Character: Ji Suk Jin, minor Jae Suk.

Note: _{Out of the way, Suk Jin’s fan coming through along with a fic for him.} I was supposed to post this before 2016, but the idea came now… Urgh… =_=”

          When he was first offered to join Running Man, it took him a while to reconsider. He was full of doubt when the PD told him about its concept; how extreme some of the missions might be. However, when they told him that Jae Suk will be joining, he wasted no minute to say yes.

          The first day of the shoot came. He was worried at first. Especially after finding out how far the age differences between him and the other members are. Nevertheless, he can’t say it aloud. According to him, it’s non-professional for one to use age as a factor. He decided to stay silent and just go with the flow.

           The shoot started once the store’s close, causing him to lose a lot of rest. He tends to feel dizzy during the shoot. Sometimes, he ended up dozing off, even when the camera’s still rolling. “I’m just not used to it yet.” He often told himself. He always drank caffeinated beverages before and during the shoot so that he can stay alert, even though he knows that drinking too much caffeine is dangerous. Jae Suk always helped him out by poking him at his waist or giving him a jump scare, just to keep his hyung awake.

          It’s only been 5 episodes and Suk Jin’s already gasping for air. His stamina wasn’t as high as Jong Kook’s. He couldn’t even stand the first 10 minute of the race, resulting on being the earliest member sent to jail. There was a time when he was the last member of the mission team. However, since he couldn’t withstand Sparta’s strength, his team lost, all thanks to him.

          Ji Hyo is officially a member of Running Man and this made Suk Jin a bit relief, considering Ji Hyo is always blank. However, after a few episodes, Ji Hyo is getting better in almost everything, earning herself the title ‘Ace’. Even Kwang Soo, Gary and Jong Ki were new to the variety world. However, their skill improved, gaining attention not just from South Korea, but the entire world. Everyone is getting better, but something is keeping Suk Jin from thinking he is.

         Jong Ki ended his service with Running Man, marking a new beginning for the rest of the member with new concepts and ideas. All of them are reluctant about the new challenges their facing, saying that it’s time for a new challenge. However, Suk Jin could barely keep up with it. The name tag hunting mission is getting ridiculous, and as usual, he’s the first one in. Sometimes, he was eliminated too early that there’s barely enough footage just for himself. He was annoyed when the member and the guest kept teasing him ‘Race Starter’. However, as time pass by he eventually grew tired to argue and even self sometimes.

          It has been 100 episodes since Running Man first aired, and Suk Jin is glad to be alive. He always wonders how the fans think about him. Is he just a useless impala in their eyes? Don’t they notice that he was one of the earliest to notice or figure out about something? “Of course not…” he said to himself. “ They notice Jae Suk’s leadership, Jong Kook’s strength, Kwang Soo’s acting skill, Gary’s charm, Ji Hyo’s beauty, Haha’s skill,” He sighed, “I wonder if they actually notice me as me? Not as that weak wangko or that pathetic race starter…”

         Suk Jin tried harder the following year. The fans like the Easy Brothers and he uses that as an advantage for him to show himself. He tried betraying like Haha and Kwang Soo and eventually became an official member of the Betrayer Trio. He tried acting, and that fails terribly to which even he’s not comfortable with. He tried being more active and tries to stay fit, even if it tires him out in the end. He forced himself with all those health remedies like walking on acupunctures and drinking all those health drinks given by the producers. However, despite all this change, he can’t help but being himself like making up new songs randomly even if it doesn’t make senses. “Just because they want me to be idiot, doesn’t mean that I have to literally be one.”

          Most of his effort actually paid off. The fans acknowledged him, even if there weren’t many from South Korea, but most of them were from across Asia. He actually succeeded in ripping off Sparta’s name tag, to which even he was surprised, and, to top it off, he actually won an episode. Even though most of the fans think that Ji Hyo should be the victor, but the rest of the member think that Suk Jin should have the title considering that anyone could have steal the chance. Since then, Suk Jin is determined to try winning another episode on his own. Miracles can repeat themselves and with the help from two university students, he’s crowned the new king of ddakji. This manages to boost his confidence.

          The 2014 Asian Dream Cup is up and for the first time, Suk Jin and Ji Hyo get to join the fun, even though Ji Hyo didn’t really play. Getting the chance to play on the field and the funny thing was he’s selected as captain to replace Park Ji Sung. He was honored, even though his performance on the field is not as great as the real captain. He just laughed it off with the others, and the punishment they received was challenging and fun at the same time. Suk Jin’s task was to play games with a baby orang utan and one thing for sure, it was super tricky since Chelsea, the baby orang utan, was really active. This reminds him of the time he has to take care of his son when he was still a toddler. “Okay, if I can handle Hyun Woo, I can handle Chelsea.” He thought, trying his best to complete his mission, in which he succeeded.

