[Rap +6. Current Grade: B-]
[Current Stats:
- Vocals: A
- Dance: B+
- Visual: B+
- Rap: B-
- Leadership: C+]
Since June's 'Charm' aspect was also a D-, which was 6 grades away from the lowest grade of F-, his current rap grade was upgraded a total of 6 steps, making him fall under the B-tier.
June smirked as his status window showed the upgrade.
He's now an arguably good rapper with his current stat. Some trainees who specialize in rap have even lower grades than him.
Choi Pablo still hasn't recovered from June's hateful gaze when he saw a new expression adorn June's face once more!
Pablo acted quickly and captured his photos candidly, loving every outcome.
"Such a natural," he muttered as he continued capturing June's photos.
Since his objective was done, June stood up from the stool, causing Pablo to exclaim in protest.
"Where are you going?" Pablo asked.
"That's enough," June said. "I have to go back now."
"What?" Pablo asked, disappointed. "But we still haven't taken your half-naked pictures!"
June clicked his tongue. "That's because we're not taking it. It wasn't part of our deal."
Choi Pablo puffed his cheeks. This young man just kept making him more intrigued!
"Then, in the future, will you be able to collaborate with me?" Pablo asked with wide eyes.
June weirdly looked at him.
Now, why the hell does it feel like he'd gain another problematic follower?
"I'll think about it," June said, hoping it would make Pablo stop pestering him.
"Good!" Pablo chimed. That was definitely better than nothing!
"Here," he said, handing him a calling card. "I don't give my personal number to a lot of people, so consider yourself special. Make sure to call once you're free, okay?"
"Okay," June mindlessly said.
Although he probably wouldn't use this calling card...ever.
Pablo sighed as he looked through the pictures in the camera. It had been a long time since he felt satisfied with what he had captured, but June made him feel that satisfaction.
As he arrived at the picture with June's hateful gaze, a shiver ran down his spine.
How could an innocent face carry so much hateful emotion?
"When are you going to give me that?" June asked, pertaining to the photos.
Pablo snapped out of his daze. "I still need to edit these," he said. "You can give me your e-mail so I can send it to you."
June pursed his lips. "Just send it to my Navel account."
Although Pablo was a bit confused, he eventually agreed.
"Alright, type your username here," Pablo said, giving June his phone.
June was about to type it into Navel's search bar when someone suddenly called, changing the user interface.
'Choi Birth-Giver.'
Pablo quickly turned off the call and pretended nothing happened.
"Just type it in," he urged.
June shrugged and typed in his username. Afterward, he handed back the phone to Pablo.
Pablo excitedly looked at his profile but quickly became disappointed when he read the username and the singular post he made.
"This...is you?" he asked, tilting his head.
"Yes," June nonchalantly said.
"People really can't be perfect," Pablo sadly said.
"I'm going now. Send it to me on Navel, alright?" June said, going to the dressing room to get changed.
"Should I help you change?" Pablo asked in a hopeful voice.
June turned to glare at him. "Stay put."
Pablo slumped on the chair like a child whose candy bar was placed back on the grocery aisle.
After June got dressed in his clothes, he quickly went out since it was already past lunch.
However, what greeted him was a sight to see.
Choi Pablo stood at the center of the room with various items in his hand!
"What the hell are those?" June frowned.
"Tokens," Pablo excitedly said, walking over to June and placing them in his hands.
A pair of shoes...a watch...a bracelet...and even a gift card for a luxurious restaurant?
"And why are you giving them to me?" June asked. "Do you usually give these to clients?"
"Uh...no?" Pablo warily said.
In truth, he had really taken a liking to June, and this was also his way to persuade him into that half-naked photoshoot.
"Then, I won't accept them," June said. He had looked at the brands of the items and saw they were all designer. He wasn't interested in such items, and he didn't want to go back to Azure carrying a bunch of bags.
"But you need to take them!" Pablo insisted.
June sighed before placing them back in Pablo's hands. "I don't want them."
Pablo pouted, dejected by June's rejection.
"Instead, can you give me something else?" June said as his eyes strayed to a white, long, and silky material hanging on one of the racks.
Pablo enthusiastically nodded. "Anything!"
"Can you give me those silk ties over there?"
"Huh?" Pablo tilted his head to the side in confusion. "We use those during sexy photoshoots, though. Are you sure you want them?"
"Give them to me," June said.
"Okay," Pablo said. "But I'll only give it to you once you accept all these other gifts."
***
And that's how June went back to the dorms with four luxury items in his hand, a bag of silk ties, and a 5-star restaurant gift card.
Fortunately, nobody caught him carrying those bags since they were all busy eating lunch.
June quickly went to his room and stashed the items under his bed.
He probably won't use those.
Afterward, he went to the cafeteria to grab a rice ball before making his way back to their practice room.
As he walked, he bumped into his former team, and although he wanted to ignore them, Casper suddenly held onto his arm.
June turned to look at him with raised eyebrows.
"What are you doing?" June asked.
Casper merely stared at him without saying anything. June's former teammates, especially Jaeyong and Zeth, looked at him guiltily.
"What do you want?" he asked, directing the question to everybody.
Lin Zhi chuckled, breaking the cold atmosphere. "You're always so serious, bro. That's probably why you were kicked out of the team!" he joked, but none of them laughed except for Lin Zhi.
June sighed and removed Casper's hold on his arm.
"If you don't have anything important to say, then I'm going to head to our practice room."
"Hey, hey," Lin Zhi teasingly said. "Don't go practicing too hard now. I think we both know how this will go anyway."
June pursed his lips. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, nothing," Lin Zhi innocently said. "Good luck with your practice. I heard you're the Main Rapper."
"Do you really rap, brother?" Bin asked out of curiosity.
June didn't respond, causing Lin Zhi to burst into laughter.
"You're always so cute for taking on new challenges. Well, we're going to be watching your stage and cheering for you! Fighting, bro."
With that, Lin Zhi guided his other teammates back to their practice room while June turned around to make his way to theirs, too.
June's footsteps were heavy as he walked, and when he heard Team Riser's practice room door shutting, he clenched his fists in anger.
"I'll fucking show you."
