Monsta X sends off Shownu
Jane adjusted the sunglasses on her eyes as the van pulled to a stop at the corner. She was not looking forward to today at all. Though she knew it was inevitable and that all the members were going to have to enlist eventually, she just hadn't prepared for so soon.
She knew she was being a little dramatic. It wasn't like he couldn't talk to them at all. He just needed to do his training for three weeks and then he'd have a little more freedom. He was even able to stay at home or with them still, but he hadn't made a decision on that yet.
Three weeks still felt like a long time.
She hopped out of the van, rolling her eyes behind the dark lens of the glasses. "I thought this was supposed to be a private event," she muttered under her breath. It wasn't that she didn't love the fans, but she really was hoping that this was going to be just the seven of them.
"Stop it, grouchy pants," Minhyuk teased lightly, but anyone could tell it wasn't his normal teasing. He sounded tired and the bottom of his eyes were a faint pink and a little swollen. Jane still hadn't come around to the fact that Minhyuk was now going to be their interim leader for the time being.
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, Jooheon pulled the two forward. "Both of you are grouchy. Put on a smile for hyung. He's going to miss us all just as much." The two sighed and plastered smiles to their faces. Minhyuk secretly slipped his hand into hers and gave it a squeeze.
She squeezed back. Minhyuk was nervous enough about having to be leader for the next few years, but he was also going to miss Shownu just as much as the rest of them. It was rare that they weren't together or at least seeing each other every day.
Shownu was talking quietly with Changkyun and Hyungwon as the three walked up. Kihyun was speaking quietly to their manager and slipping something into Shownu's bag. Jane chuckled. He wasn't as elusive as he liked to think. Still, she kept quiet and hoped it would surprise Shownu later on if he was feeling homesick.
Jane stood to the side as Shownu talked to each of the boys individually. They were laughing and joking, they all took a few pictures. She didn't say much, just admiring the last time the seven of them would be together for a while. Plus, she didn't want to completely break down here.
Shownu was her rock. He always had been since the day they were announced as the new group on No.Mercy. He was the rock for everyone. He truly was the epitome of the dad of the group. He listened, he gave advice and wasn't afraid to scold them or call them out when they were wrong.
Their memories over the years started playing through her mind and she felt her eyes burn with tears that she gulped back. She could cry once they got back in the van, but not here. Not with all the cameras and stuff. Too focused on not crying right now, she hadn't noticed Shownu walked up to her.
"YunJae-ah," he breathed and she looked up at him through her sunglasses. There was no way she could hold her tears back. "Oppa," she choked out, wrapping her arms around his waist as tight as she could. He smiled and hugged her back, petting her head.
"It's only three weeks, baby. It'll breeze by before you know it," he tried to comfort and she nodded but didn't take her face out of his shirt. "I know, I know. I'm just being dramatic. Let me have my moment." He chuckled at her and hummed.
"I'll miss you. It won't be the same," she murmured after she had calmed down. He ruffled her hair and smiled widely, eyes turning into crescent moons. "I'll miss you too, Jane. But all will be well. I'll call as soon as I'm able too, I promise."
"Pinky promise?" She felt like a dumb kid, but she held her pinky out. Shownu smiled and linked his with hers, kissing it.
"Pinky promise."
Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shirt and wiped her cheeks and smiled again. "Okay. Dramatic time over. Now," she turned him around and patted his back, "Go do your training and stuff and so help me God if you get hurt, I'll hurt everyone in there."
"Glad to see you're back to normal," Minhyuk quipped and Jane rolled her eyes again. "Just because I can't see your eyes doesn't mean I don't know that you didn't just roll them. At me! Your leader!"
Jane groaned as Shownu patted Kihyun's shoulder. "Good luck," he teased and Kihyun sighed, grumbling under his breath. "One last picture, with all of you before he goes in!" Their manager called out and they all lined up behind their leader, large smile on their faces.
They waited as he walked across to the training center and gave one last wave before walking in and starting his military life. The six of them waited there for a moment longer, heaviness in the air.
"Alright!" Minhyuk clapped his hands, grabbing Jane's wrist and pulling her towards the car. "As leader, I say that we go out and eat some comfort food! Let us depart." He pushed her towards the car with everyone else following behind.
Jane only smiled. As long as Minhyuk was buying them food, he'd make a pretty good leader.
