For once, June was at a loss for words.
It seemed like his own reflection stared back at him as the boy's tattoo continued to be exposed.
June quickly instructed him to bring his sleeve down, which, fortunately, the boy followed without any complaint.
"Do you like it?" the boy excitedly asked.
June pursed his lips and nodded despite feeling weird. "It's very…realistic," June said.
"Right? I had a really good tattoo artist do it, so it feels like you're with me all the time!"
"Aren't you going to regret it?" June pried. "Especially in the next few years or so?"
"Nope!" the boy exclaimed. "I'm in this astra shit for life, baby!"
With his blatant cursing, the boy was then escorted off the stage.
June heaved a sigh as they were given a short break before proceeding with the last ten fans in the audience.
June lifted his head and saw the giddy expressions of the fans that were up next. However, there was one certain person who couldn't be read. In fact, it felt like she couldn't even be seen. She had a bucket hat on, and her eyes were covered by it. Along with that, she was wearing a black mask.
It almost seemed like she was the celebrity among the two. If it weren't for some of her long black hair peeking through her bucket hat, it would even be difficult to determine whether she was a woman or a man.
Just then, she stood, causing June's frown to deepen since they were going to resume the fansign any minute now. He followed her figure and saw that she was heading to the restrooms. June grew more curious about the mysterious girl, feeling like something was off.
However, his thoughts were interrupted when a personnel suddenly approached them with a bag of drinks, all with their names on it.
"Sweet!" Akira exclaimed. "I've been feeling thirsty since our drinks toppled over," he joked, even glancing at the fan who knocked over their drinks.
Nonetheless, Akira didn't make her feel like she was the one at fault. Instead, he even joked about it.
"Don't worry. None of us are mad!" he chimed. "In fact, I bet Ren's very thankful since you gave him the opportunity to wash himself. He hasn't been able to do that for a while now!"
The members of EVE, as well as the fans in the audience, chuckled at Akira's wit. Ren, however, merely shook his head in annoyance, already used to Akira's behavior.
Akira distributed the drinks to the members, and June grimaced when he saw that he was given a pure Iced Americano.
He didn't want to look stuck-up, but almost all of the employees in their company knew that June didn't like bitter things. Sure, he liked a lot of vegetables, but drinks were another story.
He was a sweet tooth at heart, so he would prefer getting frappucinos and other sweet drinks rather than a plain Americano.
"Who got this for us?" June asked out of the blue, suddenly feeling curious.
"I don't know," Zeth shrugged. "Probably one of the employees."
Probably one of the employees.
June watched as Zeth placed the straw in between his lips, about to take a sip. However, June's eyes widened when he realized that there was something wrong with Zeth's statement.
If it was one of the employees, then they would know that June didn't like bitter drinks. Only people who knew him on the surface level would get him such a drink.
June slapped Zeth's drink away from his hands and spoke in a resolute voice.
"Don't drink it."
The chattering in the hall immediately stopped as soon as June said those words.
Fortunately, it seemed like his members had only drank a small portion or were in the process of preparing their drink…
…except for one person.
Akira's eyes widened as he looked at his half-empty Americano in his hand.
"Don't drink it?" he muttered.
Just then, he doubled over in pain, holding onto the table as he couldn't take the feeling in his stomach.
The members stood to aid Akira while a commotion was created in the fans' section, wondering what was happening. Some of them attempted to film the happenings, but the personnel acted quickly and forbade them from taking videos.
They quickly controlled the damage by shutting the curtains and escorting the fans out of the venue. Meanwhile, the members were still in distress as they tried to find out what was wrong with Akira.
"Take him to the hospital quickly," June firmly instructed. Jaeyong nodded and carried Akira with the help of the other members.
"Careful! Careful!" Akira shouted as they escorted him to their car.
Meanwhile, June stayed behind, looking in the direction of the restroom.
"Aren't you going to join us?" Jay called out.
"Text me the address of the hospital," June quickly said. "I'll follow after you guys."
"What?" Jay exasperatedly asked. "It would be dangerous for you to be here on your own!"
June shook his head, giving Jay a reassuring smile.
"I can handle myself," he resolutely said, leaving Jay no choice but to believe his words.
"Alright," he caved in. "But make sure you meet us at the hospital in less than an hour. If not, I'm calling the police. I don't care if I have to get fired."
"You won't get fired," June said.
With that, he ran in the direction of the restroom—where he was sure the strange lady had gone a few moments ago.
June didn't realize it at first, but the more he stared at her, the more he realized why he seemed familiar.
He had seen her a total of four times.
One at the meat place when they celebrated the end of their filming for Hate to Love You.
Another was when he was on his way home from Minjun's and Grandma's place.
The third one was her hysterical episode in their dorm room, which was caught by the CCTV camera.
And the fourth one was now.
June burst through the girls' bathroom to catch a glimpse of her but frowned when he saw that it was empty.
However, at the corner of the room, where the soap and hand dryer were, was a yellow material that seemed to have fallen.
June's eyebrows furrowed as he picked up the item.
Then, a small smirk appeared on his lips.
There was another rule he always followed when he was a part of the White Tiger gang—never ever leave traces of your identity.
However, this time, it seemed like the culprit made a grave mistake in doing so.
