From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

833  Dan Ahn

"I don't know if I could do this anymore," Jay exclaimed as he arrived at the dorm of the boys. The boys went out from the kitchen and found their manager on the floor of the living room, appearing like all the life had left his eyes. "Does anybody want to ask what's wrong with him?" Akira asked. The boys evaded Akira's gaze and was about to make their way back to the kitchen, where June was preparing dinner, when Jay started ranting about his busy schedule. "I thought I would be happier with a higher position, but it turns out to be false! I'm getting paid a little more for doing a whole lot more!" "Well, that's what a promotion entails in the corporate world," Sehun said. "Unless you're at the very top of the ladder, you'll spend your whole life just doing more work." Jay shook his head, slapping his cheeks. "I can't even accompany you guys to your schedules anymore," he sulked. "Dinner's ready!" June exclaimed. The boys ignored Jay's rants and went to their dining room, eagerly waiting for June to place the food on the table. Jay sighed and followed after them, still feeling a bit down. However, when June placed a steaming bowl of curry rice before him, a huge smile appeared on his face. He looked at the handsome idol with a teary smile and held onto his arm. "You're really the best," he said. June shook his head in amusement. "Eat up," he smiled. "You've worked hard." With that, June also took a seat, listening to the comfortable chatter. "Anyway, what were you talking about again?" Akira asked after a while. Jay sighed, his shoulders slumping. "My workload!" he exclaimed. "It's so freaking hard. I have to look through other artists' schedules now. Fortunately, LUNAIRE has a new manager, and she's actually pretty good with her work. I think I've seen her before too—Ann, was it?" June's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Intern Ann?" he exclaimed. "Ah!" Jay exclaimed. "That's why she looks so familiar. Indeed, she's the intern who used to work for Rising Stars. Seems like she's back in the company." June nodded, feeling slightly relieved. Even if Ann was a little clumsy, he knew that she could be trusted with the girls. "Anyway, because of that, I have some free time next week. I'll be able to accompany our tall line to their brand shoot." "Tall line?" Akira asked. "You guys already know who those are," Jay deadpanned. Akira pursed his lips and continued devouring the curry. "We also have a schedule that day, right?" Jisung said. "Yes," Jay confirmed. "You have an appearance on a YouWatch show. You'll be visiting that famous guy's gym."

Zeth sighed. "I'm still upset that you guys were invited to that show and not me." "Well, the objective of the show is to have people who suck at the gym try out new machines," Sehun said. "It's only fitting that the short line is going." "I can't believe I'm part of the short line when I'm 180 cm," Ren muttered. "June should have joined us then," Akira exclaimed. "He's the shortest here!" June lifted his head and sighed. "Do you guys want me to stop cooking dinner for all of you?" They all turned silent. Jay chuckled. "Yeah, it would be iconic if June went. However, June has a separate schedule. As the center of EVE, he's been asked to represent the team for the new opening of Azure Cafe." "Ah, right. That's tomorrow," Casper said. "Lei is putting in some work," Akira chimed. "The cafe is already a huge topic since our fans can dine with our holograms for a very expensive prize." Casper tilted his head to the side. "I honestly don't think that's a good idea." "Me too," Jay said. "But, they seem to think that nothing's fine with it. Besides, we're the very first entertainment company to do something like it, so they think it's revolutionary." "Anyway, that would be in the afternoon, so you'll be the first one to arrive here, June." "The short line is going to the video-shoot in the evening while the tall line will stay overnight in Busan, where the photoshoot will take place." June nodded. "Yeah, got it. Who's going to accompany me?" "Well, since my assistant manager will accompany the short line, you'll be joined by Dan." "Dan?" June asked.

"Yeah," Jay said. "He's Lei's new assistant. He'll be the one to drive you to and from the cafe. I've also asked Ann to look over you." June nodded. "Got it," he said. ***

It was the next day, and the tall line was already in Busan for their photoshoot. The short line were resting for their shoot in the evening, while June was waiting for Dan to pick him up in the parking lot. While waiting for Dan, June quickly texted Bo Wen for a background check. He managed to get Dan's full name from Jay, and the guy's social media seemed pretty decent. However, June felt like he needed to be wary with anyone who was connected to Lei. Just then, a sleek-looking black car appeared right before him. June's eyebrows raised in surprise as Dan came out of the limousine. "Long time no see," Dan muttered, yet June was able to hear him. "June," he said with a bow. "Sorry for making you wait. I had to drop off Sir Lei at the events place before anything else." June pursed his lips and bowed. "It's alright," he said. "Thank you for accompanying me today." Dan smiled widely as he opened the door for June. "It's my honor, sir," he said. June held onto the door and shook his head. "You don't have to do things like this," he said. Dan chuckled and nodded in understanding. "Got it, sir." With that, June entered the car along with Dan.

June put on his seatbelt while Dan waited for him. "By the way, you've become much better than I thought," Dan said, catching June by surprise. "Better?" he asked. "Prettier," Dan said. "You're prettier in real life. I bet you have a lot of admirers." June pursed his lips and slowly nodded. "Well, idols are expected to be pretty, right?" "Right," Dan chuckled. With that, he finally started the car and drove to the site of the cafe. It wasn't that far. In fact, it was a small building right next to Azure Entertainment. June gazed outside the window as he waited for them to arrive. Just then, he received a text from none other than Bo Wen. He opened his phone and quietly read his text. Baldie: Dan? Dan Ahn? He also transferred there? Well, he is close with Lei. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Baldie: Dan used to work here in Phoenix.