"I choose Haechan!"
I pulled my jacket's hood back up as soon as my name was called.
Because of how friendly he was, I forgot Kim Dojun had no other than me and didn't know anyone else in here.
I didn't really want to get chosen because it felt embarrassing—Kim Dojun is the only person who has seen me without the non-flamboyant act. I'm sure he wouldn't question me out loud, but still.
The PD was also surprised for a moment, until he chuckled again and turned to the land of grass.
"Well, then. Haechan, you should go up!"
Fuck you, Kim Dojun.
I calmed myself and got up anyway, now standing on the very left beside Kim Dojun. I tried not to make eye contact with Mahesha who seemed surprised we knew each other.
I mean, I am too, honestly.
But as I stood in front of the rest of the guys and next to Kim Dojun who was jumping like a child, I felt somewhat accomplished to have my name called over all these other people.
"Isn't it great, Haechan? Honestly, I don't think you would have been separated even if Haechan wasn't called, considering he has 34 points!"
The rest of the participants laughed at that.
It's true. The guys who ranked 5th, David and Kato, had 37 points. There wasn't that many people before me and I could definitely choose any bus even at my own turn to pick.
"It's because I don't want Haechan to enter the black bus!"
"Excuse you?" I couldn't help the immediate retort. Kim Dojun answered that in Korean, by the way.
But of course, the PD and the Korean speakers or those who have been in Korea long enough would understand.
"Is that so, Dojun? Then which bus would you prefer to be in?" Mister PD had to ask.
"The blue one!"
No, no, no!
Kim Dojun is supposed to be in the black bus along with the others in the already planned line-up! This stupid dumbass idiot!
On the outside, I sighed exaggeratedly and shrugged.
"Don't even ask him why."
The PD asked anyway, "Why the blue bus?"
"Because it matches our outfits," said Kim Dojun excitedly as he glances down on the jean-shorts I wore.
"Hello? My jacket is coated in black, though?"
"The winner decides on that!"
Everyone laughed louder. Should I clap, too, while we're at it?
I held back a groan and kept the silly act.
"What do we do with breakfast.."
An unexpected person answered that, "Don't you have kimbap, Chan? Let's use that as part of the meal!"
That person was Mahesha. He was the first to go in the grass circled with blue tape around. These spaces were supposed to be filled in according to each bus the participants are entering, so why is he there...
Mahesha saw my face that was basically asking, 'Are you crazy, too?' and nudged his head at where Han Daniel sat.
Oh, so he just felt bad. What true camaraderie.
No, wait. You, too, are supposed to be in the cool kids' bus, mister!!
The PD chuckled at the turn of events and gestured to the two spaces next to Mahesha, which were also marked by red and black tapes respectively.
"You can discuss the breakfast topic with the rest of the bus later, yeah? For now, let's have the others choose which bus they want to enter!"
.
I'm not sure if I should be thankful or not, but there weren't any other weirdos as the ones in the debut line-up got to choose the black bus. Some of the didn't have a strong start and ended up in the red bus, but at least it's because they had no choice.
In the end, I got to sit on the back of the blue bus along with the three people I have spoken to among others.
Han Daniel actually had the option to squeeze in to the red bus, but since Mahesha was already here, he dragged his suitcase into the blue bus instead.
"Come to think of it, you didn't bring much things, Chan. You only brought a medium sized suitcase and no bags," Mahesha observed as we finished shoving our items into the bus trunk. We were waiting for the staff to place the cameras on each bus and all that technical stuff, so everyone decided on their seats as they carried their luggage.
"I only had to bring a few pairs of clothes and some soap and shampoo, there isn't much to pack."
"Still, mine is packed."
Han Daniel, who has been quite, chimed in, "It's all from your clothes."
Mahesha, "There aren't that many, though?"
"There are."
I laughed at their mini bickering while sitting down on the grass. Kim Dojun sat next to me. He was looking at me curiously but hadn't asked anything yet.
Instead, he joined the conversation.
"Well, I packed a hair dryer for some reason, so my bag's also heavy."
Mahesha seemed to appreciate the participation.
"Really? I did, too," he added, "You're Kim Dojun, right? I'm Mash, this is Han Daniel. Let's get along!"
I watched as the three of them shook hands and introduced each other's agencies.
"That's great, you're finally making friends, Jun," I mocked jokingly. Kim Dojun turned to retort, but a staff member caught everyone in the blue bus' attentions.
"Alright, everyone, you can all enter one by one. The camera is rolling. You get to talk for now, and we will brief you on an activity later on!"
Nobody asked questions and lined up behind me. I wasn't that close to the bus door, but if they wanted me to go first, I'm not one to refuse.
I walked up the small set of steps into the bus and twirled to the very back. I was going to sit in the corner, but this part of the bus didn't have curtains on its sides for some reason—thus, I chose the middle-left seat instead.
The next person to enter was Kim Dojun. He was excited and must have thought I saved him a spot to a window seat.
"Chan!! I knew you were the best!" I smiled to him.
Little did he know, the sun is going to blind him with light.