THE interior of The Argo was carefully divided into levels, each serving a specific function to accommodate the program. Despite being a mid-size ship, it had been designed to house over two hundred people efficiently.
The lower deck was primarily for the ship’s crew. This level housed their living quarters, as well as essential operational facilities like the engine room and storage areas. It also included practice rooms for the contestants, equipped with mirrored walls, hardwood floors, and sound systems to facilitate their training.
The main deck was where the contestants would live and spend much of their ti. Each contestant was assigned an individual room, providing them with a small but private space. The dining hall was also located on this deck, featuring rows of long tables and a buffet-style setup capable of serving all the contestants and staff efficiently. Near the dining hall, there was a designated communication area with ten glass booths, each equipped with a fixed cellphone. These booths offered contestants a private space to make calls and contact their loved ones.
The upper deck was reserved for the program’s staff. Their living quarters were located here, along with a private lounge where they could et and relax. This deck also included the performance hall, a versatile space with a retractable stage, adjustable seating, and professional-grade lighting and sound systems. This would be the site of evaluations, rehearsals, and live performances throughout the competition.
The bridge, situated at the top of the ship, was restricted to the crew. Here, the captain and key personnel managed navigation and ensured that The Argo maintained its course and safety.
Though the contestants had just arrived, it was clear that every corner of The Argo had been thoughtfully planned to support them during the duration of their journey.
Haneul looked around the cabin he was assigned, located on the main deck along a quiet hallway shared by the other contestants. The cabin wasn’t that big, but it wasn’t too small either—just enough space to feel comfortable without being cramped.
A decent-sized single bed sat against one wall, its white bedding neatly arranged. Across from the bed was a small closet, just large enough to fit a modest selection of clothes and personal belongings. The walls were plain, painted in a neutral tone, with a narrow window that allowed a sliver of natural light to stream in.
What stood out the most was the small bathroom tucked into the corner of the cabin. Despite its compact size, it was well-designed, with a toilet, a shower, and a small sink efficiently arranged together. It was far from luxurious, but having a private bathroom already felt like a small luxury.
He opened the closet and saw his luggage neatly placed inside. Pulling it out, Haneul set it on the floor and unlocked it. He opened the suitcase and began arranging his clothes in the closet, carefully folding and hanging each item in the available space. Once his clothes were organized, he took out his toiletries, as well as his suppresants and dicinal perfu, placing them on the small shelf in the bathroom. With everything unpacked, he closed the suitcase and slid it into the corner of the room.
He felt genuinely relieved that soone had given all the contestants individual rooms. It ant he wouldn’t have to worry about the challenges of sharing a space with a roommate, especially if their personalities clashed.
A perfect example of this was Park Mirae. Haneul couldn’t imagine sharing a room with soone like him again. If they were forced to spend too much ti together, it would probably end in a fight. But then a thought struck him—would it even be okay to punch an Oga? After a mont of consideration, he reasoned that since he was also an Oga, it should be fine... probably.
But more importantly, it made sense given the complexities of secondary genders. If contestants were required to share a room, they would have to be paired with soone of the sa secondary gender. For ogas, this could have posed a particular challenge since there weren’t many of them in the competition. An odd number of ogas, for instance, would leave soone without a suitable roommate, as they couldn’t be expected to share with an alpha. With individual rooms, such issues were completely avoided, creating a fairer and more comfortable arrangent for everyone.
With his luggage unpacked and everything in its place, Haneul glanced around his room one last ti. He and Robin had agreed to et at the front deck of the ship after they were both done arranging their things. Deciding there wasn’t much else to do for now, Haneul stepped out into the hallway, ready to head to their eting spot.
He closed the door behind him and locked it. Making sure that the key card given to him was safely tucked in his pocket. Although there wasn’t anything valuable inside except for his suppressants and perfu, and it wasn’t like anyone would risk stealing those, it’s still better to be safe than sorry. Even with so many caras around, who knew if soone would be brazen enough to snuck inside and ss with his suppressants.
Haneul made his way through the quiet hallways, the steady hum of the ship’s engines a constant undercurrent. As he approached the front deck, the salty scent of the ocean grew stronger, and the cool breeze slipping through the doorway hinted at the open sea waiting ahead.
Stepping outside, he was greeted by a vast expanse of ocean, its surface glinting under the warm hues of the late afternoon sun. The ship had already set sail, and the horizon stretched endlessly before him. The sky was a soft blend of orange and pink, fading to pale lavender as evening approached. Leaning against the railing, he let his gaze wander over the calm waves, montarily forgetting everything but the quiet beauty around him.
That was until soone appeared at his side, and a familiar voice drew his attention.
"Congratulations on getting past the first round."
Haneul lifted his head and, for the nth ti, found himself eting those familiar gray eyes.
User Comments
0 comments from readers