Another day passed without any news on the investigation. My friends and I spent it guessing what the PD was doing, and repeatedly expressing hope that the rumors would be proven false. But deep down, we all knew there was no way that was possible.

I once again checked my phone after returning from my extracurricular lessons. Again, there was a message from Ji-hyeon. This time though, it was a link to an article on SBS. I clicked on the link, my heart sinking. I sighed as I read the headline,

“Produce Ahn PD ‘season 3, 4 vote rigging confess—’”

My phone fell onto the carpeted floor with a loud thud.

I couldn’t believe it. Why, why did he have to confess it now? He could have come out and admitted it when the investigation was launched, instead he waited till he was arrested and IZ*ONE were having a comeback to do so? The fire of rage in me burned brighter and brighter as I thought about it. 

Not only that, I wondered what would happen to the comeback. Stained with this confession, it was almost certain that IZ*ONE would not be able to accumulate as much popularity with “Fiesta” as they did with “Violeta” and “La Vie en Rose”. Deprived of all hope and energy, I went to bed.