From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

"These are our trainees from Phoenix Entertainment."

"They don't have the prettiest faces, but they will do, right?"

"You can just close your eyes if you want to, but they do have a lot of potential."

June felt a shiver run down his spine as a part of his memories resurfaced once again. Truly, Choi Joon-ho had gone through unimaginable things as a trainee.

June was sure that Lei already knew of such information. Once the public found out more about his past, June was sure that his career would be tarnished-even if it wasn't even his fault.

The thing that was probably holding them back was the lack of evidence.

The kind of evidence that would only indict June and not their precious selves.

"They don't have that kind of evidence," he muttered.

Unless...

June's eyes strayed toward Dan once more, and at that moment, it seemed as if he was looking at him, too.

Dan smiled at him, to which he responded with a small nod before looking away.

Unless there was a reason why June was called on his own here with Dan.

***

A few more boring conversations later, the event had finally come to an end.

The sun had already set when the higher-ups decided to wrap the party up. In the absence of the public's participation, they decided to bring out some alcohol.

June was enjoined by them, but he denied, knowing that there were still fans waiting outside the cafe.

From his periphery, he saw Dan speaking with Lei, but he acted like he couldn't see such a

scene.

"June," Ann said. "Jeemin and I are heading out now. She has a shoot early in the morning."

June straightened his posture and nodded. "Take care. See you when I see you."

Ann nodded. "We'll definitely see each other more now."

Jeemin also waved her hand at June. "Thanks for accompanying us, senior."

June bowed and watched as they left.

Just in time, he felt someone pat his back. He turned to Dan with a curt smile.

"You ready to go?"

"Hmm," June hummed, and with that, he followed Dan to their car along with some security guards.

Indeed, some fans were still waiting outside the cafe, so June took the courtesy to smile at them, appreciating how they had waited for so long.

"Some fans are really dedicated, huh?" he asked as they got inside the car. "What kind of people would wait outside a venue for more than four hours just to get a glimpse of their favorite, handsome idol?"

June held back the urge to say something insulting.

"Well, it's not like they're harming anyone," June muttered.

"In this life, where we're all focused on money, fame, and making it to the top, isn't it nice to have something you're interested in-one that would make you wait outside for a couple of hours? One that would make you uselessly happy?"

"Those innocent things-don't you think it's nice?" he asked.

Dan was silent for a few moments before nodding in agreement.

"Do you still have some of that water?" June asked after a while.

"Yeah," Dan smirked. "It's in the same place."

"Thanks," June said, opening the compartment and grabbing another water bottle.

He paused for a moment when he saw something at the back, a seemingly innocent pack of pills.

However, he quickly closed the compartment before Dan became suspicious.

They continued their drive to the dorm, but June still couldn't shake away the feeling that Dan was going to do something strange.

Just then, a cheery ringtone rang in the car.

"Oh, sorry," Dan chuckled. "That's my phone connected to the Bluetooth of the car. You don't mind if I answer, do you?"

June shrugged and kept his gaze on the scenery beyond the window.

"No, go ahead," he said.

"Thanks," Dan said before turning on the call.

"Dan!" a deep voice rang inside the car. "Finally, you answered."

Dan straightened his back and cleared his throat.

"Mr. Kim," Dan said. "Sorry, sir. I was caught up in an event. It ended just now."

"Of course, I know," the guy, Mr. Kim, responded. "Lei told me that it had ended, so I'm

calling you."

"I heard you're back in the business."

June's eyebrows raised in inquiry.

"Business?" he muttered.

"Ah, yes," Dan awkwardly said. "I left my past company a while ago and decided to come back to the industry."

"I see," Mr. Kim said. "Well, as you know, I am here at 'Sun Down.' We've met here plenty of times before, and I enjoyed those times. As someone who had done you plenty of favors before, why won't you come here and pour me a drink?"

"...maybe, even give me a gift?"

June pursed his lips.

The way they spoke was in riddles.

June already had his suspicions that this 'gift' and this 'business' wasn't the normal kind.

"Well, you see, sir—"

"Come on," the man urged. "Just for a little bit. I just signed a huge deal, and I heard you might be wanting something—"

"Alright, sir," Dan said before the man could finish his statement. "I'll be there in a few."

"Good," the man chuckled. "I'm looking forward to your gift."

With that, the call ended. June's mind was running with questions. However, there was one thing certain—he's not going home tonight.

"Sorry for that," Dan said.

"It's alright," June responded, his gaze still on the window.

However, his eyes weren't focused on the scenery anymore. Instead, it was on Dan's

reflection, who was oblivious to June's actions.

Dan was silent for a few moments before he cleared his throat.

"You know how it is in this industry. A person does you a favor once, and he thinks that you

owe him forever."

Dan tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and clicked his tongue.

"I've already paid off my favors, too, but it seems like he found out that I'm back to work. In

fact, the Sun Down club is already near here."

"Can you do me a favor?" he suddenly asked.

June covered his mouth for a second before turning to Dan.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Well, you see, that man doesn't seem to respect my time whenever he meets me all alone.

However, if I come with someone else, he would let me go sooner."

June raised one eyebrow. "You want me to accompany you to a club?"

"It's not a club," Dan quickly clarified. "Well, the exterior is a club, but we're going to the VIP

lounge, where there are only important people. It is a dignified place; do not worry."

Then, Dan sighed and focused on the road once more.

"But, it's alright if you don't want to. I completely understand."

"I'll go," June said, shifting his gaze to the window once more.

There was an undeniable smirk playing on Dan's lips.

However, he wasn't the only one. June was smirking too.