Bailonz Street 13-Chapter 256.1
Eun Haje nearly spat out the ice cream she was eating.
On the TV, a formal yet cheerful voice was hosting a matchmaking program.
[Dear viewers, tonight, the ripest fruit of the most passionate love is coming your way.]
[On the verge of their wedding, let us meet these splendid groom candidates!]
On screen, along with an orchestral band sound that seemed lo-fi processed and low in fidelity, the images of young men in white tuxedos passed through heart-shaped effects.
[Which of them will capture the bride’s heart?]
Their tall, well-groomed looks certainly seemed fit for a dating TV show.
If only her boss weren’t among them…
He was even looking at the camera with a suave smile.
“Fuck.”
The curse burst out reflexively, but it was more insane bewilderment than displeasure.
‘That guy…’
Is he contaminated?
After a wave of outrageous absurdity passed, a chill began to creep in.
Biting back a string of expletives, Eun Haje flung the ice cream aside and began gathering her gear.
All the while, her eyes stayed fixed on the screen.
[The wedding is tomorrow! But of these seven candidates, only one can become the White Bride’s groom.]
[Among those who would gladly lay down their lives for love, which one will reap that fruit?]
The more she focused on the screen, the more oddities stood out.
Like the contestants’ profiles, introduced in a breezy tempo as if to flash by.
Name: ■■■■ ■■■
Height: 37 cm
Weight: 4 kg
Hobbies: Cello, recitation, death by asphyxiation
One word of resolve: I’m sorry please stop The groom who will kiss the bride is me!
The bizarre figures listed for height and weight, the many lines of apology and pleading in the notes column, the unfocused faces in the profile photos.
Right.
Easy to skim past, but if you paid attention you could notice it. It was like they had dressed up a corpse for a photo…
[We can’t forget the cheers from those eliminated in the preliminaries!]
The quick cuts showing what might have been audience members or acquaintances rooting for the contestants weren’t normal either.
They grinned as if the smiles were painted on, cheering through makeup that seemed to conceal traces of loss, torture, or modification.
Yet all of this slipped by in a bright, jolly mood, and the program introduction was drawing to a close.
The textbook move for an entertainment show was this.
Introducing the professional host.
[And now, we proudly present! The host of our program!]
In the cut of the groom candidates entering the hall, the handsome man walking at the back turned, and winked at the camera.
It was Lee Jaheon.
“Urk—! Guh!”
[I infiltrated as a groom candidate and experienced every part of the training course. Yes, that would be me!]
[With the insight that only experience can bring, I’ve put together tonight’s very provocative, hair-raising, heart-pounding love survival course!]
As Eun Haje hacked furiously to clear her choking throat.
[Then let’s begin!]
On the screen, the grooms each struck a dashing pose to close out the opening…
And at the center, raising both arms in a stylish greeting, stood Lee Jaheon in a white suit.
“Insane.”
Contamination.
Eun Haje grabbed her smartphone on the spot.
Her fingers moved fast and sure as she dialed the direct number the Disaster Management Bureau agents had given her.
Kim Soleum had told the bureau that he would be entering an unconscious, defenseless state to make contact with the Space Shopping Mall, and had also asked the two agents to keep an eye on him just in case.
The call connected after two rings, and Eun Haje asked point-blank.
“Is Soleum alright?”
– Pardon?
“We need to check. Now.”
On the other end there was a brief rustle, as if they were checking the protected space where Kim Soleum was staying.
And then.
– No abnormalities in heart rate, breathing, or body temperature. What’s the matter?
“……”
No, it’s just…
Eun Haje started to explain, then locked eyes with a groom candidate on the TV.
Contestant No. 3, name unknown, was playing the violin with a rose in his mouth, putting on a pitiful act like an idiot……
“……”
– Ms. Civilian?
“If he’s fine for now, that’s enough.”
With a final request to call if anything happened, Eun Haje hung up.
…It was a ghost story, yes.
But maybe it wasn’t as extreme or serious as she’d thought…
‘Is this… maybe that punk Soleum pulling some outlandish stunt to escape again?’
She couldn’t tell whether the situation was dangerous, or whether Soleum had twisted it into something bizarre.
Assistant Manager Eun Haje picked the ice cream back up and watched the TV with a troubled expression.
To begin with, nothing seemed… well, remotely wrong with Section Chief Lee Jaheon’s condition…
[The first round is poetry recitation.]
[The candidate who most elegantly combines the poems written on the hidden bookmarks scattered throughout the venue, and recites a graceful, complete poem, wins!]
The program was sensational.
It spotlighted each candidate, making viewers either mock them or cheer for them.
Two candidates who created ridiculous, laughable poems were paired with cute, comical background music, prompting affectionate reactions.
Conversely, someone who failed to find several bookmarks but used a clever idea to complete a truly impressive poem received applause.
And finally… for the two candidates who failed to produce a proper poem.
They were hung outside the windows of the boarding school’s top tower side by side.
[Let’s receive votes from our viewers.]
[Who should be eliminated? And who should remain to continue this competition?]
The elimination was decided by the ‘viewers’.
[Press the number on your remote! For only 60 seconds, the fates of these groom candidates will change.]
“……”
Eun Haje picked up the remote and stared at the screen.
[ Candidate to Eliminate: No. 1 ]
[ Candidate to Eliminate: No. 5 ]
Whenever she placed her finger on a number button, the corresponding contestant’s profile photo on screen enlarged.
‘Ha…’
A physically impossible situation.
Even the real-time voting percentages reflected on screen, and then…
[ Candidate to Eliminate: No. 1 ] 37%
[ Candidate to Eliminate: No. 5 ] 63%
During the final 10 seconds of voting, the numbers vanished.
And then the countdown.
10, 9, 8, 7……
[Ah, the results are in!]
With applause, sound effects of disappointment, and a dramatic close-up of the losing candidate’s profile.
The eliminated candidate was shoved off the top of the boarding school after being hit on the head with a book, falling in a ridiculous pose.
[Eliminated!]
With the crash of cymbals, exaggerated effects, and peals of laughter.
Then some of the ‘experiential trainees’ seated in the guest section were flung from their seats as the lights on their chairs blinked out.
A loud sound as they were hurled out the window echoed theatrically.
[The experiential trainees who chose incorrectly share the same fate. What a pity!]
Then the camera shifted to the remaining groom candidates, creating an atmosphere full of encouragement and relief.
[Six groom candidates remain.]
[Congratulations, everyone. You’ve taken one step closer to the bride!]
Salt Goblin 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
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