* * *
The estimated time for the sub-part was around 50 minutes. Honestly, if the filming team wasn’t there, it was a simple task that would take less than 20 minutes.
With three S-grade Espers forming a team to handle a small group of level 3 Lizardmen, it was honestly an overabundance of personnel.
The sub-part members and production staff had to chat idly for the set duration, likely due to the filming awareness.
Managing expressions was familiar after ten years of social life, but being monitored in every move was irritating. Not knowing what might be said behind the scenes.
Although I started an internet detox for mental health, I couldn’t block out what was worrying me.
If it weren’t for the mandatory service period, I’d be tempted to throw in my resignation.
Even after ten years, the top brass’s blunders had not changed.
The transmission to the main part came about 30 minutes after they had left.
Deputy Shin Jowon, who was in charge of the communication, jumped up from his seat.
“Wait, what’s this… Wait a moment. I’ll get the medical team ready right away.”
The mention of preparing the medical team caused a stir around. Hyunsoo didn’t ask what was going on.
The need for medical staff meant someone was injured. It was more important to call for the medical team quickly rather than being bothered by others asking what happened.
“What’s going on…”
Hyunsoo raised his hand to stop the crew from asking questions to the busy sub-teams and briefly explained.
“It seems there has been an injury. First, it’s urgent to call for medical personnel, so please calm down and follow the sub-team leader’s instructions. The filming should be halted for now.”
With an injury occurring, there was no time to be filming with cameras. Hyunsoo checked the conditions.
Although it was unlikely, if someone from the D team got hurt, he might need to provide first aid and then guide them immediately.
“Yoon!”
Yoon appeared, supporting a crew member whose leg was soaked in blood. There was one injured person.
Three S-rank espers who had worked together for six years had gone out to handle a mere 3rd-tier lizardman, and there was an injury.
“I’ll check the wound first.”
While the medical staff examined the bleeding leg, Hyunsoo approached Yoon, who was wiping sweat from his forehead.
“What happened?”
“Got caught in a trap. We found a bunch of mutated lizardmen. Ugh. If the reconnaissance team is going to do such a lousy job, they might as well quit.”
Yoon frowned. They had taken on an easy task that was supposed to be handled by another team for today’s filming.
Since the reconnaissance was already complete, there was no need for the D team to redo it. There wasn’t enough time for that.
But something went wrong. Yoon, apparently annoyed, buried his face in Hyunsoo’s shoulder while whispering.
“Sorry for being cranky.”
Hyunsoo, understanding Yoon’s frustration, simply patted his head.
“What about the others?”
“Still dealing with the minor threats. Hyung Jiwon is so pissed off that there was no place to evacuate the injured, so I brought him here.”
“Do you think it’s okay if I don’t go?”
“Ah… it seems to be over now. They’re about to rejoin.”
It seemed Yoon received a message through his earpiece. Hyunsoo, absorbing the unstable Yoon’s energy, patted his back.
“Good job.”
“Yeah.”
Yoon rubbed his head against Hyunsoo’s shoulder.
Despite liking to act like an older brother to him, Yoon still behaved like the youngest member in many ways.
After a bit more time, the crew and Minchan, Jiwon arrived.
As Yoon said, Jiwon’s hair was in disarray, probably due to his anger.
“He must have gone overboard with his telekinesis and wrecked everything.”
Hyunsoo sighed and greeted the two approaching him.
“Was it a mutated type?”
“Yeah. We tried to avoid injuries, but things got complicated. I’ll go check on the condition of the injured.”
Minchan headed toward the medical staff treating the injured. Jiwon, running his hand through his tangled hair, reached out.
“I feel nauseous.”
It was a request to be hugged.
Hyunsoo smiled and picked up Jiwon, who clung to him.
Though it felt awkward with Jiwon making him look like the one being held, he didn’t mind much as long as he could just guide.
Jiwon hugged Hyunsoo tightly and rested his chin on his head.
“Don’t you clear your head?”
Hyunsoo remarked, slightly annoyed that Jiwon was using him as a chin rest.
However, Jiwon stuck to his excuse of feeling unwell and didn’t move his head.
