Chapter 51
I salivated as I looked at the poster, which was produced with incredible quality.
"...."
To be honest, it's not that I didn't expect it at all.
Fortunately, I was aware that the number of people who supported and liked Karis von Walden continued to grow.
But when I saw the posts and advertisements with my own eyes, it didn't feel real.
'The timing is very good. This is a great opportunity.'
A date that perfectly coincides with the airing of episodes 6 and 7.
This is the best time to push for the fever, right before the second global vote is concluded.
And since I already had experience and knowledge as a trainee, I had a good idea of what to do during this break.
As I was quickly packing my bags to leave the dormitory, a message notification rang on my phone.
[Kang Si-yoon: Hey, did you see that Ji Kwang [subway advertisement]?? (screenshot)]
[Kang Si-yoon: I also got one at Gangnam Station on Line 2 ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Kang Si-yoon: Shall we go on a tour together on the last day of vacation?]
It looks like Kang Si-yoon's subway advertisement is also coming up around the same time as mine.
This was also a very unexpected situation.
'It seems like Kang Si-yoon's fans have come together to quickly get him out of the so-called dilemma.'
A ranking of 10th place may seem high now, but it ultimately means failing to debut in the finals.
A ranking that really drives fans crazy, where you could potentially rise to the debut ranks but can't break the concrete.
In the second or third round of voting, they are starting to do some preliminary work to ensure a more certain ranking.
I looked at Kang Si-yoon's text and thought about it for a moment.
'I guess it's okay to act together with this guy.'
If I wander around with other trainees to watch advertisements or go to places where fans gather, I may get caught up in an unintended controversy.
Something similar happened the last time.
The incident occurred when several top-tier trainees, who were not from the same agency, cell, or team, continued to hang out together and were met with ignorant, malicious commenters.
Since the format of survival itself is one where you have to somehow defeat the opposing team in order to survive, fights between fans occur frequently.
So, there are quite a few people who are hell-bent on cutting down trainees who are a thorn in their side.
'It looks like Song Hyeong-bin has a lot of advertisements. I'm glad he didn't ask me to go see them with him.'
There is no need to become particularly close to the number one trainee here.
Even though we are on the same team, Song Hyeong-bin's fandom has a strong core and fierce loyalty.
Simply put, it means that fans are extremely wary of anyone being linked with Song Hyeong-bin.
They stick around to suck up the popularity of the #1 trainee.
It's obvious that this was an intentional approach.
I try to avoid private places as much as possible because I might get bitten like this.
On the other hand, Kang Si-yoon has been with us since the beginning of
I didn't respond to the text and just called.
-Hey, Karis. Did you see the message?
"I saw it. I have some things to prepare, so I think it would be good to meet up today."
-Are you still in the dorm? I'm not going home this time either; I'm staying behind.
"That's good. Let's meet at 3 o'clock on the first floor of the dormitory and go to Seoul together. There are many places to visit."
―Huh? Couldn't we just go to the subway station?―
"That's pathetic. I'll explain the details later."
-Huh? Huh?
I hung up the phone, leaving Kang Si-yoon's confused questions behind.
After packing my bags so quickly and coming down to the first floor at exactly 3 o'clock, Kang Si-yoon, with his eyebrows furrowed, lightly grabbed my head.
"Where is the guy who suddenly says something pathetic and hangs up?"
"I'm sorry. But I said it because it was really pathetic―"
"Shouldn't you be explaining why it was so pathetic! You shameless brat!"
"... I wish you would stop imitating my speech."
"That's a bit tricky. This is so addictive and fun."
I left the dormitory with a sigh.
After boarding the bus heading to downtown Seoul, I gave Kang Si-yoon a brief briefing.
"Now, we will visit the subway station where the fans are waiting."
"That's right."
"When we say that fans are waiting, it means that they are waiting all day to see us, even just once, even though we may not come at all."
"That is so."
He continued his explanation, trying to ignore Kang Si-yoon's strange historical drama-like speech.
"Don't you think it's only natural that we should express our gratitude to those who have waited for us for a long time?"
"That's so obvious. But I don't know what to do about it."
"Surprisingly, the answer is simple."
I spoke while recalling what I saw and heard while living as an idol trainee and what I actually experienced while participating in the
"Fans want to hear our sincerity more than anyone else. And they pursue and desire things that have not been resolved anywhere else."
Kang Si-yoon, who is quick-witted, nodded as soon as he heard the word sincerity.
"I see, that's what you mean when writing letters and such."
"Yes. If we write a letter by hand and leave it in the place where our advertisement is posted, everyone who visits the place can read it, and they can feel a sense of accomplishment for supporting us."
"Well, well. That's certainly a good idea. But you said there were a lot of places we had to stop by earlier. Can't we just write a letter and be done with it?"
I chuckled.
