Somewhere after ‘I did,’ Byeongkwan had completely checked out, focused on reading the label on an energy drink he’d confiscated from another trainee at his side. Still the sheer spectacle of her contorting features each time he glanced across the table almost had him in stitches. And just as he was about to unleash a snarky comment of his own, one of her statements hit him like a slap in the face, leaving him momentarily speechless. Father.
Well, there goes his chances of ever getting a lead role in one of those flicks. With his tongue practically glued to his cheek and blinking at about 134 bpm, Byeongkwan starts weighing out his options. At this point in the conversation ( if you could evencall it that ), a half-assed apology would only make him look like a kicked puppy scampering away with its tail tucked between its legs. With all eyes on him, eagerly awaiting his next move, he had to make a strategic choice - if he wanted to make it through the next grueling three-hour training session without endless clowning from his groupmates, that is.
He clicks his tongue in contemplation, making the decision to dig in his heels. Mirroring her posture, he propped his chin up on his knuckles and leaned forward, stifling a yawn for added effect. “Oh… Were you done? Sorry, I zoned out for a second there. But hey, listen…”
“You know what? You’re absolutely right. I should be more cautious with my words. And I would never, in a million years, dare to disrespect the visionary genius that is your father. What do I know, anyway. I’m just some douchebag, right? But, with all due respect, I could really care less about how I come across to a nepo baby.”
jiae stares back at the abnormally tall boy. slowly chewing her food as she watches him closely, she wondering if the cogs in his brain were beginning to turn at all. she hadn’t intended for this conversation to result in confrontation, but it was what it was— he was the one who decided to go and start spewing a load of nonsense in legacy’s cafeteria, not her. jiae was only doing him and his friends a favour by telling them— well, mostly him to put a sock in it, because while that sort of behaviour was cool in these parts, out there in the big wide world, it wasn’t.
saying the wrong thing to the wrong person could make or break one’s future in this industry.
she begins to think that it would of been kinder for her, or perhaps easier— to not say anything to him. it would of meant that she would of had to of sat and eaten her lunch, listening to a group of korean frat boys talking shit about her father— but it would of certainly saved her some mental energy. then again, it didn’t feel morally right for jiae to side by idly and let them say whatever.
he opens his mouth again, which doesn’t come as a surprise to jiae. he has the inability from the looks of things to keep it shut— or say anything remotely polite or kind. she had hoped from the look on his face that he may be on the verge of offering up an apology of sorts. but jiae is sorely mistaken. her brows furrow together in disappointment and any confidence or pride she had left in her drains. she purses her lips together, pausing— before straightening up her lunch tray.
she contemplates giving him another long, arduous response, but ultimately decides against it. jiae slowly gets to her feet before collecting her tray. “you really didn’t listen to a word i said. just further proving my point.” she says curtly. “enjoy the rest of your lunch.”
