HIBISCUS | Bang Chan of Stray Kids

Track 8

"Even if the results don't come out as expected, don't ever hate yourself."

__________

Track 8

          Hwayoung walked around the halls of SYC in boredom. She skid the rubber soles of her shoes against the grimy tiles, creating a shrill squeaking noise in the silence of the dull hallway. Manager An once again had forgotten something in his office, resulting in Hwayoung inevitably having to join him back at the company. She originally planned to wait in the car until he returned; however, Hwayoung decided to roam about since Manager An had been taking longer than usual.

          Hwayoung's pacing along the hallway paid no hindrance as there was an absence of people in the lobby to begin with. There were even seldom staff members now that SYC had no current running groups in the industry. Although there were no producers or makeup artists, Hwayoung noticed the stragglers that often visited the company. More often than not, the frequent visitors appeared to be older men in expensive looking suits that always made their way to the back of the building. As with many other things, Hwayoung disregarded her findings and kept to herself when in the building.

          She spent the next few minutes bouncing between empty rooms before the sudden opening of the front door startled her. Withered with fright, Hwayoung ceased all movements and swung her body to fully face the door. Without taking a good look at the man, Hwayoung respectfully bowed in silence. When she bent her waist back up, she was genuinely surprised to be in the presence of a well-known politician. Having someone with his reputable background simultaneously intimidated and confused Hwayoung on why he would pay a visit to her small time company so late at night. Nonetheless, Hwayoung did not think twice about her concerns and let them pass immediately.

          The politician remained indifferent about Hwayoung as he walked past her followed by his personal bodyguard. Hwayoung awkwardly shuffled closer to the wall in an attempt to make herself seem smaller. Something about the atmosphere made her feel uneasy from the politician's untimely visit to the elaborate and expensive way he dressed. Surely politicians were used to dressing up for everyday occurrences; however, Hwayoung could not wrap her head around a politician willingly wearing a full piece suit and expensive accessories this late at night. Just as the two men were about to pass her, the politician glanced over to Hwayoung quickly before halting in his footsteps. He shifted his body towards her, titling his head, "Do you know Seo Youngchul by any chance?"

           Hwayoung froze like a deer in headlights. The tone of his voice along with the crinkle of his eye wrinkles from his chilling smile made Hwayoung feel even more nervous. The hot feeling flooded her body as she impulsively clasped her hands together in front of her and began to rub them rather harshly. Hwayoung hesitantly answered with a shaky voice, "He is the CEO and my boss. Why?"

          The politician's chilling smile widened from her answer as he straightened his back and readjusting his jacket, "Then you must be one of his Candy Girls with that beautiful face of yours."

          Hwayoung blankly stared at him, not understanding anything that he was referencing. For some reason, she was starting to feel more and more uncomfortable without fully knowing the reason as to why. In a sense, Hwayoung started to feel bad for judging him so quickly, but she could not deny the gut feeling that her mind was nagging her about, "I debuted in Kandie, so I guess that would make me a Kandie girl."

          The politician hummed, "What is your name?"

          "Kang," she paused, unsure, "Hwayoung."