Chapter 703: Demand And You Shall Receive
"EVE has a new concert date!" Bora exclaimed, causing the group of friends to turn silent.
Jia quickly retrieved her phone and saw that Azure had, indeed, posted a new concert date for EVE.
"It's two weeks after the first date, and it's not in the same venue," she muttered.
Bora smiled. "It's in a bigger venue! The tickets are cheaper, too."
Jia's heart beat faster in her chest, feeling a new sense of determination.
"When is the ticketing?" Jia excitedly asked.
"Tomorrow night," Bora said.
Jia smirked, cracking her knuckles with a determined gaze. Meanwhile, her other friends also started strategizing how they were going to book their tickets.
"Let's go," Jia said, downing her coffee and standing from her chair.
Bora frowned in confusion.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"To the electronics store!" Jia exclaimed. "I shall buy a LAN connection."
Her friends looked at her like she had gone crazy. However, they were nearly as crazy as she was, so they supported Jia in her decision.
Bora shoved the last donut into her mouth before raising her fist into the air.
"We wouldn't let those little girls rise above us anymore!"
***
"They added a new concert date?" Jisung asked just as he had woken up. His hair was still disheveled, and his expression showed his disbelief.
Casper busted out of his room, also appearing perplexed.
"...and it's in a bigger venue?" he asked.
Akira, too, went out of his room.
"What is going on with Azure?"
Meanwhile, June was already sitting on the dining table, drinking some barley tea while reading the morning news on his phone. There was also breakfast prepared on the table, which woke the other members up with its delicious aroma.
The members were perplexed as soon as they saw him.
For the past weeks, it was rare to see June during breakfast because he either had work early or was too tired to get up so early.
However, it seemed like he was finally back to his usual routine!
"Good morning, bro!" Jisung exclaimed, nearly bolting to the table to eat the breakfast that June had prepared.
"You're up early today," he said.
"Well, I have a scheduled filming for Rising Stars later. So, I decided to visit Grandma before my schedule."
Casper's eyebrows raised in surprise, sitting right next to June. However, Akira shoved him away and led him to sit in front of June instead.
"Your break is already over?" Akira asked.
"Hmm," June hummed. "It's already been a week."
Casper clicked his tongue. "Well, that was too fast."
June shrugged. "I don't mind it. I've gotten better, and I don't even have those dizzy spells anymore."
His trip back to his hometown reminded him why he loved performing so much.
"Well, as long as you're happy," Casper said.
June nodded. "Yes," he said. "I'm definitely happier now."
Jisung slung an arm around his shoulder.
"I'm glad that you are," he said. "I missed your smile!"
June shook his head in amusement.
"Anyway," Akira chimed, his cheeks filled with kimchi fried rice. "Have you heard? Azure decided to give us a new concert date," he excitedly said.
June smirked. "Yeah, I saw."
"It's unbelievable, isn't it?" Jisung said. "It's like they're being held hostage with a gun. Why are they suddenly acting according to our wants?"
June shrugged. "I talked to Mr. Ong."
Some utensils dropped to their plates, and his members turned to him with wide eyes.
"You went to talk to Mr. Ong?" Zeth exclaimed. "All by yourself?"
June nonchalantly nodded. "Yeah. I asked him to add another concert date in a bigger venue. I knew that they would comply with it somehow. I just didn't think they would release a statement so soon."
Jaeyong couldn't believe his ears. He had tried hard to convince the CEO to provide their group another concert date, but he only turned him down!
Granted, Jaeyong asked for the favor nicely—too nicely, even.
"What did you say?" he asked.
"Just some things here and there," June said. "I think the best way to get our company to do something is if we threaten them a little bit."
They were silent for a moment before Akira stood and saluted June.
"Atta boy! You're my idol," he said.
Meanwhile, Casper placed his hand under his chin.
"Maybe I should do that too," he muttered.
Jaeyong shook his head in amusement.
"I can't believe that worked," he said. "Thanks, though. It was able to bring swift improvements."
June shrugged. "I just have to do what I got to do for the team, you know?"
"Aww," Akira said, turning to him with pouty lips. "You love us!"
June clicked his tongue and shoved his face away.
"I don't want to see that," June grumbled.
"Thanks, June," Ren said, smiling softly at him.
"Yeah, thanks," Sehun said, sounding sincere.
It was the first time they had talked after what happened with Mr. Ong, so June couldn't help but smile since he felt that their relationship had eased a little bit.
"You did a good job," Jaeyong said, patting his back as he brought the dishes to the sink.
"However, be careful, alright? As much as I want to have good conditions for our group, I also want us to have a smooth career."
"At the end of the day, they're still our bosses, so we should talk to them as respectfully as we can."
June nodded in agreement, although that would be impossible for him to do.
At times like this, it became more prominent why Jaeyong was the leader of their team.
"Anyway," June said, standing from the table. "I'm done. I need to go visit Grandma now."
"Alright, see you later, bro!" Jisung exclaimed. "Make sure not to over-exert yourself again, okay?"
June nodded. "See you later."
With that, June made his way to the hospital for a quick visit.
He wore his usual disguise—one that couldn't be recognized anymore (maybe only by Jia).
The nurses welcomed him warmly as he entered the elevator.
However, just as the doors were about to close, a person snuck their arm in.
The doors opened, revealing one of the people that June resented the most.
June's gaze instantly hardened as Lin Zhi came in with a small smirk playing on his lips.
"Long time no see, June."