Chapter 180: Joy (17)

Chapter 180: Joy (17)

Fortunately, the buzz about Chronos hitting number one in real-time searches hadn't reached the ears of our classmates yet. It was a given that topping the trending charts would become a playful tease among friends.

During the break, Yoo-Joon and I were secretly relieved that we had escaped any teasing filled with astonishment. Instead, we tried to focus on our dance moves. With earphones in, our bodies swayed slightly to the rhythm.

Our manager, who had been observing us with a hint of amusement, was soon called away by the show's director. A classmate had been eyeing us curiously from a distance and approached with hesitant steps, stopping in front of us. Then, he cleared his throat awkwardly. “Yoo-Joon, and uh... Hyun-Woo."

“What's up?"

“Um, could you guys help me out with something?"

His name was Choi In-Seok, and he seemed nervous as his eyes darted between Yoo-Joon and me. He acted like Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan when we first talked to them. Despite being relatively unfamiliar with each other, it seemed that Yoo-Joon had broken the ice with him during the breaks. He was being the approachable class president he was.

‘But why does everyone avoid eye contact with me?’ Perhaps it was my fault. I might have been giving off an intimidating vibe without realizing it.

With a reassuring grin, Yoo-Joon responded, “Hey, no need to be so formal. What do you need help with?"

I nodded in agreement and said, “Yeah, how can we help?"

Choi In-Seok's face lit up with relief, and he handed us a piece of paper. His voice was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension when he said, “I've got this mission for the upcoming relay race."

Goh Yoo-Joon unfolded the paper and revealed the mission.

[Make your homeroom teacher laugh during the relay race.]

“What does this even mean?" I asked, puzzled by the unexpected task.

The mission seemed as bewildering to us as it was to him. Choi In-Seok sighed deeply and explained, “I mentioned wanting to try something fun during the initial interviews, but I never imagined it would come back to haunt me as a mission."

Choi In-Seok extended his smartphone toward me. On the screen, a UTube video was paused in full-screen mode.

“Can I watch it?" I asked.

“Yes," he replied, and I hit the play button.

The video was titled “A Typical High School Relay Race,” and it showed male students getting ready for a relay race on a sports day.

As the starting flag dropped, the students were about to sprint off... but then, they started walking slowly instead and struck poses like models on a runway as they made their way around the track. Laughter erupted from the onlooking students, and the bewildered voice of a teacher could be heard over the microphone.

Suddenly, one of the runners pushed a fellow student aside and started to run. Then, he started kicking off a series of humorous skits prepared by each runner.

Yoo-Joon looked at the mission paper with a chuckle and then back at Choi In-Seok. "Do you really want to do this?"

“Yeah. I totally get how Hee-Su felt now. Never thought my casual comment would turn into a mission."

“That's absolutely hilarious," Yoo-Joon laughed.

“So, I'm going around asking everyone in the relay to pitch in. Can I count on you guys? Please." Choi In-Seok's earnest plea was directed more at me, as if my approval was crucial.

I awkwardly nodded. “Sure, we will figure something out, In-Seok." I deliberately used his name in an attempt to break the ice. However, Choi In-Seok seemed oblivious to my effort and quickly left after thanking us profusely.

“Ah, Hyun-Woo, you even used his name to warm up to him, but it looks like it didn't work."

“It's not like that," I replied and brushed off Yoo-Joon's teasing attempt.

I handed back the earphones and pondered our next move. “So, what's our plan for the relay?"

“What plan?" Yoo-Joon asked and feigned ignorance.

“In-Seok's mission. Everyone's probably got something funny lined up. Don't you think we should aim to be the highlight?"

Yoo-Joon wrapped an arm around my shoulder and reassured me, “Don't sweat it, Hyun-Woo. You are naturally hilarious."

“...What?" The moment left me speechless, my mind racing to comprehend the unexpected turn of events. I stood frozen, the absence of the baton in my hands stark against the backdrop of Yoo-Joon's retreating figure.

Everyone started laughing at my bewildered look.

‘That bastard.’ The realization hit me late, and I found myself sprinting with all my might. I was hot on the heels of Goh Yoo-Joon.

“Yaaak!"

“Hahaahakkk!"

“Hand over the baton!" Passing the baton to Pyo Ri-Su had become my singular obsession. In an unexpected turn of events, this spontaneous game of tag drew not just laughter from the students but also from the teachers. Their amusement was clear in the air.

I charged forward with relentless energy and managed to catch up with Goh Yoo-Joon. He was sprawled on the ground and fiercely clung to the baton, refusing to hand it over. Given our history of scrappy wrestling matches, I resorted to a quick bite on his arm, and this promptly made him relinquish the baton.

Because Goh Yoo-Joon kept running until the last moment, my actions were limited to standing dumbfounded. I chased after Goh Yoo-Joon, snatched, and tossed the baton away.

...It somehow felt like I had managed to guarantee a decent screen time in the chaos.

In the meantime, Pyo Ri-Su chased after the baton I threw. With a dramatic roll, he reached the fallen baton, scooped it up with a grand bow, and was then lifted onto the shoulders of jubilant fellow students. They carried him triumphantly to the next runner.

The relay started with lighthearted fun rather than a competitive spirit, but as the last runners took their marks, it transformed into a serious race. The final stretch became a fierce sprint for those last contenders.

At the climax, the last runners received the baton almost simultaneously and burst into a powerful sprint. In the end, Team B claimed victory, albeit by a narrow margin.

Following the adrenaline-fueled relay was the Memory High’s talent showcasing. True to expectations, a thirty-minute interlude was allocated for setting up the stage and for the students to get their acts together for the talent show.

While the students busied themselves with their preparations back in the classroom, Goh Yoo-Joon and I made our way to the changing room to slip out of our sports gear and into our uniforms. We then headed out to the car waiting in the schoolyard.

Knock knock.

The car window slid down, and we hastily clambered in, cautious not to attract any unwanted attention.

“Yo, welcome back. Did you manage to capture some good scenes?"

“Jeez, what have you guys been up to? Your hair's a total mess, seriously."

“Any injuries to report?"

The moment we got into the car, a flurry of concerned questions greeted us. The members were all there, dressed in their stage outfits.

“Just got back from a run."

As I attempted to smooth down my tousled hair, Goh Yoo-Joon presented his arm to Joo-Han with a dramatic flourish. “Take a look at this, hyung. Suh Hyun-Woo went and bit me. Man, it hurt like crazy."

Seeing the bite mark, Joo-Han couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head in disbelief. “I bet you did something to provoke it."

“That's not fair. You are always siding with Suh Hyun-Woo."

“He's not wrong, though. You did take off with the baton," I intervened, gently lowering Goh Yoo-Joon's arm which was still thrust forward in accusation.

“Typical Goh Yoo-Joon move." Joo-Han tsked in mock disapproval before turning serious. “Look, you both must be worn out from all the running, but the real challenge is just ahead. You do know we're about to showcase our new song for the first time, right?"

“Yeah!"

This talent show was no ordinary event, as it also served as the grand stage for the premiere of Chronos's latest hit. Although the broadcast would barely do justice to the new song, as it only gave us and the other members mere seconds of airtime, for us, it was about more than just those fleeting moments. It was about delivering a full three-minute performance that truly belonged to us.

“Yoo-Joon and Hyun-Woo, you will be in your school uniforms, standing out from the rest of us. No matter where you are, keep the energy up and perform your best. And watch out during the acrobatic parts; we can't afford to be injured. Also, the sound system's tricky, so let's stay sharp for the live vocals."

Joo-Han's words were echoed by the collective resolve of the entire group, underscoring the gravity of the moment.