It might not be obvious, but Plotter was actually pretty busy. So, of course, his reason for today's visit is legitimate. He wouldn't just barge in unwelcome in their dorm.

Oh well… for him, he was always welcome, but the others don't have to know his thoughts.

After eating Ren's morning meal, Plotter announced the reason for his visit today.

"Since most of you have already reached the A rank in your primary skills, we will have to proceed with the start of the production of your first album!"

Plotter briefly glanced at Ren and Xi Huan.

"The rest can just catch up."

After this announcement, instead of going directly to the second floor practice room, they went to the first floor, at the same office area where Rayen and Yeo Haru found their music pages for the third round.

Most of the office cubicles were empty, but a few handful of people sat busy typing and working hard.

'Are they also Entities?'

After the show, Rayen and the others hadn't seen the staff members much, and it seemed like they'd also dwindled in numbers.

These people were so focused on their work, until they noticed the presence of the ten people entering the area. Once their gazes landed on the idols, their eyes twinkled. The entire office buzzed.

"Ahh, it's them!"

"Rayen, I'm a fan!"

"Xu Jiji, you're so cute!"

"Iris, why did you cut your hair?"

The nine people were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic welcome.

"This..." Adrian glanced at Plotter.

"Oh, this is the In-department. They handle normal tasks just like how other office departments would. They're also Entities. Some were unaffiliated before, some transferred from the other branches, but as you can see, there's only a handful of them since we can't transfer everyone who wanted to transfer from other branches," Plotter explained.

Then, he turned to the Entities.

"Thank you for your support! Go back to work!"

Although a bit bummed, the Entities went back to work. But unlike earlier, they were now smiling.

Plotter led the group to the meeting room at the end of the office hallway. He pulled the door open with a wave of his hand.

Six figures were inside the room, their backs facing the newly-arrived group. As soon as they noticed the disturbance coming from the door, they all turned their heads.

Rayen met their gaze, his attention especially on the mysterious woman with a veiled face.

Upon seeing this woman, even Plotter stiffened.

"I-Immortal…" Plotter muttered.

Rayen's eyes widened.

'Immortal? You mean the World Immortal whose one thought could turn real?!'

But what was even more surprising was...

When the members' gazes landed on another much more familiar figure, they met her large, owl-like eyes. They simultaneously blinked.

Suddenly, Yeo Haru pointed at the person. "H-How are you here?!"

Ayumi only stared at him without saying anything.

"Wasn't she eliminated?" Iris also muttered.

She didn't mean anything bad about it. In truth, she was happy that Ayumi didn't disappear after getting eliminated.

Just then, an unfamiliar person beside her explained the situation.

"Ayumi is here because she met the required 1 million points," the person said with a snicker.

The members frowned in confusion.

If she met the life book points requirement to exist on her own, then why did she not debut with them?

"Because she will debut as a soloist."

Once again, it was the same person that explained, even puffing out his chest proudly.

His words caused the others to stare at Ayumi dumbfounded.

'A soloist?'

"She's better off debuting solo than being stuck with you," the person continued.

'... Are we being insulted by this person?'

Meanwhile, Plotter grinned. "Oh, is that so?"

Then, he glanced at the Director. It seemed like Plotter wasn't aware of this at all.

Director sighed. "Her sponsors specifically requested that if Ayumi managed to reach the required points, she wouldn't join the group. It's all the same anyways, so it doesn't matter however she debuts."

"So, you mean… You intentionally placed her in the D-rank at the final performance since you thought it would be enough for her to reach the required points, and so she could have a reason to step down?" Adrian asked.

Director nodded.

That basically confirmed one thing.

Weren't the fans suspicious at the turn of events in the finals? How come the former 1st placer was placed at the D-rank for the final performance?

Even Rayen felt doubtful, as although Ayumi's Vocal and Dancing skills weren't that high, it still decently sat in the C-rank, so how come she became D-rank during the interim evaluation?

They said the show was rigged. Turned out it truly was.

If the fans knew it was specifically the participant who requested to be removed, what would they even think?

"But wouldn't that have been a risk? What if you didn't reach the points needed because you were placed at the D-rank?" Adrian asked.

Ayumi stared at Adrian without explaining. The person beside her only tilted his head as though it was the most natural response.

Did they... Did they really believe that she would reach the points requirement even if she was placed in the D-rank?

Are they borderline crazy, or is that just their confidence?

"Then what are you doing here? Isn't this our concept meeting?" Adrian asked, his tone seemingly a bit hostile.

It was natural since he's been linked to Ayumi's rigging allegation. Now that some part of the rumor — at least, the rigging part — was proven to be true, Adrian became even more agitated.

Even though it seemed like this lazy writer didn't care how he looked from the public's perspective, his actions onscreen were telling otherwise.

Why would someone repeatedly stand as the leader even though they're supposed to be a master at procrastinating, and being a leader was just a troublesome role?

Even Ren didn't want it, but this guy accepted the role without complaints.

Still, he's getting more worked up than usual.

Ever since Ara's disappearance, his usually calm demeanor seemed to dwindle a bit, and his emotions started showing on his face.

True, Rayen might be somewhat dense, but he could sense the difference. After all, this lazy writer had been purposely getting on his nerves for the past few days.

This time, it was the Director who answered. "At the request of her sponsors, she's gonna be part of your production team."

'Oh...'

In a sense, she's the legendary producer who taught Rayen. It wasn't that strange for her to become their producer.

Yet, Plotter stood tall before the group. "What do you mean?"

Before Director could even respond, Ayumi's sponsor interjected in between.

"It's just as you heard, Overseer. With Ayumi's producing talent, it'll be best if she takes part in SEEDZ's debut production. Doesn't she also deserve it since she's supposed to debut with them before?"

Plotter stared at the sponsor with an unnatural grin. Rayen shivered at his expression.

'What's there to be even upset about?'

Suddenly, another voice joined in on the conversation.

"I'm getting tired of watching all of you standing there. Why don't you all sit down and let's start the meeting?"

The owner of this voice was the woman in veil.

Rayen thought that Plotter's distorted voice was already bizarre, but her voice was even more so. It was soothing, but at the same time, sending chills to Rayen's mind as though the whole world was talking to him.

Feeling the same sensation as Rayen, his teammates reluctantly sat down in the empty seats with him.

Only Xu Jiji seemed unaffected. In fact, he even seemed to like this sensation. He was almost yawning.

At the same time, he muttered in a small voice while looking in another direction, "Doesn't she resemble the ghost in the practice room?"

'Who?'

Everyone followed Xu Jiji's gaze and saw Ayumi's figure. Then, their eyes landed on her long black hair covering her back and her white dress that overflowed on the ground.

'Damn...'

Turns out the ghost was really a ghost.

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