Page 55 of Idol Prize
“See what I mean?” Min Jae leaned in closer, taking both of Andy’s hands in his own. “But it’s not real. It’s an act that we’ll have to sell to everyone, but it’s not real. Okay?”
Andy nodded. “Yeah, I know.” He swiftly closed the distance between them for a quick kiss. “They can add that to their blackmail footage,” he added, defiance in his eyes even as his cheeks blushed.
Director Choi was nowhere to be seen when Min Jae and Andy finally emerged from the small diary studio. Only a lone PA awaited them, eyes pointed down at her phone screen as if she had a dozen better things to be doing than eavesdropping on them. It didn’t matter. The whole crew could’ve known about them at that point. That was Director Choi’s problem. He and Andy had their plan, and Min Jae was determined to carry it out as best he could. Too much was at stake. He was too close to the end to fail.
Min Jae wasn’t surprised to see most of the Dream Boys still milling about near the main exit. Choi must’ve had the showrunners hold them back on purpose, providing Min Jae and Andy with the first audience for their new act. Min Jae was already in character, slipping on a cool, disaffected glare as his mask, returning to his most famous role as the ice king. Andy’s scowl was flushed with justified anger. He hardly had to pretend at all–only faking what his anger was about.
Andy took two broad steps forward when they exited the corridor, stopping to whirl on Min Jae and a genuinely surprised PA. “I don’t want to fucking hear it!” he called out, maybe a little louder than necessary, but they needed everyone’s attention. “If you ever bullshit me like that again, I’ll push you down the fucking stairs.” His delivery was spot on, realistic enough to even trigger Min Jae’s fight or flight response. Whirling away, Andy stormed off, just as he had at Bukhansan.
The PA soon rushed off herself, her face pale from Andy’s outburst. Maybe she hadn’t been listening to them after all. But the sudden hush followed by waves of low, rolling murmur meant that everyone had overheard Andy.
Min Jae let an annoyed frown settle on his face as he slowlyapproached the crowd. He hardly had to act, either. One thought of that pompous asshole Director Choi was enough to generate a convincing scowl. He scanned the guys waiting ahead of him and found Woo Jin, his brow furrowed, his arms tightly folded across his chest. Poor Woo Jin, who was about to be an unwitting accomplice to Choi’s master plan. Poor Min Jae, who was about to lie to the only person among the contestants he was genuinely friendly with besides Andy.
“What was that about?” Woo Jin asked as Min Jae approached him.
Min Jae shook his head. “Not here. What’s the delay? I thought you would all be on the bus by now.”
Woo Jin snorted. “They said it’s some kind of mechanical trouble and they’re working on it. They sent the eliminated guys ahead on a different bus. But, seriously, at least give me some kind of hint about you and Andy. You two were practically best friends a little while ago.”
Min Jae coldly shrugged, letting his revulsion at lying make his performance seem more realistic. “It's a competition. We were never friends.” He relaxed his frown, inwardly appalled at how easy the lying was. “And I haven’t had a proper chance to congratulate you yet. Number 4? That’s awesome.”
Woo Jin smiled, all thoughts of Andy immediately gone. “I know, right? I’m so close! Just one more round of eliminations to go. If I don’t fuck things up, I’ll finally get to debut.”
Debut again, Min Jae didn’t say, despite a petulant urge to poke holes in his friend’s joy. Then again, were they even really friends? He’d certainly gotten friendly with Woo Jin, but he’d never trust the guy with anything even remotely personal. Not like he had with Andy. No, Woo Jin was an ally, but definitely not a friend. “It’s yours to lose, at this point.”
“And you’re back at number one!” Woo Jin enthused, patting Min Jae’s shoulder. “You’re practically the new center for Pr1ze.”
Min Jae scoffed. “Let’s not go there just yet. There’s still plenty of competition left after today.”
A handful of production staffers appeared, announcing that the bus was ready for everyone to board. Not a coincidence, obviously, now that Min Jae and Andy were back with the group. The nervous energy from the morning ride was gone on the return trip, replaced by the clamor of triumphant shouts and giddy, relieved laughter. The chatter was just as loud, despite the fact that there were half as many seats filled as before. And nine other Dream Boys wore the gold-trimmed tracksuit like Min Jae’s. The Top Ten. Min Jae proudly wore his like a badge of honor, when all he felt was shame. At least Seo Joon wasn’t among the remaining contestants. Min Jae wouldn't miss that preening, self-delusional asshole at all.
