Choi Ga-on, who had been joking around with the other trainees to fill up the broadcast, soon cleared his throat and resumed.
"Now, back to the main topic... I just told you that the theme of this second round was the 5v5 and 4v4 cover missions. Is that sinking into your head right now?"
Then, Ji Hwa-seong, who was now quite familiar with Choi Ga-on, shouted cheerfully.
"How do we form a team?"
"That's it!"
After receiving the 'okay' sign from the production team, Choi Ga-on immediately took out three round capsules from his pocket.
"Okay, trainee Bang Yoo-chan, trainee Gao Yan, and trainee Seong Won-hyeop! Can you please come forward?"
The three trainees who had been called looked at each other with confused eyes.
Choi Ga-on, who read the 'Why us?' clearly written in their gaze, laughed and handed the capsule to them.
"Don't look at me with such suspicion. It's a good thing, given only to you. Please choose one capsule from my hand."
Gao Yan's eyes lit up at the word 'good'.
"If it's good, Gao Yan will take it first."
"Huh, huh? Then me too, quickly!"
"Haha, take your time! I'm not running away!"
Only after the three of them had subtly fought shoulder-to-shoulder to win did Choi Ga-on begin to explain.
"You three are currently in 13th, 14th, and 15th place, right? So, to be fair, we had to do a draw. Could you please open the capsule?"
Pwak-
"What does the note inside say?"
"…'Protein Pang Pang Emperor Energy Chocolate Bar 10-pack'? What is this?"
"I got '10 Heart-Filling Romance Books That Will Fill Your Heart.'"
"Hey, you two won the gifts sent by our sponsor! Congratulations, everyone! A round of applause for you two!"
'That's a dud!'
Clap, clap, clap…
Gao Yan and Bang Yoo-chan, who suddenly became part of the PPL, received applause from the other trainees, neither crying nor laughing, with their arms full of products.
"Uh, uh, so I…"
And Seong Won-hyeop, who was standing next to him with a bewildered expression, held up the note he was holding toward the camera as instructed by the production crew.
[Police win!]
Choi Ga-on chuckled and shouted.
"Some of you may have already noticed the note in the hands of the trainee Seong Won-hyeop. That's right. The game we're playing to decide our teams this time is— Cops and Thieves!"
Cops and Thieves.
"Wow..."
The faces of the trainees who grew up in Korea and Japan suddenly became filled with memories.
'I really ran around like crazy…'
The bloody chases of childhood, enjoyed on the playground, in the classroom, and even in the neighborhood.
"What? Cops and thieves?"
"What are cops and thieves? Gao Yan doesn't know that."
But for the sake of cross-cultural trainees who didn't understand exactly what kind of game this was, Choi Ga-on continued to explain.
"You can think of cops and thieves as a kind of game of tag. Instead of hiding in one space, the thieves can evade the police by constantly moving until they are caught!"
Choi Ga-on took out four colorful handcuff stickers from his pocket. The pocket looked small on the outside, but it seemed to hold more than they expected.
"Previously, the top three ranked players would get the benefit of selecting team members, right? This time, the opportunity will go to the lower-ranked players!"
"—!"
Suddenly, murmurs grew louder among the trainees.
So, what he meant is… .
"Oh, there's a bit more of a difference. Rather than picking, I guess you could say they're recruiting their own team members…?"
So, what this meant was that the four lowest-ranking trainees would become team leaders and hunt down their team members like hyenas.
Depending on the outcome of the game, one team could have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
The trainees who had been feeling discouraged by the words 'low rank' felt a sense of relief.
If it's like this...
Even those who have been far behind can get back in the spotlight!
"Oh, this might discourage other thieves from running away. To prevent that from happening, another benefit is given to the last person caught in each team. Give your all in the game."
"I guess I'll have to do it!"
Soon, the four lowest-ranking trainees stood in a line next to Choi Ga-on and looked at the seated trainees with glaring eyes.
