Healing Strays

Chapter 1

"Turn on the news. Turn on the news. Turn on the news!" Han is screaming as he sprints through the dorm hallway into the common area. He lunges over one of the couches, grabbing the remote out of Changbin's hand. The man starts to protest, but Han ignores him as he quickly starts flipping through channels until he gets to the pop news one.

The others have meandered into the room, drawn in by the man's shouting. "...earlier this week. The company took swift action, removing Hyunjin from the group's schedule until the allegations could be addressed appropriately."

"Jisung." Chan grumbles, grabbing Hyunjin and holding him close as he gives the younger member a hard stare, "We don't need to watch this. Bin, turn it off."

Changbin tries to reach for the remote, but Han dances out of the way, "No. No. Chan we need to watch the next bit. I promise. It's worth it. I'm not just trying to antagonize Jinnie. I swear. I wouldn't do that right now. I know he wouldn't be able to handle it." he glances at the screen, "It's on!" he yells while quickly turning the volume up higher.

"Now normally, our station would not entertain bringing on guests to discuss the drama unfolding in the kpop industry." the newscaster states.

"Bullshit." Seungmin says while pretending to cough. Chan rolls his eyes and Minho smirks.

"We, however, cannot deny the request when it comes from a Level 7 Healer Class Omega."

Hyunjin collapses onto a couch, eyes staring at the screen as he forgets to breath when the camera flips to a small nondistinctive woman. The entire group glances back and forth between the screen and Hyunjin. The woman is pretty, sure, but definitely not enough to explain why their groupmate has looked like the floor has fallen out from underneath him.

"Hello, my name is Jeon Nari. I've come to address the rumors being spread that Hwang Hyunjin was a bully in school growing up. I want to start by stating that these rumors are completely false and unfounded. He was not involved with the bullying that caused one of the students from our high school to leave the country. How can I say this with certainty, you may ask? It's because I was the student to leave. I was viciously attacked by countless students during my time there. Hyunjin was the only one to act in my defense and the only one to befriend me. I'm sure the people spreading the rumors assumed that I would not speak out against them, after all no one had heard from me in many years."

They watch her take a deep breath, all of the members having fallen into a chair or couch at this point, each in various stages of shock. "For those of you that will inevitably say I'm doing this for attention, I would say I never wanted to be in the spotlight. I could have become a celebrity the instant I presented and obtained my class. I didn't for reasons that are my own. But I knew that I could not stand back while the people who attacked and belittled me growing up used their own crimes to ruin the life of the one person I actually care about from that time in my life. Hwang Hyunjin is one of the kindest people I have ever met. He is a fierce protector and loyal to a fault. Stray kids is lucky to have him as a member and the public should realize just how blessed they are to be able to share in his life. It is so much more than many of you deserve."

She looks away from the camera, wiping away at her face before turning to stare directly back into the lens, "Hyunjinnie oppa. If you are watching this. I am so sorry for disappearing without a trace all those years ago. You deserved so much better than me just not showing up at school. I can never apologize enough for doing that to you. If..." her voice cracks for a minute, and they watch her swallow before pushing on, "If you want to reach out, you know the way to get in touch. I promise it will still work after all this time. If you don't, I understand. I'll be cheering for you always. Fighting." She cheers softly while throwing up two fists.