Greatest Idol C8 Unrecognizable

I headed toward the locker room, but Kyle stepped into my path. "Sir, that's staff only. We're not open yet."

"Funny way to treat your coworker of several months," I said, meeting his eyes.

Kyle's face clouded with confusion, then hardened. "I'm not playing games here, sir." He gestured toward the door. "Please leave, or I'll have to escort you out."

He really doesn't recognize me. I had to suppress a smile. Not surprising, given how my thick glasses, acne, and generally unfortunate features had been transformed.

Kyle shifted into a defensive stance, his eyes flashing a warning. He was clearly ready for confrontation, trying to intimidate me with his presence.

But instead of feeling threatened, I simply stepped past him. "Not playing games either. I'm here to work my shift."

I felt a sharp tug as Kyle grabbed my shirt. "Looks like you're just here to cause trouble, sir."

He tried dragging me back, but my feet remained planted, immovable as stone. Looking down at him—and that itself was new, being able to look down at Kyle—I realized the Fame Energy had made me taller.

Kyle's face contorted with effort as he pulled, but I didn't budge. He might as well have been trying to move a boulder.

"Damn it!" He released my shirt, frustration evident in his voice. "You're clearly trying to provoke me!"

He shoved me hard in the chest—or tried to. I absorbed the impact like it was nothing, watching his growing bewilderment. It felt surreal, like an adult tolerating a child's tantrum.

Kyle's expression was a mix of annoyance and poorly concealed fear. I could see him realizing he was outmatched, yet still trying to maintain his tough facade.

"Leave," he demanded, voice tight with forced bravado. "I'm not afraid to hurt you." He made a show of cracking his knuckles and rolling his neck.

I watched his performance with barely hidden amusement.

"What's going on here?" A familiar voice cut through the tension. We both turned to see Mallory standing there in her street clothes, not yet changed for her shift.

Kyle's eyes lit up with relief. "This guy's trying to cause trouble," he said, jabbing a finger in my direction.

"Oh?" Mallory studied me with curious eyes.

"I'm holding back from hurting him," Kyle puffed up, his earlier fear masked by arrogance. "Mallory, try talking some sense into this bastard before I have to beat him out of here."

Mallory approached me with her practiced customer service smile. "Hello, do you have business here? Are you related to the manager?"

"I'm here to work," I replied calmly.

Kyle and Mallory exchanged glances. "See?" Kyle gestured dramatically. "He's clearly here to cause problems. He has no business being here."

Mallory nodded in agreement, neither of them recognizing their former servant standing right in front of them.

"I'm not here to cause trouble," I said, tiring of their performance. "You both just forgot me pretty easily."

"Who are you, really?" Kyle snorted.

"I'm Jacob," I stated simply. "Should have been obvious."

Their expressions froze, then transformed into identical masks of shock. I felt a flicker of satisfaction seeing their stunned faces.

Must be quite a shock seeing their ugly coworker suddenly looking halfway decent...

But then, unexpectedly, they both burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha!"

Their laughter echoed through the empty restaurant, genuine and uncontrolled. Mallory actually had to steady herself, one hand on Kyle's shoulder, the other on mine.

Kyle doubled over, clutching his stomach as he howled.

They're laughing like I just told the world's funniest joke...

"What's so funny?" I asked as their laughter began to subside.

They exchanged glances, still chuckling.

Mallory wiped tears from her eyes. "Sorry, it's just... that's hilarious."

"What is?"

Kyle pointed at me, fighting back more laughter. "You saying you're... you're Jacob! Pfft... That's priceless!"

"And why's that?" I felt a familiar sting of insult.

"Because," Mallory cut in, "there's no way Jacob could ever look decent, let alone like you!"

I'm not sure if that's an insult to my past self or a compliment to my current one.

"Yeah, man, you're funny," Kyle grinned, clapping my shoulder. "I'll give you that."

This is getting ridiculous. Annoyed by Kyle's patronizing shoulder pat, I gave him a light push.

To my surprise, he completely lost his balance, landing hard on his backside. I'd barely used any strength, yet it had sent him sprawling like a bowling pin.

Mallory rushed to help Kyle up. Though anger flashed across his face, he couldn't quite meet my eyes anymore, fear evident in his hunched posture.

"What's your problem?" Mallory demanded.

"Told you he was here to cause trouble," Kyle muttered.

The commotion drew Alan and Veronica, who arrived just in time to join the circus. When I told them I was Jacob, they didn't laugh like Kyle and Mallory, but their disbelief was just as clear.

Never thought I'd have trouble convincing people I'm myself.

"Better get used to it," Lux whispered from my collar. "Once Fame Energy makes you truly handsome, no one from your past will be able to connect you to who you were."

I sighed. Even though my current appearance still held traces of my old self, the changes were already causing chaos.

"Wait." Veronica's voice cut through my thoughts.

She stepped closer, studying my features intently. "There's something familiar about you..."

Kyle snorted. "Don't tell me you actually believe he's Jacob?"

Mallory chuckled at the mere suggestion.

But Veronica continued her examination, stroking her chin thoughtfully. "I don't think he's Jacob... but there's definitely a resemblance." Her eyes lit up with realization. "Are you his brother?"

The question hit me like a bucket of cold water. I hadn't expected that.

Everyone leaned in for a closer look.

"Now that you mention it, he does look like Jacob—just way better looking!" Mallory exclaimed.

Kyle and Alan nodded in agreement, suddenly convinced I must be related to "Jacob."

"So you're Jacob's brother?" Kyle's hostility evaporated. "Here looking for him, right? Should've just said so."

I hadn't even confirmed anything, but they'd already written their own story.

"Believe what you want," I sighed. "I'm just here to work and earn money."

"Oh, I get it," Mallory's eyes lit up. "You're covering your brother's shift so he doesn't lose the income. That's sweet."

"Makes sense," Kyle chuckled.

Veronica and Alan remained quiet, but their faces showed they'd bought into the story too.

The situation felt increasingly absurd, especially when Alan spoke up. "Come on, I've got a spare uniform. Your brother's probably wouldn't fit you."

I was surprised by Alan's unexpected kindness, but it didn't make this situation any less ridiculous.

In the locker room, I tried on my uniform. Alan was right—it barely fit anymore.

Great, now I need new work clothes too.

Kyle and Alan kept stealing glances at me until Samantha, our manager, arrived.

She did a double-take. "Who is this?"

Before I could speak, Kyle jumped in with the whole "Jacob's brother" story.

I braced for trouble, but Samantha just nodded. "Do the job well, and I don't care who you are."

I could only sigh. At least I still had the job—I needed the money until something better came along. But trying to convince anyone I was actually Jacob seemed pointless now.