Because Of... || Seo Changbin

FIRST TIME

-"Yongbook-ah, have you seen Jiho hyung?

-"No, I actually haven't... Come to think of it, I haven't seen him since we left the shooting earlier." Felix answered me while sipping on his caramel iced Americano

-"Why do you even need him?" Minho chimed in, eyes glued to his game. "You've been looking for him 25/8 since those Dispatch rumors."
I sighed, already knowing where this conversation will lead us. "He's a member of our group. We have to support each other."

-"Member?" Minho scoffed, venom in his tone. "Don't put me in the same group as that rapist. I don't give a damn how long we've trained together. He's been assaulting an innocent girl."

Jisung tried to calm him down. "Hyung, please, we don't know the whole story yet. She could be lying for all we know. She was probably the one who initiated and got scared or worse, she wanted the attention. You know how hard it is for people with her skin complexion to make it big in the entertainment industry in Korea."

-"Han Ji Sung! Really??? People like her??? Her skin color doesn't matter," Minho retorted, frustration rising. "She's talented, kind, and beautiful. She's still an amazing dancer and singer and beautiful. She is nice and smart. It's because of people like you that racism still exists in this world."

-"Are you calling me a racist?" Jisung shot back.

-"Your words, not mine. Judging her by the color of her skin doesn't make you any better than any  of those racists out there," Minho replied firmly.

-"Are you for real right now, hyung?" Jisung's voice rose. "You'll defend her before us?"

-"Yes," Minho affirmed. "Jiho's reputation... it's not clean. The fact that you guys are not even questioning this rumor doesn't make sense to me. And she doesn't strike me as the type to fabricate something like this ... .Felix, Huynjin you did a vlog with her, you should know that she doesn't look like the type of person to make things up for attention. She's been getting hate, bullied... even the new trainees are targeting her. Only for something that people "thought" they heard... I don't even think that anyone knows her side of the story. Everybody is just jumping to conclusions"

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of accusations and defenses hanging in the air, everyone consumed by their own thoughts and loyalties in the face of scandal.
Months ago, Dispatch revealed disturbing allegations about one of the girl trainees at JYPE was being harassed by one of the male trainees. Rumors of harassment and worse began circulating, initially dismissed as baseless gossip until people started looking more into it. Three weeks ago, Jiho hyung was seen having an argument with a girl who recently debuted named Miria. During the confrontation, accusations of harassment and even rape was (allegedly) mentioned by Miria, creating a bunch of speculations and gossips.

Jiho hyung and I joined JYPE around the same time. When I met Chan Hyung and Jisung, we kinda drew back to each other because I was too focused on making songs with Jisung and Chan. Little by little, Stray Kids came into life. Jiho and I only started reconnecting during a survival show. It's been 3 years since we debuted. We've all had our fair share of scandals, but personally, I don't think Jiho hyung would do anything like that.

We had our fair share of disagreements since the whole rumor started but it's the first time that I've seen Minho hyung so angry.

-"You know what, I don't have to explain myself to you, especially to people who can't tell right from wrong,"Minho said while walking out the door, "I'm going to go to the practice room. Don't wait for me." When he left, everyone was quiet. Not even Bang Chan knew what to say.

Jisung attempted to lighten the mood, "Well, someone woke up from the wrong side of the bed." Seungmin and IN gave him a side-eye before leaving the room. Felix focused on his drink, while Bang Chan and Huynjin whispered to each other.