June knew that Lin Zhi wanted him out of the production.
Scratch that—he wanted June's career to be engulfed in flames…and he was willing to do anything to achieve that goal.
Unluckily for him, June was the same.
However, it seemed like Lin Zhi had the upper hand this time around.
While June was in the hallway talking to Minjun and Jay, the directors, Risa and Hanlim, and even the main actors came to discuss how they were going to proceed with the production.
"I don't mind," Hanlim said. "He's handsome and young. I think it's normal that he's dating someone. Wouldn't it be more surprising if he isn't dating anyone with that kind of face?"
"Right, honey?" he asked, nudging Risa's shoulder.
Risa, feeling like a proud mom who was coming to terms with his precious son's relationship, nodded in agreement.
"I feel like it wouldn't affect the production process, too. June's a great actor regardless of this," she said.
Hana, despite having a weird feeling inside her chest, nodded in agreement.
"It would be a shame to kick him out of the production," Taehyun added. "He's perfect for his role."
Director Bong sighed in frustration.
"You guys are not seeing the big picture of this. A movie production does not merely revolve around an actor's acting skills. If that was the case, then all movies by great actors would have been major hits."
"However, there's more to it than that," Director Bong said.
"You guys might not know it because you only focus on your own jobs, but being a director means that you take everyone's role in the production—even the marketing team."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})"Based on what I've seen a while ago, plenty of people are threatening to boycott everything that June does. In that sense, more than a million teenage girls, who are one of our biggest markets, are going to boycott this movie, too," he continued.
"And it's not only that! Do you know what's scarier than resentful teenage girls?" he asked.
"Nothing!" the director quickly answered his own question. "Nothing is scarier than teenage girls. Once they've set their mind on something, they will be able to do it. So, not only will they boycott the movie, but they will convince other people who were initially interested in watching it to boycott it too."
The others pursed their lips in silence, knowing that Director Bong made a good point. It was true that marketing played a big role in how successful a movie would be.
"But the dating news hasn't even been confirmed," Hana said. "Besides, it's not like he committed a crime."
"Oh," Director Bong chuckled. "Don't act innocent now, Hana. The both of us know that dating is a crime in the idol world."
Hana once again pursed her lips, unable to argue any further.
"I say we replace June and refilm the scenes we've taken. It's good that he doesn't have a lot of parts, so we might only take a day to finish all of it."
Taehyun sighed in frustration. "With all due respect, that's too much work. And as you said, June only has a minor role. The focus of the movie is us," he said. "We don't have to kick him out because of a stupid dating scandal."
Director Bong shook his head. "At the end of the day, the decision will be made by us."
The other four looked at each other with disappointed gazes.
Meanwhile, Director Jam hadn't spoken all throughout their conversation, appearing to be deep in thought.
"What do you say about this, Director Jam?" Director Bong asked. "We have a clause in the contract that states we can terminate it whenever an actor gets involved in something that may harm the movie production."
Director Jam pursed his lips, still not talking about it.
Just then, the door busted open, revealing June, who appeared eager to explain his situation.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})"June," Hana said, looking into his weary eyes.
June walked over to where the directors were and bowed.
"Good morning, Directors. Apologies for the sudden intrusion. I just have some things to—"
"Director Jam has something to say to you," Director Bong said before June could even finish his sentence.
June pursed his lips and faced Director Jam, who now had an ambiguous look on his face.
Hana held her breath as she waited for Director Jam's final verdict. She knew that the director was harsh and only settled for perfection. However, she also knew that he was quite objective and didn't mind trivial matters such as this.
However, it was a matter of whether he believed this issue was trivial or not.
June looked into his eyes, and for a second, Director Jam's gaze wavered.
Then, he let out a sigh.
"June," he started off.
June waited intently.
"I think it's best if you go home and take a rest right now."
***
Meanwhile, in a huge apartment in the heart of soul, two brothers were bickering about their matching outfits.
"What the heck? Why are you wearing the same thing as me?" Haruki asked.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Haruto twirled around in his wheelchair and smiled at his twin brother.
"I matched with you," he said. "I went to your room and saw the clothes laid out on the bed and decided to wear similar clothes!"
"Nope," Haruki said. "Definitely not."
"Why?" Haruto asked. "You don't love your brother anymore?"
"Shut up," Haruki said. "I'm getting changed!"
"No," Haruto stubbornly said. "Matching clothes are great for twins!"
"Yeah, when you're below 12," Haruki exclaimed. "Now, we look stupid."
Haruto clicked his tongue and finally let go of his brother so he could get changed. In the meantime, he scrolled through his phone, only to see June's issue taking over the internet.
"What the heck?" he screamed so loudly that Haruki was compelled to stop walking.
"June's dating someone?" he asked, making Haruki go back to where his brother was standing.
"He is?" Haruki asked with wide eyes.
Haruto nodded, showing his twin the photo of June and a woman kissing his cheek.
"I think I know who this is, though," Haruto muttered. "This is even the place she works in."
"Who?" Haruki asked out of curiosity.
"Let's talk in the car. We're going to miss our reservation."
Haruki absent-mindedly nodded and followed his brother and his butler, Marcus, to the car.
Haruto then tossed his phone to Haruki as they settled in the back seat.
"I think it's his cousin—Jenny," Haruto said.
Haruki frowned in confusion as he continued to scrutinize the photo.
"How do you even know?" Haruki asked.
"I know everything about June!" Haruto proudly exclaimed.
"Jenny visited us from time to time before, and she has the same haircut. She has the same body build, too. We kept in touch after I went back, and I know she's working in Choi Pablo's studio. So, it all adds up."
"So, he's not dating anyone?" Haruki asked.
"I'm sure," Haruto answered. "I don't think June is interested in dating at all."
Haruki sighed in relief.
"Anyway, he's being cooked right now, and his agency isn't helping at all. So, as his bestest friend in the entire world, I'm going to help him!" Haruto said with determination.
"I can collect the information that proves that all of this is false," he continued.
"Although, it would be hard to get the information across since it's going to come from a stranger on the internet. Instead, it should come from someone who has a huge following," he muttered.
Marcus finally parked the car and thought of a person who could help him.
"I doubt you'll help me, though. You still don't like June, right?"
Haruki bit his lip and stayed silent.
"Anyway, that will be my problem. For now, let's eat."
The two of them got out of their car, and other people immediately stopped and stared.
"By the way," Haruto smiled sweetly at his brother. "Thanks for matching with me!"