"We can just attach that one and go, but I think other trainees will think of the letter as the basics. In order to create our own unique identity, we need to do other things as well."
"For example?"
"Siyoon. Has it been a while since you took a picture?"
"A, a photo? By myself?"
As soon as we got off in downtown Seoul, we started walking briskly, wearing hats and masks.
"No, I need to know where I'm being taken."
"Just wait and see."
"Why do you keep looking at the map on your phone when you tell me to wait?"
"I'm looking for a quiet place, so don't disturb me."
I quickly zoomed in on the map and checked out all the photo booths nearby.
And I captured a photo booth located slightly away from the downtown area.
"Let's go. We have to act quickly."
Fortunately, there were no people.
We straightened our messy hair and entered the spacious booth.
"So, Mr. Karis."
"Hmm?"
"Do I really have to take an awkward picture by myself?"
"If you're going to do it, leave some space on the side. That way, the fans will like it more."
Kang Si-yoon looked at me with suspicious eyes but followed my instructions straight away.
"Relax your expression a little. You look a little angry right now."
"Don't move, and press the button now. No, don't move-!"
"Yeah, it's a lot more natural than before."
While Kang Si-yoon took 8 pictures, I coached him diligently from the side.
Kang Si-yoon, who said that he had never taken solo photos like this before, despite his looks, showed off some very awkward poses.
"Hey, can we even use this?"
"It doesn't matter. I think they'll like it even more."
"I don't know if I can trust you."
* * *
After finishing my hair, I called Kang Si-yoon.
-Oh, I was waiting because I thought you would call to confirm.
"You thought I was going to call you?"
―You always check thoroughly, right? I think I have figured it out by now.
"Then I guess I don't have to say much. It's until 12 o'clock. Come on time."
-Yeah.
I went out into the living room and looked at the large plastic bags I had brought in yesterday.
'Well, it shouldn't take that long.'
Kang Si-yoon arrived 10 minutes early.
"Oh, oh. When are we going to finish wrapping that?"
"Let's do it right away."
We poured out all the plastic wrappers, various chocolates and snacks, and strings that we had bought yesterday onto the floor.
Fans are truly something to be thankful for.
They raised money and put up advertisements.
They wait and invest their precious time every time to see us.
If I can be of even a little help to those people, then this kind of effort is nothing special.
"There are three chocolates, one cookie, and two candies in one bag, right?"
"Yes."
We can buy commercially available chocolate or cookie sets, but they lack the taste of sincerity.
I quickly turned the wrapping paper around, tied it with a string, and attached a sticker that said, "Thank you."
"Karis, why are your hands so fast?"
"It's the difference in concentration, Siyoon."
"Are you saying that I lack concentration again?"
"I'm just talking after seeing the results."
"You arrogant noble, I will definitely break your high nose!"
We continued our packing work while having this kind of pointless conversation.
Simple, repetitive tasks can be boring and tiring, but I never felt tired.
'It's an easy task compared to the old days when we had to sharpen and tie arrowheads ourselves.'
About an hour had passed.
Kang Si-yoon wiped his forehead as he tied the last piece of wrapping paper.
"Okay, it's over! I can finally rest."
"Let's just have lunch and then leave."
"What's on the menu?"
"... Let's just boil some ramen and eat it."
Although I said roughly, it felt strange because it had been a long time since I had boiled ramen like this.
I took a moment to reminisce as I smelled the aroma of the ramen soup.
'Come to think of it, I remember thinking of ramen soup every time the food in
The food that could be cooked on the front lines of war was limited, and the taste was really.... not something I would want to remember.
Kang Si-yoon, who was sitting on the sofa waiting for the ramen to boil, sighed while flipping through his 4-cut photos.
"It's been so long since I took a picture alone that my expression is all messed up. What should I do?"
"My picture should be nearby too. Take a look. I'm also awkward, so it probably looks weird."
Kang Si-yoon, who found my 4-cut photo, immediately expressed his resentment.
"What's so weird about this! You can do it just by standing there and breathing. Hey, when I compare to this, I look like a squid."
"I can't help it. That's your face."
"Is Karis always picking a fight today?"
I smiled as I unfolded the folding table.
Then Kang Si-yoon also laughed along.
"Certainly, it has loosened up a lot more than before."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Honestly, when I first saw you, I thought you were a guy who didn't even know how to smile. You always gave off a strict, dignified, and serious vibe."
Well, that was definitely the case when I first stepped into
'Compared to back then, I am now.... Am I a little more used to it?'
I put down the steaming bowl of ramen.
"Well, I guess that means I am more comfortable."
"Huh, huh?"
"Let's eat quickly and leave before the ramen gets soggy."
"Hey, what did you just say? Huh?"
Kang Si-yoon kept asking me questions while holding my arm, but I pretended not to hear him and continued to eat the ramen.
Could it be the effect of the hot steam?
My face felt slightly hot.
-