Choi Ga-on, who was facing their enthusiasm right next to him, whistled with his mouth.
"But, before we begin, let's give our police officers props and hear a word from each of them about their commitment as police officers. First, trainee Ryota?"
Ryota, who received a police hat from the production team, put it on tightly on his head and spoke in a gloomy voice.
"I've been a Keidoro* fan since I was little. I show class."
[*ケイドロ* - Japanese for cops and thieves]
"How powerful! Next up, trainee Han Sang-woo?"
"…I was given a choice before, but this time I will do it myself."
"As expected, such determination! Could we also hear from trainees Seong Won-hyeop and Lee Chae-hyuk?"
"All the high-ranking players will join my team."
"I'll take 10 seconds in a 100m dash."
"No way, a track and field talent who can run 100m in 10 seconds aspiring to be an idol?"
Even though he said it himself, Lee Chae-hyeok scratched the back of his head in embarrassment at his own words.
"Hmm, that could be possible. A track and field idol. I bet you'd stand out on a sports variety show. I'll look forward to it, trainee Lee Chae-hyuk."
"Yes, yes! Thank you!"
"By the way, now…."
Choi Ga-on nodded at the production team and held his arms toward the electronic scoreboard, on which a stopwatch with '30 seconds' written in red appeared.
"The timer starts in 30 seconds! Thieves, please escape before then. And don't forget, you're limited to the first floor, and the last four people caught per team will receive another benefit. Now—"
Start!
With Choi Ga-on's loud voice, all the thieves ran out of the auditorium at full speed.
* * *
I sped out of the auditorium and hid behind a hanger in the practice room where I had practiced 'Aiming'.
"Huu..."
Although it was my second time participating in the second round of this competition, the tension running down my spine was no different.
It just had to be Cops and Robbers.
Using a game from our childhood to evoke memories and provide a sense of purpose to lower-ranking trainees who become cops, and others the thieves.
The production team used their brains really well.
"Don't you move!"
"Why! Why! Why are you only targeting me! I hate you!"
No, since the broadcast time will be chosen, it might not be useless.
Ji Hwa-seong's screams could be heard from the hallway outside. And after some struggle with the fixed door of the auditorium, it turned out like that.
Why are they chasing you? Do you really not know?
It was obvious that the cops would first target the high-ranking trainees, that is, the ones ranked 1st through 3rd. Those who would be beneficial to them.
I'm currently in 5th place, so I'll have to wait and see for now...
BANG!
"Huh-"
I held my breath and flinched when someone opened the door and came in.
...a cop? Or another thief?
The unidentified person soon moved next to the hanger where I was hiding and came in.
When I saw with my own eyes who it was, my mouth went agape and I let out a surprised noise.
"Ah?"
"Uh, huh? So…"
—Where are you! 2nd place! 3rd place! Where did you all go? Come out now!
'Shh, shh, be quiet!'
As Won-hyeop hyung, one of the cops, shouted and ran by, I hurriedly covered the other man's mouth. The other man nodded frantically and shut his mouth tightly.
—I will catch them all... I will put them all in my prison... My own dream team... My ranking will rise!
They say a role makes a man.
The police hat and handcuff stickers given out earlier turned the trainees into real cops.
The sound of footsteps slowly grew distant, and I nodded, carefully removing the hand covering his mouth.
"I'm sorry. It was too loud outside...."
"Oh, no. It's fine."
"..."
The small voices of conversation ceased and silence fell.
Cold sweat ran down the back of my neck.
The person who suddenly came to where I was hiding.
That's none other than—
My leader hyung, Jae-ha hyung.
...shit.
Seeing his fluttering black hair made me feel even worse. Well, it was partly because of the mistakes I made as a former member, but more than anything...
"Trainee Son Jae-ha's current ranking is 3rd."
"...I will work hard!"
Since I know everything, his stage and ranking got a bit messed up when I returned.
