Chapter 76: Phoenix Trainees

Fortunately, the two Phoenix trainees didn't notice June's presence since they were too engrossed in their conversations.

"It's a good thing the back door was unguarded," Alex said, removing his hood.

"Yeah," Hyunwoo chuckled. "I really wanted to get some booze."

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Out of all the trainees, why the hell does it have to be them?

"Ring this up quickly," June said to the part-timer.

"Geez," the kid said. "Can't you wait a bit? Can't you see that I'm on fire right now," he gestured to his game.

"Then, I'm going to leave," June said, preparing to leave. However, the kid suddenly rang up one of his chocolates.

"You need to pay for these ones now," the part-timer smirked. He didn't know why this handsome dude was suddenly in a hurry, but it's fun messing with people.

"Then make it fast," June said through gritted teeth.

"Sure," the part-timer said, one hand on his game while the other rang up his items. The kid did it so slowly that June knew it was already on purpose.

June pursed his lips and was about to scold the younger teen when he suddenly felt Alex and Hyunwoo's presence behind him.

"This is enough, right?" Hyunwoo asked. "Should we get some snacks too?"

"No need," Alex said. "Anderson only told us to get some booze. We need to make it fast since Mad Hatter is waiting for us in the alleyway too."

"Alright," Hyunwoo said. "By the way, that trainee...doesn't he seem familiar?"

Alex hummed. "That June guy?"

June froze.

Shit.

They're talking about him.

"Would you like to pay using cash or card?" the part-timer asked.

June didn't say anything and handed him a 10-dollar bill, looking him in the eyes to urge him make it faster.

However, the kid merely smiled and took the 10-dollar bill in his hands, inspecting to see if it was real. Then, he went back to his game to buy some items.

"Kid...," he said in a serious but soft voice. "I'm serious. Make it fast," he said, leaning closer so Alex and Hyunwoo wouldn't be able to hear him.

The part-timer raised his eyebrows in surprise. Then, he heard the sound of his character dying, making him annoyed.

"Ah, seriously. You made me die."

'You're just jack-shit in the game,' June wanted to retort but decided not to. "Just...give me back my change," June whispered.

The part-timer smirked.

'This brother is obviously in a hurry. Let's mess with him more.'

While June urged the part-timer to make it faster, he could still hear Alex's and Hyunwoo's conversation behind him.

"He reminds me of someone," Alex said. "But they're different. Too different."

"You don't think it's him, right?" Hyunwoo asked. "It's been a year. I'm sure he's not pursuing to become an idol after everything that happened."

"I don't know," Alex said. "But I better not see him again. He's the reason why we got kicked out of CHAOS. Now, this is our last chance to debut."

June frowned. Are they still talking about Choi Joon-ho?

"These are vodka chocolates, brother. I need an ID to confirm your age."

June's eyes widened in surprise. He wanted to say something more, but fighting with this kid will just prolong his time in the convenience store. So, he brought out Choi Joon-ho's ID from his wallet and showed it to the part-timer, making sure to cover it from Alex's and Hyunwoo's view.

"Alright," the part-timer said, finally feeling satisfied with teasing the handsome brother.

"Here you go!" he cheerfully said, handing June the chocolates he bought like he didn't just waste June's time and piss him off.

"Thanks," June squeezed out, taking the bag of chocolates and his ID card from the annoying little high-schooler.

June swears kids are getting scarier these days.

As June abruptly left the convenience store, Hyunwoo and Alex looked at each other with perplexed stares.

That guy sounded familiar.

"Hey, kid," Alex said, taking the high-schooler by surprise.

"What?"

Hyunwoo chuckled. "Snarky, aren't you? What if we fucking punch your mouth close, huh?"

The high schooler, named Won, felt a chill run down his spine.

These two brothers were also handsome, but Won didn't like them at all.

And although the handsome brother who just left threatened him too, these two felt like bad news.

"Umm, what do you want?" Won nervously asked as he rang up their liquor. He didn't even bother getting their IDs since he was too scared.

"That guy a while ago," Alex said, gripping the counter. "What was his name?"

"I don't know," Won said, giving them their bag of booze.

Hyunwoo chuckled. "You saw his ID."

"I don't remember it," he shakily responded.

Alex suddenly brought out a shiny material from his pocket, making the part-timer freeze in fear.

"I said—what was his name?"

***

June sighed in relief when he finally made his way to an empty alley. It was dark, and only a flickering street light illuminated the place.

However, June found solace in the ratchet place. He sat down on the elevated concrete and unwrapped one of his chocolates.

He popped it into his mouth.

'This better be good. I suffered so much because of this.'

June grimaced as soon as the flavors hit his tongue.

He quickly spat it out.

It tastes like shit.

Just then, a gaudy-looking man came and stood at the end of the alley, just under the street light.

After him, the two boys that he was trying to escape from showed up once more.

"Fuck," he cursed. "What are they doing here again?"

They carried bottles of alcohol in their hands and went straight to the strange man underneath the street light.

June was a bit far away from them, but June could still see their faces from where he was sitting.

This wouldn't do.

He needed to get out of there fast.

He stood up and dusted off his pants, placing his mask and hood back on. Then, he tried his best to stay as silent as possible as he walked away.

However, just as he was about to leave, two young girls suddenly came up to him, making him halt his steps.

"Oh my gosh! You're June, right?"