Faded Sun| SunSun

[Chapter 37]

Double upload- Read chapter 36 first.

This corridor felt much colder than he remembered, and it seemed quieter and darker than before. Could it be a reflection of what was to come? Fates way of foreshadowing his gloomy future.

It had teased him months ago, with bright sunshine, and happy workers. Anticipation that bubbled into exciting prospects. 

There was nothing exciting about today.

His steps slowed approaching Junseo's office, his fellow group mates already waiting for him there. Riki looked a mess, disheveled hair and clothes, a huge bruise forming on the right side of his face. Whilst, Heeseung's facade was finally shattered, you could easily see how upset he was.

"What happened to you?" Sunoo asked, attempting to examine Riki's bruise, but his hand was slapped away.

"Jake told me he had a bit of an extreme panic attack; slammed his face against the marble counter." Heeseung explained. "He's not talking to anyone."

Sunoo's heart weighed heavy, he knew Riki was going to deal with this badly, but he never expected him to hurt himself. 

Though all rumors were bad, Riki's were by far the worst. He was always painted as this reckless kid with behavioral issues, even before Sunoo met him, he'd heard about the annoying kid in the year below. He just needed support, and still does. Sunoo knew the boy wasn't violent like this; not that kid he met all those years ago. 

Seoul had changed him.

It may have been against better judgement, but Sunoo knew the old Riki was hiding in there, somewhere, deep deep down. Two arms snaked around him, eyes closed against the jacket over his back. He took a breath in, calm, patient, he trusted Riki.

Two more arms made their way around the pair. 

Riki found himself between two people who loved and trusted him. 

He relaxed.

"The world can see us anyway they like, but what matters is, we know who we are." Heeseung stated, pulling out of the hug. "We'll tell Junseo the truth today."

Sunoo gently separated himself from Riki, but found comfort in how the younger reached for his hand. "It's what we have to do, and we'll do it together." He took Riki's hand.

Heeseung could only smile through the hard times because of his friends. They gave him the courage to be strong, with them by his side, he could get through anything. Even this, one of the toughest days they would ever have to face. His nerves doubled seeing the angry man turn the corner. He grabbed both of the boys, pulling them close to him, and giving them a look of reassurance.

No one dared to speak as Junseo approached. His clenched jaw and hostile glare, were enough to tell them he was furious. He dropped the glare for only a second, casting his gaze on the locked door. He fumbled getting the key into the lock, which caused him to let out a frustrated groan, until he finally got the key in. 

"Inside." He commanded, and no one wasted anytime following the order.

The three trudged into Junseo's office, Riki and Sunoo still hand in hand. This was a shared office, so there was two desks opposite one another, pressed against the left hand wall. Then on the right hand wall, was a long pleated leather sofa, where Heeseung took a seat first. The other boys hesitated, but soon copied Heeseung's motion.

The chair squeaked as Junseo sat down, that creaking noise intensifying when he spun his chair to face the boys. "I have never been more disappointed in my whole life." He sighed heavily. "What the hell happened? Why was I lied to?"

There was a moment of silence as the guilt was cast. No one wanted to admit that they lied to Junseo, and no one wanted to explain themselves. This was personal information, private information, things they shouldn't have to tell anyone else about. However, this information, was about things they had chosen to do with their lives. Things that inevitably, destroyed their careers.

"I'm sorry for all this drama." Heeseung replied, and everyone assumed he was about to give a proper apology. Yet, when he turned to the boys, they could see what was in his eyes. A look of fear, but also acceptance, like he knew exactly what he was going to do, and what consequences it would have. 

He took a deep breath in. "I'm not sorry for anything else though. We had reasons to lie, because you had no reason to know anything we didn't want to tell you. Being in a relationship hasn't affected my career up until now, and if someone didn't expose us, it still wouldn't."

"You watch your tone with me." Junseo gritted his teeth, letting forth a formidable warning. "Privacy doesn't exist in this industry; if you can't accept that, you can't be an idol. And your spiel seems to neglect one aspect of this whole debacle. Your friends extreme violence. No one wants to hear that their bias is a psycho, going around smashing kids heads through windows."

Sunoo tightened his grip on Riki's hand, feeling the boys head fall onto his shoulder. He decided to stay quiet, do his part in comforting Riki. That was what he need to do right now, and he knew Heeseung would do the rest.

"I don't appreciate you calling my friend a psycho, when you know absolutely nothing about him-"

"Listen Heeseung, I-"

"No you listen." Heeseung cut Junseo off bravely, something that shocked everyone in that room. "I'm not going to sit here and list every reason Riki could have done what he did, because that won't change what happened. Can't you see what he's going through right now? He's already beating himself up enough, no need to rub salt in the wounds. All I'll say, is that there's so much more to the story than anyone will ever be able to understand. It's better if you just keep out of it."

"I'm your manager, you can't tell me to keep out of it."

"Then spare us the scolding, and get on with why we're here."

Junseo opened his mouth to speak, but only let out air. He couldn't believe that this was all coming from Heeseung, someone he thought to be extremely respectful. If he presumed anyone would be kicking up a fuss, it would have never been Heeseung.

"Your contracts will be terminated, and Sparks will be disbanding immediately. You can pick up anything you've left here today, but after that, you won't be allowed back on the premises."

It's almost as if time stopped. 

Hearing those words, those dreaded words, those words no idol wants to hear. It was unthinkable. Sunoo didn't know how to react, he actually felt quite empty inside, like his heart had just been ripped right out of his chest. He was almost in a trance, engulfed in that overwhelming feeling of loss. His career was officially over, and it took his hopes and dreams along with it.

"Cool, if that's all, we'll be going now." Heeseung's voice was laced with venom, as he ushered the two boys up. "Thank you for all the opportunities you gave us, but fuck you Junseo. Fuck. You."

And just like that, the three boys found themselves in the corridor again.