What's After Like [M Reader X IVE (adult members)]

Chapter 15.1 - Yujin

(A/N: this might be the angstiest thing I've ever written, but it turns into one of my favorite scenes of the whole story. Enjoy!)

It really is remarkable how time can fly.  It feels like just yesterday that Liz came over on that fateful March night, and now here you are on October 1st, making plans for the belated six-month anniversary date you and she are gonna go on as soon as IVE's comeback promotions are finished.  That delayed reality has been a lot of life with her, as their spring comeback promotions led into summer touring led into fall comeback filming with barely a week's break in between sometimes. This era is looking particularly drawn out, as they still haven't even released the mini album yet, with today instead marking the drop of their second pre-released title track, Off the Record.  It's an absolutely beautiful, wonderful song, with a gorgeous and whimsical music video that you've already watched six times by the time you head out for a Sunday morning gym session with Chris.

Returning home later, you stop to check the mail, and in your mailbox you find an official-looking letter from the company that owns your apartment building.  Curious, you head up to the apartment and set down your bag before opening it.  What you find is an official notice, warning you that when your lease renews in a few months, the rent will be raised.  Scanning down, you note with a start that the new number is definitely larger than you'd expected.  This apartment already isn't cheap, and now it's going to be a bit of a stretch to afford it with your current salary.  But even so, there's no way you'd consider moving.  Being here, next to IVE, has led to the most incredible months of your life.  You'll do whatever it takes to stay here, and ultimately you can still just make it work.  Without any hesitation, you follow the instructions to go online and confirm your renewal for another year.

With that business taken care of, you fix yourself some lunch and sit down in the living room to relax for the afternoon.  Turning on the TV, you decide to watch the "Off the Record" music video one more time first...

The next morning, you get up early and run through the all-too familiar routine before heading to work once again.  You're just getting started with your typically tasks when your boss pulls you aside.  "Y/n I need to see you in the manager's office," he says gruffly before turning and walking off.

Following him there, you find another manager waiting as well.  "What's going on?" you ask, increasingly confused.

"There's no good way to say this y/n, so I'm just gonna be blunt."  Your boss folds his arms.  "The company's struggling badly right now since the scandal, and we've just gotta cut back.  You're out.  Pack your things and go, we'll send you the last paycheck tomorrow."

For just an instant the words don't process, and then understanding hits you hard.  You try to stammer out some sort of confused question, but nothing really makes it out of your mouth.  Oblivious, your boss just waves for you to go.

There should be a million concerns in your brain right now, but the shock of getting fired on the spot has you initially feeling totally blank.  Without really thinking at all, you grab your things and go, taking one last brief look at your now-former workplace before catching a bus home far earlier than expected.

The trip home passes in continued blankness, a light rain picking up outside as if to further emphasize your plight.  Only when you reach your apartment do thoughts and worries start flooding in finally.  It's not like you really loved that job, and you'd even thought about looking for a new one, but finding a job takes time, and in the meantime you have bills to pay.  And they're already raising the rent on this apartment, which only makes things worse.

Leaning against the kitchen counter, you mentally review the state of your finances, wanting to find reasons for optimism but increasingly concerned at how long you can really hold out without getting a new job in a hurry.  Absentmindedly you press your hands against your head, growing more stressed by the second.  What if you don't find a job soon?  That's the thought you can't keep out of your mind.  What if you can't afford this apartment anymore?  Even if it was possible to just move out today, you'd be giving up the greatest bit of luck you've ever had in life by leaving IVE's side.  Would you ever really see Yujin or Rei again if it wasn't so convenient for them to come over?  Would Gaeul keep trying to flirt with you when she's barely had time to be around you anyway?