Secrets Unfold, 트레저 (Treasure)

Operation: Join YG for the Good Food

"Who are you calling?" asked Jeongwoo, eyeing Yongseo suspiciously as she pulled out her phone.

"Mr. Yang," joked Yongseo, her voice deadpan.

Haruto nearly lunged for the phone, wide-eyed, before Yongseo raised her hands in defense. "I'm joking! I'm joking! Relax. I'm just calling my sister to tell her I won't be coming home."

She showed them the caller ID, making sure they could see it. Haruto still wasn't convinced. "On the speaker," he commanded.

Yongseo sighed dramatically and put her phone on speaker. After three rings, her sister, Raemi, picked up. "Sup? When are you coming home?"

"Not today, but I'll swing by tomorrow to grab some clothes after college. Probably won't be back until next week," Yongseo said, trying to sound casual.

"Don't take on too much work, you're turning into a workaholic," Raemi scolded, like an older sister who's seen this movie too many times.

Yongseo chuckled. "Don't worry, it's not work. I'm just hanging out with... well, let's say I'm in good company. Anyway, just take care of yourself and Dad."

Raemi sighed. "Fine, but don't overdo it. If you need anything, just holler. You know where to find me."

Yongseo smiled. "I can always count on you. Alright, I gotta go. Bye!"

"See you tomorrow," Raemi replied, sounding a little more cheerful.

As soon as Yongseo hung up, she raised an eyebrow at Haruto. "See? No secret villain phone call here. Just my sister reminding me I'm turning into a workaholic."

Jeongwoo leaned in, smirking. "That's okay, we're all workaholics here. Welcome to the club."

*Later that day*

People weren't lying when they said YG had great food. "I think I'm considering getting a job at YG if they're hiring," said Yongseo, stabbing a fork into her meal. "This is the best food I've ever had at any workplace or school."

Jeongwoo let out a laugh, "You should try the festival specials one day. Now that's the best!"

Yongseo dramatically wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Any job openings for me? I'll even mop the floors for this food!"

Haruto shrugged, "I dunno, but I'll let Hyunsuk hyung know. We could use a professional eater."

A job at YG didn't sound bad. She might get to hang out with her idols like she is now. Was this a dream? It had only been a few hours and she was already acting way too normal around them. Either she was adjusting well, or she was secretly in a simulation.

Jaehyuk approached the table, flashing a grin. "Hey, just a heads-up—I can't arrange clothes for you today," he said apologetically. "Ours would be too big and the female idols' stuff would be too small." Jaehyuk added, "No offense."

Yongseo looked down at her food baby and her naturally good hips. "None taken. Don't worry about it, I always have extra clothes in my backpack," she said casually. "Gotta stay prepared, you know, agent life."

Jaehyuk raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Nice! Always ready for a surprise sleepover, huh?"

"Exactly," Yongseo said, grinning. Then, she leaned forward dramatically. "By the way, I'm definitely going to college tomorrow. I swear to god, I'll be back after class!"

Jaehyuk chuckled, "Oh yeah, you kinda have to. You're seriously lacking in attendance, aren't you?"

Yongseo's jaw dropped. "At this point, I'm not even gonna ask how you know that," she said, throwing up her hands.

"YG knows everything," Jeongwoo chimed in, dramatically narrowing his eyes.

"Well, except how to pay us more," Haruto deadpanned, making everyone burst into laughter.

*The next day*

Yongseo dragged herself out of bed at 6 AM, her body protesting with every move. She had college at 8, and the thought of catching a bus and enduring an hour-long ride was enough to make her want to stay under the covers forever. She threw on yesterday's outfit, opened the door to her new room—her "temporary prison," as she liked to call it—and was immediately greeted by Haruto, looking way too cheerful for this hour.

"Hi, good morning!" he chirped.

Yongseo looked at him like he'd just said something offensive. "There's nothing good about it, but yeah, sure, morning," she groaned. "Why on earth are you up this early?"

Haruto shrugged with that easygoing smile of his. "I've been up since 4. Had practice. And Hyunsuk hyung predicted you'd wake up around 6 or 6:30, so here I am, your early morning welcome committee."

Yongseo gave him a deadpan look. "So... Hyunsuk thinks he's a psychic now? What's next, is he gonna tell me my horoscope?"

Haruto chuckled. "Nah, he'd just tell you to drink more water and stretch. He's like a walking health app."

"I need more than water to survive this day," Yongseo muttered, yawning. "Like a nap... or a miracle."

Haruto nodded seriously. "Or, you know, coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. I heard that's how college students stay alive."

"Coffee and sheer panic," Yongseo added. "Can't forget the panic."

Haruto laughed. "Well, have fun at college. We'll be here plotting world domination when you get back."

"Great, I'll just be plotting how not to pass out in my lectures," she shot back, dragging herself toward the door.

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Author's Note

Yongseo surviving on sheer panic and coffee while Haruto's up at 4 AM with a smile? Classic morning person vs. night owl dilemma. 😂 Also, did anyone catch the "YG knows everything" vibe? Seriously, Haruto, don't give us Black Mirror feels in the middle of this comedy. 🤖 And as for the "temporary prison" setup—Yongseo, girl, you're living every fan's dream, but I get it, missing sleep hits differently when college is calling.

Anyway, what's your go-to survival method for early mornings: coffee or more sleep? Let's see if Yongseo makes it through without snoozing in class! 😴

- Cloud 10/08