chapter zero, part three.

June 9, 2018

The café was bustling on a Saturday afternoon. Hanyeon absentmindedly munched on a soft, warm cookie in her hand as she sat in the midst of the other filled tables. Her friend, Chohee, sat right across.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you!” Chohee caught Hanyeon’s attention but Chohee's mouth opened to pick up the straw and slurp on the milkshake she had. Hanyeon narrows her eyes in exasperation while the other girl smiles apologetically, still slurping up the milkshake.

Chohee finally speaks, “My little brother’s planning to join in on the next Smash tournament here-“ Hanyeon snorted, “He’ll be obliterated.” Chohee grins, “Oh, but that’s the point.” The girl gingerly takes a hold of the straw, stirring the milkshake around. “Anyway, when do you think it’ll come around?” Chohee sips from her straw, creating obnoxious slurping sounds once again. Hanyeon shrugs as she takes another cookie from the small basket in front of her, “I’ll have to ask.”

Her brother wasn’t around to enquire. As for Jikyung..

Hanyeon’s sights trailed to the slightly more private corner of the café, wedged right beside the windows.

This was the last day for interviews. Jikyung listened attentively as a teenaged boy put on a stern face, gesturing with his hands and holding a straightened posture.

“Jikyung unnie’s been going at it for a while now,” Chohee noticed, “The guy seems like he knows what he’s doing.” But Hanyeon could beg to differ, “He may be good at speaking, but he seems like a lame guy.” Hanyeon fixates herself on the cookie once again. Chohee sharply turns to Hanyeon, “Hm? So what about it?” Hanyeon shook her head, “He won’t fit here. He’s too uptight.”

Jikyung had her back to Hanyeon, but Hanyeon knew that the manager was bored to death.

Jikyung didn’t know if she could force a smile any longer.

Was she at some kind of United Nations meeting? No, heck, even United Nations meetings were more interesting.

This guy would’ve started talking about recruiting her in a cult and Jikyung wouldn’t even realize. Wait, is he-

“This will establish our target audience even further-“

No, he’s not.

Minjin rambling about that flying spaghetti space monster is even more memorable than this.

“-therefore the event will boost the café’s sales by 22% by that time.” He concluded.

Jikyung slapped on the best smile she could muster, “Thank you, Sonjun. That will be all. If you are successful, you will be contacted within two weeks!”

The boy stood up and bowed, taking his leave after he thanked her.

Her eyes trail down to the list of applicant, crossing out the name Heo Sonjun.

Well, at least the guy sorted himself out to the reject pile.

She scanned the remainder of the list and sighed.

“Five more to go.”

June 30, 2018

The screen cuts to Minjin holding up the camera with a hand.

He waves to the camera and grins, “Hey, guys!” It’s a sunny day and he’s walking along a busy street, breaking eye contact to weave between other pedestrians. “I’m here at Hongdae and today,” he heaves a breath as he continues walking, “we’ll be taking another glimpse at the gaming café!” Minjin shoots a finger gun, “It’s not just a showing of the café, though!”

His hand reaches out what seems to be a door handle and swings it open, stepping in and being greeted by excited murmurs. Minjin waves to some of his fans before focusing back on the camera, “Today, we’re here to see some of the new additions to MP’s staff!”

Excited chatter is around him and as he makes it to the counter, his smile grows wider, “Camera incoming!” He swirls around, revealing the staff in front of him. A manager gives a dumbfounded wave and behind him, a small group of co-workers also wave—with more fervour.

Minjin leans over to the manager, putting an arm around him as the two take up the frame, “Gaho, how are the kids?” Said manager lamely puts up a peace sign, “Doing well!”

Minjin nods, “I expect nothing less! They’re good, little kids.” Gaho shakes his head, amused over the boss gushing over the new hires. The YouTuber moves on and walks further into the kitchen, “Hi, guys!” Three new faces are shown and they all smile, all with varying degrees of awkwardness in front of the camera.

Hyun is heard in the background when he yells out, “Hey, where did the new kid go?!” The person in the middle whips their head to their left, their face dropping as they yell out, “Sorry, I’m coming!” Before they dash out, they give another wave, their face scrunched up in delight. They run off and the two other new hires look to Minjin.

“So, what I’ve been planning was-“

“I made it in Doogi’s video!” was heard all the way from the kitchen.

Minjin broke into an almost ugly cackle, covering his mouth a tad bit too late to save his image.

He sharply inhaled before he recovered, “What was I saying-“ He continues to smile at the camera before the camera in hand shakes as realization hits him, “Ah, yes!” He snaps his finger as he does a finger gun once again, “Look forward to meeting the new kids here! We’ll do a video introducing them through a little game!”

He whips his head around to face the newbies, “Of course, only if you guys are comfortable!”

.“You’re already making the kids uncomfortable.” A recurring voice throughout the channel, Jikyung’s, is heard off-screen.

“No, I’m not!” Minjin protests, throwing a defensive look at somebody off-frame. He then turns to the people in question, “I’m not, right?”

They let out a little laughter and shake their heads.

“Guys, you have to be more honest than that or Minjin won’t get the memo.”

“Hey!”

July 1, 2018

The video immediately cuts in with a scene in the gaming café. Three tables have been pushed together and behind them, a bunch of fresh faces, all with a mix of natural and awkward smiles shown.

Minjin sits at the end of the makeshift long table, sticking his head further into the frame as he repeatedly drums his hands against the surface. “Hi, guys! Minjin again, and today I’ve finally gathered the children!”

The new employees seem to be unfazed by their nickname now, paying no mind and nodding along as Minjin addressed them.

“You guys know what you’re here for right?”

“Introductions!”

“Icebreakers!”

Minjin clapped his hands together, “Yup! But it wouldn’t be fun if we just spoke about ourselves, right? So..”

“Let’s play a game!”

author's note: Last part of the prologue and deadline is set! may 17 is the tentative deadline, depending on the interest and the amount of apps i get from here on out! sorry for the lil hiatus!