章 46: PR (3)
Producer Jang-Soo's words still rang in Joon-woo's head as he clung to the bathroom sink counter.
"Even if your live topic is a bit… odd, you must do it well. As, the 10 contestants with the lowest peak viewer count will be eliminated."
With the classic red megaphone Producer Jang-Soo had spoken to the 40 remaining contestants with a deadpan expression. The bomb of words had started frantic chatter almost immediately, and Joon-woo took the panic as his chance to get his thoughts together.
He had approached a staff member with a small, forced smile and he asked, "Can I quickly use the bathroom?"
He made sure to pick a staff member that had shown him one too many smiles in comparison to his competitors. And after he had gotten a solem 'yes' in reply, he quickly shuffled to the nearby stalls.
Truthfully, his mind was a mess. He knew that he wasn't at risk of elimination, nor were his roommates. Bo Jaesang, who was the least popular among them, was even in the top half of contestants popularity wise.
It was really, just the 'cosplay' prompt. More so that Baek Du-Ho, the fakest man alive (in Joon-woo's most humble opinions) had picked such for him.
The possibilities were truly endless with such a topic, even more so in relation to Joon-woo. Jung Hyun-Ok, who was in the same boat as Joon-woo, even seemed to break his ever-calm expression at the reveal.
He thought of possible characters he would have to dress up as. He figured popular ones, relevant ones. It was really the idea of having to cosplay a character of a different gender that scared him. Granted Ha-rin was a girl, he used to be a girl. So it's not like it would be a hassle to put on the costumes, it was the fact he would probably pass as a girl even as Joon-woo.
Jung Hyun-ok was masculine with the way his jawline was shaped as such. From a mile away and more, Joon-woo could tell that he was a guy. But himself? Especially with his longer hair, height, and with enough make-up, could pass as such. He imagined the memes. How if he did debut, how it would follow him forever and ever and–
The bathroom door suddenly opened.
Joon-woo flinched, quickly trying to play it off like he wasn't just listless staring at his more feminine features in the mirror. He turned on the sink and began to scrub at his already clean hands. But as he did so, he saw who the mirror reflected.
Baek Du-Ho. The perpetrator of such a topic and who Joon-woo currently hated the most.
Baek Du-Ho wore a knowing look as he tried to silently pass the sinks, pass Joon-woo and into one of the stalls. Joon-woo eyed him through the mirror, hatred, anger running through his eyes. It was like fire ignited in his scared-of-confrontation eyes.
"You…" Joon-woo hadn't meant to verbalize, "Why would you do this?" His thoughts escaped his mouth as if overflowing. He swiftly covered his mouth, as if surprised he had even uttered the words.
Baek Du-Ho paused in his steps. He slowly turned to Joon-woo who stood sideways to the mirror looking down. His expression twisted as he thought of a reply.
Silently, after a few moments of quiet, Vaek Du-Ho suddenly dug through his pockets. Joon-woo sent him a suspicious look.
Baek Du-Ho pulled out a folded ₩10,000 bill and held with two fingers in Joon-woo's direction. The action was sudden, as if impulsive, and it left Joon-woo a bit confused.
"Um…" Joon-woo hummed, hand raised as if to take the bill, but he hesitated. Was this actually happening? Was the money even meant for him to take.
Baek Du-Ho shook the money in his hand, he looked in the other direction with a red face. "Take it." He demanded.
Joon-woo, taken aback by the tone, slowly approached and quickly slipped the bill from Baek Du-Ho's fingers. "Um… Thank you, Sunbae?" He spoke with uncertainty and a short nod of acknowledgement.
Silence engulfed the room. It was awkward, really, Joon-woo wanted to leave the bathroom now. His thoughts were still jumbled, maybe even more than before. Really, Baek Du-Ho, why did he have to be so confusing?
Joon-woo slowly trailed towards the bathroom door, trying to avoid the Baek Du-Ho who looked a bit down at this point.
Just as Joon-woo pushed through the door unscathed and ₩10,000 richer, Baek Du-Ho's ever-hesitant voice spoke.
"...sorry." He suddenly said, just as Joon-woo slipped out the door. Joon-woo barely caught it, and coughed to himself upon processing the words. However, the bathroom door had long shut and when he turned around, he was faced with a shut door.
Really, wasn't Baek Du-Ho crazy? Joon-woo crumpled at the bill in his pocket, now that he thought of it, he was thirsty…
–+–
Joon-woo stood next to Jung Hyun-Ok. And for the first time, probably ever, their expressions were one of the same. They were shocked, uncomfortable, disturbed, and every synonym that followed. Because really, these are the characters they have the options to cosplay?
There were various Sailor Moon costumes, all various girl characters. Each costume was decked out with a well-brushed wig and hanger-hung costume. Hell– even the socks were spot on the original show.
Naruto, and even Attack On Titan, were other character options. But truth be told, the male character options were limited to simply Levi and Kakashi… Really, did these producers have a thing for crossdressing?
Jung Hyun-Ok turned to Joon-woo while rubbing at his own forehead.
"Hah… Isn't this too much?" Jung Hyun-Ok asked.
Joon-woo nodded, " I don't even watch anime…"
A staff member, upon seeing the two loom over the costumes, sped walk over with a sly grin upon her face.
"Ahh, you too were the unlucky bunch?" She joked, noticing the two's grim expressions.
Jung Hyun-Ok replied with a nod as Joon-woo stared listlessly into space.
The staff member shrugged, still keeping a sly grin on her face. Joon-woo eyed her with suspicion. He lightly knocked at Jung Hyun-Ok's side and gestured to the staff member as she approached the costumes.
Jung Hyun-Ok pursed his lips, and his face shifted when he saw her pick up the hanger-hung Levi costume and suddenly toss it over to him with ease. He seemed surprised, catching it by the sides of the hanger with a sudden ease.
Then, the staff member walked past the Naruto selection, past the Attack on Titan selection, and instead all the way down. Joon-woo tightened his fists.
She sifted through the various characters and after a few moments picked up Sailor Moon's costume with a still expanding grin. Joon-woo's eyes widened as he saw the costume get tossed in his direction.
He let it fall onto the floor, his face reddening at the realization.
"I think these ones are the most fitting for your sizes…" The staff member reasoned. "Please change fast, we're already a bit behind schedule…" She spoke with a short bow, before scurrying away with a hidden laughter behind her smile.
Jung Hyun-Ok picked the Sailor Moon costume up for Joon-woo, and held up the costume to his chest. His expression was raised as he admired the costume.
"Let's just get this over with, yeah?" Jung Hyun-Ok spoke, offering the costume to Joon-woo with a comforting smile.
Joon-woo, caught in a whiplash by Jung Hyun-ok's visuals nodded, took hold of the costume.
"Yes, okay Hyung…" He replied, ears red with the embarrassment he would have to face.
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