✔ Caffeine || CHOI SOOBIN FF

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟟𝟠

~ur welcome again~

-Start of Chapter 78-

Soobin's POV

The corridor outside the glass conference room feels colder than usual, or maybe that's just me. My reflection stares back at me from the door, and for a moment, I feel like I'm looking at someone else—someone who isn't supposed to be this nervous. Leader. Idol. The one who has to keep it all together.

"Hyung." Taehyun's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I glance back at the members behind me. They're all there—Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai. They're not just standing there; they're rooting for me in their own way.

"You can do it," Yeonjun says with a small smile, clapping me on the shoulder.

"Yeah, hyung," Hueningkai adds. "We've got your back."

Beomgyu gives me a reassuring nod with a pressed smile as he opens the door for me gesturing me to go inside first.

The manager is already seated at the long table, scrolling through his phone, his expression unreadable. The door closes behind me with a soft click, and the room feels smaller with the members filing in behind me.

The manager looks up, his sharp eyes darting between us. "Yes? I hear you all wanted to say something."

I draw in a shaky breath, my palms damp.

Here we go.

"I..." My voice falters for a second, and I catch Beomgyu's pressed smile turning into a line out of the corner of my eye. I clear my throat and try again. "I'm dating someone."

The silence that follows is so thick it's almost tangible.

"WHAT?!" The manager's voice booms, echoing off the walls. His phone clatters onto the table as he sits up straighter, his eyes wide in disbelief. "Now?! Are you serious? It's nearly time for your comeback, Soobin! Of all times!"

I flinch, the intensity of his reaction making my nerves spike. "I—yes. I know it's bad timing," I stammer, feeling my face heat up.

"Don't tell me it's—" He cuts himself off, his expression darkening. "Don't tell me it's her."

The room feels suffocating. 

"Yes." My voice is steadier now. "It's Y/N. Park Y/N."

The manager leans back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose like he's trying to ward off a migraine. "I thought we left this all behind," he mutters under his breath before fixing me with a hard stare. "Do you even understand what you're risking?"

I nod. "I do."

He scoffs, shaking his head. "No, I don't think you do. This isn't just about you, Soobin. It's about the group, the company, your fans. The timing couldn't be worse."

I glance back at the members, expecting them to stay quiet, but Yeonjun steps forward.

"Soobin's not the only one who thought this through." Yeonjun says, his tone calm but firm. "We all knew, and we support him."

The manager's gaze shifts to Yeonjun, then to the others, who nod in agreement.

"Support him?" The manager's laugh is dry and humorless. "Do you think the public will support this? You're a leader, Soobin. You don't get the luxury of making decisions like this without consequences."