"For the second game, select two players from your team. Strength and intelligence. You need it both. Think carefully and pick two players." Na pd announced.
"Did you hear what he said?" Lee Hyun asked looking confused only to meet the equally confused stares of his teammates.
"We're too far from him." Sarang replied as she tried to remember what Na PD said.
"I couldn't hear a thing, all I heard was two players." Baekho shrugged as Sarang turned around to ask the staff about it.
"We've four members. Who are we choosing?" Minhyun questioned.
"Sarang is the most smartest among us all." Lee Hyun noted.
"She's the most athletic too." Baekho added as everyone agreed.
"Should we just send her twice?" Lee Hyun whispered only for Sarang to hit him in the arm lightly.
"Oppa anyone can see that you obviously have more strength among the four of us." Sarang nodded towards Baekho and his bulging arms.
"Oh so you're not denying that you're the smartest among us?" Lee Hyun asked with a raised brow.
"Can't deny facts." Sarang simply smirked as they all burst out laughing.
At the end Sarang suggested that Minhyun and Baekho should be the ones participating. She knew she already had tons of screen time and wanted her teammates to shine on screen too. Plus despite what she had said, Minhyun was pretty smart so she knew he'd do well.
"Yah why'd you make me go? I'm bad at running." Minhyun whined.
"No you-" Baekho started only for Minhyun to finish the sentence.
"That's right, I'm bad at all sports. The only reason I do gym is cause I'm a celebrity." He confessed as Lee Hyun agreed.
"Oppa take this opportunity to prove everyone wrong. You can do it." Sarang encouraged him.
The fact that the sun was scorching and Sarang didn't want to leave the shade was something she kept to herself.
And so began the game. Minhyun from Team United, Beomgyu from TXT, Jake from Enhypen, Dino from Seventeen, Eunchae from Le Sserafim and Jisun from fromis_9 all stood at the starting line of the race.
Team United cheered for Minhyun as he raced. They all looked at each other confused when he picked Kazuha of Le Sserafim for whatever task he had picked.
"Is it something related to flexibility?" Sarang wondered out loud as she noticed how he had made a beeline for Kazuha.
Since Beomgyu was the first to come at the finish line with Huening kai they did their task which was to impersonate three people.
"Oh he picked the right person. Huening Kai does it well." Sarang informed her teammates as she cheered for her junior.
"I'll imitate a pokemon called Togepi-"
"What tokkaebi?" Lee Hyun gasped thinking Kai meant Goblin.
Sarang and Baekho facepalmed as they shook their heads at their senior.
Everyone watched in awe as Huening kai imitated Togepi, Wobuffet and Spongebob. They all clapped for him and everyone unanimously agreed that he definitely won this round.
Minhyun was the next in line. Sarang's guess was right. He was asked to bring the most flexible person. Kazuha had to play limbo and she'd win if there was no contender left who'd challenge her.
She easily passed the 90cm bar and Sarang groaned as Minghao came forward to challenge her. She could hear Seventeen's groans too.
At one point as Minghao tried passing the 85cm bar Sarang started cheering for him forgetting that he wasn't her teammate. In fact he was challenging her team.
"Yah Choi Sarang are you a spy? Why are you cheering for the opponent?" Lee Hyun asked incredulously.
"I forgot for a moment. He's my friend so I naturally started cheering for him." Sarang admitted shrugging.
However she cheered loudly when he couldn't pass the last bar. Team United won.
"Yah didn't you just say he was your friend? Why are you cheering so loudly when he lost?" Baekho asked confused.
"Gift vouchers are gift vouchers. He'd have done the same if roles were reversed." Sarang answered jovially.
As the next round began Sarang relaxed in hair chair and sipped on her Americano while watching Yeonjun, Jungwon, Baekho, Minghao, Yunjin and Chaeyoung warming up before the race.
Sarang laughed throughout the round as she cheered for everyone. By some miracle Enhypen, Le Sserafim and Fromis_9 all failed the task which gave the chance to Baekho who won his task easily.
She had to clutch her sides when Baekho, Lee Hyun, Seungkwan, Jungwon and Minghao tried to tickle Huening kai who sat still like a statue. Sarang almost squealed with surprise when Seungkwan bent down to blow air in Kai's ear.
