Chapter 403
The trainees who unfortunately suffered elimination on the final stage of
Like the other trainees who had a regretful farewell at the previous ranking announcement ceremony, we made this promise when we parted ways.
Let's meet again as idols next time.
Let's meet as equals, not as idols and trainees.
Ken Hashimoto, who shed tears more than anyone else and hugged us, was finally able to keep his promise after two long years.
The members who had worked together as a team with Ken Hashimoto during the survival show were able to calm down and ask him about his recent situation after hugging him several times.
"You haven't changed at all. Rather, you seem to have lost weight? Did you grow a little taller?"
"Are you eating well?"
"Of course! I eat hard and exercise every day!"
Ken Hashimoto smiled brightly at Kang Si-yoon and Song Hyung-bin's concerns and just moved his two arms.
It seems like he wanted to show with his whole body that he was healthy and full of energy.
Then, as if something he wanted to say came to mind, he snapped his fingers and spoke in a bright voice.
"I really wanted to contact everyone, but the company stopped me, so I was really disappointed. I really wanted to say let's have a meal together, but I was disappointed."
"I guess there's not enough time when you're preparing for your debut, so there's nothing you can do. But......... Ken, what did you just say?"
"Huh? I wanted to say let's have a meal together?"
"Haha!"
Kang Si-yoon laughed out loud when Ken Hashimoto tilted his head.
"I was surprised that he used the traditional Korean greeting so casually. Hey. Why has your Korean improved so much?"
"That's something I have to say! I actually thought Karis hyung was amazing since we were doing Survival. He's a foreigner like me, but he can speak Korean so well. It's amazing. I want to be good at it later too. I said that."
I scratched my cheek awkwardly at Ken Hashimoto's words that he was amazed at my Korean skills.
Compliments about my Korean skills have always followed me, but it stung every time I heard them.
The one living and breathing inside this crown prince's body is a Korean.
However, this thought was fleeting, and Kang Si-yoon shook his finger and clicked his tongue.
"You shouldn't compare him to Karis. He's just like a super-advanced AI that's learned well."
".........Why do you keep comparing me to an AI robot?"
"Isn't it time you got used to it?"
"I'm used to hitting you like this."
"Ouch-!"
Kang Si-yoon was beaten by me again today.
The members and Ken Hashimoto, who saw that familiar sight, all burst into laughter.
"I really wanted to hear this conversation between you hyungs again! I missed you guys playing sushi so much."
"Then do you want to spend one night at our dorm? Even if you only stay one night, it'll be so noisy that you won't be able to stand it."
"Are you sure? Is it okay if I go to the dorm instead?"
"Hey, stop moving."
Heo Yu-bin grabbed Yoo Min-ha's shoulder as he spoke casually.
As his gaze became unusually piercing, Yoo Min-ha flinched slightly and tried to look at the distant mountains.
"The dorm is too noisy? Who do you think is the culprit behind the noise?"
"Well, I don't know. It must be Karis hyung and Si-yoon hyung, just like Ken said."
"Where on earth did you sell your conscience!"
"Ah! Ah! Why are you hitting me on the back!"
Yoo Min-ha, just like Kang Si-yoon, was beaten up.
In less than 20 minutes since they had reunited after a long time, the chaotic and noisy atmosphere of the old
Still, Ken Hashimoto must have missed it so much that he clapped happily.
"Hahaha! Ah, it really seems like no one has changed. Anyway, I also wanted to be good at Korean like Karis hyung, so I studied really hard. I really memorized every word like crazy."
"Uh, uh, oh.......... Well, that's not how you use it, but anyway, that's great."
"...I think you learned well."
"Is that so? I should study similar expressions more in the future!"
Ji Yoon-chul unconsciously let out a strange wind to Ken Hashimoto.
The youngest, who was wondering if this was the right thing to do, followed me and made an awkward expression.
"Then how long will you be active? 4 weeks?"
"Yes! I think it will be 4 weeks!"
Chae Eun-gyu quickly changed the subject.
4 weeks is the typical schedule for idols.
After hearing this typical period, one question arose in my head.
"Then Ken, are you also planning to participate in the game competition that was scheduled to film this time?"
"Ah, ah, the game competition held by MBS! Yes, the head of the headquarters said that we will debut just in time and be able to participate!"
"Oh, really! Can I really see you there again?"
Yoo Minha quickly got excited and started dancing while holding Ken Hashimoto's hand.
The mouth that had been quiet for a moment after hearing something from Heo Yu-bin earlier was moving excitedly again.
