Author: Bows. “Welcome to a side interview, personally requested by one of our beloved characters. Though, if you don’t like side interviews, please skip to the next chapter. Well, then…”

  Looks hesitantly to the side…

  “Get on with it!”

  Author: Flinches. “Please welcome our beloved Ice Queen, Baek Yerin!”

  Applause!

  Yerin sat in the guest chair as she waved at the readers.

  Author: Feels drained already. Musters a smile. “So Miss Yerin, why did you request a personal interview with our readers?”

  Yerin huffs as she crosses her arms, “Obviously because I found out Taeseok-oppa had a personal POV before me! Isn’t it only natural that I get my own as the second to arrive after Jiho?”

  Author: Sweats bullets at her glare. “I see, hence, this interview will share your POV of the story.”

  “Author-nim, I respect your work, but I feel sad that the audience thinks of me as just a Jiho-aggressor and master weaponist. I mean I have quite a few skills that haven’t been mentioned or at least have been missed!”

  Author: “…” Sighs. “Well, in the next few cha—!”

  “What are you doing spoiling your own work?”

  Author: What am I supposed to do then?

  Yerin smiled, “Let’s get on with my POV, shall we?”

  To begin this story, let’s start with coming to Sector A for the first time.

  Everyone thinks I provoked Jiho due to the fact he was impulsive.

  You’re wrong! Sorry to all of you who think that.

  That time, I just woke up a day after I awakened, especially with the fresh memory of Dr 7 torturing the whole of Gen7.

  I was definitely not in the mood to be all friendly and all smiles.

  Jiho just became the unfortunate soul that was used to release my stress.

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  BANG! BANG! BANG!

  Author: Sees Jiho banging the window of the guest room as he is stopped by Taeseok.

  Yerin rolled her eyes as she continued:

  I mean, let’s be honest, it’s fun to tease the buffoon, especially when all you see the past 2 years is the same claustrophobic environment.

  The same cafeteria, the same training hall, the same people.

  There is one thing the buffoon and I agree on and the fact that we both miss the sunlight.

  You see, before I became the Ice beauty I am today…

  “AS IF!” Jiho yelled as he got muffled by Hwayeon.

  “This is my interview, isn’t it?” Yerin scoffed.

  (Continuing on)

  Where was I?

  Right, I yearn for the spotlight. I dreamed of being a kpop idol when I was younger. I sing, I dance, but the moment I came here, my beauty and current talents became a liability. I had to learn a new strength.

  If Seohwa’s Sector B schedule was a balance of physical training and advanced education, then mine mostly focuses on intellectual education and on a wide skillset.

  If there is one strength that Dr 7 had, it was that he valued only intellect and refused to do any exercise except for the essential which was just some stamina workouts.

  So in my Sector B training, I was motivated to be smarter than the rest. And if I consider my dreams, my intellect could be a charm in the idol world.

  Author: “So all this time, you were still aiming to be an idol?”

  Yerin smirked, “Isn’t it obvious? Why do you think I groom myself before bed?”

  Author: “…”

  “Why do you look so shocked? You created me.” Yerin raised her brows.

  Author: “Yes, but I leave you to your own devices in my head. I don’t really control your thoughts or behaviour.”

  “Anyway, where was I?”

  Right, so with my motivation for the spotlight, I honestly didn’t find any desire to train and bulk up muscles. So, I hoped for an ability that doesn’t require physical prowess.

  And when I awakened ice powers, I felt I was super lucky… but when I got it the first time, it wasn’t a happy time…

  Yerin pauses, “I… wanted to numb the pain of the increased amplification dosage.”

  ***

  After some time of silence…

  I am not much of a talker, it’s why I stand on the side most of the time…

  Yerin then changed the topic:

  Recently, I’ve gotten close to Minggu-oppa, especially since we bonded over Taeseok-oppa’s Munchies naming sense. I still shudder at it.

  But sometimes, I couldn’t help but feel alone in the group. Sometimes.

  When I saw Seohwa connecting and communicating fluidly with the group after everything she’s been through, I felt admiration that she was easily able to do so. I feel proud, honest.

  But, I also… felt envy.

  I can sing, dance, sew, draw and sculpt. I can code and hack. I can use any weapon. I can plan ahead. I can support people…

  But, I just…

  Yerin lowered her head as she couldn’t utter the words.

  Author: Gently smiles. “You want to be able to express yourself clearly.”

  Yerin flinches as she sulks, “… yes.”

  Author: Chuckles. “Is that why you argue with Jiho most of the time? Because you can be honest at least with your annoyance and anger with him?”

  “I don’t like the fact you’re saying I’m relying on Jiho.”

  Author: “I’m not saying that though.”

  “It sounds like it to me.”

  Author: Smiles warmly. “You know, I think you’re expressing yourself pretty well, Yerin. This interview wouldn’t have happened, if you weren’t honest with yourself. Just continue with what you’re doing. But, if you merely suppress what you’re feeling, you’ll get wrinkles quicker.”

  !!!

  Yerin touches her forehead and frowns, “Don’t jinx me.”

  Author: Glances at the readers. “Well, let’s end today’s interview, shall we? Please continue to support us as Miss Yerin slowly opens up. Have a good day.” Bows.

  The curtain closes.