At this point, June's name was plastered all across social media, with #JuneOurRisingStar taking the number 1 spot in the South Korean trends for more than 8 hours.
Netizens and even celebrities came out to show their support for June, and there was no doubt that the trainee had risen to fame once again, with people from different generations praising him. His interview clip had gone viral on several platforms, and it instantly became a part of those "Try Not To Cry: Kpop Edition" type of compilations.
However, June didn't think about that at all. Right now, he had two priorities in mind:
1. His cotton-candy pink hair.
2. Choi Joon-ho's parents.
June stared at his status window and sighed as he read the address.
[117 Goseung-gun, Gangwon Province, South Korea]
He stood from his bed and decided to ask for Minjun's help. He didn't bother knocking and just entered their apartment.
"Kid!" he called from the living room.
"What?" Minjun emerged from his bedroom, yawning as he scrolled through his phone.
"Can you locate this address for me?" June asked. "I'm looking for something."
Minjun clicked his tongue as he scanned the address and typed it into his maps application.
"What are you even looking for?" Minjun asked as they waited for the app to load.
"A grave," June nonchalantly said.
Minjun frowned as he zoomed into his phone. "A grave?" he asked.
"Hmm, I need to visit someone."
"Your parents?" Minjun clarified.
"Yes," June responded. "Is the address a cemetery in Gangwon Province?"
Minjun tilted his head to the side in confusion. "It's not a cemetery."
"What is it then?" June asked.
"It's a house," Minjun said, showing him the photo of an old wooden house located in what seemed to be Lavender farm?
June frowned in confusion as he gazed at the photo.
A house? Was Fu messing with him?
***
"You don't have to come," June said, putting on his backpack.
"Grandma allowed me to go," Minjun boasted, mirroring the older man's actions. "So, I'm going to Gangwon Province with you. Besides, this trip is sponsored by Grandma! You can't say no."
June rolled his eyes and placed a cap over Minjun's head. "Fine, kid. But behave, okay? I don't want you whining now."
"When do I ever whine?" Minjun asked with a sly smile. "I'll stay quiet, promise!"
***
"Are we there yet?" Minjun whined as he stared outside the bus. They were now on their way to Gangwon to look for Joon-ho's parents, and Minjun quickly broke his promise as soon as they boarded the bus. "It feels like we've been here for hours!"
June sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. "It's been 20 minutes," he deadpanned. "Just sleep. I'll wake you up when we get there."
"But I can't sleep!" Minjun exclaimed. "I want those oranges right there," he said, pointing to the trolley filled with treats.
"Will that keep you quiet?" June asked.
Minjun enthusiastically nodded.
June sighed and opened his wallet, which contained the change he had from dyeing his hair. "Fine, buy those oranges," he said, handing Minjun a 20-dollar bill. "Give me back the change, okay?"
The little kid excitedly stood up and went to the trolley. June shook his head in amusement as he stared at his cute silhouette.
Oh, goodness. He's turning soft for the demon's child.
After a while, Minjun went back with not only oranges but a bag filled with candy, corn, and boiled eggs?
"Where's my change?" June asked.
"I spent it all," Minjun nonchalantly said.
June sighed in disbelief. "You're richer than me. You could just ask your parents for more allowance."
"But that's not fun," Minjun smiled. "Besides, I spent it all on game skins and magic castles for my favorite authors already."
June clicked his tongue and was about to scold the little kid when Minjun handed him a clumsily peeled orange, causing his annoyance to crumble. He ruffled Minjun's hair and popped a piece of orange in his mouth.
"Fine, you win," June said, touched by the little kid's gesture (don't tell Minjun, though).
***
A little over an hour later, they finally arrived at their destination.
"Are you sure we're in the right place?" Minjun asked as he looked around the place.
"We're here," June said, looking at the navigation system. "This seems to be the place we saw on the maps thing."
"It is," Minjun agreed.
Indeed, the place had lavender covering the entire area. There were a few houses in far proximity, but aside from that, only animals and lavender filled the neighborhood.
"You have arrived at your destination," the navigation application spoke, startling June.
"Huh?" Minjun said. "We're really here."
The two of them stood at an empty lot. It was weird how it wasn't covered in any lavender despite it being an empty piece of land. However, as June looked around the area, he saw some remnants of what seemed to be a house scattered around the lot.
"Where's the house we saw online?" Minjun asked.
"It's burnt," June responded, his eyes focused on the ash-covered wood surrounding him.
"Burnt?" Minjun asked.
"Oh my goodness! Joon-ho? Joon-ho, is that you?"
Their conversation was interrupted when they heard the voice of an old lady coming from afar. The two of them faced the direction where the voice was coming from.
June locked gazes with a kind-looking old woman wearing work boots and a huge sun hat.
"Omo, it really is you!" the old lady exclaimed. "Joon-ho!"
This was good. It seemed like the old lady recognized June and probably knew where his parents were.
"Umm, hello?" June warily said, walking closer to the old lady.
However, before he could even speak to her, the old lady began screaming loudly.
"Joon-ho is here! Our little star is here!" she exclaimed in such a loud voice that it could probably be heard all the way to Seoul.
And just like that, a dozen of old ladies started popping out of nowhere.
"Joon-ho?"
"Omo, Joon-ho from Rising Stars?"
"June?"
"June! I haven't seen him in so long! He was this big when I saw him, but now he's the same age as my granddaughter. I should set them up."
"Shut up, Linda. My granddaughter is a better fit for him!"
"June? I watched you grind on the stage!"
June froze as he stared at the flock of old ladies running toward his way.
