"Look, Jia!" Bora exclaimed once she saw Azure Entertainment's latest post.
"They're recruiting new trainees for the fifth season of Rising Stars!" she said, shoving her phone toward Jia's face.
"Shut up," Jia said, pushing her phone away and proceeding to look at historical edits of June on Navel. "I'm doing more important things."
"Oh, come on. I know you've been reading June fan fiction set in an ancient world for three hours now," Bora deadpanned.
Jia narrowed her eyes, acting offended. "It's getting good, alright! June is about to snatch the throne despite starting as a servant. The power dynamics are immaculate!"
Bora rolled her eyes and snatched her phone before turning it off.
"Well, before any of that, let's talk about the new season of Rising Stars!" Bora exclaimed.
"What does that have to do with me?" Jia asked.
"They're not only looking for trainees training in K-pop companies, but they're also looking for individual trainees. This is your time to finally become an idol!" Bora said.
Jia looked at her like she had gone crazy.
"First of all, it has never been my dream to become an idol."
"Second, I feel like being an idol is going to suck balls. Unless you're really into performing, it's going to be so draining! Imagine training for years, paying so you can perform on music shows, the hectic schedules, and the standard of being perfect! Being an idol is not for the weak," she continued.
Bora couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"And we're forgetting the last most important thing here—I can't hold a tune at all," Jia said.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})"At least you're pretty," Bora said. "That seems to be the only criteria for some idols these days."
Jia shook her head and grabbed her phone once more.
"Anyway, I'll be better off being a fan. I will watch the new season, though. I am a sucker for survival shows."
"Count me in," Bora said. "I'm ready to stan a girl group!"
***
"So, this is the new script," Risa said, going around the room to give each of the actors a copy of the new script. They were perplexed for a moment, but Risa quickly explained the situation.
"Do not worry," she quickly said. "The past scenes we've filmed hadn't been touched. In fact, we'll leave those at that."
"The only major change in this script is with Jian's character," she said, causing June to tilt his head to the side in confusion.
He flipped through the pages and searched for his original scenes. However, much to his surprise, the scenes seemed to be much longer this time. Not only that, but other pages that originally didn't involve him now included his name.
What was the most notable, however, was the part in the climax—where a plot twist involving his character was incorporated.
His eyebrows raised in surprise, finding the shift to be tasteful.
Hana also liked the changes that Risa had made. However, she wondered if Director Jam agreed to such changes since she knew that the director was inflexible when it came to script changes.
"Are you alright with this, Director?" she asked.
Director Jam, whose gaze was focused on June, nodded in agreement.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})"Of course! I was even the one who suggested it," he proudly said.
June bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you for granting me this opportunity."
"Oh, no!" Director Jam exclaimed, holding onto his shoulders to stop him from bowing.
"I should be the one thanking you," he sweetly said.
June took a small step back, finding Director Jam's sweet actions a bit strange.
Then, the director appeared to be showing off his phone—one that contained a black keychain hanging around its corner. June narrowed his eyes at the keychain and shook his head.
June didn't know the director was into phallic shapes.
Meanwhile, Lin Zhi remained silent as he stared at the script. The climax was supposed to be his limelight—his time to shine! It was the part where he was going to be defeated, but it was also going to showcase his skills in acting out a resentful character.
However, now that June's character, Jian, was given a lot more depth, he seemed like a measly pest! With the plot twist that had been newly written, it would seem like June was the main character of the Shadow Clan!
"Anyway, we'll still be filming the scenes including Taehyun, Hana, and the other clan leaders. I just called all of you here for the formal announcement. Oh, and you can also take this time to practice if you would want," Risa said.
Director Jam nodded, his gaze still focused on June.
June smirked as he read through his script. He didn't even have to do anything, and he was already taking away Lin Zhi's limelight! He glanced at the bitter actor, his smirk widening when he saw his reddening face.
Just then, June was called by Director Jam, making him even more confused.
"Yes, Director?" he asked.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})"Do you need help practicing your lines?" Director Jam asked in a hopeful tone.
"Umm," June stalled. "I think I need to read through them first."
"But if you need help, you can come and approach me, alright? We'll make your character the greatest side character to ever exist!"
June scratched the back of his head and merely nodded awkwardly.
Meanwhile, Lin Zhi was still staring at the script, his hands clenched around the paper. However, his thoughts were cut short when he heard EVE's song coming from one of the phones on the table.
He clicked his tongue and shook his head. That just put him in a much worse mood!
He glanced at the phone and saw a plain, white background with a single red gummy bear in the very middle as the lockscreem. It didn't take a genius for Lin Zhi to know that it was June.
Then, it clicked on him. He was compelled to walk to his phone and look at his incoming call.
Lin Zhi was expecting something…anything. He hoped to find some dirt so he could finally bring June to the ground.
However, he was quickly disappointed when he saw a vague contact name displayed on the screen.
"Baldie," he muttered, shaking his head in disappointment.
"Baldie," he repeated, louder this time, causing his eyes to go wide.
"No way," Lin Zhi said, a small smirk arising from his face.
"So, that's where you've been getting your information, huh?"
