Second Try Idol

“Do they always kick things off so suddenly?" Jin-Sung muttered as he rummaged through the corner of the changing room to search for the aforementioned box.

“I have no clue either," I shrugged in response. Honestly, if this had been planned as a surprise, any announcement would've felt abrupt for us. The members were clearly taken aback and a bit miffed, yet there was an undeniable thrill in the air.

“Here it is." Joo-Han discovered the box hidden under a pile of clothes, pulled it out and popped it open. There were cell phones and a sheet of instructions inside.

[Escape Game Powered by Tinta Electronics' Slim S Rainbow 8!]

Chronos, are you ready for the challenge? Each participant may take one cellphone. The practice room you are currently in is your only safe zone. Special forces patrol predetermined routes outside this area. Evade them while searching for clues and abilities! Escape within two hours by finding the key to succeed!

※Please make sure to use the Slim S Rainbow 8 for recording!

“It's kind of like a massive game of hide and seek with lots of seekers."

“That actually sounds pretty exciting, doesn’t it?"

“So, besides clues, do we get any special abilities that could give us an advantage?"

While the members were busy digesting the game instructions, Goh Yoo-Joon, who was always quick on the uptake, snatched the instruction sheet and read aloud with a dramatic flair.

“Ah! Now I get it! It’s a game that involves the Slim S Rainbow 8!"

...Oh, right. Everyone had been so focused on understanding the game mechanics that they only just noticed the mention at the very top of the page. I knew we were going to be the face of this phone model, but so soon? We hadn’t even had a formal meeting or anything. Was this some sort of pre-contract sponsorship?

With the realization that we'd soon become the influencers for this phone, members exchanged knowing looks, then began to enthusiastically promote it.

“Ah. Ah, I see! This event is a game sponsored by the Slim S Rainbow 8!"

“Well, that’s a relief! With the Slim S Rainbow 8, escaping is just a matter of time!" Joo-Han was especially vocal, championing the Slim S Rainbow 8 with gusto. He handed out the phones to each member as if initiating a playful adventure.

“Shall we kick off the game with the Slim S Rainbow 8 then?"

“But, hyung, Jin-Sung, we’ve got a problem," Yoon-Chan interjected, pointing with a worried expression toward the outside of the practice room.

“What is it?”

“They said we need to dodge the special forces, but they are literally right outside our door."

“Oh, right. That complicates things."

“Won’t we just get caught as soon as we step out?"

The hallway and lobby just outside were encased in large glass walls and doors with a staircase leading down to the first floor visible beyond. The special forces had visibly taken up positions just on the other side of the glass, effectively sealing off our only exit.

“Hmm."

Given that the practice room and the glass walls faced each other directly, it was impossible to open the door without being seen.

“What’s our move here?"

The members naturally turned to look at Joo-Han and me for guidance. Joo-Han pondered for a moment before pointing at me. “Well, since this is all part of the game, why don’t we see what Hyun-Woo, our Newbie Crew team captain and gaming expert, suggests?" 𝑅𝔞𐌽ŏᛒËS

Typically, you’d either face the opposition head-on, charging through regardless, or create a distraction and sneak away while they are occupied. Considering our team had Joo-Han and Yoon-Chan, who were not exactly fleet-footed, a direct sprint was out of the question.

“Splitting up might be our best bet. One group could draw their attention, while the others make a break for it." I gestured toward Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung. “How about one of you joins me in creating a diversion? Or both."

“Ooh, is Suh Hyun-Woo volunteering for a heroic distraction?"

“Are you stepping up to be the hero, Hyun-Woo hyung?"

Goh Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung bantered back and forth.

Joo-Han observed them for a moment before decisively pointing at Jin-Sung. “Go for it, our youngest member!"

It was like watching someone choose their Pokemon for battle.

“Go, our baby!"

“...Wow."

Jin-Sung responded by playfully pushing his head forward toward Joo-Han. Despite their usual bickering, moments like these showed how well they really meshed as a team.

“Don’t forget to keep filming with the Slim S Rainbow 8 once we split up. Let everyone know if you find the key."

“Okay, then Jin-Sung and I will draw the special forces’ attention and lead them all the way to the end of the hallway. Meanwhile, the rest of you should leave the practice room and hide somewhere else.”

“Got it.”

“Our Jin-Sung gets scared easily, so his legs will start moving automatically if the special forces chase us,” Joo-Han said with a big smile. He wished Jin-Sung good luck.

“Let’s go, Jin-Sung. If we manage to lose them halfway, hide wherever you can.”

“Okay!”

I glanced at the special forces team through the glass as I grabbed the door handle. “Here we go."

“Okay." From his nervous grip on his cellphone camera, Jin-Sung's tense voice came through as he filmed both of us.

