1, 2, 3 → LEE HEESEUNG

𝙴𝙿𝙸𝚂𝙾𝙳𝙴 𝟷

『2010, Heir Announcement Conference』

"This is our son!" the man announced to the crowd, raising his son's hand slightly. "He is our official heir." 

"Excuse me sir," a reporter piped up, trying to make his voice louder than those of the people around them. "You're entrusting your whole your youngest son to inherit the company?"

"Yes we are," the man's wife on stage beside the first man answered. She gripped her son's hand as if reminding him don't react. They aren't worth it. "All our other sons are capable, of course. However, our youngest shows capabilities and promise beyond the others." 

"Not to mention," the man beside her chimed in, "that he takes interest in such matters." 

"Right," she agreed. "Our elder sons have their hearts set on other affairs. They have interests beyond the firm and they excell on their crafts. We are entrusting our youngest son because that's where his heart lies and that's where he'll do his best." 

"Couldn't have said it better myself," he replied as he beamed at his wife. He also pecked her cheek while the cameras were still rolling. In front of them, reporters and regular spectators alike burst into applause. He, his wife, and their youngest son stood still, smiling for everyone gathered. The last of their words sunk in and the applause became louder. No one in the crowd dared to direct their attention away from the family on stage, perhaps fearing to miss something last minute. Eyes didn't even linger as close as the screen and slideshow displayed behind them. They had the whole audience hooked with a mere glance. Carefully, the woman placed the microphone on the stand in front of the podium in which they stood behind. As a family, they walked off the stage, smile never wavering until they walked out the backstage doors.

Sitting in the dressing room, they reunited with the elder siblings who had not been on stage with them. Each of them untied ties and fiddled with the buttons on their shirts. After a full day of confrence, downtime was what they all needed. A moment to exhale, a moment to stop hiding. Both the kids and adults immediately collapsed into chairs the moment they laied their eyes upon them. All of them took the electric hand fans offered to them immediately because of the pure exhaustion and heat that overtook all of them. None of them needed to be reminded that downtime was sacred and scarce. It was old news to the family that such a thing should not be taken for granted. 

"What a long day," the woman muttered. "As if they couldn't leave us alone for five seconds." 

"The heir announcement is highly important," the man argued, with a hint of annoyance. "No wonder they want to capture it." 

"Of course I know it's important!" the woman snapped. "You would never let me forget!" 

"Never said you didn't know," he growled. "But you clearly can't handle reason and feel the need to complain about everything!" 

Abruptly, he stood up and stormed out of the room like a toddler. The hallway had emptiness, not a single soul or object in sight. Despite the dim lighting, he could still manage to navigate through the many twists and turns. All the steam and adrenaline from his fight with his wife drained slowly with each breath. He made a mental note to thank his therapist, as their tips on breathing excersizes were effective. Each step he took brought him closer to a peaceful state of mind and pure ease. 

Though they were already weak, the lights began to flicker ever so slightly. At first, the blinks were small and unnoticeable. In fact, the man himself did not pay such attention nor did he detect such a change. However, the momentary darkness stretched longer and the amount of light grew smaller. Such changes made him feel slightly spooked but not at all scared. He was not one to give into superstitions as they were merely childish legends told to teach those young and naive enough to believe them. Ignoring the scarcity of light, he continued down the hallway as though nothing ever happened. Surely, everything would go back to normal.