He's Only 4 Me: A Sunoo x Enhypen Story

(II)

Nishimura Riki straightened his suit as he looked out the window of his office at the police precinct. The sea of reporters below looked around anxiously, waiting for someone to come out or for some sort of information. 

NiKi loved press conferences. He was proud of himself because he was always able to present a solid and confident picture to the press. They never doubted him.  If he said that they were making progress, the press believed that progress was being made.  They always believed him because he was always honest with them. If he didn't know, he said he didn't know.  

You have to give trust to get trust.  

But this time, he had to admit that he was a little nervous. This time he had a stake in the case.  This time, results mattered. He had to save Sunoo. 

****

"Why are we having a press conference?" Jungwon asked Jay through gritted teeth. 

"Because Sunoo's disappearance is huge news, and the best way to reach a large number of people is to address a large number of people." Jay answered, rolling his eyes. 

"Someone here is probably the person who did it," Jungwon muttered.

Jay simply nodded. 

"Are you sure it was a good idea to bring Sunghoon?" Jay asked, nodding his head at the man in the chair beside Jungwon. 

Sunghoon was staring blankly into space.  Looking at nothing and everything all at once. 

"What choice did I have?" Jungwon asked, "the guy's in awful shape. I can't leave him."

"I could have left him at the center with Heeseung. Maybe he should go there after and spend some time. Maybe some work will do him some good. Or you could have left him with Jake.  Where's he?"

Jungwon shrugged, "Home, I guess. I didn't knock on the apartment door. He said he felt weird being involved so...I stopped involving him."

"Well, I guess that rules him out," Jay laughed, "because wouldn't the kidnapper be here?"

"Only if they know the press conference is happening. I didn't mention it to anyone," Jungwon shrugged. 

"Well, you were probably right to bring Sunghoon because it would look insane if his business partner weren't here. He'd be the prime suspect no matter what."

Just then the sound of hundreds of camera shutters clicking in rapid succession pulled them up from their seats.  They watched as a very well-dressed and handsome Detective Nishimura walked up on to the platform where many microphones from many media outlets sat. Several other men walked onto the platform behind him. Jungwon recognized a couple of them as part of his team. The other men were older and seemed really important. 

"Thank you all so much for coming," NiKi began, speaking confidently into the microphones.  "I'll give you guys the updates that we have so far, and then we'll open the floor for questions.

"Sometime between the closing of his business on Monday night and 6:00 am Tuesday morning, Kim Sunoo, co-owner of SunShine Bakery and Catering, went missing.  It is believed that his disappearance is the result of foul play. As a valued member of the community, safely locating and returning Kim Sunoo to his friends, family, and loved ones is priority one.  At this time, we have several leads that we are following.  Our forensic technicians are working around the clock to analyze all CCTV cameras on his regular route on the day he disappeared, as well as to monitor for suspicious activity in the days and weeks prior to his disappearance.  Additionally, just two days before his disappearance, SunShine Bakery and Catering provided the meal for the Park Fundraiser for the LGBTQ+ Teen Center, an event that brought Mr. Kim to the attention of many.  We are cross referencing the guest list with Mr. Kim's phone records and the location that his phone last pinged.  While we feel that we are on the right track, and we have the full support of his friends and loved ones," NiKi gestured toward Jungwon as he said this, "we are asking the community to reach out with any information about Mr. Kim. Even something seemingly insignificant could be of huge value. Anything you can tell us about where he may be, who he may be with, or reasons for his disappearance would be greatly appreciated. Our precinct number is behind me, and we also have displayed a tipline.  I'll turn it over to the press for questions."

"Detective, it is our understanding that a full-scale search for Mr. Kim was launched prior to the typical length of time for a person to be considered 'missing'. Is there a reason for this? Does evidence support it?"

"There was no physical evidence to support that Mr. Kim was in danger prior to the standard length of time. However, both his absence and the inability for any of his loved ones to get in touch with him was so out of character for Mr. Kim that this, in and of itself, was enough to instill fear in his friends and loved ones. We felt it imperative that we act immediately."

"Detective, are there any suspects?"

"There are hunches, but we cannot point to any one person at this time. Which is why we are reaching out to the community for help."

"Detective, is it true that you have a personal and vested interest in this case?"

The crowd began to murmur and NiKi turned his head to look at Jungwon. Jungwon raised an eyebrow, curious as to what the answer would be. 

"I have a personal and vested interest in the disappearance of anyone in my community, but in particular such an important part of the community as Kim Sunoo."

"No, Detective, I mean that many people saw you at the fundraiser alongside Mr. Kim. Is it true that you and Kim Sunoo are in a romantic relationship?"

Jungwon felt Sunghoon's body tighten next to him. He looked over to see him gripping the sides of his chair hard, his knuckles white with tension. 

On the platform, the detective cleared his throat before looking confidently at the reporter. "Yes.  It's true. Kim Sunoo is my boyfriend."

The sea of reporters began to chatter. Jungwon looked from Sunghoon to Jay with eyes wide and his jaw dropped.

"Why didn't you tell me that Sun-" Jay began, but Jungwon cut him off. 

"BECAUSE IT ISN'T TRUE!" he hissed. 

"So yes," NiKi said from his position on the platform, drawing the attention of the crowd back to his voice.  "Yes, to answer the previous question. I have a personal and vested interest in this case.  I do not feel that this is clouding my judgement. I feel as though this has put our investigators at an advantage. And so I am once again asking the community..."

NiKi looked down at the podium and this time Jungwon tightened his grip on his chair.  He was furious.  Why is he saying this?? To get attention?  How is this going to help Sunoo??  

Jungwon watched tears fill NiKi's eyes as he looked down at the podium. Then he looked out at the crowd. Several reporters were wiping their eyes. 

"I am asking the community," NiKi choked out, "to help us...to help ME...find this person who is so very important to me. Please help me find Kim Sunoo.  That's all, thank you for being here."

"Wooooooow....he's good!" Jay whispered in awe to Jungwon.  

Jungwon didn't know how he felt.  It had definitely garnered sympathy from the public but...

Wait - maybe Sunoo didn't have the chance to tell him.  Jungwon turned to ask Sunghoon. 

"Sunghoon, did you - wait...what?"

Jungwon turned back to Jay. 

"Sunghoon's gone."