Chapter 172: Upper Hand

As the 50 trainees gathered in Azure's studio center, numerous gossips filled the dressing rooms. Instead of the usual anxiousness they felt before the elimination, today was very different.

"Have you read BannChu's post?"

"Who hasn't seen that post? I'm sure all of us know about it now."

"Do you think he'll come today?"

"He has a lot of guts if he shows up after everything that's been revealed in the media."

"There's not a week that has passed where he isn't involved in some kind of issue."

"And he manages to survive every single time. Do you think it's because of his parents?"

In one of the dressing rooms, Jisung, C-Jay, Jangmoon, and Akira all stood with perplexed faces.

"So, he's really the son of Choi Si-woo and Choi Min-ah?" Akira asked.

"I don't know," Jisung said. "I feel like he would have told us if that was the case."

"Why would he even tell us?" Jangmoon asked. "It's not like he's obligated to. Besides, I think it was already obvious since the time he wore those MJ shoes."

C-Jay clicked his tongue. "The more I think about it, the more I think that something is wrong."

Jangmoon sighed and leaned his head against the wall. "I feel a little bit...betrayed. Do you think he got his rank because of his parents?"

Jisung frowned. "Let's not accuse him of that," he said. "June works harder than everybody else. I'm sure you already know that."

"Still," Akira sighed. "He should have given us a heads up."

"I agree," C-Jay said. "And I do feel that he's improving faster than everybody else. I wonder if he gets overly-expensive lessons to improve his skills."

June sighed as he stood outside the door, listening to their conversation. The article was very believable, and if he was a normal citizen, June must have believed it, too.

His friends weren't an exception to that.

"Where is June anyway?" Akira asked. "We're going to film in less than half an hour."

There's still half an hour left.

June moved away from the door and started walking through the other dressing rooms. He stopped when he saw a familiar guy standing next to the mirror with a smug look on his face.

June smirked.

Xin looks very happy, doesn't he?

"Xin," June said, causing the latter to look at him.

Xin frowned as soon as he saw June. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"For the same reason why you're here," June said. "I'm still a part of Rising Stars."

Xin scoffed, disbelief evident on his face. "Well, of course. You're still here because your precious parents paid Azure big bucks to keep you in, huh?"

Xin expected June to become annoyed, but surprisingly, June leaned against the wall, his posture relaxed.

"Oh, really?" he replied in a mocking tone. "Did my parents really do that?"

Unfazed by his lack of reaction, Xin pressed on, determined to rattle June. "Well, I bet your parents paid off the production team so you can get such a high rank. They're the reason you're still here. Nepotism, anyone?"

June's calm demeanor persisted, and he offered him a faint smile. "Xin," he said softly. "You're brave for someone who pathetically followed me just to get those pictures."

June smirked as he watched Xin's eyes widen in alarm and the color drain from his face.

June knew.

Of course, he knew.

He had been tailed numerous times to not realize that someone was following them that morning. Besides, Xin wasn't slick at all. His camera flashed every time he took those pictures.

Xin felt his heart race inside his chest, but he tried to look as calm as possible.

June continued, his voice like ice. "And if I tell the production crew that you have been following me like a freak, do you think they'll take it lightly?"

Xin stammered, his annoyance turning into anxiety. "I...I don't know what you're talking about."

June finally pushed himself off the wall, his eyes boring holes into Xin's skull. "You can play your games, Xin, but remember, I play to win."

"You... You can't prove anything," Xin stammered, trying to regain his composure. "It might have been your crazy fan or something. Why would you put the blame on me?"

"So, you're my fan now?" June raised his eyebrows.

Xin's annoyance flared anew, but June's nonchalant attitude had him off balance. He decided to change his tactics, wanting to faze him in a different way.

Leaning in closer to June, he sneered, "You might be able to handle me, but the public? They won't be so kind with your little nepotism scandal. Just like your parents, you're going to go down in flames, and they'll tear you apart online. Oh wait, they already are," Xin said. "And you're going to tell the production crew about me? News Flash. They also believe what was posted online. In fact, all the trainees here believe it—even your so-called friends."

June felt his lip twitch.

Fun.

This was so fucking fun.

June's expression remained calm, but he decided to give Xin a taste of his own medicine. He feigned a look of concern, his voice soft and trembling. "Oh, Xin, you really think so? I mean, I need to debut. But how can I do that when even my friends are against me?"

Xin couldn't contain his satisfaction. He thought he had finally cracked June's facade, and it fueled his confidence. "That's right, June. You better be worried. Your parents won't be able to save you when the world turns against you."

June's expression remained concerned, but he knew exactly what he was doing. By letting Xin believe he had the upper hand, he was playing a long game, biding his time for the right moment to strike back.

"So, watch it," Xin smirked. "Or I might just take your place."

With a self-satisfied grin, Xin eventually turned and walked away. He couldn't help but feel proud of himself, believing that he had gained the upper hand.

As Xin's figure receded into the distance, June's icy composure thawed, and a subtle smirk graced his lips.

"Bastard."