Chapter6: The Hidden Voice
Jun returned to his seat just as East came back as well. They both sat down quietly, and almost at once, the short break was over.
The grading continued. Ming-Ji and Dream busied themselves, jotting down scores and giving feedback with lively energy. Jun, however, leaned back in his chair, looking more tired than usual—almost sleepy.
After Yan's performance, Lee turned to him, curiosity in his voice.
"You don't look like someone who knows how to sing," he said honestly. "But you were really good out there."
Yan gave a small shrug. "Hmm."
Lee chuckled, shaking his head. "You really caught me off guard. What's the story behind that?"
Yan was quiet for a moment. His eyes drifted down.
Flashback — Before the Show
In his office, Yan sat with his secretary, Kin.
Yan sighed heavily. "How can I even go on this show? I won't survive two rounds."
Kin adjusted his glasses, calm as ever. "Boss, I know. You came back from abroad after finishing your studies two years early, right? Since then, you've given your time to the company. But on my first day of work, I mistakenly entered your studio… where you were recording a song."
Yan's eyes widened. "S-stop! Don't say it."
Kin met his gaze firmly. "Boss… I know you're AJ."
Yan shot up. "What!?"
(AJ: a very famous singer known for making trendy songs. None of his releases ever flopped—each one reaching over a hundred million views.)
Yan's voice cracked. "Are you serious!?"
Kin smirked. "Then let me check your mobile."
Yan snapped. "How dare you—"
Before he could finish, Kin darted forward like a thief, snatching the phone with a grin. Yan lunged after him, but Kin twisted away, laughing as they wrestled in the office like schoolboys.
Finally, Kin unlocked the screen. His eyes widened. He turned the phone toward Yan.
"Then why is AJ's account logged in here?"
Yan froze. "Kinnnn…" He collapsed onto the sofa, burying his face in his hands. "What do you want from me!?"
Kin's tone softened. "Not what I want, boss. What we need to do. We have to follow the plan."
Yan peeked at him through his fingers, groaning. "Sometimes I think… who's the real boss here…"
Back to the Present
Yan blinked, snapping out of the memory.
He looked at Lee and said simply,
"It's a long story."
Lee leaned back, still curious, but didn't press further.
In the row ahead, Jun opened his eyes slowly. His expression didn't change, but the sharpness in his gaze showed he was listening.
The show carried on. But for Yan, the weight of his hidden truth lingered—one step away from being exposed.
After a long stretch of performances, the host finally stood again at center stage. His voice rang clear, filled with anticipation.
"It's time for our last performance of the night. This one… is also a solo stage. Please give your warmest welcome to… New Spice!"
The studio lights dimmed.
A boy walked in slowly, head lowered, the crowd murmuring at his quiet entrance. Step by step, he climbed the stage. Then, at the center, he finally lifted his head.
His eyes met Ming-Ji's directly.
"Hello," he said with a calm, steady voice. "My name is Han Lee. I'm here to grab back the thing that once slipped away from me… and I promise you, I'll give a fire performance."
The audience gasped.
But Jun—Jun froze. His face twisted in shock. Ming-Ji's eyes brimmed instantly with tears.
Under the table, hidden from the cameras, Jun's hand shot out. He grabbed Ming-Ji by the collar, yanking him close. His voice was sharp and low, trembling with fury.
"Why is he here?!" Jun hissed. "He should still be in the company!"
Ming-Ji's tears spilled, shaking his head. "I don't know! I swear, I didn't know Han Lee was coming. I had no idea!"
Jun's grip tightened. His voice cracked. "Don't lie to me. Who told him to come here? You couldn't sacrifice him for me, could you?"
Ming-Ji stammered, voice breaking. "Hey—I really don't know! I swear!"
Before the tension could snap, Dream suddenly ducked under the table, whispering urgently, "What are you two doing?! Everyone's staring—hello?! You've been under here for five minutes!"
Jun and Ming-Ji froze, realizing the cameras and audience were indeed watching. Both quickly shoved apart, scrambling back into their seats with awkward coughs.
"Hmm-hmm! The table is… sturdy," Jun muttered.
"Ah-yes! Very… stable table!" Ming-Ji blurted, nodding furiously.
They made ridiculous noises, pretending nothing had happened.
Jun cleared his throat, forcing composure, and muttered coldly,
"Start… the performance."
The music began.
To Be Continued