After finishing the guiding, Hyunsoo twisted his body to get free from Jiwon’s embrace, causing Jiwon to pout.
“What?”
“You didn’t even say thank you.”
“Thanks for your hard work. You did well.”
“Just like begging for praise. Seriously.”
Despite his grumbling, Jiwon’s expression softened.
Minchan, having confirmed that the emergency treatment was complete, shared the update.
“They need to go to the hospital, but it doesn’t seem like the injury will lead to anything serious.”
“An accident right at the end of filming. Sigh.”
Hyunsoo nodded and took Minchan’s hand.
“Looks like he also caused quite a ruckus.”
Hyunsoo reflected as he guided.
Only studio filming was left.
He had heard it would be conducted with a touch of sentimentality, and he wasn’t sure if he could endure the cringe-worthy aspects.
“Jaehee.”
“Yeah?”
Minchan looked down at Hyunsoo guiding and whispered softly.
“Sorry. I couldn’t stop the center.”
“…It couldn’t be helped. It’s almost over anyway, and we got the family’s understanding. And if they say to do it, we have to do it, don’t we?”
Although he disliked variety filming, he actually liked that it left a record.
Reflecting on the past as Park Hyunsoo, he realized there were only a few photos taken together due to being overwhelmed by work.
Though he had written a will, it was from about five years ago and didn’t hold much significance.
Perhaps because of that, everyone approached the filming with a more relaxed attitude as time went on.
“Shall we head back then?”
“Yeah. Ugh, let’s just go home.”
Yoon grumbled as he hugged Hyunsoo’s shoulder.
The D team, having apologized to the crew and withdrawn, collapsed as soon as they arrived at their lodging.
They were done with being filmed at every move in front of the camera.
The D team, relieved that the long filming was over, laughed at the production crew’s farewell. Finally, the studio filming had concluded.
Back to their daily lives, the D team quickly forgot about the variety filming. Even when Sub-team Leader Kim Soojung mentioned in a meeting that they had sued a few netizens, everyone was indifferent.
“Is that so.”
Minchan replied with disinterest and moved on to the next agenda. Minchan’s main concern was not how others viewed him but how Hyunsoo saw him.
“By the way, how about celebrating the successful end of filming with a vacation?”
Hyunsoo asked with disbelief as he looked over the materials. Sub-D Team deputy- team leader Shin Jowon responded.
“Everyone worked hard. We should use the accumulated leave and also have a proper welcome party for Jaehee. It’s a chance for a group trip.”
‘Who enjoys a group vacation anyway? Even if we rest, everyone wants to relax individually. Who wants to spend time with work colleagues during vacation?’
Hyunsoo wanted to respond, but the youngest member, ‘Lee Jaehee,’ could only offer an awkward smile.
“It’s a nice idea, but I think people might prefer to have personal time during vacation. Group activities might feel restrictive and like an extension of work for some…”
Despite trying to speak tactfully, something felt off about the reactions of the team members in the meeting room.
“Hmm? Strange. Everyone seemed to agree with the vacation. Jaehee, don’t you want to rest with us during the vacation?”
‘No. How can they ask such a question here? If I say no, I’ll be labeled as a rookie who hates group activities and wants to avoid collective life. Why are they doing something unusual now?’
Even when he was Park Hyunsoo, he rarely went on group vacations.
They were called workshops or MTs, but as D team’s achievements piled up, excessive work led to conflicts in individual schedules, causing them to quietly disappear.
“No, I’m fine with it. But some people might feel uncomfortable…”
While Hyunsoo was speaking, Yoon quickly concluded.
“Then, the group vacation is unanimously approved!”
‘This bastard?’
Despite clenching his fists at Yoon’s words, Hyunsoo could only nod reluctantly, swept along by the agreement of everyone.
The youngest member in the team had to be such a person. It was a pitiable position where he had to do as told by those above.
Hyunsoo gritted his teeth internally. The center was the epitome of all absurdities.
“Ugh, this crappy center. As soon as my mandatory service is over, I’m outta here!”
As Hyunsoo expressed his disgust for the dreadful group vacation, people exchanged secretive glances. A covert operation was about to begin, unbeknownst to the main parties involved.
* * *
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