You're the One

-23-

When Hongjoong contacted him, suggesting that they met up for lunch the next day, Chan replied that it would be better with a late breakfast. He needed answers and couldn't wait for them. They met in a soup kitchen a few streets away from the JYP building. Since it was between breakfast and lunch, they had the place to themselves, and that was just what they needed.

When the soup had been served, Hongjook began talking. "I found out what happened. There was a discussion about which record company treated their artist the best, and the size of our apartment came up. I mean we're pretty happy about it, but it dosen't have a recording studio." Chan could see where this was going. He felt his shoulders slump down as he had been holding them in an awkward, tense position. "So then they talked about your extra room, and someone said that Mr. Park knows how to take care of his artists since he's a former idol," Hongjook continued. "Apparently this got quite the reaction out of Minho and Changbin. Minho then told everyone in the seating area that Mr. Park hadn't done anything to give you a record studio, it was simply Jisungs old room that he didn't use now that he had moved into Minho's room."

And there it was. Just like that, Minho had confirmed what everyone suspected. Chan couldn't play the two off as best friends or even fuck friends. No, Minho had told everyone at the party that Minsung was a comitted couple. Chan rested his head in his hands. "What else? Do you know who took this information to JYP?" he asked with a slightly muffled voice.

"I do. No one in my group would ever make a big deal out of this. We all like Minho and Jisung. They're cute together." Hongjook started to chuckle. "We actually have a couple ourselves if Seonghwa and San ever manages to tell each other how madly in love they are."

Chan's head whipped up. "What?"

"Yeah. The rest of us are betting on how long it will take before they start dating." Chan felt confused. If Seonghwa was in love with San, then... He was getting distracted. Right now the future of Stray Kids was more important then his love life. Or lack of a love life...

"OK, so it wasn't one of your members. A trainee, then?" Chan inquired to get the conversation back on it's track. "Yes, Gi Joon. The kid who kissed you." Hongjoong looked regretful. "He used to be a trainee at JYP Entertainment." That information took Chan by surprise. "Really? I didn't recognize him at the party. Did that piss him off somehow? I don't understand why he would do this. What is his motive?"

"Well, I did some investigating. Turns out he isn't very good. He was let go at JYP, and came to KQ. Now he's about to be washed out again, since he can't deliver at the showcases. I think he went to Mr. Park, because he thinks he can get into JYP again by proving his loyalty to the old man and his out dated principles." The captain looked like the thought Mr. Park could shove his principles right up his ass - without lube.

Chan considered what the other leader had told him. It sounded plausible that a young person could think like that. "And you're absolutely sure it's him, even though we don't know exactly why he did it?" The captain of Ateez nodded. "100% sure. As I said he's not very good and on his way to be let go by KQ. Even so, I talked to everyone of importance at KQ and made sure they know that he is a persona non grata. Nobody in our company will work with him now."

"Good." Chan said before going quiet. "Well, now you don't have to beat up a 16 year old boy at least." The blond and black haired captain tried to make the mood a little lighter and succeeded. Chan actually laughed with him. "I was never going to do that. No, what I am going to do is reach out to all my contacts and make sure that Gi Joon never gets to be a trainee ever again - in any company." He smiled coldly. "No one messes with my kids."