The members of EVE turned to each other in utter shock.
"What...did you just say?" Casper asked, his fists clenched.
Lei answered nonchalantly. "June's departure and his replacement," he repeated. "I'm sorry that we weren't able to inform you about it beforehand. However, we take these topics very seriously in Azure," he said, looking empathetic. Dan nodded along with him, making the boys feel like they were in some kind of big joke.
"So, we cut ties with him right away. This is a violation of his contract, so we are eligible to terminate it without prior consultation. As of yesterday, he has officially been removed from the group and is out of the pany. He also has to pay a fine for the premature termination due to a violation."
"There isn't even any proof that he had done it!" Jisung defended.
"Now, now," Lei smiled. "I know that you guys are upset, but shouldn't you believe in the victim first? It would be inhumane for you to think about your friend when there is a victim in question."
"B-but he didn't do it," Jisung weakly said.
"And how are you guys so sure about that?" Lei asked. "I acknowledge that this must be very hard for you. However, you've only known each other for what? Only a little bit more than a year? That's a very short time to get to know a person."
"Moreover, isn't June more closed off than the average person? It might be because he doesn't want you guys to see who he truly is," he continued.
Sehun frowned, feeling like they were being gaslighted.
"Now, your career is at an all-time high. We cannot jeopardize it just because of someone's wrongdoings. So, I suggest that you guys continue with your work while the law punishes June, alright?"
That rendered the boys silent. They had wanted to say a lot of things before ing, but why did it feel like Lei wasn't going to budge no matter what they say?
Jay massaged the bridge of his nose. "Then, we should push back the eback a little bit and clear their schedules. The boys need to-"
"Oh, that's something we absolutely cannot do," Lei smiled. "As you know, it's EVE's anniversary, and there are already articles confirming your guys' eback in November. Do you want your fans to bee disappointed?"
"June is the center of our team," Akira sighed. "He is a focal point in our choreography, in our discography, and in all of our performances. I can't fathom why the pany does not want to protect him."
"We can't protect a criminal," Lei said. "That would tear down our reputation."
"Anyway, you guys don't have to worry about that," he continued. "I am well aware of June's role in the team. That guy made it nearly impossible to replace him, huh? Your formations are for eight people, too. We want you guys to still be fortable with that formation, so we decided to bring another member to your team."
The members felt like they were being whiplashed left and right.
"A new member?" Jaeyong asked. "And this wasn't discussed with us?"
"This was discussed by the top-level management," Lei said. "You're still not one year into your career, so introducing a new member wouldn't be as big as a problem."
Jay bit his lip to prevent himself from causing a scene. "Now, who is going to replace June?" Lei smiled.
"Joonie," he responded. "Isn't it nice? They have similar names, too."
"Joonie," Casper repeated. He scoffed in disbelief. "You think that guy could replace June as the center of EVE?"
"Pardon," Lei said, clearing his throat. "I didn't mean for it to e out that way. Joonie is still a rookie in the idol industry, so naturally, he won't be replacing June. He would just be an additional member to plete your team."
"The person who will replace June is with us right now," he smiled.
The boys stiffened as they all gazed at Zeth. Naturally, they thought of him since he ended up second in Rising Stars.
Zeth pursed his lips and massaged the bridge of his nose. He was a fiend for attention. However, not in this way. He would rather eat rocks than replace June in their team.
In fact, all members of EVE felt the same way. However, Lei's next words left an even more bitter taste in their mouths.
"Congratulations, Jisung," Lei said, standing from his seat and patting Jisung's shoulder. "You will now take June's center role in EVE."
Jisung felt like he was hit by multiple buses. The other members, too, gazed at him with wide eyes.
Jay felt that this was an all-time low. Having Jisung, June's best friend, replace him was the cruelest decision.
"Now," Lei said, going back to his seat and not giving the members any time to retaliate. "It's fortunate that only the title track has been recorded. So, it's the only song we will record again."
"The parts have been redistributed, and the formation will be revised. However, it wouldn't be drastic since Joonie will fill in that space. Moreover, Joonie has been practicing your songs for a while now, so he won't have a hard time adjusting."
Casper stood from his seat, not being able to tolerate it anymore.
"Casper!" Jay exclaimed, but the taller guy was unstoppable.
He walked to where Lei was and held onto his collar, lifting him up and glaring straight into
his eyes.
"You bastard," he spat. "Did you plan this all along?"
Something passed by Lei's eyes before he held onto Casper's wrist, squeezing tightly. Casper grimaced out of pain, but he continued to hold on.
"Casper," Lei started off. "You liked June very much, right? You must be really upset," he said in an almost teasing stone.
"Don't worry. It will get better with time. You'll forget him after a while. You still have a lot of years left for your career."
"However, let me give you a piece of advice," he said. "In fact, let me tell this to you all."
"Choose who you side with," he smiled. "You've worked hard for your dreams. You don't want it to go to waste just because of June, right?"
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