Unnoticed, the sun tilted sharply to the west.

When the reddish sunlight gently illuminated the vast building and the outdoor stage set up in front of it, the participants who successfully completed the special variety show filming gathered again in front of the camera for a final talk.

Running around inside the haunted house, trembling with extreme fear, was challenging enough, but what further intensified the fatigue of the staff was the irritation and scheming of O Minjeong, which was upgraded from the previous day, as the red sunlight bathed the scene.

Although they were conscious of appearing on the broadcast and maintained their facial expressions professionally, spouting harsh words with a smiling face was excessive, causing everyone’s brows to furrow.

It was likely retaliation against Tae Seojun, who had retaliated against Eom Soyeon, but O Minjeong’s sharpened provocation couldn’t overcome Soyeon’s perseverance, tempered by all kinds of criticism.

Even clapping hands makes a sound.

You can bark. I’ll close my ears.

Maintaining an attitude more unyielding than a rock throughout the filming, Soyeon wasn’t of an ordinary temperament.

However, because of that, the off-target arrows of O Minjeong, who had become even more stubborn due to the counterattack from Tae Seojun, could only be directed towards the CN-affiliated girl group newly introduced to the filming location today. If being easygoing is a sin, it might be a sin, but what caused all seven of them to gather together with one heart was also because of that.

“Ah, really! Why is O Minjeong like this today of all days? She seems even more nervous than at the company.”

“There must be a reason. Yesterday, there was a big commotion during the filming. It seems Tae Issa suddenly appeared and isolated Soyeon unnie, and Yoo Jeonghwa flattened O Minjeong’s nose during the recording.”

“Why on earth did Tae Issa do that? I understand, I understand!”

“Anyway, when will that temperamental person get better? Living like that must be quite tiring…!”

Ashamed!

A member who had been teasing with all her might suddenly stopped talking. It was because she noticed Eom Soyeon, who was sitting next to them, at some point.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about me and keep talking.”

When Soyeon smiled casually and didn’t mind, they got immersed in gossip again.

“Remember when she focused on me about having surgery herself?”

“O Minjeong’s face, isn’t it natural?”

“I saw her high school graduation photo, she had much smaller eyes than now. So, it’s so funny that she brags about not touching those big eyes.”

“Oh… that makes sense…”

At that moment, O Minjeong was getting her makeup adjusted right below the stage. When one member discreetly nodded in that direction, the gazes of the other six members followed suit.

“Oops!”

Just by looking at her, the girl who made eye contact with O Minjeong quivered in her shoulders.

“W-What do we do!”

“L-Let’s pretend we didn’t see her!”

“T-That would be good!”

As if it was agreed upon, the gazes of the seven members anxiously fumbled between the ground and the sky, but it was already too late.
With pointed eyebrows, O Minjeong stepped onto the stage and scanned the girl group. Then, step by step, walking slowly, she spoke.

“Did you guys laugh at me?”

“Ah, no!”

“Really not.”

The faces of the seven members denying vehemently were contemplative. Since they were caught, being scolded again was inevitable.

“Oh my, this one is still laughing at me, right?”

Once again, O Minjeong, with her fists clenched, looked down at one of the girls with a sharp gaze.

“No, unnie! You misunderstood.”

“Right, it’s true. She always has a smiling face like that.”

“Yes, unnie. It’s true. Even her mom and brothers look exactly like her.”

As everyone praised the colleague who was pointed out as similar to them, Minjeong couldn’t help but smile ironically.

“Heh! Look at these guys! They think I would just overlook it if they claim that even my family looks like them? Is the problem that I left my face as it is, knowing that it’s like that? You should have come down quickly!”

“Is, is that so?”

The girl, whose face was forcefully lowered as demanded by Minjeong, was not just upset anymore, but on the verge of crying.

This was beyond teasing. It was a malicious act trying to instill self-loathing through a person’s facial features. Unable to bear it any longer, one person who couldn’t stand to watch got up from the chair.

Thunk!

Soyeon, who had been quietly sitting at the end, quickly moved to hug the crying girl, comforting her.

“Don’t cry. You did nothing wrong, why are you crying…”

It’s okay, it’s okay…

Nothing is more painful than criticizing someone for their appearance from birth. Recognizing that feeling well, Soyeon gently wiped away the tears with her delicate touch using the handkerchief she had.

Watching this scene with a jealous look, Minjeong harshly grabbed Soyeon by the collar.

“Hey! Who are you to interfere with my business? Did you grow extra eyes outside your ass?”

“…”