章 16: Playing along
The last bell went off signaling the end of classes and Byul-ho slipped out of the classroom, blending in with the students who were pouring into the hallways. He was used to being ignored so it took him a moment to realize someone was following him closely.
He looked back and caught sight of Lee Min-ji's eyes fixed on him. Byul-ho stepped into an empty classroom without slowing down as expected. And true enough, Min-ji followed.
"Why are you following me?" asked Byul-ho directly as he turned to face her.
Her countenance remained innocent. "Following you? I just happen to be going the same way."
Byul-ho couldn't help chuckling. "The same way? Into an empty classroom?
"Oh, is this a classroom?" said Min-ji pretending surprise." I thought it was a shortcut. My mistake."
"That's a pretty lame excuse," Byul-ho said, his voice tinged with amusement. "What's the real reason you've been shadowing me?"
Min-ji's facade softened slightly. "I've noticed you seem lonely at school. I thought maybe you could use a friend."
Byul-ho sighed, his amusement fading. "You've been trying to get close to me for days now. Is this about the Starlight Entertainment shares?"
"What? No!" Min-ji's denial came quickly, perhaps too quickly. "My intentions are pure. I simply want to be your friend, Byul-ho-ssi."
As Min-ji continued to protest her innocence, Byul-ho couldn't help but marvel at her craftiness. Her act was flawless - the concerned classmate, the potential friend. If he didn't know better, he might almost believe her.
'She's good,' Byul-ho thought to himself. 'Really good. But I've seen this game played before, in another life.'
Byul-ho made a split-second decision. 'If you want to play this game, I'll play along,' he thought. 'Let's see where this leads.'
He exited the classroom with Min-ji, saying casually, "I'm not lonely. There's no need to pity me."
Min-ji's response was quick and smooth. "I'm not pitying you, Byul-ho-ssi. I just feel like I can relate to you in some ways."
Byul-ho couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Relate? You?" He glanced at her, taking in her designer uniform and perfectly styled hair. The daughter of chaebols, born into wealth and privilege, claiming to relate to him? It seemed almost laughable.
As they walked side by side, Byul-ho became acutely aware of the whispers and stares from their fellow students. Being seen with one of the prettiest and most popular girls in school was certainly drawing attention.
Amidst the sea of curious faces, Byul-ho's eyes landed on Park Soo-yeon, his former crush. While her expression remained mostly neutral, there was a flicker of something - perhaps discomfort or confusion - in her eyes as she watched Byul-ho with Min-ji.
A small, wry smile played on Byul-ho's lips as memories flooded back. Soo-yeon used to be his friend. Their classmates would tease them, saying they were meant to be together. That was before - before his parents' death, before his fall from grace. After that, Soo-yeon had changed, joining the ranks of those who ignored his existence.
As they walked, Min-ji seemed to pick up on Byul-ho's skepticism. She took a deep breath and began to speak, her voice softer than usual.
"You know, when I was a kid, I was often alone," she started, her eyes focused on some distant point. "No one really wanted to play with me. They said I wasn't fun, or that I was too smart. Some even said it was because I was pretty. There were always reasons."
Byul-ho glanced at her occasionally as she continued her story, his face neutral.
"Being alone, being isolated by everyone... it's not a pleasant feeling," Min-ji concluded, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability that seemed almost too perfect.
Byul-ho nodded, appearing to listen intently. Min-ji might have interpreted his response as empathy or understanding, but internally, Byul-ho's thoughts were racing in a different direction.
'She's good,' he thought. 'Really, really good.' He marveled at Min-ji's manipulative skills, her ability to craft a story that seemed designed to appeal to his current situation. It was cunning, calculated - traits that would serve her well in the cutthroat world of South Korea's elite.
For a moment, he even wondered if she was using him as practice, honing her manipulation skills for future use in the cutthroat world she was destined to inhabit.
But two could play at this game. Byul-ho decided to counter with his own carefully crafted response.
"I appreciate your concern, Min-ji-ssi," he began, his voice calm and measured, "but I'm not feeling lonely or alone. In fact, I don't even resent losing my so-called friends after my fall from grace. If anything, I'm grateful."
Min-ji's eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting this response.
Byul-ho continued, "It taught me an important lesson early in life - that people aren't always what they seem. I'd rather embrace solitude and focus on being a good person, on chasing my dreams, than worry about how others perceive me."
As Byul-ho finished speaking, he noticed a flicker of surprise in Min-ji's eyes. She studied him intently, as if seeing him in a new light.
***
As Byul-ho and Min-ji continued their conversation, walking side by side through the school hallways, their unexpected companionship drew curious and bewildered stares from their classmates.
To outside observers, it appeared as though Min-ji was genuinely interested in Byul-ho's company, a fact that left many students puzzled and gossiping.
"Why is Min-ji talking to him?" one student whispered to another.
"I know, right? He's such a loser," came the reply.
"Maybe it's because of his inheritance?" a third speculated.
"But Min-ji's family is way richer than his ever was," someone else pointed out.
The whispers and theories spread like wildfire, but Byul-ho paid them no mind. He was too focused on the delicate verbal dance he was engaged in with Min-ji, each of them trying to outmaneuver the other in this game of feigned friendship and hidden agendas.
Later that afternoon, Byul-ho found himself in the practice room of Golden-Star Entertainment, he watched intently as Ascend ran through their routines.
The members moved in synchronization, their faces set in concentration as they prepared for their upcoming audition.
Jae-sung's powerful vocals filled the room, blending seamlessly with Sung-ho's sharp rap. Min-jae executed a complex dance move flawlessly, while Hyun-woo transitioned smoothly into his part.
***
One week later, Byul-ho found himself standing in line at the KBS Yeouido Broadcast Center, located at 13 Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. This imposing building, known for housing some of Korea's most popular TV shows, was now the site of the "Korea Rising Stars" auditions.
Byul-ho approached the registration desk, his group following closely behind. The staff member looked up, her expression neutral.
"Good morning," Byul-ho said politely. "I'd like to register my group for the audition, please."
The staff member nodded. "Certainly. Group name?"
"Ascend," Byul-ho replied.
"Number of members?"
"Seven."
The staff member raised an eyebrow slightly but continued typing. "And you are...?"
"Jeon Byul-ho, CEO of Golden-Star Entertainment. Ascend is under my agency."
This caught the staff member's attention. She looked up, studying the young faces before her. "I see. Well, Mr. Jeon, please fill out these forms. You'll be given a number and asked to wait in the designated area with the other contestants."
Byul-ho filled out the paperwork, and after a brief consultation, the staff member said, "Alright, you're cleared to audition as a group. Your group number is 127. Please proceed to waiting area B."
As they moved through the registration process, Byul-ho couldn't help but notice the long lines of hopeful contestants.
Despite Ascend's status as a debuted group, albeit from a small company, they received no special treatment. They took their place in line like everyone else, their number placing them squarely in the middle of the pack.
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