"Where are you going, bro?" Jisung asked. "It's not long before the filming officially starts."
"I'll be quick," June said, standing up and running toward the exit. His friends tried to call out for him, but he was already running out the door before they could ask him what was happening.
He looked left and right to catch a glimpse of the janitor and frowned when he didn't see his shiny bald head anymore. So, June decided to go to the place where the janitor most likely was during his break times.
The Janitor's Closet.
June walked toward the small room located on the right wing of the Azure building. He smirked when he saw that the door was slightly agape—which could only mean one thing.
The janitor hated it when his door wasn't fully closed.
June wasted no time in entering the small room, his nostrils burning with the smell of bleach, varnish, and kimchi?
His smirk widened when he saw the blinking red dot in the corner of the room, still where he first saw it.
"I know you're here," June said, breaking the silence.
There was a slight ruffling sound from behind the cabinet—just right where the big trash can was located. It was barely noticeable, but with June's keen senses, he noticed right away.
He sighed before walking over to the big trash can, removing the lid, and smiling when he saw the familiar shiny head inside.
"There you are," June said with a smile.
The bald janitor glared up at him, a jar of kimchi with chopsticks in his hands.
"What are you doing in my sanctuary?" he asked in a deep voice.
"Do you always stay inside the trash can?" June asked, a bit weirded out.
The janitor huffed and made his way outside, still not letting go of his kimchi. "It's cozy inside, and I can spy on the people that have been infiltrating my closet. I thought that it would become peaceful once those secret boyfriend trainees were eliminated, but intruders still come here all the time!"
"Secret boyfriend trainees?" June asked in confusion before shaking his head. "Whatever, that's none of my business. You've been filming the people who have been coming here, right?"
The bald janitor took a step back as he raised one of his eyebrows. "How do you know that?"
June nonchalantly pointed at the hidden camera, causing the bald janitor to nod in approval.
"You're good," he said. "Those secret boyfriends didn't notice it."
"Yeah?" June chuckled. "Well, since I'm good…why don't you spare me a favor and give me the footage you've gathered?"
He narrowed his eyes at June. "What are you going to do with them?"
June sighed. "I'm sure you already know what happened. Those two were responsible for spreading misinformation about my family life."
"I do know," he said, lifting his chin. "But you see, I'm not concerned with any of that. I would have become a guard if I wanted to be involved in the drama. But I'm a janitor at heart! All I'm passionate about is cleaning and kimchi. Unless you give me something that piques my interest, then I'm not sharing it with you."
June clicked his tongue in frustration. Then, he was suddenly struck with a great idea.
Bleach…
He still had one bottle of unopened bleach in his room since he wasn't able to take it home.
"Hey," he said. "Do you like 'Drink' bleach?" June asked, referring to the expensive brand of bleach he won during the Self-PR missions.
The janitor, despite trying hard not to look interested, perked up when he heard the famous bleach brand.
"I have a fresh, new bottle just for you," June said like he was coaxing a big puppy. "What about a trade, huh?"
The janitor hesitated for a while, and June smirked as he saw the turmoil in his eyes.
"Unopened?" he meekly asked.
"Unopened. With the seal and all," June continued to convince.
In the end, the janitor sighed and slumped his shoulders. "Fine! You may take the videos, but don't tell anyone that you got it from me."
June smiled and nodded. "Got it, Mr. Janitor. Can I transfer the videos right now?"
"There's a cord in the upper cabinet," he responded. "And don't call me Mr. Janitor no more," he said. "Call me by my name."
"Well, what's your name?" June asked as he transferred the videos on his phone. Minjun was going to have a field day with this one.
"My surname is Ing. My name is Klin. Ing Klin."
"Ing Klin? Klin Ing?" June asked.
"Yes," the janitor proudly said. "But you can call me Mr. Klin."
***
June practically ran to the training center after giving Mr. Klin his bleach and sending the videos to Minjun.
When he arrived, all of the trainees were already in the room, lined up by their ranks.
They looked over June's way as he entered, and as he got closer, some trainees started whispering among themselves.
June froze. Shit, did his pink hair peek through his beanie?
"Is it just me, or is June getting more handsome?"
"I don't know. He's been handsome ever since. But he did rise on my bias list after the episode last Friday. Boy, I bawled like a baby."
"Same, kinda want to apologize, but we're not that close, so…"
"He has gotten more handsome. Should I ask him for a skincare routine?"
"Or maybe his surgeon?"
June sighed in relief when they merely talked about his visuals. He guessed it was a good idea to upgrade the aspect, especially since the finals were coming up.
It seemed like June came right on time since the mentors came in just after he settled on the 8th spot.
"Hey, bro," Jisung greeted.
June nodded in acknowledgment. He then glanced at his other side and saw Ren, who looked even worse than last week. June frowned. Has this kid been sleeping at all?
His thoughts were cut off when Minho's voice pierced through the speakers. This time, he was accompanied by Bone, who appeared to have gotten a haircut.
"Good morning, trainees!" Minho greeted, looking at the small number of trainees before him. "Ah, I thought 50 trainees were a small number, but you've gotten even smaller."
"That only means one thing," Bone said. "We are getting close to the finals! However, we still have one last mission for you before the live shows!"
The trainees murmured among themselves, trying to come up with theories on the mission they were going to face. Usually, during this time, they were already preparing for the finale. However, it seemed like Azure decided to add an extra mission—one that would set it apart from the other seasons of Rising Stars.
"What could it be?" Jisung asked. "I really can't predict what they are going to do."
June sighed. He, too, didn't have any idea on the next mission.
"I'm sure all of you are curious about your next mission, so we won't prolong this any further," Bone excitedly said.
The two mentors locked gazes with each other before placing the microphone on their lips, simultaneously speaking to add to the dramatic effect.
"It is now time for the Production Mission!"
