8th place?!
That was more than what June had hoped for.
Compared to the other trainees who were met with applause when they stood up, June was met with mere whispers.
"Gosh, he actually rose in ranks?"
"So, it's true then? I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I guess his parents are really sponsoring him."
"He's even higher than Ren. Is that possible?"
June slowly walked up the stage, his eyes meeting with Robby for a second.
Despite the passive look on his face, June noticed the slight disdain that was hidden behind Robby's eyes. Again, he was well familiar with Robby since Mei Ling also watched the third season of Rising Stars. From what June remembers, Robby was a very hard worker who came from a small company. However, he was able to make it into the final group, even landing the 4th rank.
As he continued gazing into Robby's eyes, June could guess the reason behind his hateful stare.
Robby also believed the rumors—and he must think that June is a scum on this earth.
June then made eye contact with Jihyun, and it seemed like she was pretty happy with his rise in the ranks.
At least, one mentor still believed in him.
The studio was still filled with silence as June made his way to the front. It got so quiet to the point that you could hear his footsteps on the fiberglass stage.
Then, he faced the trainees who were looking at him with skeptical expressions. June gazed at his friends and also saw some hesitancy in their faces.
He looked down at the ground, a small smirk playing on his lips, before lifting his head with a regretful expression.
"Do you have anything to say, June?" Jihyun softly asked.
June brought the mic to his lips to say a brief speech of gratitude, but he stopped when he continued to hear the others talk among themselves. Their whispers weren't too soft, so they filled the silent studio.
"Do you see the look on his face? Isn't it obvious that he's guilty?"
"He looks pretty sad, in my opinion."
"Sad? Try living my life. My mom owns a noodle shop. I should be sadder than him."
"Your noodle shop has franchises all over Korea."
"Shut up."
"I feel bad for Team Risers. They should have won that benefit."
"I feel bad for Team Aglet, too. I would have felt betrayed. Is that why June had the most screen time in the song?"
"Now that you've mentioned it, you're right."
"He doesn't deserve his rank."
June looked at the resentful looks on the trainees' faces, and as he continued wandering his eyes, his gaze focused on Xin.
Xin, who had been nervous this entire elimination episode because of his rank, now had a smug look on his face.
Even if he doesn't end up making it into the top 25, seeing June in such a vulnerable state already made him feel happy. Xin couldn't wait to relay the news to Hoon.
As June continued to hear such hurtful words being thrown at him, he brought the mic down and took a deep breath.
"June?" Jihyun repeated. "Do you want to say something?"
June shook his head, and the others gasped softly in surprise.
June placed the microphone back on the stand and was about to walk to his seat when Robby suddenly spoke.
It seemed like the soloist couldn't take it anymore as he said his next words. Moreover, since this wasn't a live show, Robby just had the urge to humiliate June in front of the other trainees.
"Then, would you mind addressing the news that has been floating on Navel? About how you're the son of the Chois?"
June froze in his spot, while the others were also stunned to silence. The production crew, too, didn't expect such a statement to come from Robby's lips.
June stayed silent, so Robby pressed on.
"I think it's best to address the elephant in the room—what do you feel about having parents that rigged last year's Rising Stars?" he asked, bitterness heard in his voice.
June pursed his lips together as he gazed into the others' eyes.
It seemed like all of them were waiting for his answer.
The cameras all panned to June's face as if urging him to address the issue right then and there.
And to make things worse, Robby continued spouting questions that only heightened the tension in the room.
"Robby," Jihyun held onto the younger's shoulder.
"I'm just asking out of pure curiosity," Robby innocently answered. "I'm sure most of us are wondering the same thing. Don't you think it's only fair that June addresses such concerns? Especially to his fans who have been supporting him from the very start."
June lifted his head and looked into Robby's eyes.
There was still a regretful look in June's eyes, but for some reason, Robby felt a chill run down his spine. June appeared like he knew something else…something that only he knew about.
However, Robby straightened his back and kept his composure strong.
"Trainee June," he said, his voice getting louder. "It is unfair to have the other trainees work hard for their ranks while other trainees are merely handed their ranks."
June bit his lip, wanting to curse this man out loud, but he knew that doing so would only put him in a bad place.
So, he looked away from Robby instead and secured the mic on the stand. He took a step back and bowed 90 degrees.
One second.
Two seconds…
Until it went on for thirty seconds.
The others were wondering why he was bowing for such a long time. Is this his way of apologizing and admitting that everything was true?
Robby watched the scene before him with contempt. "Pathetic," he said, the mic away from his lips.
However, June, who was also on stage, heard it crystal clear.
He bit his lip in frustration but decided to control himself.
This wasn't the right time.
So, he straightened his back, and with slumped shoulders, he walked to his spot—the 8th seat. He kept his gaze at the front, but he could still feel the others' stares behind his back and on the side of his face.
And one thing was certain as he sat on his seat.
They didn't think that June deserved it.
