Cheating way through to Stardom chapter 1- Prologue

“Take off your shirt.”

What?

I stared at the pig-like boss, who smirked unpleasantly.

What did you just say?

You want me to take off my clothes for an audition?

“Can’t you hear me? Take it off, student.”

I erased my smile quietly.

Ah, boss, is this a pressure interview?

Well, an average 8th grader would be completely flustered here.

But too bad for you, this is my second time around in life.

I stood up calmly and unbuckled my pants.

As my leather belt came undone, the judges began to murmur.

“Wait, why are you taking off your pants?”

I smiled brightly and said, “I’m more confident down below.”

“Don’t take it off! Are you seriously taking it off because I said so?”

I threw the belt aside and said, “If you tell me to take it off, I’ll take it off.”

“What kind of cheesy line is that from an old erotic movie? Don’t take it off! Hey, stop him! If he really takes it off, our company will be in trouble!”

Two judges rushed out to stop me at the pig boss’s words.

I raised my hands as if disappointed.

The pig boss wiped his forehead with a tissue, muttering.

“Kids these days are scary. Hey, student. Just because I say take it off, you shouldn’t actually take it off.”

I smiled sweetly and said, “Cha Dowon.”

“What?”

“My name is Cha Dowon, boss.”

The pig boss stared at me blankly.

Student?

That’s disappointing.

We’ll be seeing each other often from now on.

I didn’t look away from him.

After a long moment, he eventually smiled.

“By the way, boss, you have tissue on your forehead.”

“Kids these days are really scary. So, Cha Dowon?”

“Yes, Cha Dowon from Class 2, Grade 8 at Jeongsol Middle School.”

“You’re an interesting one. Quite bold for a middle schooler. So, Dowon, what’s your nickname? What do others call you?”

The judges released my arm. I sat back in my seat.

“It’s a bit embarrassing.”

“What is it?”

I blushed slightly and turned my head a bit. It was a bit embarrassing.

“They call me Crazy.”

Of course, there was no such nickname.

If anything, I was called a pretty boy.

But the truth doesn’t matter.

When I glanced at the judges, the pig boss’s button-like eyes had widened slightly.

Why, boss, surprised?

I knew it.

‘You needed this.’

The idols at Friends Entertainment were all about character.

That’s why you hold auditions to find unique people.

‘The crazy Maknae (Youngest).’

The pig boss covered his mouth for a while.

I waited leisurely.

How do you feel?

Found the perfect fit?

The pig boss soon burst into laughter.

“Haha, this kid’s a gem.”

I quietly swung my legs up and down.

The pig boss couldn’t stop laughing.

‘Should I pretend to be embarrassed?’

That’s the crazy Maknae you want, after all.

I scratched my cheek a bit and looked away.

Just then, I made eye contact with Kang Minjae, who was staring at me.

‘What are you looking at, punk.’

I wanted to glare at him with all my might, but right now, I was just an innocent middle schooler.

As I lowered my eyes, pretending to be shy, Kang Minjae awkwardly smiled as if to reassure me.

‘Why so kind all of a sudden?’

What is this?

Trying to act harmless?

Don’t play tricks, punk.

I remember everything you’ve done to me.

‘But I shouldn’t show it.’

I’m a crazy but shy 8th grader right now. Hold it in.

I lowered my head even more, pretending to be shy.

I could still hear the pig boss laughing.

‘I guess I’m accepted.’

I took a deep breath.

Sure, it’s not much, but it’s a start.

Not even the starting line, more like the waiting room.

I looked back at the pig boss.

He was staring at me with unusually bright eyes.

The tissue on his forehead dangled.

I smiled inwardly, completely satisfied.

The audition was a success.