"Do you play a lot of Kendo games? What do you like? We play
"Shh, that's it."
Song Hyung-bin gently stopped Yoo Min-ha from trying to run away from the chatter train and checked the time on his phone.
"It's already been 30 minutes. We have to go to Kendo pre-recording soon, so let's go now."
"It's already been 30 minutes? Wow, time goes by so fast..........."
"I want to talk and play more, but we shouldn't interrupt the schedule, so we have to go."
"It's okay, Min-ha!"
Ken Hashimoto gave Yoo Min-ha, who was shrugging his shoulders in regret, an unchanging smile.
"You have to leave regrets so that you can look forward to the next meeting!"
"Hey, Ken, your Korean has really improved a lot. What kind of poem did you just say?"
"Hehe, I really studied like crazy-."
"Okay, that's it! That's it!"
We said goodbye to Ken Hashimoto and left the waiting room one by one.
I was the last to shake hands with Ken Hashimoto and smiled happily.
"I never doubted that you would get here someday, Ken. It's nice to see you again."
"I'm honored to meet Karis hyung again after such a long time!"
"Yeah. I guess we'll be able to see each other often from now on. Let's have a meal together sometime, just like you want."
"I really like it!"
That's how the reunion with the old friend ended, and time passed quickly again.
Preparing for the game competition where the members' interest and passion were at their peak.
***
It was the end of July, when the heat was getting hotter and hotter.
Jamsil Indoor Stadium was also showing off its heated atmosphere, matching the scorching sun.
With the help of domestic e-sports experts, numerous computers, various electronic devices, and gaming equipment were installed.
Personal cameras to capture the faces of each player participating.
In addition, various facilities were installed to ensure that the high-speed internet essential for the game could be maintained without interruption.
The first
And on July 30th, the long-awaited opening ceremony.
"Hello, everyone. I am caster Han Seong-jae. And there is a very special person sitting next to me."
"Yes, hello. I am Kwak Jin-hyeok, the first e-sports gold medalist at the 201X Asian Games."
"Player Kwak Jin-hyeok, I remember that the event you won the gold medal at the Asian Games was
"I'm known as a
MBS sportscaster Han Seong-jae and former pro-gamer and Asian Games gold medalist Kwak Jin-hyeok continued their conversation while looking at the numerous computers inside the Jamsil Indoor Stadium.
It was a set that really took a lot of time, effort, and money.
"Yes, as Player Kwak Jin-hyeok mentioned, there are three games today. The Playbox brawl game
"I did some research in advance, and it was really surprising. Even with their busy schedules, they enjoy playing games, and some of them are even high-tiered."
"Did you happen to know the highest tier among the players participating today?"
"I found out that there is a player whose tier is between Diamond and Master. That's him."
The profile that Kwak Jin-hyeok pointed to had a very familiar picture of a participant.
Caster Han Seong-jae, who had enjoyed watching last year's
"Oh, this player looks familiar. Isn't that Karis von Walden? The superstar who emerged from last year's
"Yes, he seems to be good at games as well as general sports."
"He's a 'fraudulent character'. Do you think both
"According to what I've looked into, both are."
"Hey, I have a feeling that another great scene will be created today. Then, are there any other players who have skills comparable to Karis ssi?"
"Yes, and this player played 'Call' for a very long time...."
Caster Han Seong-jae, who has been broadcasting sports for a long time, could instinctively tell.
Just as he said, today, the viewers' minds will be deeply engraved with incredible scenes that will be born from Karis von Walden's fingertips.
And this anticipation was also full in the players' waiting room.
"Karis, you understand? Let's go for exploration at the beginning. Honestly, it won't be fun if we wipe everything out from the beginning."
"Hmm. I would like to destroy the first match."
"No, where did you learn such difficult words? Anyway, you never know. There might be a real skilled player hiding on the other side, so let's go easy at first. It's okay to pour all your energy in the final match."
"Hoo. Are you already thinking about the finals, Siyoon? I really like it. I really like it."
"Huh?"
Inside Seleste's waiting room.
Karis smiled as he looked at Kang Si-yoon's flustered expression.
However, this wasn't the gentle smile Karis usually wore.
The excitement spreading through his entire body before the match.
The burning sensation of hot sensations seeping into his blood vessels.
And above all, it was a smile created by the arrogant confidence of the crown prince who only knew victory.
"Let's go destroy everything."
"No, let's not do that from the beginning -!"
"No one can stop me."
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