The Favorite- Front Man x Reader- Squid Game

Part 42:

"Should be fairly obvious?"

He rolled his eyes and continued to stare. I decided that I might as well give the liquid a try, so I got a glass and sat it on the counter to pour the drink.

"That's Il-Nam's favorite."

I looked at him briefly before going back to the wine to make sure I don't accidentally overflow the cup. I placed it down after getting a nice amount, and picked up the glass instead, heading to the couch.

"Why are you intending to drink?"

"Why did you use the word 'intending'?"

"Answer my question first."

I side-eyed him and looked at the screen. It showed unconscious players all laying in 6 layer bunk beds. The same ones I had when I was in there. Thankfully, I got one close to the bottom. Can you imagine how scary it must be to not only wake up in a new place in new clothes but also be like 15 feet in the air on something that looks like it may collapse any second?

"I heard alcohol makes a person unwind," I stated. "Helps them sleep, on some occasions. Is that false?"

"No. And to answer your question, I used that specific word because-"

I had taken the sip of wine, and I covered my mouth my violent coughing cut him off. It had a revolting taste.

"...because I knew you wouldn't like the wine," he chucked.

"W-*cough* why does he *cough* like that horrid taste?" I choked out.

He continued to laugh at my expense as I gripped my chest and tried to recover from one of the most disgusting things I have tried.

"How about you just settle on some of that f/d (favorite drink), and I'll put this on."

He reached to grab the remote to his miniature band, and the he pressed the button that made all of the figures sway robotically.

"I guess that would be better."

...

I ended up getting some hours of sleep last night. It wasn't as much as I wanted, but come on, I have to be a little grateful. In-Ho's remedy to my situation had worked, and I actually fell asleep before even finishing my bottle of (f/d) halfway. My head was on the arm of the couch, and he... carried me to my room.

I'm already ready for the day, and it was so nerve wracking. The reason I went to bed so much earlier today is because we had to get up slightly earlier than the days prior because the players don't get breakfast. We also had more to do involving the players because we needed to sell them on the idea of playing, get them to sign contracts, and take their pictures. Well, not literally. They had those kind of stall things that would take their pictures.

I exited my room without caring about the noise this time and saw In-Ho sitting on the couch waiting for me.

"Let's go," I said, waving my arm.

"You're eager."

I folded my arms and waited for him to stand up to go to breakfast with me.

...

"Are you excited for your first real time hosting, Y/N?" Il-Nam questioned.

I sat in front of a meal consisting of fried eggs and rice with buttered toast.

"Mostly. I'm also nervous."

He looked at me kindly.

"Don't worry about anything. I'm sure you will do an amazing job," he comforted me. "Will you assist in the pre-game speech and signing?"

I put my fork down and looked at him.

"Assist? I thought the manager does the whole process."

"Yes, he does, but if you would like to go with him, you may. I do strongly encourage you wear your mask, but it is completely your choice."

I always kept my mask in one of my smaller pockets just in case I needed it. I did understand why he would prefer me to wear my mask, so I decided that if I did go, I would put it on.

"Of course, sir. I'll help and wear it. Will you be going?" I asked, turning to In-Ho.

"If you go, I must."

I smiled gently and took a bite of my toast. Il-Nam put his nearly empty glass of orange juice down after taking a drink from it.

"I do hope you enjoy your time, Y/N. Now hurry and run off, you two. You both have a game to run."

...

I couldn't stop smiling after walking to the place where the manager and staff would soon meet. We got up earlier so we could arrive before or with them, and we were now in their quarters. I saw door after door down these hallways, and it seemed almost endless. In-Ho had told me that there was a certain elevator that the circles, triangles, and square/s primarily associated with the games took, so we waited at the end of the hallway in front of it, so we were standing in the middle of an intersection of hallways.

I heard the voice announce that everybody should be awake and out of their room for the headcount, so I assumed that everyone was already out, and I was kinda of nervous about the crowd that should be forming soon.

"Head count complete."

I then saw several circles start to head our direction, and they turned to go into the elevator. I saw no triangles, which made me wonder if they were ever there on the beginning of the first day. I guess it was definitely better that there were no guns that the players could see before their first game. There were a total of eight circles in the elevator when a manager who acted very came into sight, which prompted the Front Man to nod at him and join the manager in walking towards the lift. I was in the middle, and I started to walk behind them. I'm sure it looked pretty cool from a circle's POV. It may have resembles a Charlie's Angels type of thing.

We arrived at the elevator, and I smiled at the circles who were there. We all turned around, and the manager hit the button that should take us to the player's room. I felt is all start to go down, and it was pretty quiet in the elevator. I contemplated things that I could do to break the silence, but they were all ridiculous, so it made me laugh quietly to myself. I saw the Front Man look at me out of the corner of my eye, but I just continued to get caught in my thoughts and laugh at them to myself.

We arrived, and again, The Front Man and Manager were in front of me. I followed behind them, and soon we were in front of a part of the wall that I assume opens.

"Ms. Host," The Front Man called, making me look at him. "Your mask."

"Oh. Thanks for reminding me."

I dug into my pocket and felt the fabric of my mask. I held it to my face and tucked the straps behind my ears. I looked at him and nodded, showing that I had my mask on now. I looked forward, and suddenly the doors parted.

Original Publish Date: July 21, 2023

A/N: Guys, I'm soooo sorry that I didn't get to the game, but this chapter was already long (over 1800 words), so I stopped it. I promise I'll try to work on the next one as fast as I can because honestly I'm already pretty invested in this first day.