        Up to the end of 2015, Suk Jin has achieved a few things he never imagined he would gain. He and his partner managed to win in another episode, he gets to rip off Jong Kook’s name tag for the second time, almost beating Jong Kook and there’s one thing that surprised him until the end: winning the Excellence Award at SBS Entertainment Award 2015. When his name was called out as the winner, Suk Jin stood up in surprise. He glanced around, seeing if this was a prank. The other member of Running Man stood up and gave applause for him, to which he was still confused. “I must be dreaming…,” he said, but he’s not. He eventually went to the stage with bunch of flowers in his hands. The stage where he couldn’t remember when was the last time he was on it. Usually, he’s up there as a Running Man member or just to give flowers to his fellow member or assist them with the flowers. However, this is beyond what he would imagine. He was speechless.

~~~

        “Suk Jin hyung, aren’t you coming in?” Jae Suk asked as he exited Haha’s restaurant. The rest of the members were in there, celebrating New Year’s Eve together along with their family. He noticed that the eldest member was outside in the cold, snowy night. He was a little glad once he saw Suk Jin wearing his thick coat and scarf.

          Suk Jin turned his head towards his dongsaeng, grinning a bit before answering in a joking tone. “Nothing, just, thinking about a new year’s resolution.” He smiled, but he doubt Jae Suk can see it since his scarf is in the way.

         “Out in the cold air? You could just think about it inside this warm restaurant here.” He said, slightly shivering since he’s only wearing a thick sweater, forgetting to put on his coat before going outside. Every breath he exhaled will cause little vapor to form in the cold air.

         “And you’re out here without a coat or a scarf.” Suk Jin said as he took off his scarf and wrapped it around Jae Suk’s neck. “Besides, thinking out here seems better for me…”

        Jae Suk pulled the scarf downwards so that it won’t cover his mouth. “What do you mean thinking out here is better? By the way, what were you thinking anyway? Making more miracles like what you did this year?” he teased as his hands clenched tightly to the scarf. His hands are turning blue and the shivering gets a little worst.

        The elder just observed the bespectacled with worry. He approached him, turned him around and pushed him towards the door. “That’s it, let’s get inside and warm you up.” He said. Hearing these words, Jae Suk tried his best to stay rooted to the ground. Since the ground is free from the snow, it should be dry enough to increase the friction between his shoe and the ground. Suk Jin tried pushing him harder, but he won’t budge.

        “If we’re inside, the chances for you to tell will decrease.” Jae Suk pouted as he turned his head slightly. He tried putting on a face that would cause Suk Jin to give in and tell him.

         Knowing that he won’t be going any further Suk Jin only sighed, releasing a cloud of smoke. ‘You always knew how to beat me…,” he thought, glancing around them. Jae Suk only waited for his response, still not moving. “Well…” Suk Jin started, “I don’t really know what to hope for this New Year and I’m not so sure if I can bring any miracles back…,” he muttered.

          Jae Suk gave him a questioning look, not really understanding what he heard. “I don’t really mind if you haven’t figured out your new year’s resolution, but what do you mean you can’t bring any miracles? Anything can happen if we tried. I mean, look at you. You’re like one of the luckiest one this year, even though everyone thought you’re unlucky. Well, you know what I meant…” he said, as he stood straight.

          “Well…” Suk Jin let his hands off Jae Suk’s shoulder, bringing one to scratch his neck as he looked down. He looked up, then left, then right, then front, still thinking on how to explain. “The fortune those fortune tellers told us is really scary. I mean, I can’t do anything for next year and all… This might also mean that my luck will run out starting midnight.” He muttered, trying not to sound desperate.

          Trying to figure out how to response, Jae Suk turned himself facing the elder, clearing his throat while his hands were in his trousers pocket to heat it up. “I thought you don’t believe in such things, hyung. You believe more in your actions and decisions. Now you’re letting those fortune tellers getting in the way?” he teased with a grin on his face. “You know how they say, luck never runs out.”

          Suk Jin eventually chuckled once he heard those words. “Yeah, luck never disappears. It’s just hidden and you have to find it yourself” he couldn’t help but looked away for a brief second before looking up at the dark sky. “We create our own destiny. If we want success, we have to try hard to earn it. If we don’t, well, the opposite of success will welcome us. No matter how old we are.”

          “Wait, is being old your main worry here?” Jae Suk chuckled with one of his eyes close.

          Suk Jin couldn’t help the embarrassment that was rising up that he looked to the ground. “Well… Sort off…” he slowly looked up and sighed, “We’re not getting any younger, and that’s one thing. I’m the eldest, that’s another thing. Anything can happen around this age. Who knows how long I can manage before I… well…”

          “We should be doing what we do best while we still can.” Jae Suk interrupted. “As long as the fans are cheering us on, we should never give up on bringing joy to their life.” He smiled wide. “I’m getting old, I know, but you guys made me feel just fine.” He muttered, bringing the scarf close to his face, trying to warm up.

           “There you guys are.” Haha said as his head popped out of the main door. Jae Suk and Suk Jin both turned their attention towards the restaurant’s owner. “We’re going to start the party now. Get in now. The weather forecast said that the snow will get heavier and colder by midnight.” Haha said as he opened one of the door widely, insisting them to enter immediately.

           Noticing that the air was getting colder, the duo quickly entered the building to warm up. Jae Suk couldn’t help but moan in relief as he got inside, feeling the warm air tickling his freezing skin. He went to the nearest chair and sat on it, trying to relax while Suk Jin took off his coat and approached the area where they all hang up their coats. While he was there, something came into his mind and he couldn’t but smiled thinking about it.

Author’s note: Crying while ROTF… This was completely random at first, but once I reached the middle, I couldn’t help but rearranged a bit. Still, it seems random… orz…