The Malicious Member is Back! - Chapter 29
“Hey, I’m really going to work hard. I was quite shocked after getting my ranking this time. But…”
Seo Bin, who was talking to me, gave a slightly worried look behind me. Naturally following his gaze, I couldn’t help but make a surprised sound.
“I’m really, really, really annoyed…”
Ranked 11th, his mental state was already in shambles, and now Kim Joo An, who I didn’t get along with, and who was on the same team as Ji Hwa Sung, was hugging his knees and muttering.
I was surprised too.
It wasn’t just anyone; it was Ji Hwa Sung who chose Kim Joo An.
Well, if we try to find a reason…
Maybe because I was originally 10th, but this time I became 6th, and the rankings got mixed up as the order changed a bit. Originally 7th, Kim Joo An from the same agency as me was pushed to 11th in comparison, and that’s probably why Ji Hwa Sung, who didn’t have many choices, picked Kim Joo An.
“Really, ugh… I don’t like anything about this…”
“Ugh, it might not be good if you keep going like this.”
Kim Joo An’s irritated voice and Seo Bin’s awkward groans made me shake my head with a slight sigh.
Before, I could give advice based on our shared history of struggling at the QUINCE’s Entertainment agency, but now that we’re competitors…
There’s no need for me to coddle Kim Joo An.
“Bin, hold on a moment.”
“Oh, oh? Sure.”
I nodded to Seo Bin and approached Kim Jooan. Putting my arm around his shoulder, I shouted loudly enough to be captured clearly by the cameras.
“Hey, Kim Joo An. What’s wrong with you? Are you hungry? Should we go out and grab some ramen?”
“…What are you saying?”
In response, Kim Joo An looked at me like I was a ghost and openly sneered.
Does he realize the camera is rolling or not?
I leaned my head down and whispered in a low voice to Kim Joo An.
“Don’t just grumble unnecessarily on the broadcast and get criticized. Let’s just do well, okay?”
“―!”
Kim Joo An was startled, releasing himself from my grip.
“You, you. What’s going on? Why are you…”
Should I talk to Ji Hwa Sung?
Kim Joo An pouted.
I honestly admired Kim Joo An’s quick wit. Honestly, I didn’t know he would catch on to this.
‘Hyung, instead of getting drunk and sobbing on the broadcast and getting criticized, why don’t you just withdraw, okay?’
I did it following Ji Hwa Sung, who chose me this time. Of course, I was more beyond redemption than Kim Joo An back then.
I had to go on stage and throw up during the dance break.
… Anyway, since I didn’t bring it up explicitly and just made a gesture, Kim Joo An probably got his act together.
“It’s okay if you ruin your own image, but don’t be a nuisance to the team.”
“…..”
As I finished my sentence and patted him on the shoulder, the door to the practice room burst open and someone walked in.
“Your Hwa Sung is back!”
The tallest among the participants, with a pale face and blonde hair fluttering freely above passionate, sparkling eyes.
Ji Hwa Sung, wearing horn-rimmed glasses I don’t know where he got from.
“Okay, okay. Take one lyric sheet each. Get the tablet to see the choreography. Oh, and take the drinks I bought.”
Ji Hwa Sung handed various things to the members, making his presence felt by being noisy.
Kim Joo An had a quite bewildered expression.
Was his personality always like this?
Exactly this expression.
If there’s one thing Kim Joo An overlooked, it’s that unlike him, Ji Hwa Sung is quite smart.
“I’ll play the video right away! We don’t have much time to prepare for the stage, so let’s pay attention, okay?”
Someone who knows exactly when and how to reveal their personality, someone who doesn’t need to wear a mask in situations where it’s unnecessary, a person who fervently embraces the essence of hell.
That was Ji Hwa Sung.
