ꜱᴄᴀɴᴅᴀʟᴏᴜꜱ - ʜᴇᴇᴊᴀᴋᴇᴋɪ

✦ ᴇɪɢʜᴛ ✦

Heeseung - February 25th, 2026

It was nearly 9 PM, and I spent my time debating if I should go to the bar tonight. Jake and I didn't really get to talk as much as I hoped earlier today, since he had some work issues. Something about stealing underwear. That's all I heard.

Either way, I wanted to see Jake again. He's been in my head nonstop since last night, and there's something about him that keeps drawing me back in. I decided to stop debating and just go, off to the bar. I didn't bother changing; my white t-shirt and basketball shorts would have to do once again.

To my surprise when I entered the bar, Sunoo wasn't there. His stage was taken up by another male whom I didn't recognize. I knew today wasn't Sunoo's day off. The only explanation had to be Sunghoon. It just had to be.

I tried to brush it off and went straight for the counter where Jake was already standing. No sign of Yeji anywhere. He spotted me as I approached and shot me a smile. His eyes were a bit tired tonight, but his hair was still perfectly done as always. Something about seeing his smile made my stomach flutter when I saw it. "Look who's back already, hm?"

I laughed as I glanced around the counter, taking a seat at one of the stools. "You filling in for Yeji or something?"

"Yep," Jake shrugged. "She's got a big date tonight at her new girlfriend's place."

"Ryujin?" I squinted. "But she shares an apartment with Sunoo."

"Does she?" he chuckled.

"Yeah. And by the way, why isn't he here?"

"He called out for the whole week," Jake glanced up at the stage that was normally Sunoo's. "He said it's for vacation."

"Yeah, right," I rolled my eyes. I know damn well that he's not on a fucking vacation. He's out there banging Sunghoon. Again.

Jake seemed to read my frustration since he leaned in and gave me a piece of advice. "Like I said, I think that Sunoo can handle himself."

I ran a hand through my hair, letting it slowly drop back down onto my forehead. "I guess."

The air between us went quiet all of a sudden. The counter was mostly empty, as most of the men were flocked up to the stages getting hard for the fifth time tonight. It didn't matter though. If anything, it was good. Now I get Jake's attention, all to myself.

"So. What happened with the underwear?"

Jake grinned slightly at the remark, but I noticed that he seemed extra stressed. More than usual, at least. He stared off into the crowd without a reply.

"Are you alright, Jake?"

"Hm?" He whipped his head towards me like he'd been broken out of a trance. "Ah, sorry. Uh, a creepy stalker had been stealing one of the dancer's underwear and following him around. I just had to help him retrieve the name and image of him."