“Shouldn’t Billy Jo be the last one to enter?” Suho asked, scratching the back of his neck.
“That would make a lot of sense,” Daniel muttered. “Unless they’re bringing a real genius to the show.”
“What are you talking about?” Shin chuckled. “These people are already geniuses in their own right. Minjae won the national mathematics championship, while Jenny’s IQ is the same as Einstein’s.”
The public was also confused. The biggest reveal should have been Billy.
– Is the last contestant a god or something?
– Or maybe an alien?
– This is getting out of hand. Gene PD sure knows how to increase the tension in the show.
– Billy, my boy! They have failed you. The grand reveal should have belonged to you.
Even Billy felt the same way. He thought he would be the last one to arrive. However, as he glanced around, he found that there were only nine of them. His brows slightly furrowed, but it wasn’t noticeable on the screen.
Minsu cleared his throat and attempted to liven up the atmosphere once again.
“Well, it seems the last contestant is taking a while,” he chuckled. “What is everyone up to?”
Nobody answered him.
“Well, me—I’ve been binging The Forsaken Prince. That series is so addicting. I didn’t think the writer would be here,” he exclaimed.
They turned their attention to Annie, who had become red-faced.
“I watched it too,” Billy exclaimed. “We were busy with promotions for our new album, but we watched it in the waiting room.”
Bacon PD crossed his arms in front of his chest, a small smirk appearing on his lips. He truly didn’t make a mistake with investing in the series.
“I’m just so sad I didn’t get to watch the last episode,” Minsu continued. “Why did they take our phones so early in the game?”
– I can’t escape The Forsaken Prince even in a new show.
– It’s really freaking popular.
– It even triumphed over Phoenix’s series.
– He has a series?
– Why is the last contestant taking so long?
Just then, the familiar tension-filled music played through the speakers, rendering all of the contestants quiet.
They all turned to the double doors, ready to welcome the last contestant. They assumed he was old, probably a diplomat.
However, as soon as the doors opened, the person revealed wasn’t old at all. In fact, he had such a refreshing aura that they were rendered speechless.
– Holy crap. Holy crap. Holy crap.
– Now this is a fucking surprise.
– What is HE doing here?
– He didn’t attend other variety shows, but he’s on here? What a tactic.
Zeno Han. In the flesh.
He walked quietly to the last spot, bowing at the others, who were yet to process what was happening. A pin drop could be heard with how silent they all were.
Even in Daeshim PD’s theater, nobody spoke. Until Daeshim, himself, chuckled, throwing popcorn into his mouth.
Risa was the first to speak. “You also know about this?”
“Of course,” Daeshim chuckled. “I was also the one who recommended him. Gene was pretty happy when he accepted. He really likes our show.”
Risa clenched her fists by her side. Why didn’t Daeshim PD recommend her, too? She went to a decent university and had pretty high grades! She didn’t dare say this out loud, though.
Yuan did, however. He stood in protest and stomped his feet like a little kid. “Why didn’t you recommend me? I wanted to be on the same show as Zeno.”
“The slots were limited,” Daeshim smiled. “Anyway, at least we get to watch Zeno on the big screen. Even filming with him, I don’t know much about his personality. I’m curious how he’ll play in this kind of setup.”
Zeno’s face was shown on the screen, and they all turned quiet once again. Unlike their filming, his face appeared better now. Usually, the cameras didn’t do him justice, but it encapsulated him very well now.
– Since when was Zeno this handsome?
– I’m going to cry. We have come so far. We only had one selfie and a single live in the dark, but here we have him now.
– I can’t believe our fandom thrived for so long without content. I lived for a time like this.
– Why the heck was he shown last, though? What are his credentials?
– Isn’t it only because he’s popular?
– Let’s watch his introduction video.
“Zeno Han. Aged 24. Graduated from high school without any failed subjects. A new actor with three good titles under his name. A root crop lover.”
Zeno observed the others as they watched his introduction video. He noted the looks of confusion in their eyes.
Well, he was just telling the truth. He couldn’t tell them that he graduated from numerous big-shot schools in his past lives. The crew even pestered him for more information about his achievements, but what could he do? It ended with that.
The others glanced at him, the initial amazement suddenly replaced with something else.
Ease.
Zeno kept it in. He knew they were at ease with him. Of course, they would be. He was the weakest player in the house.
– Oh, so it really is special treatment.
– I hate this. Why would they put him last? He’s not even the best!
– This is hilarious. A root crop lover? While the others mentioned their universities and achievements?
– I know this is the battle of the smartest. Zeno is out of place, I agree, but I keep getting distracted with his face. I can’t get mad at him.
“Which school did you graduate from?” Mandy asked the question the others were dying to ask.
“Busan National High School,” Zeno answered.
“Not that,” Jenny said. “Your university.”
Everyone was curious about his answer. Maybe, it wasn’t included in his introduction because it was something that needed to be revealed in real time.
“Oh, I didn’t go to any university. I went to the military right away.”
They were silent once more.
“Zeno must have entered a specialized school then!” Minsu exclaimed, looking at him. “You went to acting school and graduated top in your class. That must be why you’re so good at acting.”
Zeno shook his head once more, causing Minsu’s breath to hitch.
“No, I had no money for that.”
“I just started acting this year.”