It was so funny to watch.
"Everyone it's time for something you've all been waiting for. It's finally lunch time." Na pd's announcement was met with loud cheers as everyone was practically starving at this point.
"Since we're short on time it'll be open for just ten minutes-" As everyone started talking amongst themselves he continued "Yes, it's first come first served."
No sooner had the words left his mouth, Sarang was already running towards where he was sitting. Seventeen started running along too. Sarang was third in line just behind Mingyu and Minghao.
"Oh it's the 97 liners." Na PD observed as others joined the line. "There are three types of lunch, if you're unable to answer any questions and don't win the lunch we'll give you a triangle kimbap in the end."
The first question was to guess the title of the song from the characters shown. As soon as the question was revealed Sarang immediately jumped excitedly while Mingyu scratched his head in confusion.
Resigned to his faith he made his way towards the back of the line as Sarang, Jun and Joshua kept repeating the answer over and over.
"Yah how can you get this wrong? It's blood, sweat and tears." Sarang asked with wide eyes. "You even danced on it with Jungkook and me."
Minghao fared no better as he too failed his question and joined Mingyu towards the back of the line.
"The honor of 97liners is on your shoulder Sarang-ah. Don't lose." Mingyu shouted from the back.
"Yah it's okay, just join us." Minghao joked.
Unbothered by their teasing, Sarang confidently picked up one of the folded paper and gave it to Na PD who looked at her with raised brow.
"It's capital quiz." He said before asking, "The capital of Egy-?"
"Cairo." Sarang answered in an instant as Na pd looked at her with surprised filled eyes.
"I didn't even finish the question."
"She's good at it." Joshua commented from the back as Sarang happily took away her meal.
"Oh wow she already won?" Jake said as everyone stared at a happy Sarang taking away her tray.
"Yah did you win already?" Mingyu's tone was full of surprise.
"Of course." Sarang smirked at her friends.
She sat back and enjoyed her lunch as she watched everyone else play the game. She sighed when her friends got the wrong answer for the third time in a row.
"Yah, you guys were first in line. How come you're still there?" She called out to her friends who just sighed in defeat. Since she was done with her lunch she walked over towards the line and started talking with other idols.
"I heard you were very young when Pretty U came out. How old were you?" Seungkwan asked to fill in the silence and also satiate his curiosity.
"I was 10 years old." Eunchae replied happily.
Sarang and Seungkwan both went silent for a moment before bursting inti sudden laughter. Sarang was 19 and Seungkwan was 18 at that time.
"Sunbaenim I really really enjoy your stages. I always watch them in my free time. You're my role model." Eunchae suddenly confessed to Sarang.
"Aww thank you for saying that." Sarang hugged the younger girl who started excitedly jumping once Sarang let go of her. Sarang laughed at Eunchae's excitement and couldn't help but find her endearing.
So when she saw that Eunchae who didn't answer any question and was thus eating just tuna kimbap, Sarang immediately handed her some of the cookies she had saved from her lunch.
"Oh thank you so much sunbaenim." Eunchae bowed gratefully but Sarang waved it off.
"Ah don't be so formal. Just call me unnie. If you need anything else just let me know." Sarang smiled sweetly at the younger girl whose eyes started shining.
Sarang made her way back to her seat and looked up to see Mingyu handing her a bottle of cold water. She thanked him before sighing.
"What's wrong?" He asked as Minghao came over too.
"It'd have been even more fun if BTS were here too." Sarang forlornly sighed.
"You're right." They both agreed as they took seats on either side of her.
"Jungkook would've loved these games a lot. I know he'd have had so much fun." Ever since the game started every little thing always made her think of how much Jungkook would've loved it. It hasn't been that long since she last saw him, but she couldn't help herself.
"I miss the rest of our members too." Minghao confessed.
"It'd have been very chaotic if all of them were here too." Mingyu agreed.
"How about we do this one more time with Jungkook, DK, Eunwoo and the rest of the 97 liners?" Sarang asked excitedly.
"Game caterers and 97 liners would be so fun." Mingyu agreed.
"It has been so long since we all got together. It'd be a good idea." Minghao said as he too got excited over the idea of playing these games with his friends.
