Chapter 62
While heading to a nearby mart.
-Endure... This is the grocery shopping you chose.
Complete the grocery shopping safely.
Reward: ???
'What? A new objective here?'
A new objective was generated for the first time in a while since 'Overwhelmingly defeat Bluered'.
'What's so difficult about grocery shopping...'
I looked at Yujin, who was holding mine and Yujin Kim's hands tightly and toddling along.
Yujin, puffing out her chubby cheeks, quietly followed us without a single complaint or whine, just as a 3-year-old should.
'Right, with a baby this well-behaved, what could possibly happen? Has there ever been such an easy objective recently?'
Feeling much better at the seemingly easy objective, I arrived at the mart with light steps.
"The mart is bigger than I expected...?"
"It really is."
Since we never had to do our own grocery shopping, we only knew there was a mart here, but this was our first time actually coming.
Even though it was a weekday morning, there were quite a few people coming and going through the entrance.
As I noticed people glancing at us while passing by, I said to Yujin Kim.
"We should buy everything and get out quickly before more people gather."
"Yes, first we need to get a cart..."
"I'll do it!"
Looking down at the sudden voice, I saw Yujin's figure with her eyes wide open, insisting on pulling out the cart herself.
"Um... it's really heavy for Yujin to..."
"I'll! Do! It!!"
Yujin's sudden transformation the moment we arrived at the mart.
As Yujin Kim was still unable to snap out of his shock while watching that sight.
'Haven't I seen this somewhere before...?'
Only then did a scene from a manga flash rapidly through my mind.
It's Danbi's!!!!! Danbi's!!!!
'Ah, no!'
I hurriedly came to my senses and scooped up Yujin, who was emanating an ominous aura from below.
"Alright, Yujin can push this cart."
When I placed Yujin's hands on the cart while still holding her in my arms, she finally quieted down.
But I felt as if I was embracing a bomb, and an ominous feeling kept brushing past me.
"Let's finish shopping and get out as quickly as possible."
"Yes..."
After exchanging a brief glance with Yujin Kim.
The moment we entered the mart and were about to head straight to the food section.
"Over there! Go there!"
Yujin's firm voice rang out.
We could only stare blankly at the moment a tyrant descended upon the mart.
***
"Aaaaaaaagh! Buy me that!!!!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
The mart that should have been quiet in the morning.
There was a group drawing everyone's attention.
Two young men and one child.
The appearance of two men, whose identities were unknown but whose looks would make anyone turn their heads if they passed by, sweating profusely.
And the figure of a single girl freely manipulating those two men.
An unusual combination that would be hard to pass by even if you happened to see it by chance.
But when a camera filming those three was added to the mix.
It became a combination that made people pull out their phones without a second thought.
-I came to the mart right now, and it looks like they're filming something (Photo)
The appearance of the three people spread on social media quickly reached WEIRS's fans.
-Heol! They must be filming a kids' variety show!
-They're with a baby? What program is that?
-Anyway, I can only see it through photos, but I can feel Rin and Yujin's desperate emotions hahahaha
-Two men grocery shopping with a child. Where on earth can I go to see this!!
-Please upload more photos! Please!
An enormous number of comments started pouring into the initial social media post.
-I couldn't take many photos... so at least this (Photo)
In the additionally revealed photo.
A girl was seen hugging a doll, perhaps having claimed the doll she wanted, with a fully happy smile while being held in Sunwoo Rin's arms.
-Oh my, they eventually surrendered hahaha
-Look at Rin's expression hahaha, he never looked that tired even during the auditions.
└The only way to exhaust Sunwoo Rin, shopping with a child ㄷㄷ
-To achieve victory against the 1st and 2nd place audition winners... Kid, have you ever considered becoming an idol?
The turbulent first variety show filming of the two, broadcast in real-time along with the photos.
Along with the names of Sunwoo Rin and Yujin Kim exhausted from childcare.
Was spreading widely through WEIRS's fans.
***
"Rin hyung! If you come back this late...?"
Sim Seongha, who had started questioning us the moment we entered the dorm, lost his words the moment he saw the state of me and Yujin Kim.
"Hyung, what on earth happened there..."
"Don't ask if you don't want to get hurt."
When I answered Sim Seongha's question weakly.
"Ah! What's that!"
"Mine is...?"
"I want a toy too!"
The moment we got home, the children's gazes were focused on the doll Yujin was holding.
"Hyung, maybe...?"
"Don't tell me you only got one for...?"
"No."
At that moment, Yujin Kim came in from behind me carrying several large boxes.
"Woooooow!"
Along with the children's cheers, a toy awarding ceremony... no, a toy looting scene was instantly created.
"Ugh."
As if finally completing all his missions, Yujin Kim collapsed powerlessly in front of the entrance door.
"You two... worked hard."
"It was really tough, huh...?"
Upon arriving home, Yujin, who had been held in my arms, returned to her calm demeanor and leisurely walked to a corner of the living room.
Passing by the members who were asking with their eyes what on earth had happened.
Looking at the children playing excitedly with their new toys, I checked the objective window again.
-Complete the grocery shopping safely. Objective half achieved.
