Falling for the Omega Idol-Chapter 112: A LITTLE TOUR

ROBIN raised his brow. He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination or if he had actually heard Haneul grit his teeth as he said Taeyang’s name. The tension was subtle, but it was there, unmistakable in the way Haneul’s jaw tightened ever so slightly. Curiosity sparked in Robin’s chest, but he chose not to dig deeper. Whatever had just happened, it didn’t seem like the right moment to press for answers. Instead, he let it slide, filing the observation away for later when Haneul might be more willing to talk.

So, he said, "How about we look around for a bit and grab dinner after?"

"Sounds like a great idea," Haneul said with a small smile, his tone light but carrying a faint edge of distraction, as if part of his mind was still preoccupied with the earlier encounter with Taeyang.

Robin raised his brow, wondering what had really happened between Haneul and Taeyang. The tension in Haneul’s expression hadn’t completely faded, and it made Robin’s curiosity itch even more. Still, he decided not to pry. Whatever it was, Haneul would tell him when he was ready—or not at all. Either way, it wasn’t his place to push.

He brushed off his curiosity and let his usual easygoing demeanor take over. He slung an arm around Haneul’s shoulder, a casual gesture of familiarity and comfort. "Come on," he said, steering them toward the ship’s interior.

Robin kept his arm loosely around Haneul’s shoulder as they walked into the ship’s main deck. The hum of machinery filled the air, accompanied by the faint creak of the ship beneath their feet. Contestants moved around the halls, some chatting in small groups while others hurried past, focused on their own tasks. The atmosphere was lively but not chaotic, with just enough movement to make the place feel alive.

Their first stop was the practice rooms. One of the doors was slightly ajar, offering a glimpse of the spacious interior. The mirrored walls reflected the polished hardwood floors, creating the illusion of an even larger space. The room was empty, likely because most of the contestants were either exploring the ship like Haneul and Robin or already in the dining hall, enjoying dinner.

They passed the hallway lined with contestants’ rooms, each door identical except for the small number displayed on it. The hallway was mostly quiet, with only the soft sound of footsteps or the faint hum of activity coming from behind some doors. Haneul’s eyes drifted to the numbers as they walked. Each one corresponded to a contestant’s current ranking—his own being 23, which meant he was assigned to cabin 23. The system was simple and efficient, just like everything else on the ship.

The scent of food began to drift through the air as they reached the dining hall. Large double doors stood at the end of the hallway, the smell of freshly prepared meals stronger here.

Further down, the communication area came into view. The glass booths were arranged in a tidy row, each one furnished with a single chair and a fixed phone. Haneul’s pace slowed as his eyes swept over the booths. He couldn’t help but wonder when they’d be allowed to call their families.

As if reading his thoughts, Robin spoke up. "I wonder when they’ll let us call home."

"As soon as possible, I hope," he said.

Even though it had only been a few days, he already missed his parents and younger sister. The distance felt heavier than he had expected, and the idea of not being able to talk to them made it worse. He could only hope the program staff would allow them to use the booths soon, just as he’d told Robin.

"Preferably starting tonight," Robin said. "I’ve been calling home every day since I arrived in Korea, but now it’s been three days without contact. My family knew I wouldn’t have my cellphone, but I assured them I’d still be able to call. Not hearing from me for this long is bound to make them worry."

Haneul nodded, feeling the same.

After finishing their quick tour, the two walked back to the dining hall. The faint smell of food grew stronger as they approached, and the soft hum of voices spilled out from behind the doors. Robin pushed one open, and they stepped inside.

The dining hall was spacious, with long rows of simple but sturdy wooden tables and matching chairs neatly arranged to accommodate the large group of contestants. A buffet table was set up along one wall, lined with steaming trays of food that filled the room with a warm, savory aroma. Several contestants were already seated, eating and chatting in small groups, while others hovered near the buffet, deciding what to add to their plates.

As the two walked inside, Haneul noticed Haru sitting at one of the tables with three other contestants. He was animatedly talking to the people around him, his hands moving as he emphasized whatever story he was telling. The others laughed along, clearly entertained by his actions. Haneul smiled a bit seeing that. It seemed that nothing could really faze the kid.

He followed Robin, and they both grabbed trays from the stack at the start of the buffet line. Robin reached for a generous portion of chicken, while Haneul helped himself to some rice and vegetables, his tray slowly filling as they moved down the line. When they finished, they found an empty table and sat there.

They hadn’t started eating yet when an announcement echoed through the dining hall, broadcast clearly over the ship’s intercom system. The steady hum of conversation around the room quieted almost instantly as everyone turned their attention to the speakers mounted in the corners of the ceiling.

"Attention, contestants," a calm, professional voice said through the intercom. "This is an important announcement. Please be advised that tomorrow morning, filming for the opening of the show will begin promptly at 8:00 AM. We ask that all contestants wake up early to prepare. You will be performing the theme song in various parts of the ship. Further details will be provided tomorrow morning. Thank you, and enjoy your evening."