Finally the lunch was over and then came the next game. Sarang watched as TXT completely bombed the character quiz and Fromis_9 aced their proverb quiz. She laughed at the stark contrast between the two.
She almost fell down laughing when Beomgyu started singing the wrong lyrics confidently instead of answering the question.
The team United had to do the character quiz too and after two failed attempts which resulted in Sarang almost pulling her hair out due to frustration they finally managed to win the game. Since they gave up coffee and watermelon, they were left with ice cream and cake.
"Do you guys want the cake?" Sarang asked her teammates who all declined so she she took it to Seventeen who didn't win anything.
"Oh wow look at the dessert fairy." Seungkwan gushed as the rest of the members started thanking her.
"As expected from Emmy nominated actress. She's too kind." Mingyu complimented making Sarang blush as the rest of them started clapping for her.
This caught everyone's attention as all of them turned to look at where Sarang was standing. To Sarang's horror Mingyu moved to the center of the ground and picked up mic lying there.
"Yah whatever you're thinking of doing don't-" Sarang didn't even get to finish her sentence when he started speaking.
"Guys, let's all take a moment to appreciate Choi Sarang and congratulate her for her Emmy nomination."
Sarang felt her face flushing beet red as seventy pair of eyes turned towards her in unison and everyone started clapping for her. She bowed and thanked everyone. As if that wasn't enough suddenly everyone started yelling compliments for her.
"CHOI SARANG YOU'RE SO COOL."
"SARANG SUNBAENIM IS THE BEST"
"CONGRATULATIONS NOONA"
"WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU"
"UNNIE CONGRATULATIONS"
"SARANG-AH BUY US A MEAL"
"HANWOO BUY US HANWOO"
Sarang was sure she resembled a ripe tomato by now. She glared at a smirking Mingyu playfully.
"Kim Mingyu you're so done once I catch you." She threatened him light heartedly.
"Jungkook and DK sent you their congratulations too." Minghao called out from behind.
"And so did the rest of the team." Hoshi added.
Sarang smiled shyly at all the compliments and congratulations she received.
Next up was random play dance but each time someone didn't do the right choreo they were eliminated. Sarang did some stretching before joining the girls of other teams. Although they had only met briefly before but since they all have spent so much time together, they all formed a bond with each other.
She had even exchanged phone numbers with them. Since three of fromis_9 oldest members; Saerom, Hayoung and Gyuri were also born in 1997, Sarang told them to drop the honorifics and they even made plans to have a meal sometime soon.
Sarang stood in between Le Sserafim and fromis_9. Sarang looked at her left to see that Eunchae's hair had come undone and she was struggling to braid it properly.
"Do you need help Eunchae-ya?" Sarang asked kindly and was met with eager nods.
Since Eunchae was slightly taller than her, Sarang asked her to crouch a bit so she can braid her hair easily. The younger girl happily obliged. Sarang quickly braided her hair and patted her head affectionately.
"There, all done." Sarang smiled at the her.
"Thank you unnie." Eunchae gave Sarang a big smile, melting Sarang's heart.
Before Sarang could say anything Na PD started the practice round. The first song was Blessed-Cursed by Enhypen. Sarang laughed at whatever Lee Hyun was trying to do as it looked super funny.
"Oppa, you'll be the first one to go out." She called out and he just agreed.
As soon as Sarang heard the first note of next song she smiled. This was the song she had made two years back when she was going through a rough patch. And BTS had made it one of most cheerful song ever. She happily bounced to center and started dancing on dynamite. She looked towards her right to see Yeonjun had also joined her in the center.
Next up was That That by PSY ft. Suga and just like before Sarang and Yeonjun had subconsciously taken the center and danced to it.
After couple more rounds and eliminations Sarang, Yeonjun, Taehyun, Soobin, Dino, Minghao, Seyeon, Hayoung, Eunchae and Yunjin were the only ones left.
"CHOI SARANG SHOW THEM WHAT YOU'VE GOT" Lee Hyun cheered.
"Sarang-ah you're the only remaining hope for our team." Baekho joined in as a shy Minhyun nodded his head fervently.
All three of her teammates were among the first ones to be eliminated. They were sitting at front and enjoying the free concert.
