Chapter 6 Role Reversal

"I'll read out what situation you are to portray in the role reversal.

Two fangirls, who call themselves KeZa, address their request to you:

„You arrive at the hotel room after an event completely exhausted and start an argument. What leads you to this and how you solve the problem is up to you. We want to see how you are to each other in private! We want to hear how you assess each other's thoughts!", P'Aof reads out, "You have 10 minutes to exchange ideas. Then I'll let you know which pair should begin."

And the fans see the three Ships exchanging intense thoughts.

Yim's excitement is plain to see.

How is he supposed to empathize with Tutor?

He can only guess from his own perspective how Tutor would react.

After all, they don't know each other that well yet.

Tutor, on the other hand, takes it upon himself to mirror Yim's familiar behavior.

Maybe this challenge will bring them even closer and they will learn to understand each other.

Zee and NuNew despair of figuring out why they should fight.

Their partnership is one of harmony after all, and NuNew has never made Zee feel like anything is bothering him.

And Zee seems to be able to handle any situation with aplomb.

A dilemma.

And maybe they could choose that very dilemma as a point of contention.

Max and Nat are glued to each other, exchanging only whispers.

Nat giggles and gently slaps Max against the chest.

Max laughs and reaches for his hand.

He just won't let go of it and gets lost in the giggles of his nong.

And the fans can't gauge if they are really getting ready to role play.

What on earth is Maxnat up to?

And time is up faster than they thought.

"It's time. The vote is close and calls for Zeenunew to begin. Line up and begin when I call action!" prompts P'Aof.

Zee and NuNew stand in the middle of the large living room and hug each other.

"Action!" they hear, stepping into each other's shoes.

"You were great just now. Now go take a shower and let's watch a movie to relax!", NuNew lowers his voice and looks at Zee seriously.

Zee raises an eyebrow and smiles delicately.

"You can go take a shower first," he replies in a tender voice.

NuNew can tell he doesn't feel well played by Zee.

He pushes it even further.

"I said you go first. Go on, be a good nong and listen to your Pi!" he exaggerates with a demanding look.

Zee is visibly irritated.

Like he's going to be such a ruffian.

"Zee, why are you being so brusque? And so inflexible?" he asks still gently, looking indignantly at NuNew.

"Simple!", NuNew replies in an arrogant voice, "I'm the experienced one. I know the drill! You can always count on me to move our career forward. Listen to me!"

And Zee's eyes widen.

What is it with NuNew?

Why is he making him look so ridiculous?

As if he would say something like this.

"I don't think you should be in charge of everything. I know exactly what I want. I don't need you for that!", Zee counters flippantly, pretending to gather his things.

NuNew doesn't like how slick Zee makes him out to be.

As if he has no feelings.

As if Zee's words and actions never hurt him.

He just seems to have no idea what it's like inside NuNew sometimes.

"You'll come around. I don't really care what it looks like inside you anyway. The main thing is that things are going well between us in front of the camera. Do what you want!" hisses NuNew in the role of his Zee.

And he can hardly believe what he said.

Zee must be shocked at him.

What on earth has gotten into him?

Zee actually looks at NuNew in shock.

Does he really think I don't care about him.

How could that possibly be?

"It's really interesting what you think of me!" replies Zee, hurt.

There's no telling that he's saying this now as NuNew in the game.

NuNew looks at him hurt and doesn't really want to continue.

"I like you, NuNew. I really do. But as long as we're working together, you should listen to me. That's as low as we should go. As it is, it's just right!", NuNew explains his understanding of Zee's thoughts.

And Zee can only nod.

An uncomfortable atmosphere arises, in which both can't even look at each other.

Max and Nat look at each other worriedly.

What is wrong with these two?

Surely that wasn't acting?

And it's NuNew who can't stand the awkward silence anymore.

He turns to the TV and looks for P'Aof's help.

It's like he's really sitting there.

P'Aof sees through the cameras that NuNew is looking for his help on the TV.

"Okay, you two! Cut.

Thank you, you can sit back down.

The next ones are Maxnat.

Line up!" says P'Aof and the two stand up.

Zee and NuNew visibly sit back down in thought.

The distance between them is visible to everyone.

There must be something pent up.

And that, although they are such a harmonious ship.

Zee feels attacked and doesn't understand what's going on.

NuNew curses himself loudly inside.

Why did he exaggerate so much?

He never thought his frustration would be so strong.

It seems that opportunity has opened an outlet right away.

And both are glad that they can now be distracted by the other Ships.

"Action!", Max and Nat hear their cue.

Max immediately disguises his gestures and facial expressions.

He's cute and flirtatious.

"Piiiii, I don't even like it when you flirt with the fans like that!" he pouts with googly eyes.

