❝-Jaehyun-ssi,❞ she handed him a small brown envelope she retrieved from her bag.❝ I am trusting you to get all the members to sign up this time, no excuses okay? ❞ Of course, how could she pass by the opportunity to have her physical copy of the album signed by the members of her ultimate group? She wasn’t. But with her schedules never making time, it was almost impossible for her to get a hand on it. So, last minute decision, she decided to pay Jaehyun a small visit -a perfect excuse for him to finally grabbing that album and forcing all the other members to sign it up.
❝- Since I came back just now just for this, I think it’s only understandable for you to invite me for a lunch. It’s etiquette, right? For you sunbae.❞
it’s a busy day in the worldwide media building, numerous figures speed-walking through the hallways to get to where they need to be, trainees in the practice rooms and idols preparing for their numerous schedules lined up for the month. it’s always fairly busy, and it almost seems like employees here never catch a break. there’s always something happening, always something being planned, that just keeps everyone busier and busier than the day before. how no one seems to even look the least bit tired — something he secretly envies — is beyond his knowledge. he’s always told that ‘when you’re in the business for as long as they have, you learn just how this world works’.
ryu jaehyun has been in the company since he was eight ( turning nine ) years old, and after fourteen years he still had no clue as to what their secret is. it’s one of the reasons he’s stressing out now, because he thinks that his own fatigue had caused him to slip up, misplacing some important papers for both his album and halcyon’s. he’s sure that when, if, the other members hear of this, they will never let him live. frantically searching the room now, he can’t help but frown deeply — where had those papers gone? not only with the boys kill him, but his manager will kill him ! perhaps he should just reprint all of the pieces he lost, but that’d be tedious, wouldn’t it? he doesn’t like that option.
the abrupt knocking on the door startles him, making him jump before clutching his chest — a soft call of his name would’ve been better.
“it’s almost time, jaehyun-ah. you might as well get going now.” right, he managed to forget that too. he had no idea he’d be so busy today. as much as he wants to keep looking for those papers, he supposes a break wouldn’t hurt him; after all, his parents wouldn’t let him skip this time. he straightens himself up, nodding at no one else in the room before heading out of the room, playfully glaring at his manager. “i was working back there, you scared me !” his words are met with equally teasing laughter, the type telling him to get out of here before he really tries to scare the idol. he hurries down to the lobby, catching a few trainees entering and, like a good senior, he halts his journey to talk to them.
he pauses again, confused momentarily as he does a double take. shit. he completely forgot daldal would be seeing him. something about getting halcyon’s album signed by all of the members — something completely doable for someone he considers close to him. he’s still wondering if he’s being pranked. how was someone like daldal, inarguably one of the biggest household names in south korea, a fan of his group? he’s a fan of her; of her group as well ! which reminds him, how could he forget he was going to spend time with her? stupid. regardless, he bids the trainees goodbye, turning away as he offers the woman a megawatt smile; it’s always nice to see friends after a slightly stressful morning.
“noona, so nice to see you !” he gingerly tucks the envelope under his arm, his hands in his shoulders as he nods obediently: she didn’t need to ask twice. a brow rises as she makes her declaration, chuckling before gesturing outside. “well, it’s funny you bring that up; i was just about to go have lunch with my parents.” he smiles, pausing in his step to look back at her. “would you like to join us? i’m sure they won’t mind me bringing a friend.”
before walking again, he paused once more, giving her a serious look.
“and don’t call me sunbae ! that’s wrong and you know it !”