"How does noona know all of these?" Huening kai asked to no one in particular.
"Cause she's Choi Sarang." At least five people replied at the same time as if that was self explanatory.
"I didn't expect Sarang to be so good at this." Lee Hyun said in awe.
"The last time we played random dance with her during a show, she won easily." Hoshi quipped in reminiscing the day he had fallen in love with Sarang and her dance as she had easily beaten him in dance.
For the next three weeks after they had shot Weekly Idol, all Hoshi could talk and think about was Sarang and how amazing she looked while dancing. He had thought that he was just admiring her talent as a fan but deep down he knew that the moment Sarang had smiled and winked during the performance, he had fallen in love with her.
"She even knew the choreo for our performance team song that even some of us didn't. Or the old times songs that none of us knew. " Seungkwan's statement made everyone stare at Sarang with a new level of respect and awe in their eyes.
"Hoshi hyung was so shocked cause he forgot some of the steps but she danced like it was her song. We all went home as her fans." Dino told the story to Baekho and Minhyun who were quick to agree to his statement.
"She's very charismatic performer." Sakura complimented.
The game went on for some more time and Sarang couldn't help but laugh at the way Mingyu and a lot of other male idols kept gushing about Soobin and his dance while Soobin himself grew redder.
"Your ears are red." Sarang commented as they stood outside the circle and waited for the next song.
"CHOI SOOBIN YOU'RE SO COOL!" Whatever Soobin was about to say was drowned out by Mingyu and his screams.
Sarang laughed at the way her friend was fanboying over her junior.
Finally the game came to an end with Sarang emerging as the winner while Hayoung and Soobin tied for runner up position.
As the staff started wrapping things up all 36 idols scattered around and started talking with each other. Sarang felt so ease with them as if she has known all of them for years. Although she did know a lot of them for a long time, but she couldn't deny that this experience brought all of them closer.
"Sarang-ssi it's time for your interview." One of the staff directed Sarang towards a side.
"How did you feel today?" The interviewer asked the first question.
"Umm it was my first time shooting with such a huge crowd. I enjoyed it so much. I made so many new friends and I feel like I'm going to remember this experience for a long, long time." Sarang answered with a smile.
"Was there a memorable moment for you while shooting?"
"It's hard to pick one but if I had to, I'd say when all of us got together during break and ate our meals together, sharing our lunch and snacks. It truly felt like I was at a family outing."
"Is there something you regret?"
"I had so much fun today but I feel like I would've had even more fun if all of my friends were here." Sarang replied alluding to the absence of BTS and the rest of Seventeen members.
"Who do you think is today's mvp?"
"All of us. Each and everyone has done so well today including the staff. I think once the show is out, everyone will love it a lot. You are going to fall in love with all of the artists." Sarang laughed as she addressed the future viewers of the show.
"Any last comment you'd like to add or a message you'd like to give?"
"I'm a single child so I've always wanted a younger sibling to dote on. Today I was able to take care of a lot of my hubaenim and it felt like I became an older sister all of a sudden. Also all three of my sunbaenim were so kind to me so I also felt like I had gained three older brothers too."
"TXT, Seventeen, Le Sserafim, fromis_9, Enhypen, Lee Hyun oppa, Baekho oppa, and Minhyun oppa you've all done so well today. Let's interact more when we see each other in the hallway and let's all stay healthy. Fighting for your upcoming schedules."
Sarang concluded her interview with a big smile and made a heart pose.
After the shoot was done they all promised to contact each other regularly. It certainly was an eventful day.
As the night grew darker and Sarang snuggled in her bed she sighed thinking about how much more fun she'd have had if BTS were there too. But especially if Jungkook was there.
"Jungkook-ah I miss you." Sarang sighed into her pillow.
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A/N:- Sorry for making you wait. I originally wanted to write a detailed chapter for game caterers but it'd have been too long and I wasn't sure if you'd like it.
I had to research a bit since I don't know much about a lot of these artists and to write a genuine interaction between Sarang and them meant that I needed some more info.
Hopefully I did justice to their personality. If you stan any of these groups and feel like some of them were very ooc pls lmk.
Pardon my mistakes, tysm for loving the story so far 💗
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