That's also why I insisted that Jae-ha hyung to go see Ji Hwa-seong, who was dissatisfied with the MVP award.
Since I had no connection to him, it was impossible for me to go and comfort Jae-ha hyung, unlike Ji Hwa-seong and Yoo-chan hyung, whom I was able to talk to after returning.
He's handsome, kind, thoughtful, and responsible, but…
Even after nearly 7 years, I still don't know what he's thinking....
"..."
I felt Jae-ha hyung's eyes on me.
If I had known we would meet like this, I would've been more prepared. What should I do?
I have to say something. I can't just stay like this. There's a camera right next to the hanger!
But, what should I say to the (former) leader who was pushed down in the rankings because of me?
This is crazy, I never imagined anything like this.
As I continued to ponder, Jae-ha hyung, spoke softly with a small smile.
"Thank you."
"...yes?"
"I heard you told Hwa-seong to comfort me."
It was an unexpected statement.
Knowing Ji Hwa-seong I thought he'd just say something like, 'Why are you so timid, hyung! Even if you just sit around on the street, you'll debut!'
But mentioning my name, I guess he liked me more than I thought.
"I just wanted to say thank you. We haven't even talked yet, and yet you're willing to take care of me. It's amazing."
"That's...."
Because we talked a lot before.
I've been scolded and ignored.
"..."
But I chose to just keep my mouth shut, I felt like it'd make things awkward if I brought up something only I knew.
And just then…
"..Are you here?"
Actually, I don't know if I should call this good timing.
The cop who came to arrest us opened the door and barged in.
"Just come out. We're just becoming a team. Be on my team!"
As footsteps slowly drew closer, I locked eyes with Jae-ha hyung and mouthed,
'I'll go left. Go right.'
Jae-ha hyung nodded with a solemn expression. What's with Cops and Thieves, going to such lengths to form a team?
"Come out, thief!"
If they're going that far, we should really focus too.
And the final 4-person benefit is also pretty good.
I counted to three with my fingers with Jae-ha hyung.
One.
Two.
"—Three!"
"There you are! Wait- two of you!?"
We both quickly pushed the hangers aside, knocking them over.
The cop, who had been waiting with his arms wide open, thinking it was just one person, was startled by the two tall men, and then attacked me as I belatedly headed for the door.
"Where!"
I felt a sticker get slapped onto my back.
No, not just put on, slapped on!
"Phwa!"
As I fell down with an embarrassing sound, the person who had beaten mercilessly spoke with a terrifying face.
"Chunyong aniki, you're an idiot, hiding in a place like this. The cops have no mercy."
I tried to rub my cold back and shouted at the person who was clapping his hands in satisfaction.
"...Ryota, you're not a cop, you're an idol trainee! Come to your senses!"
"No. I'm a cop now. I have a calling to catch thieves. I have to build my own prison!"
"Is this the time to be happy that you caught one? What about the other team members!"
"Haha, Chunyong aniki, no. I told you. I'm the god of Keido! I've already caught two. Now I just need to catch one more—"
The moment Ryota let out a confident laugh, a broadcast came from the speaker in the practice room.
—"The cops have caught all the thieves! Trainees, please gather back in the auditorium."
As the broadcast came on, Ryota looked visibly flustered. The last sticker in his hand fluttered.
"Huh? There were four stickers? Then shouldn't we catch four people?"
I clicked my tongue and shouted at Ryota.
"You idiot. Four is the maximum number of people, and if someone catches four first, you'll only be able to catch three!"
"Idiot? That's too much! Chunyong aniki, how could you say such harsh things!"
"Oh my... Let's go to the auditorium first. Ryota, who the hell did you catch?"
At my firm question, Ryota finally regained his idol trainee self, and he hesitated again before opening his mouth.
"That… that's..."
As Ryota mumbled through the list of members, I felt a headache.
…seems like the future won't be easy.