-Complete the grocery shopping O Safely X
-As a reward, camaraderie with Yujin Kim +5, child Yujin's affinity +5 has been given.
'This isn't a joke...'
Not only was I dumbfounded by the X mark over the word 'safely', but the camaraderie and affinity given as a reward were even more absurd.
'Hey, give me a proper reward!'
-Achieve affinity of 30 or higher with the children for one day today.
Current affinity: 9
Reward: Vocal ability +1
As soon as I protested, a new objective appeared right before my eyes.
And the vocal ability, which was absolutely necessary for me right now, was on the line as a reward.
'Insufferable bastard...'
Asking for a proper reward only for them to create a new objective was incredibly brazen.
'I need to raise my vocal ability first anyway...'
Even so, I could see myself moving to achieve the objective out of sheer necessity.
"Kids, from now on call me Captain!"
I approached the children who were playing hard with their toy guns and shouted.
"Aaaagh! It's a monster!"
"Defeat it...!"
'No, I'm not a monster, I'm the Captain...'
With the simultaneous attack of four children, I had no choice but to helplessly become the villain.
Seeing my figure, I could see the members' faces looking at me thinking, 'What is that hyung doing now?'
-Affinity increases by +1.
"Alright, come at me everyone! I'll crush you all!"
"Aaaagh! The monster has revealed its true colors!"
"Everyone, we need to combine our strength!"
"Combined attack!"
-Affinity increases by +1.
To think affinity rises even when I'm just being beaten. How easy is this objective?
"Muahahahahaha! Vajra Body!"
I was merely playing hard with the children.
I was definitely not embarrassed or pitiful.
Really.
'But even though they're toys, it kinda... hurts...?'
Strangely, I couldn't help but feel some moisture welling up in my eyes.
***
"They've all crashed."
"They really have."
"Thanks to Rin hyung."
"Hyung, you're safe, right?"
"Yeah..."
The sky outside the window was gradually growing darker.
The members of WEIRS, who had spent a long, long day with the children. Looking at the children who had poured out all their energy and were now exhausted.
Were all slumped on the couch together.
-Achieve affinity of 30 or higher with the children for one day today.
Current affinity: 53
Reward: Vocal ability +1
I could see the affinity number that had already exceeded the objective by a wide margin.
"Gentlemen. It's time for your parents to arrive. Everyone get ready."
"Yes. Capten!"
"Understoodten!"
As the price for being tormented by the children all day, I had now earned the proud recognition of the Captain's position.
Of course, there were countless hardships and adversities in that process...
'Anyway, I raised my vocal ability too. With this much, I think I got good screen time...'
Now the filming would end as soon as the children's parents came and picked them up.
Soon the promised time arrived.
Ding dong-
The children's parents arrived at the dorm.
"Kids!"
"Mom and Dad are here!"
"Dad! Mom!"
The time for an emotional reunion had come.
As if they had never been tired, the children ran toward the entrance door.
"It's somewhat touching..."
"It really is."
Even though it was a variety show filming, it seemed everyone had grown attached to the children they had spent the day with.
"Thank you all so much!"
"You must have had a hard time."
The couple, having finished their goodbyes with the children, came to the living room and exchanged greetings with us.
"Not at all! We had a great time!"
"The children were really well-behaved."
"I hope we can meet again next time!"
'Next time...?'
At Park Hanhwi's words spoken with a bright face, cold sweat ran down the backs of the members who were giving their final goodbyes.
The couple, who had been watching that sight with a smile, looked at the children and spoke.
"Alright kids. You need to say goodbye to your uncles one last time and tell them you'll be good."
"Waaaaah! No! Let's go together!!"
"I don't want to go home!! I want to stay here!!"
"Play with us mooooore!!"
As expected, even the final parting didn't end smoothly.
After letting out a long sigh inwardly, I stepped in front of the whining quintuplets.
"Alright, everyone attention!"
"Attention!"
"Even after you go home, you must listen to your parents well and stay healthy. Understood?"
"Yes! Understoodten!"
This composed appearance was only possible because the affinity exceeded 50.
Feeling both embarrassment and pride at the same time, I exchanged final goodbyes with the children.
"Let's meet again next time, gentlemen."
"Must win!"
"Victory!"
And so, our first variety show filming came to a safe end.
***
Starting with the variety show filming, we had entered our 2nd week of full-fledged activities.
Spending busy days with various interviews, radio appearances, and commercial shoots.
And finally, the 2nd week music show schedule had come around again.
We couldn't help but be nervous ahead of the music show.
The reason was.
'We're a 1st place candidate.'
Our 1st place competitor was naturally Bluered.
A formidable opponent, and one we absolutely wanted to beat.
And now, among all the music shows, our home ground Music Station, where WEIRS's 1st place seemed most likely.
We were standing at the scene of that final 1st place announcement.
"Music Station broadcasting live... This week's 1st place is!"
Last week, when watching from behind, the 1st place announcement seemed so lacking in tension.
But now that we were 1st place candidates ourselves, I couldn't help but feel nervous.
I could see the fans in the audience looking desperately at only the MC's mouth.
"1st place is, WEIRS!"
We had achieved 1st place on a music show in just our 2nd week since debut.