V IVIAN • jace + vasco • lookism

Chapter XVIII

Soloist V IVIAN arrested for rape accusation.

asdf: A shame, really. She had a lot of potential and she threw it away so easily.
lassy: i thought she was a good guy.
mamba: Come on now, what if that Eundae guy is the rapist?
ushsbe: She deserved it. Have you guys seen the video of her and the guy? He said no and she kept on doing it. She is the rapist.
poipoi: where is the video?
ushsbe: It's no longer available - it got taken down.

---

I walked out of the courtroom, with my long hair, tidied and a tailored black suit, newfangled as it was my first time wearing such formal clothes. I was elated.

"Someone's cheerful." Dad pointed out. "Congrats, me old son."

"Thanks, Pa. It was about time." I beamed. "And thank you, Ma, for forcefully dragging me to the police station."

"Wait 'til they put it on the news! Me's excited to see her downfall."

"Euntae! I'm so happy for you!" Eunho smiled. "I'm sorry you had to go through that though."

"It's okay. At least it's not you or Jieun that got hurt."

"Stop it! Stop shifting the focus on me and noona! This is about you, hyung."

I laughed, "Hmm, okay."

"That trial was short; isn't it usually two days?" Jieun stood in the corner. "I didn't know that happened to you. If that happened to me, I'd probably kill myself."

"Jieun! Be quiet!" Mum shushed. "You shouldn't be using that language, espcially outside a courtroom."

"Alright, look, you should be proud of yourself. Congrats."

"Thanks."

"Let's get something to eat; I'm starving!" Eunho butted.

---

"Hello? Euntae to Earth?" Daniel waved his hand right in front of my face. "Ooh, that sounds cool. We were just talking about your trial. Congrats!"

"Yeah man, that was awesome! Have you seen the news? The agency that she was a part of has gone bankrupt because there was of the fine she had to pay. The agency insisted on paying it." Jace smiled.

"Yeah, I was trying so hard not to laugh." I zoned out. I wasn't feeling it today. Mainly because I felt guilty putting a famous k-pop idol into jail.

Click. I snapped out of my thoughts and turned my head to my left. Zack.

"You are so out of touch. What's up?"

"Nothing." I slouched over the lunch table and closed my eyes. "I'm just really tired."

"I get it. Your trial was yesterday and today's the first day of the week. And you must've been really restless thinking about how the trial was recorded."

"Yeah I was. I felt a little embarrassed. I think if it weren't for that sasaeng and my attorney, she would've still carried on mentioning me all the time. In her songs, in her interviews... I don't think I would've handled it."

"Don't stress. She's literally rotting in jail. Her mafia gang thing has no base or money to support themselves so consider it collapsed. I don't think her boyfriend can help her."

"Wait, I was stalking his Insta and he's already with another girl." Jace laughed. "He looks much happier. Good for him."

"I feel better; thank all of you." I beamed. My heavy heart was relieved of its stress. It was euphoric.

"That's the first time I've seen you smile so widely in ages."

"Yeah." Daniel added. "You must be really happy."

"He has got a reason to: the trial, duh." Zack rolled his eyes.

Jace patted my shoulder, "Well done, Vasco. Love you, man."

I shuddered and looked at him with widening eyes. I never heard that sentence from him at all. He stretched out his arms and leaned in, grasping my torso.

I was stunned. I took a few seconds to glance at my surroundings before slithering my hands slowly around his back. I laid my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. His body was warm. His body was a stuffed animal - soft. His body was comforting.

"I can't tell if this is bromance or not." Zack interrupted, staring at both of us. " Is it or is it not?"

My orbs shot open and glared at him, "Shut up."

"Shit, my bad. Do your thing, I guess. Fuck, I'm so lonely, I'm not getting anywhere with Mira."

"We're not dating." Jace grumbled.

"Good - it makes me feel better about myself so thank you." He muttered, giving Daniel and Jay death stares.

Jace pulled away and turned around to face Zack, "Look, I'm not an expert with girls. Remember that time where Vasco was meeting a girl and we were asking everyone how to date-"

"Shut up! That's so embarrassing!" I punched his shoulder jokingly.

He chuckled, "Well, you should treat her like royalty. Treat her with gifts like rings, bags, clothes and take her out to dinner. If she doesn't like that then you'd find she's more into hugs as gifts. It's one thing or another."

"How'd you know so much?"

"I've been watching romance lately. It's a little shameful to admit."

"That stuff is fake, dawg."

I listened eagerly. It was probably the best conversation I had in forever. Watching Zack and Jace argue over something so little was so stupid it broke me out in hysterics.

"I haven't heard you laugh like that in ages."

---

Jace watched him calm down and wipe his tears before bursting out again. He only smiled faintly - an expression of relief. He had realised that Vasco was finally free from a heavy burden. He was proud.

"Vasco, I-"

"You what?"

"I love you man."

"I... love you too bro."

•
•
•
•
•

End of Butterfly Effect