outcome, but Seonwoo’s cold judgment made even that slight hope disappear.
Inhan entered the ssireum arena exuding a tremendous aura like a lone wolf. Yuho, like a rabbit about to be devoured, asked Inhan fearfully.
“You won’t go easy on me, right?”
“Right.”
Inhan’s merciless answer came back immediately.
Beep—!
The match ended at the same time as the whistle sounded. Without even needing to use strength, Inhan wrapped one arm around Yuho’s waist, lifted him up, and then gently laid him down on the floor. When Yuho’s head was about to hit the floor, Inhan didn’t forget the kindness of supporting the back of his head with his hand. Depending on who was watching, it could be either a romantic or humiliating scene.
“That’s why. You should have chosen me.”
Inhan looked down from directly above at Yuho lying helplessly on the floor and said that. A fresh smile hung on his lips. Ah. This is why the members said you shouldn’t mess with Jung Inhan carelessly. Yuho realized anew and had a premonition that it would be a tough day.
Inhan got up first and extended his hand to Yuho, and Yuho took Inhan’s hand without resistance and got up. When Yuho lost his balance and swayed on the soft, air-inflated ssireum floor, Inhan grabbed Yuho’s waist and helped him stand properly.
“Thanks.”
Yuho offered his thanks, but Inhan stepped back without much response. And the two returned to the waiting seats where their respective team members were.
Inhan kept clenching and unclenching his fist at the tingling sensation in his fingertips. Yuho didn’t notice this fact.
“Yuho hyung. Are you okay?”
Yeomin asked Yuho, who was sitting with a dazed face as if his soul had left.
“No. I’m not okay.”
Yuho answered Yeomin. Not okay at all. Yuho was suspecting whether he was being pranked by a hidden camera right now.
“Does he not have any schedules these days? Why is his condition so good today?”
Seonwoo asked Unseong while looking at Inhan’s back, who seemed full of vitality today of all days.
Unseong shook his head and answered Seonwoo.
“Just. The kid’s gone crazy.”
He knew Inhan wasn’t normal, but he didn’t know he was this diversely crazy. Unseong realized anew and clicked his tongue in pity.
It was time for the second round, speed quiz. No team member expected victory from Inhan, who had often been the subject of teasing in general knowledge questions. But today of all days, Inhan was operating even his brain at full capacity and putting up a good fight.
“Tasan?”
“Jiseok.”
“Jaseung?”
“Jabak.”
“Gyeolcho?”
“Boeun.”
“Ongo?”
“Jisin.”
“Jung Inhan. Why is he like that? Did the script leak?”
At Seonwoo’s words uttered with admiration, Yuho agreed wholeheartedly.
No. How can a kid who didn’t even receive proper middle and high school education and graduated with a qualification exam be so good at four-character idioms?
“He did historical dramas twice.”
Is that really that related? Yuho didn’t withdraw his suspicious gaze and waited for his turn. No matter how he thought about it, it was definitely a hidden camera prank.
“Daegi?”
“Oyeom.”
“Gamtan?”
“Sa.”
“Susu?”
“Kkang.”
“Nanhyeong?”
“You’re the younger sibling.”
“Banpo?”
“Hangang Park.”
No. Yuho rather desperately hoped it was a hidden camera prank.
“Yes. The correct answers were daegimaseong, gamtangoto, susubangwan, nanhyeongnanije, banpojihyo.”
“…”
“Yuho-ssi. You got everything wrong, so it’s zero points.”
“…Yes.”
Yuho didn’t know what to do with himself at the disastrous quiz competition results. Yuho had even properly graduated high school and went to college. He decided to blame his past of neglecting studying because he was going to an arts university.
“Yuho. What’s going on?”
“I only studied focusing on Korean, English, and math…”
“Aren’t four-character idioms also included in the Korean subject?”
“…”
At Jeonga’s bewildered question, Yuho returned to his seat completely deflated. Inhan’s triumphant appearance was particularly annoying today. Such a bad guy in many ways.