Nat has to laugh.

He disguises his voice and puts his hand on Max's head:

"Nong Nat, you're way too young to understand what flirting means. You've got it wrong!", Nat grins at Max.

Max shakes his head, pouting.

"That's not true, Pi!" he contradicts, nuzzling his face against Nat's chest, "I guess I can tell when my Pi is flirting. I guess I know what flirting means," he looks dreamily up into Nat's face.

And Nat immediately blushes.

Why is he making him look like that?

Why is his heart just beating so fast?

And Max begins to giggle.

"You see, Pi! I know how to flirt! And I only want you to flirt with me! You promised me you wouldn't be a playboy anymore!", Max pouts with sparkling eyes.

Nat melts and wants to pull Max into a kiss.

It stresses him out immensely to have to resist now.

This fangirl duo KeZa has come up with something very clever.

"You don't have to worry!" murmurs Nat to Max.

He takes Max's chin between his fingers and pulls him in front of his face.

"I know, I look stunning. Very sexy and delicious! They all want me. But I only have eyes for you!" he grins in Max's face.

And Max shakes his head in amazement.

Such a cheeky nong.

He finally regains his speech: "Yes! That's it! I'm allowed to cuddle and flirt with others. But you don't. I let myself be touched, picked up and grabbed. But you don't! It's only fair that way!" he retorts with dangerous eyes.

And Nat marvels indignantly.

"I would never say that! That's not true at all!" he exclaims, looking grim.

"Cut!", P'Aof interrupts the lost game.

And Max laughs up and lifts Nat.

He spins him around and gives him a good tickle.

Nat resists, but can't hide how much he enjoys his Max's touches.

"You guys are disqualified, what are you so happy about?" asks Tutor.

"The main thing is that we lose together. As long as we're together, nothing matters!" declares Nat, sitting down on Max's lap.

In their embrace they find their peace again and look forward to the next demonstration.

And the fans see Max bring his lips to Nat's ear and whisper something to him.

How unfair.

Why isn't the world allowed to hear Max whisper his love to him?

Why are we only allowed to speculate why Nat looks at him with amorous eyes, grabs his hands and gives a kiss one after the other?

Why Maxnat?

Why can't you openly confess your love to us at last?

But still, our hearts rejoice in the next interesting role-play between Tutor and Yim.

Tutor starts immediately after the "action" sounds.

"I hate it when you're so harsh with me! It hurts when you pinch my cheek!" grumbles Tutor, crossing his arms.

Yim has to pull himself together not to react pissily.

He wants to be Tutor and show what he must be thinking at that moment.

"It's just the way it has to be. We have to show ourselves like this in front of the camera. Do you think I want to pinch your cheek? That's what the fans want from us!", Yim answers dryly and hits Tutor right in the heart.

So that's what he really thinks?

He is too shaken to answer for a moment.

But he is able to catch himself quickly and hits back.

"Yes, that's exactly what I think too. Everything is forced and played. I find it very uncomfortable to have you as my partner. That's why I don't like it when you pinch my cheek!" counters Tutor hurt.

And sees the hurt in Yim's eyes.

His heart starts to race and he regrets tackling Yim like that.

He seems to think that Tutor sees it all as fanservice.

Yim actually seems to think that he doesn't want to touch him truthfully.

He can't let that happen.

Before Yim can counter in the role of Tutor, Tutor decides to go another way.

"Or am I misunderstanding?" he asks as Yim and comes closer to him, "Maybe I'm wrong and you don't mean all this just as fanservice," he looks deep into his eyes.

And Tutor takes Yim's hand and brings it to his face.

"Here, show me if this touch is just a game to you!" he whispers and nestles his face against Yim's hand, "Tell me how it makes you feel!" he prompts Yim as he stands in front of him with trembling eyes.

Yim's heart seems to leap out of his chest.

Tutor's face on his hand.

Those cat eyes peering into his soul.

How is he supposed to stay in character now?

"I don't know, Yim! I don't know how I feel!" he answers honestly in his role as Tutor.

And Tutor lifts his hand and puts it on Yim's face.

He caresses his soft cheek.

"I don't know either, Tutor! I don't know what I feel!" he answers honestly in his role as Yim, "Let's listen deeper inside ourselves and understand how we relate to each other!" demands Tutor as himself.

Yim is supposed to feel it.

He wants to get closer to him, and he should let him.

And the fans hold their breath at the sight.

Tutor and Yim seem to be getting closer.

They must be getting more sincere with each other.

And this sweet moment of sincerity lets Tutoryim be chosen as the winner of this challenge.

Three Ships and their own problem situations.

And fans look forward to catching moments of them looking their problems in the eye and fighting them out.

Overcome them.

And finally, let love sow its blessings.