249 For Real
The skies were usually filled with smog, occluding the view of the Earth to the other galaxies above. However, tonight, the dark skies were clear. The moon and the stars lit up the sky, and it was perfectly seen from the windows of the producers' office.
However, Yena and Yejin weren't there to enjoy it.
Instead, they were in the dome where the finale of Rising Stars was usually held, stressing since there was so much to do.
"Who are you?" June and the unfamiliar man said at the same time, looking at each other under the moonlight.
"Oh," the unfamiliar man said when he recognized the trainee with the pink hair. "June?"
June cautiously nodded. "Yes, sir. And you are?"
The unfamiliar man chuckled. "Well, I guess I haven't been as vocal as Yena and Yejin. My name's Tony. Tony Park. I'm one of the main producers of the show, along with Yena and Yejin. But I handle the more internal side of the production—speaking with the authorities in Azure and all."
June's eyes brightened as soon as he heard Tony's introduction.
He thought he was unlucky for not finding Yena and Yejin in their office, but instead, he must have landed on the right person after all.
"Wait," Tony said, narrowing his eyes. "What are you doing here, young man? Trainees usually don't have any access to come here."
"I was granted permission," June vaguely said.
"I'm sorry, but you weren't granted permission in this office. I have to call security," he said, his finger hovering above the security button.
"Wait," June said, showing Tony the flash drive in his hand. "I have a report. That's a valid reason to go here, right?"
Tony pursed his lips as he looked at the flash drive suspiciously.
"And since you said you're involved in the internal affairs of the company," June continued. "I'm sure you can't miss this information since it involves a trainee unfairly getting help from outside sources when it wasn't allowed for us to do so."
Tony raised his eyebrows in surprise before crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Elaborate."
"I think it's better for me to show you," June said. "Do you mind if I use your laptop?"
Tony, although still a bit suspicious, slowly nodded. "You better not be wasting my time here, kid. My aunt loves you, but that doesn't mean I'll cut you some slack."
June chuckled as he inserted the flash drive into his laptop, quickly opening the videos inside it.
Lin Zhi's voice was heard in the room as June played the video.
<nulli>"I'm still waiting," Lin Zhi said, pacing back and forth inside the janitor's closet.
<nulli>"It's sending," a voice that June recognized as Laohu said. "You're so impatient."
<nulli>"I'm just nervous. I'm sorry," Lin Zhi quickly apologized. "My teammates are shit. They don't even know anything about music production."
<nulli>Laohu clicked his tongue. "And you can't do shit, too. Just be thankful that I already have a song for you."
<nulli>Lin Zhi smiled sheepishly.
<nulli>"It's sent," Laohu said.
<nulli>After that, Lin Zhi ended the call, and he was seen scrolling frantically through his phone. Then, a small smirk appeared on his lips as he tapped his phone, the song they performed during the Production Mission reverberating in the small closet.
Tony gasped softly, causing June to smirk.
"This is—This is unacceptable," he stammered, looking at the now black screen in disbelief.
"This action is subject to disqualification, am I right?" June asked.
Tony nodded frantically. "Absolutely. I have to take these clips to my superiors. Are these the only ones you have?"
"There's more in the flash drive," June said. "It proves how Lin Zhi truly got help from a professional producer during the Production Mission."
Tony smiled in appreciation, patting June's back. "I'll be talking to Yena and Yejin about this first thing in the morning," he said, getting the flash drive. "Then, we'll talk with our superiors about the consequences of Lin Zhi's action."
"This is absolutely unacceptable," Tony said with a clenched jaw. "I'm sure Lin Zhi wouldn't even make it to the finale once they find out about this."
June bit his lip to hide his smirk. "Then, I'm expecting the proper repercussions, producer."
Tony nodded. "Absolutely."
***
June woke up with a smile on his face. However, when he remembered he still didn't have a phone, his smile was quickly replaced with a frown.
It's been two days since his phone was destroyed by that bastard, Lin Zhi, and he has been so bored ever since.
He wondered how the #gangs topic had progressed now.
However, as June remembered his conversation with Tony yesterday, he was suddenly brought to life. He stood up from his bed, freshened up, determined to see Lin Zhi suffer the right consequences.
There wasn't anything too strange when June walked through the hallways. But then again, it was early in the morning, so the higher-ups were probably still coming to a decision.
June wanted them to make it fast, though.
Not only did he want Lin Zhi to be kicked out of the show, but he also wanted to upgrade all his skills before the finale. Aside from that, he wanted to give the other team some time to adjust their performance if Lin Zhi was going to be kicked out.
Speaking of the devil, June found Lin Zhi near the janitor's closet, scrolling through his phone.
Without any hesitation, June walked over to him.
Lin Zhi, hearing June's footsteps, lifted his head. He had an air of superiority surrounding him, and he smirked as June settled before him.
"Well, there's my favorite rival," Lin Zhi mocked.
June merely raised one eyebrow, causing Lin Zhi to chuckle.
"You know, June," Lin Zhi began, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe you should spend a little more time practicing with your group of substandard trainees if you want to stay in this competition. Being in 12th place isn't exactly a reason to be so relaxed, don't you think?"
Lin Zhi said those words to gain a reaction from June—something like anger or annoyance. However, Lin Zhi was surprised when June mirrored his smirk.
It was a smirk not born of insecurity but of confidence. June leaned closer to Lin Zhi, and for the first time, the latter actually felt a chill run down his spine. There was something unsettling about the way June held his gaze.
"It's over," June whispered, his voice low and icy. Lin Zhi's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
He couldn't comprehend what June meant by those words, but he had a feeling he was about to find out.
June took a step closer, and in a tone that sent shivers down Lin Zhi's spine, he continued, "I know what you did."
Lin Zhi gulped as June continued speaking.
"You had your song in the Production Mission made by a professional producer. You should have been more careful where you were having conversations about your little crime. You didn't think anyone would notice, did you?"
Lin Zhi's eyes widened in shock as the realization of what June had uncovered washed over him.
With a triumphant smirk, June leaned in even closer, his voice a menacing whisper. "And you best believe I've reported it to the higher-ups. Say goodbye to the competition, Lin Zhi."
Lin Zhi's arrogance quickly crumbled, replaced by fear and disbelief.
As June walked away, leaving Lin Zhi in stunned silence, he couldn't help but add one final piece of advice.
"Don't worry," June smiled. "I'll work really hard in here."
"Maybe you should work hard, too…when you're outside the competition," June said, his words laced with satisfaction. "That's the only way you'll have a chance at redemption."
Going down for real.
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