my silly kpop non-idols au

Hangeng's life as a Mayor (💙SUJU)

Special Appearances: Renjun, Xiaojun and Kun (NCT)
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The old town clock chimed five times, echoing through the narrow, cobblestone streets of Dongguan. The once bustling market had quietened to a gentle murmur as the sun dipped behind the distant hills, casting a warm glow over the red-tiled rooftops. Hangeng, the town's mayor, sat at his desk, surrounded by the familiar scent of aged oak and dusty tomes. His eyes scanned over the documents before him, the corners of his mouth tightening with every page turn.

The weight of his responsibilities was a constant companion, but today felt heavier than most. He needed a break, a moment to breathe in the essence of the town that was his home. With a decisive motion, Hangeng stood, his chair scraping against the floor, and donned his well-worn hat. The cool evening air greeted him as he stepped outside, the last of the day's heat retreating before the night's embrace. The scent of grilled meat and freshly baked buns lingered in the air from the day's market, a reminder of the lives he worked so tirelessly to protect and improve.

As he strolled through the town, he noticed the familiar faces that made up the tapestry of Dongguan. Renjun, the cobbler with the ever-ready smile, was sweeping the front of his shop, the rhythmic taps of his broom punctuating the quiet. Renjun looked up, his eyes lighting up with recognition, and waved. Hangeng waved back, feeling a warmth spread through him as he continued on his walk. Then, there was Kun, the young artist who painted vibrant scenes of the town on the sides of buildings, bringing a splash of color to the ancient stones. He was perched on a ladder, a smudge of paint on his cheek as he added delicate strokes to a mural of children playing in a lotus pond. Hangeng offered a nod of approval, and Kun grinned back, his brush never ceasing its dance.

The sound of an engine grew louder, disrupting the serenity of the evening. Hangeng's gaze shifted to the approaching car, an uncommon sight in a town that still clung to its traditional roots. As it grew closer, he recognized the faces of its occupants. It was Siwon, Kyuhyun, and Heechul, three friends he had not seen since his days in the city. Their car rolled to a stop beside him, and they leaned out the windows, laughter and greetings spilling into the night.

"Hangeng!" Siwon called out, his eyes alight with excitement. "We heard you've been making quite the name for yourself as a mayor! We had to come see the town you've been bragging about for years."

With a chuckle, Hangeng opened the back door of the car and slid in, the leather seats a stark contrast to the simple chair in his office. The engine hummed to life, and the car began to navigate the winding streets of Dongguan. The trio had changed since their city days, their clothes more refined, their smiles more knowing, but the bond between them remained as strong as ever. They talked about the old times, their voices filling the car with a nostalgic warmth that seemed to seep into Hangeng's very bones.

As they drove, the landscape shifted, and the ancient Chinese temples came into view. Their ornate roofs, painted in shades of vermilion and gold, gleamed in the fading light, and the quiet whispers of their ancestors seemed to carry on the evening breeze. The town had grown, but it had not forgotten its heritage. The sight brought a proud smile to Hangeng's face as he pointed them out to his friends, who nodded in appreciation.

The car pulled to a halt before a large, open field at the edge of town, where a dilapidated circus tent stood, a relic of a bygone era. The once vibrant stripes had faded to shadows of their former glory, and the canvas sagged under the weight of neglect. The metal poles that held it upright had begun to rust, a silent testament to the passing of time.

Curiosity piqued, the four friends climbed out of the car, their footsteps crunching on the gravel as they approached the abandoned circus. The air was thick with the scent of dust and memories, a stark contrast to the bustling energy that once filled this space. The ferris wheel loomed over them, its seats creaking as they swung slightly in the evening breeze.

Kyuhyun's eyes fell upon a solitary balloon, tethered to a stake by a thin, frayed rope. It had once been a vibrant shade of blue, but now it lay there, deflated and forlorn, a symbol of forgotten dreams and lost joy. He bent down to pick it up, and as he did so, a sudden gust of wind filled it, lifting it briefly before it descended again. The sight brought a wistful look to Hangeng's face, his thoughts drifting back to a time when the circus had been the heart of Dongguan, a place where dreams and reality danced together under the big top.

The group made their way out of the circus, the fading light casting long shadows that stretched out like spectral fingers, hinting at the magic that once dwelled there. The engine of the car roared to life once more, and they set off, leaving the silent witnesses of the past behind them. As they drove away, Heechul spoke up, his voice tinged with a hint of concern.

"So, what happened to the circus?" he asked, his gaze lingering on the shrinking form of the tent.

Hangeng's smile was tinged with a hint of sadness. "Ah, the circus," he said, his eyes glazing over with the weight of a story untold. "It's been closed for a while now. The owner, an old friend of my father's, passed away a few years back. Since then, no one's had the heart to revive it. The town's moved on to other forms of entertainment."

As they drove through the town, the car's windows rolled down to let in the evening air, they saw the lights flickering on in the windows of the shops and homes. Hangeng's heart swelled with a sense of belonging, and he knew he had made the right choice in coming back to serve Dongguan. As they approached a lively intersection, they spotted Kun and Xiaojun playing a game of chess outside Xiaojun's teashop, while Renjun sat nearby, mending a pair of shoes with meticulous care. The sight brought a sense of peace to Hangeng's soul, a reminder of the simple pleasures that made his town so special.

He called out to his friends, and the car pulled over. The three men looked up from their game, surprise and joy spreading across their faces as they recognized Hangeng and his companions. The engine idled quietly as Hangeng stepped out to greet them, the scent of jasmine tea and leather mingling with the evening air. They clasped hands, their laughter a warm melody that danced around them.

Siwon leaned out of the car, his eyes scanning the board. "Looks like you're winning, Xiaojun," he teased, nudging Hangeng playfully. "Guess the mayor's not so sharp tonight."

Hangeng grinned good-naturedly. "I've had better days," he admitted, his gaze lingering on the chessboard. "But I've had worse opponents."

The friends fell into easy banter, their conversation weaving in and out of the gentle sounds of the evening. The engine of the car was a comforting purr in the background as they drove through the dimly lit streets, the headlights casting pools of yellow light that danced and stretched ahead of them. The town had changed since they were young, but the essence of Dongguan remained the same. The comfort of familiarity wrapped around Hangeng like a warm blanket, a stark contrast to the fast-paced world of the city they had all left behind.