Falling for the Omega Idol-Chapter 122: AN UNFAMILIAR PANG

AFTER lunch, an announcement echoed through the ship, informing everyone that they would soon reach their first destination. Once they arrived, the next mission would be revealed. This news had sent a ripple of excitement through the contestants, and now, most of them had gathered on the front deck of the ship. Some were genuinely eager to catch their first glimpse of the destination, while others were more calculated, positioning themselves strategically to ensure the cameras captured their reactions. After all, in a competition like this, every moment on screen mattered.

Haneul was also there alongside Robin, Seojun, and Haru, the sea breeze tousling his hair as the ship cut through the waves. Earlier, while he and Haru were finishing lunch, Seojun’s batch had arrived at the dining hall. Spotting them, Seojun had grabbed a tray of food and joined their table. Then, the announcement had come, and the four of them had decided to meet on the front deck later.

After lunch, Haneul had slipped back to his cabin for a quick shower, washing off the lingering fatigue from the morning’s shoot. Once refreshed, he made his way to the hallway where Robin’s cabin was located, knocking on the door to invite the other to join him. Thankfully, the other was there and had agreed without hesitation. Now, here they were, standing together on the deck with the other contestants.

Haneul looked at the horizon, squinting slightly as the sunlight reflected off the water. In the distance, he could just make out the coastline of Busan—familiar yet oddly surreal from this vantage point. The city’s skyline was a mix of modern buildings and the natural backdrop of mountains, with the busy port visible even from afar. Ships dotted the harbor, and the faint hum of activity seemed to carry across the water.

Yes, The Argo’s first destination was Busan—a vibrant port city known for its bustling markets, stunning beaches, and rich cultural heritage. Famous for its fresh seafood, lively festivals, and the iconic Gwangalli Bridge that lit up the night sky, Busan was a city that seamlessly blended tradition with modernity. From the serene temples nestled in the mountains to the energetic streets of Nampo-dong, it was a place that offered something for everyone. But for the contestants of Boys Odyssey, this city would be a ’battlefield’.

Okay, maybe calling it a ’battlefield’ was a bit much. Still, it was clear that this was where things would start to get real. The next mission would take place here, and with it would come new opportunities to shine—or stumble.

Haneul closed his eyes and took a deep breath, the crisp, salty scent of the ocean filling his lungs. When he opened them again, his gaze drifted across the deck and landed on Taeyang, who was deep in conversation with another contestant. The guy standing beside Taeyang was almost as tall, with neatly styled black hair and dark eyes that held a warm, gentle quality. There was something inherently approachable about him, a quiet kindness that made him seem instantly likable. He had the air of a student council president—polished, dependable, and effortlessly handsome, like the kind of honor student everyone admired.

Seeing Taeyang talking to someone without his usual indifferent, don’t-talk-or-come-near-me expression, Haneul couldn’t help but wonder who the other guy was. He raised a brow, intrigued. Well, that was unexpected. He hadn’t expected to see Taeyang being friendly with anyone—okay, maybe that was a bit unfair. Haneul could only blame his surprise on the fact that, since their first day at the hotel when Taeyang had been friendly toward him and Robin, he hadn’t seen the other interact much with anyone else. In fact, this was the first time he’d witnessed Taeyang engaged in what looked like a genuine conversation. It made Haneul curious.

The longer he watched the two, an unfamiliar pang settled in his chest—a mix of annoyance and frustration that he couldn’t quite place. Haneul frowned slightly, his brows knitting together. What was this? It wasn’t like he cared who Taeyang talked to, so why did it bother him?

"That’s Baek Eunwoo," Robin whispered beside him, as if he’d noticed exactly where Haneul’s gaze had landed. "He’d ranked second after the first elimination."

What Robin said pulled Haneul’s attention away from the two, and even the strange feeling he’d been grappling with was momentarily forgotten. Ranked second? If Baek Eunwoo had placed that high, shouldn’t Haneul at least have some recollection of him from his previous world’s Boys Odyssey? After all, ranking second in the first elimination—which relied solely on the mentors’ judgment—meant the guy had serious skills. So why didn’t he remember him? ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Was this another change in this world? At this point, Haneul probably shouldn’t be surprised anymore. After all, this timeline had already proven to be different from the one he remembered. Maybe there would be even more changes as the show progressed. If he kept getting caught off guard by every shift or twist, it wouldn’t do him any good.

As he was thinking that, Haneul’s gaze unconsciously drifted back to where Taeyang was standing. It just so happened that the other was also looking in his direction. When their eyes met, that same unfamiliar pang from earlier resurfaced, making him quickly avert his gaze.

The moment he looked away, Haneul nearly let out a curse under his breath. Why was he being so weird? No matter. It wasn’t like things between him and Taeyang weren’t already awkward. What was one more awkward moment added to the pile?

Meanwhile, on the other side of the deck, the moment Haneul averted his gaze—so pointedly it was impossible to miss—Taeyang’s expression automatically darkened, a faint frown tugging at his lips. The action stirred an uneasy feeling in him, one he didn’t want to acknowledge. It wasn’t like he had any right to feel that way, not when he’d been the one avoiding Haneul first.

He made a conscious effort to push aside the strange, lingering feeling that always seemed to surface whenever Haneul was involved and simply focused his gaze ahead.