After Han Lee's performance, the trainees were given a thirty-minute lunch break.
Most rushed toward the cafeteria, buzzing with chatter. William slipped into the line too, but kept his head low, trying to hide his face.
Yan didn't even bother. He wandered to a shady tree, stretched out beneath its branches, and fell asleep almost instantly. His indifference was so strong it made people avoid him—Jun included. One glance, and Jun passed by as though Yan weren't even there.
Meanwhile, William left midway through lunch and headed to the restroom. The corridor was silent, his footsteps echoing.
Then—
A hand shot out and twisted his ear.
"Brooo!" William yelped, nearly in tears. He turned—and saw Lee.
"Who's your brother?" Lee said coldly. "Strange. I heard you're an only child."
"Ow—ow! Sorry, bro! My ear's turning red, it hurts!" William squirmed. "Let's talk calmly, please!"
Lee narrowed his eyes. "Talk calmly? Hmph."
William's face darkened suddenly. "Now we're in trouble."
"We?" Lee asked sharply.
Before he could finish, another hand caught his other ear. Lee hissed in pain and turned—only to see Jun.
"I think it's time you both explain," Jun said, dragging him toward a waiting room. Lee grabbed William's hoodie on the way, pulling him along like a chained prisoner.
The door slammed shut.
"Explain," Jun ordered.
Lee pointed at William. "Yeah. Explain."
"Why only me?!" William cried.
"If you don't," Jun warned, "maybe I'll call Mom. Tell her where her lovely son is."
Both froze.
William dropped to his knees. "Bro, don't! If Mom finds out, she'll send me abroad immediately!"
"Don't you have exams right now?" Jun glared. "You skipped them for this?"
Lee smacked William's head. "Idiot."
"Ow! How can you hit me, huh—youuu!" William whined.
"You? You what? I'm older than you!" Lee snapped.
"Enough!" Jun thundered. "Tell me the truth."
William swallowed. "I… I want to be an idol like you. But Mom hates what you do. I never had the courage to say it. When I got the email for this show, I just… came."
Jun's eyes softened. "So you lied instead of trusting me?"
"I didn't know how you'd react," William muttered. "If I'd known you were a judge, I never would've come…"
"What was that?" Jun pressed.
"Nothing!" William squeaked.
"Please," William begged. "Don't make me withdraw. Don't tell Mom. Just this once!"
Jun sighed, exasperated. "Alright. Enough with the movie scene…"
William brightened. "Good! Then Brother Lee also has something to say."
Lee, creeping toward the door, froze as Jun yanked him back by his hoodie.
"You've got your own script, don't you?" Jun said.
Lee tried to shake free but stumbled, letting out a sharp noise of pain.
"Lee?!" Jun's worry flared. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Lee muttered.
William's face softened. "Brother… are you really okay?"
Lee gave no answer. His jaw stayed tight.
Before more could be said, William's gaze flicked to the door. His face drained of color. "Jun… brother. We need to leave. Now."
"Why?" Jun frowned.
"Look."
The door opened. Ming-Ji stepped in, his eyes dark, his expression unreadable.
Lee's breath caught. "…Oh. You're here."
Jun and William muttered under their breath: "God bless our brother."
"What?" Lee blinked.
"You'll see the ghost soon enough," William whispered.
Lee turned—and froze under Ming-Ji's piercing gaze. His cold mask cracked.
William bolted, dragging Jun with him. "Run, bro! RUN!"
They disappeared down the corridor, leaving Lee alone.
Ming-Ji crossed the room in silence, guiding Lee firmly to the sofa. He knelt, checking Lee's foot with steady hands.
"Any pain?"
"No."
"Then why push yourself that hard? Do you want to cripple yourself? Do you want me to sit and watch you suffer?"
Lee's tone turned icy. "How can you feel the pain? This foot is mine."
Ming-Ji froze. His voice dropped, faint but trembling. "…Then I should leave, right?"
Lee's eyes flickered. "I didn't mean—"
But Ming-Ji pushed him gently back. His face was unreadable.
"Rest, Lee."
The door closed softly behind him.
Lee sat frozen, disbelief in his eyes. For the first time, his façade cracked.
"What… just happened?" he whispered.