Rayen pulled out his phone in order to question Mini Plotter. However, no matter how much he called out to him, the hateful anime character never appeared on his phone screen.
’Damn useless Mini Plotter! I thought it’s here to help me?!’
Receiving no response, Rayen could only walk back inside. He clicked his tongue and sat beside Liam begrudgingly.
Adrian seemed to have recovered for a bit. He raised his head and glanced at his new teammates.
When he saw Iris and Liam’s figures, his eyes seemed to have been renewed with hope. Yet, when Ara’s figure entered his vision, the gloom that surrounded him suddenly returned.
’It’s really hopeless...’
Rayen also thought the same. This team was troublesome. If he could have a choice, he’d like to resign from this team already. However, he had no choice in the matter.
As there seemed to be no one interested in taking up the initiative in the team, Ren’s brows furrowed. He stood up and addressed his teammates.
"What are you all planning?" Ren asked.
Rayen glanced sideways, completely ignoring Ren.
Oh Heejun also did the same.
Feeling guilty, Nana remained silent.
Meanwhile, Ara clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Only Iris and Liam paid attention to him.
"Are you guys going to be uncooperative? It’s the finals," Ren said, reasoning with them.
Rayen frowned. He knew Ren’s words were sensible, but he really didn’t want to listen to this bastard talk.
Finally coming to his senses, Adrian unenthusiastically stood up. He put his hand on Ren’s shoulder and faced him.
"Eyeliner babe, let me take over..." Adrian said, his spirit seemed to have been taken away.
Ren looked at him in doubt, but knowing that nothing would be accomplished if he insisted on trying to take control and lead, he relented and walked to the corner.
"If I’m the leader, does anyone have any complaints?" Adrian asked.
No one said anything.
"Since you’re all silent, then I’ll take that as a yes."
With that, Adrian grabbed the leader’s badge from the locker at the corner and pinned it on his left chest.
Rayen and Oh Heejun were now willing to look ahead.
Noticing their cooperation, Adrian sighed in relief.
"I know you all have your circumstances with each other, but for this round we’re a team," Adrian started. "Forget all about it. It’s the finals now. You have to set aside the differences and unite with one goal."
A grimace showed on Rayen’s face.
"That was cheesy. Just get to the point," he complained.
Liam glanced at Rayen with a gaze of surprise.
Rayen was unusually vocal. In the past, he would just keep his words to himself and only complain inwardly. That was also the reason how Liam and Adrian gained the ability to read his thoughts from his face — in addition to Rayen’s expression being easy to read, of course.
Yet now, something changed. Liam sensed it.
It might be a good thing though. If not for this situation.
Liam tapped Rayen on the shoulder. "Your friend’s about to explode in anger."
He pointed at Adrian whose lips were pursed in annoyance, his nerves showing on his forehead.
Rayen immediately shut his mouth.
Adrian continued speaking. "We have one goal. That is to debut!"
Even though Rayen wanted to roll his eyes, he stopped himself.
Since no one complained anymore, Adrian proceeded to his main message.
"Now, we have two performances to prepare. We only have a few weeks left to prepare and practice for these two performances. Let’s do our best."
Their meeting ended hastily. Adrian decided to end things and calm the members down first before formally formulating anything about the performance. It wasn’t just for the members’ sake but also his own.
If he continued it, he might not be able to maintain his calm in that practice room.
After going back to their dorn, Adrian immediately threw his body onto the couch.
"Let me rest first. My head hurts."
Rayen also wanted to. It was just the morning but he felt so tired already.
However, before Rayen could even step into their room, Adrian called for him.
"Can you at least help me? It’s so hard to lead with this kind of team," Adrian said.
He looked directly at Rayen as if begging him.
Rayen raised his brow, slightly annoyed. However, it was a rare occasion for Adrian to seem so serious.
’What do you want me to do?’
Rayen complained inwardly, not willing to voice it out lest Adrian snap.
However, Adrian was an expert in reading his mind.
"At least don’t stir up trouble," he said.
Feeling even more annoyed at being read, Rayen tossed back Adrian’s words.
"Tell that to that eyeliner babe of yours."
"Don’t get into fights," Adrian said.
"What do you take me for?"
Finally, Adrian chuckled, though it was still lacking in energy. "Don’t forget you’re known for being a thug."
"Shut up. Just lead like you always do," Rayen said. Then, as if recalling something, also echoed Adrian’s words earlier. "Don’t stir up trouble."
"What do you take me for?" Adrian also repeated Rayen’s response.
"Don’t forget you almost went viral for flirting with everyone in the show," Rayen said with a smile.
Adrian pursed his lips, unable to retort.
"If you have problems with girls, set it aside."
Adrian still couldn’t say a word.
"You bastard. Don’t stir up trouble. I’m warning you," Rayen repeated again, gradually turning nervous at Adrian’s silence.
A few moments later, Adrian smiled lazily. He was back to normal.
"Yeah, right. It’ll be bad if the viewers think I have some relationship with another participant," he said.
Just then, Adrian let out a laugh. "You look like you’re gonna need the toilet."
"You might not know, but I do from my little sister," Adrian said, seemingly looking lost. "Idols aren’t allowed to date. Don’t worry. I’m not some fool."
Rayen was speechless.
’I haven’t even said anything about dating...’
"No," Adrian interrupted his words. "We’re not."
Rayen didn’t know what to say. He and Adrian had only been roommates for a few months, so Rayen didn’t really know what’s going on with this writer’s mind.
But he knew that writers could be quite sentimental.
So, if Adrian said something, it might not just be that simple.
"Don’t date. You haven’t even debuted yet," Rayen said before heading to their bedroom.