Jihyun was blank-minded as she used her ID pass to enter Azure's headquarters. It was already past office hours, so there weren't a lot of employees inside the 'Rising Stars' section anymore.
Although the editing team was currently the busiest, with some of their members already sorting through the footage of the elimination episode.
"We're here," Jihyun said, still not believing how she could go to such lengths for a trainee.
"Do you need me to accompany you to where you're going?" she asked.
June shook his head. "May I know where the room for the editing team is?"
Jihyun sighed. It seemed like June really came to her for this objective—not the one she was imagining.
"It's on the farthest right," she said. "Is that really all you want to ask me?"
"Yes," June nonchalantly said. "Thank you so much, Mentor," he bowed his head.
Jihyun pursed her lips, all her hopes crushed. "Alright," she said, disappointment heard in her voice.
"I'll get going then," she said. "But before I leave, I want to ask you something."
June nodded and waited for her to shoot her question.
"Why are you doing all of this? Does it have something to do with the accusations you've been facing?"
June hesitated to answer, but since Jihyun had kindly helped him, he eventually nodded.
"You could say that," he said.
"Then, is it true?" Jihyun asked out of curiosity. "Are you really affiliated with Choi Si-woo and Choi Min-ah?"
June didn't respond. Instead, he diverted the topic. "Umm, is this a new style that you're trying out?"
Jihyun frowned and looked down at her clothes. "New style?" she asked. "These are the usual clothes that I wear."
"Not your clothes," June said. "Your make-up. Is half a face with make-up the trend nowadays?"
The color on Jihyun's face drained as she felt dread pass through her heart. She was so caught up with June that she didn't even realize that half of her make-up still hadn't been taken off!
Jihyun quickly covered half of her face and looked down at the ground.
"Well, I think I should go. I still have to cook dinner," she chuckled nervously. "You don't need a pass to get out of here, so you can leave whenever you want!"
With that, she practically bolted away from June.
June smirked since he successfully diverted the topic and wasn't forced to explain his current situation.
Now that he was all alone, he was determined to fulfill his objective. June started navigating his way inside the large office. There were still some workers around, but they didn't seem to notice June since he was wearing casual clothes.
Then, he arrived at the editing team's area, and he saw plenty of people on their computers browsing through the footage they filmed just a while ago.
It seemed like this team had it pretty tough, especially after filming days. They had less than two days to collate every footage and turn it into the episode!
June passed by all of them since he was looking for another person.
And then, he arrived right in front of the door of the person who would help him execute his plan.
Cindy Jung—head of the editing team.
***
"Are you already there?" Cindy asked as she typed something into their work group chat. She was instructing her underlings to sort through the footage, cut through the dead air, and compile them chronologically. Tomorrow, she'll instruct the team on what effects shall be added.
Then, in the end, she'll be the one to add the finishing touches.
That was Cindy Jung's recipe for a successful episode. Usually, she would have stayed with the team during this time, but there's something more important on her list for tonight.
"I'm still getting ready, Mom," Jia whined over the phone. "I don't even know why you're so insistent on meeting me when I'm so busy."
"Busy with what?" Cindy exasperatedly asked. "Your classes start on Monday. I believe you've already enrolled, too. I'm sure there isn't much on your plate right now."
Jia groaned as she put a sweater on. She did have a lot on her plate right now! June's name still hadn't been cleared, and she had spent her time trying to look for something that would prove his innocence. However, June's life was like a blank canvas! There's not much material on his past life on the internet at all.
"Anyway," Cindy said. "I'm about to head out to my office. I'll meet you at the hot pot restaurant, alright?"
"Just as long as you're paying," Jia said.
"Oh, honey. When did you ever pay for our meals?"
Jis snickered as she placed on her shoes. "Never! Well, I'm about to head out now. See you there, mom."
"See you there, bear!" Cindy fondly exclaimed, turning off the phone and placing her belongings inside her bag.
Cindy was about to leave her office when the door suddenly opened and a man wearing all black came into the room.
She screamed in shock and backed away, placing her purse in front of her body.
June's eyes widened in surprise as he saw the horror-filled expression on the older woman's face. Now that he thought about it, it does look like he'd be a suspicious person. A black sweater, black mask, and black jeans? It looked like he was about to rob her.
So, he quickly removed his hood and mask, revealing the handsome face hidden beneath.
Cindy looked at the young man with furrowed eyebrows. Then, her fear turned to confusion as she recognized the man before her.
"Rising Stars' June?"
"You recognize me?" June asked.
Cindy relaxed when she realized that the young man was a mere trainee.
"Of course," she said in a professional tone. "I am the new head of the editing team of Rising Stars. It's only natural that I know the people that I am editing. And how could I not recognize you? I heard from my subordinates that they have suffered greatly in the past three weeks because of you."
June puffed up his cheeks. "It wasn't my intention."
Cindy narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm sure it wasn't…I'm afraid you'll be giving my team a hard time this time, too," she continued, aware of the issue that June was currently facing. "If you came here to ask me to edit you better, then you've come to the wrong person. I'm not afraid of you or your parents. I've seen some of your footage, and I already have something great stored for you," she smirked, her mind racing with some evil ideas.
One thing about Cindy is she doesn't suck up to anybody—and that's probably why the show she was in had always been successful. She knew how to make a damn good show, and it was evident in every episode.
Cindy wasn't afraid of doing the same to Rising Stars.
June sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. It seemed like he had bumped into a formidable opponent.
"Well, are you just going to stand there, or are you going to tell me what you want?" she coldly asked.
"Miss Cindy Jung—I need you to do me a big favor. Edit me pitifully, please."
