since our eyes first met - Minsung

챕터JYP entertaiment

the next morning

»What are you going to do today?« Minho asked after I got back into our room after I took a shower and changed. He was sitting at the table between his bed and the window and turned on the desk chair.

»I'm going to the company today. You know, for some orga stuff?« I said and put a few things into my black shoulder bag with the small Han Quokka keychain on the side »I hope it's okay. We didn't have any plans, right?«

Minho shook his head as he turned to me. »No, we didn't.« Somehow, his voice sounded a bit sad, but I think I just imagined that. But to be sure, I asked, »Are you sure? I mean, I could spend the day with you guys, but you know—«

»Oh, never mind. I know you're still working on the last things for the new album,« Minho cut me off.

I smiled and turned around to face him. »Thanks, bro. But you've worked on the choreos even harder than I did.«

Minho shook his head. »Nah, you worked harder. I mean, you've written most of the songs and the ideas for the music videos, and you designed the album cover together with Hyunjin.«

»Yeah, okay. I worked hard, I know.« I looked at my phone to check the time. »Oh, I have to go. The company van is going to pick me up.«Minho nodded while I threw my shoulder bag over my shoulder »Okay, bye.«

»See ya,« I said and left the room.

I grabbed my wallet from the drawer in the hallway and my keys.

As I left the dorm, I put on my headphones and connected them with my phone. I put on a black mask and cap, you know, to avoid the paparazzi and the fans.

Don't get me wrong, I really love STAYs, but sometimes, especially when I go to the company, I need my privacy.

I stepped down the stairs and out of the apartment building.

The company van was already waiting for me. I got into the back of the van and mumbled a hello and that I wanted to go to the company.
The driver simply nodded at me as I sat down in the back seat and the door softly clicked shut. It was a warm day, but still, I had wrapped myself in my black beanie and mask – the attempt to stay somewhat inconspicuous. The van started moving and rolled through the streets of Seoul. I leaned back, put on my headphones, and closed my eyes as music streamed into my ears.

The ride to the company was never particularly long, but every time it felt different. Sometimes, when I was alone, I could lose myself in my thoughts – and today was one of those days. The past few weeks had been stressful, with album production and all the things that needed to be done. But the thought of soon meeting up with the guys and finally finishing the last details of our new project made me forget all the tension.

I thought back to Minho, when he had left the room earlier. Maybe he had sounded a bit sad after all. But Minho was always like that, wasn't he? He hid his feelings behind a facade of strength and humor. He was like an older brother to me, even though we were roughly the same age. It wasn't always easy to confront one's own feelings, especially in a group like ours, where everything always seemed to run smoothly, and each of us had our own responsibilities.

»Hey, we're here, Jisung«, the voice of the driver snapped me out of my thoughts. I had somehow missed the moment when we arrived in front of the big JYP building. The van stopped in front of the entrance, and I got out, still wearing my mask and beanie.

»Thanks«, I mumbled and quickly made my way inside.

The foyer of the company was quiet, as always in the early morning. Most people weren't there yet, or they were busy in their own areas. I went straight to the elevator and pressed the button for the office floor. As I stepped into the elevator, I took a deep breath and tried to focus on what lay ahead.