Chapter 48 - Use My Points!

"Oh?"

"Mm. He looks really handsome, dance well, and his singing have gotten better. Although he was given the 8th role, my eyes were on him the entire time."

"Oh, cause he's handsome, huh?" Ryoshi wiggled his brows and earned a deadpanned face from the female producer.

"I voted for Kaiden," Manager Bon spoke up with a smile, "He had been the most consistent and definitely looks the part."

"Alright, then I will tell you that I voted for Xiong Shun," Minji smiled, "He did really well as a leader and from the looks of the performance, I can tell he took hold well. In addition, his singing was smooth and his tone is unique. Dancing have improved in a short amount of time."

"Wet noodle!" Fire called out and Shun felt his back sweating. "Looks like you got my vote too."

Shun smiled and bowed.

"Who did you vote for Juno?"

"I won't say."

"…"

"…"

"Alright," Producer Ryoshi laughed, "I won't say either. I am excited to see the results."

The host nodded and looked at the contestants.

"The voting is closed. The last 2 will be returning home."

Shun looked over to the side where the screen revealed each name on the bar graph. He saw his name and watched as the bar grew and grew. Smiling, he looked over to Ping's and he felt worry itched his heart. Why was Ping's so low compared to his?! He looked at the others and noticed one of the contestant had the lowest vote, but Ping and another was neck to neck as the second lowest.

'No, no, no.'

He squeezed Ping into a hug. The count was slowing down and Shun felt a lump in his throat.

'Witch! Prince Peter! Please. Use my points!'

He saw Prince Peter's face.

"Currently, points unavailable."

'What?! I still have some, don't I?'

"Currently unavailable."

'Please! I can't lose Ping too! You, you said I am the protagonist right? I need supporters. Ping is my supporter, so he has to be here with me.'

"…"

'Prince Peter!'

Shun saw Prince Peter's face and there was a sadness to it. It only broke his heart more.

"I am sorry, Ah Shun."

"The results are finished," The host announced and Shun dropped to his knees clutching to Ping, "Louie and Ping will be returning home. Any thoughts as to why, judges?"

Manager Bon felt her eyes watered watching the way Ping was crying and Shun clutching his friend. It brought back old memories and she tried to shake the past away.

"Ping and Louie are still young and with more training, they will become better."

"I agree," Choreographer Minji nodded, "Although I am surprised Ping will be returning home, I understand the decision. Just because we are judging on this performance, it does not mean the audience are not using everything they see to make their decision."

"Louie, would you like to say a few words?" The host questioned.

"I just want to say thank you. I have grown a lot and will do better," Louie said through choked up throat. The boy bowed and all eyes looked over to Ping who was wiping his eyes.

"Ping, would you like to say a few words?" The host spoke up.

"He can't leave!" Shun suddenly shouted jumping to his feet, "He can't. Please. He can, he can take my place!"

"Gege," Piing reached out and held his arm, "No, I can't take your place. They voted for you, not me," the boy sniffled and Shun pulled the pinkette into his arms.

"I don't understand. You shouldn't be leaving," Shun was trembling with anger, feeling like someone was sabotaging Ping's win. His little friend had more followers than most of them. Ping had Suu Jin, the perfect idol with millions of fans. He just did not get it!

"You will have to fight for me too, Ah Shun," Ping tried to smile through wavered lips, "I will vote for you all the way, okay?"

"You can't-" Shun tried again and Ping only shook his head and turned to the mentors.

"Thank you for everything. I grew a lot and I will miss Shun, but I know he will do well. Thank you for the opportunity."

Ping bowed and turned to his crying gege. Wrapping his arms around his brother, he squeezed and bit his lips from crying again. He hugged the friends he had made and even hugged the traitor Heeang. Entering the elevator, all that Ping saw was how sad Shun looked with tears still streaming down his eyes.

Once Ping was handed back his phone and into the blacked out car, he cried. He cried with his body shaking and snot dripping down his nose. He cried all the way to his home and cried even more when he saw his cousin waiting for him.

He ran and the idol held him tight, close, and Ping cried harder. He kept apologizing over and over, but all Suu Jin did was rubbed his back and shushed him soothingly. When his body stopped shaking and his lungs could breathe, he pulled back to look into green eyes.

"You always cry with boogers," Jin smiled and Ping wiped his snot with the back of his sleeve, earning a gross look from the pinkette.

"Shun is alone," Ping hiccupped, "What if he faints again? It was scary, Ah Jin. I don't want that to happen to him."

"I am sure Shun will be alright," Jin wiped the tear streaked cheeks, "I can't believe they dyed your hair pink and gave you green contacts…"

"I look like you!" Ping grinned proudly and Jin rolled his eyes.

"You look nothing like me."

"Do too!"

"Nope."

"Yes."

"Uh, uh."

"Mmhmm times infinity!"

Jin laughed and rubbed his baby cousin's hair.

"You look more handsome, Ah Ping."

"I know!" Ping grinned and his smile fell as he looked down.

"What is it?" Jin questioned and Ping rubbed his fingers.

"Do you think… mama and baba are mad?"

Jin sighed and placed a comforting hand on the little boy's head. Jin was not going to lie. He was happy Ping was eliminated. The boy still had a lot to learn and he did not want the world to eat his baby cousin whole. There were many wolves in sheep's clothing, lying in wait to hurt the boy. Yet… seeing all these tears made his heart ache for Ping.

"Let's go ask them."

"Aren't you busy?"

"I was."

"…"

"They don't matter as much as you right now, Ping Ping."

Ping grinned and jumped on his cousin's back. It had been a very long time since they spent time together. Suu Jin was a busy idol and Ping understood his cousin worked a lot. It came with the title, but there were days he was envious of everyone who got to be with his cousin. They had far more time with Suu Jin than he ever did. Yet, to hear his cousin dropped work to comfort him… It made coming home not so sad and his anger at himself lessen.

"Thank you, Ah Jin."

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