As June's mask was fully removed, the studio fell into an expectant hush. June had his head down, but his mid-length, fluffy, black hair was on display.
Anticipation hung in the air like a heavy curtain, and everyone braced themselves for the reveal.
Jia and her friends collectively gasped. Jia covered her mouth as if forgetting how to breathe. She wanted June to reveal his face, but not this way.
"I'm going to puke," Jia said. "Are we really going to see his face?"
"I didn't fucking expect that," Na-ri exclaimed with wide eyes. "I still can't see his face."
Jia covered her eyes. "Tell me when this is over."
Mimi stood up from the couch, her eyes wide and mouth agape.
"Holy shit! And it's happening in a live broadcast, too," Lala said. "Are you okay, Mimi?"
"Don't be disappointed when he's not what you expected," Sasha added.
Mimi stayed silent and kept her gaze on the screen, not wanting to miss the moment.
The comment section, too, was going crazy at this point.
- IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?
- I can't breathe.
- Finally, that ugly cat will finally be revealed.
- Lift your head, ugly loser!
Hoon's thoughts raced with cockiness as he took a step back, the pink mask in his right hand. He had spent hours observing June, noticing every slight detail that seemed to suggest his lack of physical appeal.
First, the way he looked in the bathroom after the Artist Battle. Then, how his friends confirmed that he has self-esteem issues—all of it enforced Hoon's conviction that he was about to reveal something embarrassing.
'Let's see the real face that somehow managed to get 20th place,' he thought with a self-satisfied grin. He was convinced that the reveal would solidify his position and prove his point that someone like June didn't deserve to rank so high.
But of course, he didn't really show it on screen and tried to look as apologetic as possible. "I'm so sorry," he said to the cameras. "I—I just tripped," he stammered.
June's friends, who were already in their respective seats except for Jangmoon and Jisung, exchanged worried glances as they watched the screen with a clear view of the unfolding situation. Knowing June's struggles with his self-esteem, they had an inkling that this moment might be challenging for him.
'Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.'
Curses echoed in the back of June's mind. At this point, he still hasn't lifted his head.
However, he knew there was no escaping this situation.
Fuck it.
His visuals are already at B-. Might as well just get it over with.
So, without hesitation, June lifted his head, running his fingers through his hair.
At that point, Hoon's smugness reached its peak. He was prepared to see the surprise, the disdain, and even the laughter ripple through the studio as June's ugliness was laid bare for everyone to see.
But as June's face was revealed on the screen, Hoon's confidence crumbled like a house of cards.
June's handsome face was a portrait of surprising charm, a stark contrast to the assumptions that had been made. His big, cat-like eyes were a striking shade of honey brown, framed by long, dark lashes that seemed to add an extra layer of allure. It also had a "sleepy" charm to it, some bags evident underneath them.
Under his eyes, a tall nose added an elegant touch to his features. And beneath that, his lips, slightly chapped, were still plump and pink. The corners were upturned, yet he still looked quite cold.
June's jawline was a balance between softness and definition. The curve was gentle, yet a subtle chiseled line hinted an underlying strength.
And above all of that, he had...glowing skin?
June glanced at the screen and pursed his lips together.
So, this was Ethereal Glow? He looked like a porcelain doll!
At that moment, Hoon's cocky facade melted away, replaced by a stunned expression he couldn't hide. The thought that he had been so sure of was false, and he felt a sense of bewilderment, and, perhaps, regret for revealing June's face.
Na-ri, Soo-min, and Wei were stunned to silence, looking at the glowing boy on the screen.
"Is it over yet?" Jia asked, still covering her eyes.
"Jia...you need to see this," Wei said.
As Jia slowly removed her hands, her eyes widened and she leaned forward in her seat, lips slightly parted.
"Wait, what? He's—He's actually...handsome."
Mimi, who had been anticipating this moment, was equally caught off guard. Her jaw dropped, and her eyes focused on June's face.
"Oh goodness," Lala said. "I'm afraid she can never recover from this."
Whispered exclamations resonated in the studio, a blend of disbelief and shock. Even Gun and Jordan were surprised. Gun was sure that this kid would be like C-Jay or Jangmoon, but now, he was speechless.
- Is that really him?
- Oh my gosh. June? Our black kitty actually looks this handsome?
- Holy shit.
- My bad, my bad. He ain't bad.
- Damn, he kinda good looking. No homo, though. My sister's just forcing me to watch with her. She's just too stunned at the moment.
June stood there, his features clearly not matching the assumption that had been built up. He cleared his throat and started speaking once more.
"Umm, I guess I'd like to thank the janitor for lending me his cleaning supplies? Yeah, that's all. Thanks to the starlights, too," he nonchalantly continued his speech, like his face hadn't just been revealed.
He took a step back, placing his hands behind his back.
The studio was still filled with silence, but Yena and Ye-jin signaled Jordan to say his next statement.
"Ah, right," Jordan cleared his throat. "I guess that happened. Thank you to the trainees who ranked 20th to 24th. You may now head to your respective seats."
June nodded and turned around, letting the other trainees go up first. He made eye contact with Hoon, but the latter immediately evaded his gaze.
June smirked. This kid is really troublesome.
As he went up, he was met with dazed looks on his friends' faces. They welcomed him with stiff expressions, so he raised his eyebrows in inquiry.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
C-Jay puffed up his cheeks before poking June's chest.
"You told us you were ugly!" he whisper-shouted.
