Chapter 70 - Just Like Before

Shun did as asked and headed out of his room. He followed his manager and sat on one of the dining room chairs. The kind woman set out the meal and went to sit before him. Eating quietly, his blue eyes will glance up to see Manager Bon staring at him, but eating just as quiet. He wondered if he was in trouble and if he was going to get kicked out of the group.

It wouldn’t surprise him with his bad luck.

So, finishing up his meal, he sat back and waited for the verdict. If he failed, then he would still need to find a way to hit 100% in the star meter. Maybe another idol show or maybe he can try going solo. The options made his stomach clenched from having to go through it all again, but the witch’s consequence…

No one, NO ONE, was going to die. Shun, lazy and as tired as he felt, would not let that happen.

“I will ask you a lot of questions, Shun. I need you to be honest with me, do you understand? I can help you better this way.”

He nodded. Manager Bon looked scary when she was serious. Shun preferred the nice one.

“Do you have a sickness?”

“Uh… no?”

“…”

“…”

“Are you sick, have a condition, or anything like that?”

“… no?”

Shun saw eyes narrowed and he felt his back sweaty. He really didn’t know! Xiong Shun didn’t go to get checked up enough to find out if there was anything wrong. All Shun gathered thanks to his points and that darn witch, he only knew Xiong Shun sometimes got dizzy… like he was experiencing…

‘Was that what Manager Bon was asking?’

“All I know is I get dizzy sometimes.”

“I see. Your records show that you barely go to the doctors. Last time was ten years ago. Becoming a trainee, Zhi and Mei studio require a recent physical checkup before you are accepted,” Manager Bon stared at him and Shun tried to remember.

“I… can’t really remember,” he saw the frown deepened and he quickly continued, “But! But… Manager Quang said he would accept me because I was good.”

“…”

“Ah, Manager Bon, am I getting kicked out?” Shun slouched on his chair with a sigh, “I apologize. I will do better and I promise- I PROMISE to not get sick again starting right now!”

He stood up quickly, tall and determined, but his head was starting to feel like it was melting and burning all at once. He held himself steady, not wanting to show his manager his flaws. This fever was not going to stop him! Suu Jin was… was not going to stop him! Nothing was going to stop him!

“Oi, calm down, Shun,” Manager Bon waved him to sit back down, “These are just things I will have to cover. Since you are an idol now, reporters will start to dig into your past. You need to tell me everything, bad, terrible things, even if you think it is insignificant. Tell me. Understand?”

“Okay…”

“Let’s get the main thing out of the way,” the female smiled at him and he calmed down until he heard the rest of what she said.

“Are you in love with Suu Jin?”

His entire body went cold.

Shun tried to wipe the fear off his face, but it was difficult when the moments earlier came back to haunt him. Suu Jin kissed him. Suu Jin touched his face as if they were lovers. Suu Jin was dating someone. Suu Jin was not dating him.

He looked away. Should he tell Manager Bon the truth? Would it become a problem with the pinkette’s own career? He felt a hand touched his shoulder and he saw the gentle smile on her lips. Taking a deep breath, he nodded his head.

“I am in love with him.”

“Not in a fan kind of way?”

“No.”

“A creepy way?”

“Eh… I don’t think so…” Shun covered his face and his manager laughed, patting his head with a sigh.

“Alright. Good. You know he has a girlfriend, right?”

“… Yes, Lisa,” he nodded.

“Mmhmm. Lisa is the leader of Shinny Dolls. Symmony will be duetting with the group. Are you going to be able being in the same room as her? If not, we would need to figure out how to manage.”

'So, I am finally going to see who she is…'

“I will be fine, Manager Bon. I am ready.”

“No you’re not,” the female smirked, “Spend the day recovering, Shun. Tomorrow morning I will call you, so you can sing your part in the duet. After, we will begin with promotion and pictures. Also, reach out to your fans to let them know you are alive. You will be questioned about your relationship with Suu Jin. What do you want me to send out as a company?”

Manager Bon questioned as she tapped her tablet and glanced at him. Shun sighed and rested his cheek against his fist. What else could he say?

“We are friends and Senior Jin is a kind gentleman. I appreciate his time and his help in everything. I am happy for Suu Jin and Lisa. May their relationship grow and flourish like the gardens of Alaining.”

“…”

“…”

“Alaining? Where is that?”

“Oh, uh…” he cleared his throat, “From a book I read. I can’t remember the name, but does that work?”

“I’ll reword it to fit,” Manager Bon sighed and stared at the boy with pity, “Got time for more questions?”

“Better now than never,” Shun shrugged and smiled, “Ready.”

==

Zhi and Mei Studio put out their statement on Xiong Shun.

Project Idol Company put out a statement on Xiong Shun.

Xiong Shun put out his statement live on InstaMe.

Yet, the internet was still buzzing, people were still speculating, insinuating, and Manager Yaotzu’s blood pressure was rising. The man was pacing his office, scratching his head and rubbing his face. An unhappy groan came from his lips and he looked at the pinkette.

He had known Suu Jin since he was barely a proper teen. Every single time this boy got too close to someone, wings got burned. Leaning against his desk, he crossed his arms and stared at his best client.

“You need to put out a statement.”

“Why don’t you do it.”

“They want to hear from your pretty lips,” Manager Yaotzu grabbed his cigar, “Geez, I told you it was going to happen again. Now you go and date that girl… I’m gonna go bald before I hit 50,” he mumbled.

Lighting the cigar, he took a deep breath and blew. Looking out his window toward the skyline, he couldn’t lose this view! It was amazing being on top!

“I’ll go live tonight, after the show.”

“Show’s cancelled.”

“What?”

He turned to stare at the idol prince behind his sunglasses. Taking another puff and letting it out, he shook his head.

“Just like before.”

Suu Jin, still a spoiled brat in his eyes, stood calmly with a face of the winter storms. He watched the pinkette walk out of his office and he went to stand by the window. A head of pink exited the building and got into his car, followed by the loyal bodyguards. Another drag of the cigar, and another.

A knock at his door sounded and he looked over to find his assistant.

“I apologize, sir, but Manager Bon said you left her a message, so she is here.”

“Let her in.”

The assistant nodded and closed the door. He put out his cigar and sat at his desk with a deep sigh.

‘A duet with that boy will only add to the rumor you stupid fool.’

Yet, he was still going to find a way to make it happen.. He was the sought-after manager, after all, and he wasn’t stupid to not credit the pinkette for that title.