The Second Chance of A Suicidal Idol

Baek Du-Ho (4)

"...shouldn't involve Flights in this!" Reggie argued with a long sigh.

Jung Hyun-Ok and Ryeo Hyun nodded in agreement.

ASCEND sat on their cramped couch. Mi Yong and Ryeo Hyun took the arms, while Reggie, Jung Hyun-Ok, and Baek Du-Ho sat comfortably on the cushions. Joon-woo stood, in the position to have his bandmates' attention.

Baek Du-Ho was quietly watching Joon-woo and his quiet rebuttal.

"Think about it, what EASY cares about is money. And if our fans get them said money by buying albums and supporting our appearances on all these shows and brands, they are at the fans mercy." Joon-woo explained, slightly losing the respect in his voice as he got deeper into the explanation. The tabloid would've done flips if they heard a word of Joon-woo at that moment. "If we show the signs of fatigue, and Yong Hyung, the most, they will be driven to boycott and demand action." He explained.

Reggie pursed his lips, all of ASCEND did. They mulled over Joon-woo's words with more thought than he had ever been given.

Carre sat in a sleepy loaf on Reggie's lap, while Kite rested on Joon-woo's shoulder.

"You should call him Manager Mi Yong as a nickname too..." Kite suggested listlessly.

Joon-woo nodded, the silence of the dorm and thoughts engulfing him.

"I know it sounds kind of shitty... but–" Joon-woo went to explain, but Mi Yong shook his head.

"No, it makes sense. This is how the industry works." Mi Yong replied, "If we have to involve our Flights, I don't want to make them distressed, however."

Ryeo Hyun took a long breath, "That's my issue... They do so much to support us, so making them distressed for our sake seems... mean." Reggie seemed to agree the most. Joon-woo could tell with the guilty look in his eyes.

Joon-woo was slightly frustrated. They hadn't faced the brunt of the industry in full force yet. Even Mi Yong seemed to be anything but understanding despite his previous words. Yeah, Joon-woo was glad his bandmates still had that industry innocence, but that made it hard in situations like this.

"Not everyone is as cold as you, pretty boy." Carre yawned.

Joon-woo wanted to scoff, but hid the urge in the face of his bandmates.

"Hyung-ah, what do you think our company wants from us?" Joon-woo asked Ryeo Hyun.

Ryeo Hyun wasn't surprised by Joon-woo's bluntness. No one really was anymore. He had earned the 'fake maknae' title because of his almost senior-like attitude towards things.

"To draw fans in and–"

"Money." Joon-woo finished for him, "Reporting him without pressure from fans, their financial support system, will be effective. Yes, I understand that it's cruel to make them worry for us, but is it so crazy to say that maybe they should be?"

The room was silenced.

"Du-Ho Hyung was hospitalized. Hyun-Ok Hyung needed an IV after our last stage. Hyun Hyung had to carry Yong Hyung on his back last week after practicing. Hyun-Ok Hyung hasn't eaten in almost 24 hours. Isn't that a cause for concern? Mr. Jeong has to be reporting our conditions to the company consistency, but he doesn't. It's not like the company even released a formal explanation for Du-Ho Hyung's health troubles." Joon-woo ranted with a passion in his voice that Reggie watched with a daze in his cheeks.

The room remained silenced.

"That's... fair," Jung Hyun-Ok hummed, "Yong Hyung-ah, should we..?"

Mi Yong gulped, "I... I think it's worth it in that case. But I'm only gonna go through with this if everyone is okay with it. This is risky..." He explained, looking around the room awaiting a response.