aftermath | jinseob [discont.]

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is hyungseob being serious?

yes, he is. he just called a taxi and asked for a lift to bangbae-dong. his face shows nothing burlesque. "i'll pay for the ride," he says for the first time in forever, a moment i'd remember for life.

"are you sure?"

"before i change my mind, yes."

i sigh numbly. i don't know how to respond exactly, as we weren't exactly allowed to return back to our companies in any way possible as we'll perhaps get speculated for getting an interrogation by them. interrogations could vary into different possibilities, from yearns of terminating the 1.5 year contract to a straight-up confession wanting to leave the shitty company we are now a part of.

rhymer would actually be considered as one of the best ceos in public (at least, that's what he wants us to think, and I wouldn't disagree either if i were asked) but he's definitely not one of ymc's favorites. considering the fact that he practically treats his trainees like his own children, information would come and go along the both sides. he's not one for keeping secrets to the people he cares about.

that's why i love being in this company so much.

the car ride was silent but amicable. hyungseob keeps humming a tune that sounded like it came out of a trot song. the driver was an old man with white strands of hair, and he did not seem to question us by our relevancy or the fact that the two men at the back were holding hands. he smiled weakly throughout the trip, minding his own business.

we finally reached our destination and it felt like a considerable amount of weight was lifted away from me. it only has been 3 weeks since i last gone here, but it's an extremely big difference knowing that i literally go here every day before my produce days. hyungseob gazes at me in fraternization, but he kept it inconspicuous.

the building itself is not all luxurious (i have the guts to say that as i do have been to yuehua and i'd say it really represents its reputation as the richest company in south korea) but it is home. hyungseob eagerly looks around, his eyes scavenge every bit of the room. i sneer. "i know it's not that fancy—"

"are you kidding? this is nice!"

"that coming from a yuehua trainee."

"no but seriously, this looks like.. an organized, aesthetic night club." hyungseob purses his lips. "that's a compliment, by the way."

i simper. "if you say so—"

"woojin-ah?" a recognizable voice came from the other side of the room, revealing my one and only beloved ceo. he had a worrisome look on his face. "where have you been? snakes have been calling me ceaselessly for the past hour—" he tilts his head once he sees the presence of hyungseob. his eyes widen. "ahn hyungseob?!"

hyungseob smiles courteously. "yeah, it is me."

"are you here to sue me?!"

i look at him confusedly, and it was no doubt that hyungseob was confused too. "i'm sorry, what?"

"woojin-ah, i told you not to tell him that i told you!"

"but—"

"do you want me fired?!"

hyungseob, realizing what he meant, immediately bows. "ah, this is all perhaps a misunderstanding. woojin hasn't told me anything in particular that seem indecorous."

rhymer eyes me, mouthing "you did not tell him?" i only return him a sly shrug. he sighs. "ah, okay. that's nice. you're a nice boy seob, i remember you are always mentioned by the kid who sadly left us three weeks ago."

i groan. "stop acting as if i'm dead—"

"sometimes i could still hear his voice," his voice merges into a sad tone that almost sounded real if i didn't know the dumb context behind it.

"we're going upstairs now." i inform as i quickly grab hyungseob's hand to guide him so he won't far be questioned by the person i call my ceo. hyungseob was a bit surprised, but he did not argue. we were already far to the top when he suddenly shouted one last thing to us.

"you're fine! right?"

i turn back. "what do you mean?"

"are they treating you well?"

i pause. "unfortunately, there's no plausible answer to that."

there's a sudden tint of sadness on his eyes once i replied him. it was like as if he does not have the power anymore to help me. he gives out a weak smile and raises his fist. "fighting."