“One, two, three!" I flung the door open and bolted outside. I yelled to the security forces to make the most of the moment. “Thanks for your hard work on such a hot day!"

The special forces, who had been vigilantly monitoring the practice room, and even those who had glanced away momentarily, suddenly turned their attention toward Jin-Sung and me.

“Aaaaaah!!! What's happening! This is nerve-wrecking!!!" Jin-Sung was caught off guard by their stern faces. Panicked, he yelped and started dragging me along as he sprinted away.

“At least you didn’t leave me behind. Thanks, man," I muttered, following Jin-Sung’s lead.

From the safe confines of the practice room, I could hear Goh Yoo-Joon’s laughter. His laughter always had a peculiar pitch that seemed slightly off.

I shook off Jin-Sung’s frantic hold on my arm and stood beside him. Despite our quick pace, the special forces chasing us seemed almost comedic. It seemed as if they were intentionally going easy on us.

“Let's split up here, Jin-Sung. You head that way, and I will go this way. Try to find a good hiding spot."

“No way, why? I’d rather we stick together!"

Apparently, this scaredy-cat wasn’t just spooked by ghosts. Being chased seemed to terrify him just as much.

“Alright, we’ll stick together then!" I consented, seeing the sheer desperation in his eyes. I supposed it could be daunting for an eighteen-year-old to be chased by a squad, even if they were only wielding toy guns.

“This way!" I led Jin-Sung toward another vacant practice room at the end of the corridor. “Hurry, shut the door and kill the lights!"

Jin-Sung quickly flipped the switch and plunged us into darkness before clinging close to me.

I guided him under a desk where a laptop was stationed in the corner of the practice room. “Stay quiet. Since the door is unlocked, they might come in to check, but will likely leave quickly."

Peeking through the glass, I watched as the special forces arrived late, glanced inside the practice room, and moved on instead of spotting us.

“Wow, this is turning out to be more thrilling than I expected."

“It’s terrifying. If it were zombies or ghosts instead of special forces, I probably would've passed out by now."

We were talking in low whispers. Cautiously, we creeped out from under the desk.

“Could there be a clue or something hidden here? Let's search."

“But isn’t this a practice room we use?"

“It’s mostly used by the trainees. I saw some of them practicing here last time."

“Ah, right." I remembered hearing that the old B practice room, once dedicated exclusively to trainees, had been remodeled. Thanks to the renovation, it was opened up for trainees to use during end-of-month evaluations.

We began searching through the desk where we had hidden. We even rummaged through the trainee practice schedules, cryptic documents, clothes left behind, and everything within reach in the changing area. You’d think something would be hidden here, but nothing turned up.

Could there possibly be something taped under the desk or chair?

“…Hmm?"

There it was. I felt around under the chair, and my hand brushed against an envelope. I detached the tape and pulled out a card from inside, reading the brief message printed on it.

[You, who found this card! You are the sexy and provocative dance king villain. Unleash your most captivating dance in front of the special forces, and they will be spellbound, unable to function for thirty seconds. This ability can be used only once.]

“What on earth is this?"

Ah, so this was the kind of 'ability' they were talking about. To use this power, I’d need to dance my heart out in front of the youthful special forces actors. Why? Just why?

“..."

If this footage made the final cut, the subtitles would surely just read '...' because I was speechless.

“Ah."

Now that I thought about it, did our fans really enjoy watching us do embarrassing stuff? Was that why the staff gave us such a humiliating ability?

“Ah! Hyung, I found something. It's a bit weird, though. Take a look."

“I found something too. Let’s see it."

Jin-Sung handed me his card with a look of dismay.

[You, who found this card! You are the 'Agh! Just watch me!' villain.

Cry out 'Agh! Just watch me!' with all your sincerity and fall dramatically. The special forces will pass you by. This ability can be used only once.]

I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Imagining Jin-Sung performing this in front of the special forces was indeed funny. “Pfft! What is this!”

Jin-Sung also saw my card and openly laughed about it. “You are going to be totally embarrassed, hyung.”

“You too.”

“I wonder if the other members got something similar. I’m so curious.”

I pocketed the card and peered outside the practice room. “Let’s move to another area.”

I hoped we would not have to use these cards.

“I’m not so scared anymore, hyung. I think I can go on my own now.”

“Alright.”

There were no special forces in sight. I could hear someone’s scream in the distance, but I couldn’t tell if they were caught or still running. One clear thing was that this was the perfect time to run.

“Let’s go!”

We swung open the practice room door and dashed out, scattering in all directions immediately.

“Aaaaaagh! Suh Hyun-Woo!!!”

I saw Goh Yoo-Joon charging down the hallway with three special forces in hot pursuit.

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