24H | SEVENTEEN

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Youngjae stared at her, a mix of disbelief, annoyance, and anger flashing in his eyes. "So, you're telling me that even after everything that happened, the company still insists on putting their artists at risk?"

Rumi exhaled slowly, leaning back in her chair. "Not insists, exactly. More like... they refuse to acknowledge the extent of the risk." Youngjae scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "That's the same damn thing, Rumi! They know someone's after them. They know what happened last time, and instead of increasing security, they're—what? Pushing forward like nothing's wrong?" Rumi didn't respond right away. She hated how right he was. "Their priority is keeping the business running. Cancelling schedules means losing money, and that's never going to be an option for them."

Youngjae shook his head, laughing humourlessly. "And what happens when one of them actually gets hurt? When it's not just a close call? What then?"

Rumi didn't flinch, didn't break eye contact. "That's why we're here. To make sure that doesn't happen."

"Right. With limited resources, restricted access, and a company breathing down our necks because they don't want a scandal," he shot back. Rumi sighed, rubbing at her temples. "Look, I don't like it either. But we both know how this works. If we push too hard, they'll shut us out even more." Youngjae clenched his jaw. He knew she was right, but that didn't mean he had to like it. "So what's the plan, then?"

"We do what we always do. We work around the bullshit, protect them in ways they won't even realize, and make sure whoever's behind this doesn't get the chance to try again."

For a moment, Youngjae just studied her before exhaling sharply. "That's clearly not what you are planning to do." Rumi smirked at his statement. Youngjae crossed his arms, eyes narrowing. "You've got that look. The one that says you're about to do something reckless." Rumi tilted her head, feigning innocence. "What look?"

Youngjae scoffed. "The 'I'm about to go off and do something incredibly stupid but call it strategy' look." He leaned forward, voice lowering. "What are you planning, Rumi?" She sighed, walking towards the door before opening it. "We're not getting anywhere playing by the company's rules. If they want to pretend everything's fine, then we have to work around them."

"That's not an answer." Rumi smirked. "It's the only answer you're getting." Youngjae groaned, rubbing his temples. "You're really not going to tell me, are you?" She leaned back in her chair. "Not until I know it'll work."

Youngjae let out an exasperated laugh. "I hate you." Rumi grinned. "No, you don't." He sighed in defeat. "Fine. But whatever it is, don't get yourself killed." Rumi stood up, straightening her jacket. "That's never the plan, Youngjae."

"Yeah, well, neither was getting demoted, but look where we are now." Rumi shot him a look. "Mwo?" He taunted before glancing down, "Where you going? Weren't you on leave?" He asked watching her put on her shoes. "To dorms." She simply answer making him stand up. "To see Wonwoo?" Rumi paused, she had completely forgotten to inform Youngjae about her and Wonwoo in all this mess. "Eo." She answered quickly turning around.

"Rumi-ya, he's still angry. Let him-"

"We already talked."

Youngjae blinked at her, processing her words. "Wait. You talked?" His brows furrowed in disbelief. "As in... actual, real conversation? Not just you two staring at each other like emotionally constipated statues?" Rumi rolled her eyes, adjusting her jacket. "Eo. We talked. We cleared things up." Youngjae still wasn't convinced. "Just like that?" She paused, giving him a dry look. "Nothing is ever 'just like that' with me, Youngjae."

He exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples. "No kidding." He studied her for a moment before shaking his head. He exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples. "No kidding." He studied her for a moment before shaking his head. "You really don't know how to take it easy, do you?" Rumi shrugged, slipping on her jacket. "Not in my job description."