Min Jae’s gaze drifted completely without his control, until it found Andy seated a few rows up. Shining like the sun, Leo, Min Jun, and Tae Woo surrounded him–planets pulled into his easy, brilliant orbit.
Min Jae turned back to the window, watching the Gyeonggi landscape rushing by. Everyone was right to celebrate. The latest battle was over, and they’d won. The next battle? Too far away to even see yet. But Min Jae had just entered his own, secret battle. A secret he shared with only one other. The treacherous act of being Andy Kim's rival again had already begun.
Back at Sky Village, Min Jae couldn’t help smiling when he saw that Seo Joon’s bed had already been stripped bare. The air in the room hung thicker and heavier without Seo Joon sucking it all up. Min Jae’s temporary bed called to him, offering a place to disconnect from the day’s rollercoaster ride of events and process. But he also couldn’t help noticing the savory aroma flowing from the cafeteria. The show must’ve splurged on another celebratory dinner following the eliminations. A dinner that would undoubtedly be surrounded by an army of cameras,meaning he absolutely had to be turned on the whole time. The price for slip-ups at that point was far too high.
Half the remaining Dream Boys were already in the cafeteria by the time Min Jae and Woo Jin arrived, gathered around a pair of long tables laden with stacks of fried chicken boxes from Chikichik with plenty of kimchi, pickled radish, and rice on the sides. Practically starving, Min Jae pushed through the crowd, abusing his rank to get in front. Except for a few snack-sized bags of chips from the craft table at the Vision Center, he hadn’t eaten since he left home that morning. He nearly lost his appetite when he discovered who would be serving him.
“Well, if it isn’t our number one ranked Dream Boy!” Yoo Ji Ho, sporting a carefully cultivated smile and a neat black apron over his expensive casual wear, held out one of the signature red, black, and gold Chikichik boxes. “Congratulations, Kwon Min Jae.”
Min Jae immediately bowed, as much to cover his expression as out of propriety. He shouldn’t have been surprised. Director Choi had forced Min Jae into a highly unorthodox and unethical deal with the threat of blackmail. Of course, SCG’s VP of Artist Development would be on hand to ensure Min Jae’s compliance. “Thank you, sir.”
Ji Ho laughed, pleasant and as razor-edged as his gaze. “You’ve earned it.” He gestured toward the cans of soda and beer stacked to his right. “Get yourself something to drink, too.”
Min Jae offered a second bow before quickly escaping the VP’s judging gaze. As if it wasn’t enough for him to just play his part for the Dream Boys. Most of them were still riding the high of surviving the elimination. He could’ve lit the room on fire without many of them noticing.
Andy’s laughter, bright and unrestrained, carried across the room to lift Min Jae from his dour introspection. His newly appointed rival sauntered into the cafeteria still holding court with his band of followers, locked onto him like magnets. Howwas he able to make it look so easy? Andy’s effortless charm was one of the things that had originally bothered Min Jae the most. Because, it turned out, that charm worked on him, too. His ice king act, as Andy put it, worked just as well, but with the opposite effect.
“Damn, Min Jae.” Woo Jin appeared beside him, cursing with a mouthful of chicken. “You’ve got to tell me what Andy did to deserve that look.”
Min Jae huffed, turning toward his accuser. “What look?”
“You’ve got murder on your mind, hyung.” Woo Jin finally swallowed. “It’s a good thing I’m here to rescue you from the hilarious memes that look would’ve made.”
Min Jae forced his face to relax, allowing himself to chuckle. “You’re right, thank you. I hate that I have to worry about that sort of thing all the time now.”
Woo Jin laughed. “It’s true though, right?” He took another bite, continuing while he chewed. “I spent an hour this weekend looking up Dream Boy memes online. You know how many I’ve got?” Min Jae shook his head. “One. One damn meme, from when you and I were doing the three-legged obstacle course. And the only reason it even exists is because you looked so cool and collected while I looked like an idiot.”
