The Malicious Member is Back! - Chapter 56
“Once this timer starts, you have 30 seconds! Thieves, you may begin your escape within that time. Remember, thieves, you’re limited to the first floor for your escape, and the last four thieves caught in each team will receive another benefit. Ready―.”
Go!
With Choi Gaon’s booming voice, all the thief trainees dashed out of the auditorium at full speed.
* * *
Running out of the auditorium, I quickly hid behind a rack in the practice room where we had rehearsed ‘Aiming’.
“Huff… huff… huff….”
Though it was my second time experiencing a second-round game, the tension creeping up my spine was no different.
Of all things, it was cops and robbers.
Choosing a game from our childhood not only invoked nostalgia but also gave a sense of purpose to the trainees, making the low-ranked trainees cops and the others robbers.
The production team used their brains way too well.
“Stop right thereeeeee!”
“Why! Why! Why only me?! Noooo!”
Ji Hwa Sung’s screams echoed from the corridor outside. After wrestling with the auditorium’s fixed door, it ended up like this.
Why are they only chasing you? Don’t you know?
First of all, the cops were going to target the highest-ranked trainees, namely the top 1 to 3 spots, as it would be more beneficial for them.
Being currently ranked 5th, I’m just below that tier, but still, I had to watch out….
Bang!
“Ack!”
I gasped, held my breath and curled up as a figure opened the door and entered the practice room.
…A cop? Or another thief?
The unidentified person soon moved next to the rack where I was hiding and entered stealthily.
When I recognized him, my mouth dropped open as I let out a baffled sound.
“Ah?”
“Oh, uh. So….”
– Where are you! 2nd place! 3rd place! Where did everyone goooo! Come out now!
“Shh, shh, quiet!”
As Won Hyeop hyung, one of the cops, passed by shouting, I frantically covered the other person’s mouth. The other person nodded frantically, sealing their lips shut.
– I will catch them… put them all in my jail… my own dream team… my rise in rank!
They say the role makes the person.
The cop hats and handcuff stickers we were given had truly transformed everyone into real cops.
As the sound of shuffling footsteps gradually faded, I carefully removed my hand from covering his mouth and nodded.
“Sorry about that. The noise was too loud outside….”
“Oh, no, it’s alright.”
“…….”
After a brief exchange in hushed voices, silence fell.
Cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck.
The person who had suddenly stumbled into my hiding spot—
It was none other than—
My leader hyung, Jae Ha hyung.
…Damn.
Seeing his softly swaying black hair made my heart sink even more. Not just because of my past mistakes as a problematic member, but more importantly because….
“Currently, Trainee Son Jae Ha is ranked 3rd.”
“…I’ll do my best!”
Knowing everything, my return had somewhat complicated his stage performance and ranking.
I had suggested Jae Ha hyung go to Ji Hwa Sung, who was harboring dissatisfaction for not receiving the MVP himself, precisely for that reason.
Since returning, Jae Ha hyung was difficult to approach, unlike Ji Hwa Sung or Bang Yu Chan hyung, whom I could at least speak to.
Handsome, kind, thoughtful, and responsible.
Even after nearly seven years, it’s hard to know what he’s thinking…
“…..”
I felt Jae Ha hyung’s gaze on me.
If I knew we’d end up face to face like this, I should have prepared something to say, but now what do I do?
I needed to say something, just standing here wouldn’t do, especially with a camera right next to the rack!
But what do I say to the (former) leader hyung, who’s been pushed back in rankings because of me?
