Actor, 𝕭𝖆𝖓𝖌 𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖓 [UNDEREDITING]

50 ; Actor

2023-

I was starting my year off with Dispatch and Korean netizens confirming Chan and I as the New Year couple. They had released photos of us getting out of cars together, and meeting up with each other. There was even one of us when we went on that date, and then of course, us cuddling at the New Year's event at the beach. I was in shock, to be honest. 

I didn't really process it all that much. I just kind of looked at the photos with disbelief, and then I just kind of closed the whole app down and waited to see if Chan would message me about it or if he was too busy to text me.

I couldn't wait long, and I ended up messaging him first. I didn't even want to know what fans were saying if they asked if it was true or not. I had nothing but good interactions with Dispatch and Netizens, but now...now they were a little invasive and judgemental. I didn't read the words they wrote because I was too scared.

Rain-ah: Did you see the news? We're the 2023 dispatch couple. Yayy!!!

Channie: Is that meant to be sarcastic?

Rain-ah: Yes jagi, it is. What the fuck are we meant to do?

It took a few seconds for a reply, and I waited with my fingers in my mouth, biting off some skin as if it was comforting.

Channie: I don't think we should say anything just yet. If the attention gets worse, I'll ask JYPE to release a statement.

Rain-ah: A statement saying we're just friends?

Channie: Yeah, unless we tell the truth but I don't know how that'd go down, to be honest.

Rain-ah: I would like to not say anything, to be honest.

Channie: Then we don't have to, we don't owe dispatch anything. 

Rain-ah: Usually the couple they announce at New Year's is meant to be confirmed though...

Channie: They don't know that.

I sighed at the whole situation. It was going to be a mess, but I believe if we brush it under the rug, then the fans and others will also just forget about it. Eventually, they'll move on and forget about the news as if it never happened. We have to be careful and not show too much evidence, and perhaps post as friends instead of ever posting as a secret couple. I liked the idea of being quiet till we could settle down for real. Then in like 15 years, if we're still relevant, we have a grand announcement saying we were together this whole time.

I decided not to dwell on it, and then I was called by my manager. I sighed and put him on speaker.

"Korain-ah, have you seen the dispatch announcement?" He sounded panicked, even angry at the news.

"Yeah, I saw it hyung," I said to him, limping to the kitchen for a snack.

"What do you wish to do? I need to get back to the CEO as quickly as possible about it..."

I sighed again, "Just leave it hyung. Chan and I don't want to speak on it." 

He paused for a few seconds and I wondered what he was thinking, "Oh, okay. Well, if things get bad and someone harasses you, you have to say something."

I nodded even though he couldn't see, "I will hyung. I promise."

I waited for his reply, "Okay. Well...Is it true?"

I laughed and shoved some blackberries in my mouth, "Yeah hyung. You know it is..."

"Yeah, had my suspicions when you said you were going to be driving to work a lot more than normal...just wanted to check." He said and I chuckled.

"Yeah...I guess I wasn't exactly subtle about it." I said, "I like him so much, I was too excited."

"Didn't know you liked men like that..." He muttered, and I could tell he didn't mean it in a judgemental way, he was just confused. As my manager, I would expect him to be.

"Me neither. Till Chan." I announced and I heard him laugh over the phone. 

"The beach photo...we should talk about it." He said awkwardly. I sighed, it was the worst photo that dispatch released.

The photo showed Chan and I when we were sitting with the rest of the members, I was cuddled into him, my arms around his waist while his arms were tightly around my shoulders. My head was in his neck practically. I could see why dispatch announced it after they caught that photo but I could announce that I was drunk for New Year and Chan and I are friends if it comes to that.

"It just happened. We ran into each other. I was drunk." I said quickly, trying to make excuses.

"I think you should stop drinking. Something always happens when you drink." My manager said.

"But it's fun," I whine like a child. I don't drink a lot, just for holidays and events, but I always get so much confidence.

Our call lasted a few more minutes before he had to go and contact the CEO about my decision. It was rare that companies take your advice and wants into consideration at announcements like this. I was glad to have the chance to say what I want to happen and what I think is best in my opinion. I hope the situation would pass by quickly. Perhaps the announcement of the show in a few months would ease the situation too.

I checked social media, and a few fan accounts that I follow were all over the news, screaming and crying and sharing the news and the photos. I couldn't help but laugh, and giggle as if I told my fans a secret. There was a weird sense of excitement about it, and as long as Chan wasn't freaking out or sad about the news being out, then I would handle it with a light heart. 

Rain-ah: Can we start posting photos together?

Channie: As friends or?

Rain-ah: Well, we only have the photos of us together from when you come over. You have the photos of yourself which I took from the date...

Channie: Should I post them when I get a personal instagram and tag you in them?

Rain-ah: When do you get your own personal one?

Channie: JYP mentioned we get them in August, I'll tag you in the first post ;)

Rain-ah: JAGIYAAAA! I'm weirdly excited about the news. How do you feel about it?

Channie: I don't mind it to be honest. I thought I'd be more nervous about it but since its the truth...I feel elated.

I couldn't help but smile and squeal to myself at how Chan felt the same about dispatches announcement, and I felt like I could laugh for days about fans not knowing whether it was truly truthful or not. People would suspect things till it was confirmed real by the both of us. Something about making them suspect and being desperate for the truth made my stomach tickle.

Rain-ah: Me too jagi!

Channie: I have to get back to work, see you tomorrow for your doctors appointment x

Rain-ah: See you tomorrow, I love you.

Channie: I love you the most.

~ Guys, I can feel the end of the story coming soon. I'm excited to finish it and work on another idea I have for a Hyunjin story. I'll try and update tomorrow xoxox