Yan glared at Kin, who now looked like he regretted ever being born.
"This is a new low," Yan muttered. "I left the country to escape this cause of my mom madness. Even I don't know how to sing kids songs .. And now you want me to join it?"
Kin, somehow still hopeful, cleared his throat. "It's not just any show. Hunter Shark is the biggest survival show in all of Asia. Top-tier production. Luxury dorms. Powerful sponsors. And the perfect cover to stay near Jun."
"And ruin my life."
"And possibly uncover everything about his past," Kin added quickly. "Get close to Ming-Ji too. Everyone talks more off-camera. You'll be able to track every move, every relationship. That's better than looking from afar."
Yan slumped back into his chair.
Kin leaned in, voice soft. "Unless… you do want to marry him, boss."
Yan shot him a death glare.
"I'll book your audition," Kin chirped, already dialing the number.
Next scene: Hunter Shark interview studio
Bright white lights, a fake backdrop of blue oceans, and a stage covered in cameras. It was far from Yan's world of marble desks and silent shadows.
He sat across from the panel, wearing an all-black outfit that screamed not here for fun.
"Name?"
"Yan."
"Age?"
"Twenty-one."
"Agency?"
"No agency. I trained abroad. Privately."
The panel glanced at each other.
"Special skills?"
"Languages. Boxing. Business analysis."
One interviewer chuckled. "You do know this is a singing and dancing show, right?"
"I've been told," Yan replied coldly.
Behind the camera, Kin gave a double thumbs-up, mouthing: You're doing great!
Yan tried to ignore him.
"Why do you want to join Hunter Shark?" a producer asked.
Yan paused. His jaw clenched. His mind shouted: To expose a guy who's hiding something from the world and possibly threatening my position and power.
But his mouth calmly said: "I'm curious. And I don't like losing."
A silence followed. Then scribbles on paper.
"You're in. Welcome to Hunter Shark."
Yan didn't know whether to groan or faint.
---
Later that night – Packing Scene
"Don't forget your moisturizer!" Kin yelled, throwing a bottle into the suitcase.
Yan scowled. "I'm going undercover, not to a beauty contest."
"Still. Skin is everything on camera. Also, this hair mask—"
Yan tossed it across the room. "Shut up, Kin."
"Just trying to keep you alive for more than two episodes."
Yan zipped his bag with frustration. "Four months. Four freaking months living with overactive boys who cry after being ranked 'B' instead of 'A'."
"And Jun will be among them," Kin said.
Yan froze.
Kin smirked. "That's right. Four months. One house. No escape."
"I hate you," Yan muttered.
"Love you too, boss."
---
Meanwhile… Airport – William's Introduction
Sunlight streamed across the arrivals gate, painting everything gold.
William stepped into the airport with the energy of a -drama lead. Oversized sunglasses, bouncing curls, and a duffel bag that screamed main character energy.
He inhaled deeply. "finally! I've returned!"
A camera hidden inside his backpack caught his every move—content for his secret vlog series. He did a quick twirl, waved at the staff holding signs, and pulled out his phone to record a happy selfie video.
Then it buzzed.
Incoming call: Mom.
He winced. "Shoot."
He picked up with a grin. "Heyyy, Mom!"
"Where are you? Why do I hear people screaming? And airplane announcements?"
"Oh, haha! Funny story. I'm at chris's party. It's a travel-themed event. Pretty cool, right?"
"William, don't lie."
"I'm not—there's a lot of noise because, uh, they rented a DJ. Wait, signal is breaking—hello? Hello? Mom?"
"Don't hang up on me, you little—"
Click.
William sighed in relief. "Mothers have sixth sense. It's dangerous."
He turned toward the entrance, dragging his suitcase behind him. "Now, time to become a star."
Back in Jun's World – Somewhere Unknown
In a dark office far from the airport and interviews, Jun sat alone, reviewing the contestant list for Hunter Shark. His sharp eyes paused when he saw a certain name.
"Yan…" he murmured.
A shadow behind him shifted. "Problem?"
Jun tilted his head. "He doesn't belong in this world."
The shadowed figure behind him remained still. "Neither do you."
Jun smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Exactly."
---
Hunter Shark Dormitory – First Arrival
Yan stepped out of the black van with a thundercloud hanging over his head.
Before him stood the massive training dorm—three stories tall, neon lights glowing, and excited fans crowding behind fences.
The moment he stepped forward, he already regretted everything.
Screaming fans pointed at the other contestants, snapping photos and waving lightsticks.
Yan dragged his suitcase in silence. No smile. No wave.
"Why do they look like they're going to war?" he mumbled, watching trainees practice choreo outside.
He passed by a boy screaming into a pillow, another doing vocal warmups by shrieking, and one guy having a breakdown over a torn sock.
"This is hell," Yan whispered.
At the same time – William Arrives
A van pulled up just behind Yan's.
William hopped out, looked up at the dormitory, and beamed. "It's even bigger than I imagined!"
His suitcase rolled behind him like a loyal pet. He looked fresh, confident, and utterly unaware of what was ahead.
As he entered the lobby, he accidentally bumped into Yan.
"Oh—sorry! Didn't see you, bro," William said cheerfully.
Yan looked at him up and down. "Watch where you're going."
William blinked. "Oof. You one of the cold types, huh?"
Yan didn't reply and just walked away.
William scratched his head. "Okay then… note to self, avoid Ice Prince."
Night Before Filming – Dorm Room
Yan lay on the bottom bunk, staring at the ceiling fan spinning above.
All around him, boys chatted, compared vocal ranges, or debated K-pop rankings.
His roommate played the guitar softly. Another snored.
Yan was still.
In his mind, he saw Jun's smirk, Ming-Ji's soft eyes, and the massive wall of mystery that no one had cracked.
He closed his eyes.
Four months. No matter what, I'll learn the truth. Even if I have to win this damn show.
Final Scene – Over at William's Dorm
William was dancing in front of a mirror, headphones blasting music, practicing his freestyle.
Then he looked into the mirror and smiled.
"Let's make this fun, Shark Z."
Behind his smile, though, was a flicker of something more.
Something hidden.
End of Chapter