Chapter thirteen

Yoseob was smiling as he buttoned up Junhyung’s white shirt while Junhyung was looking at the mirror right in front of them nervously. Yoseob looked up and brushed Junhyung’s hair gently to fix it.

“Thanks,” Yoseob spoke calmly as he smiled. “For letting me be your stylist for today,”

Junhyung shifted his sight from the mirror to Yoseob, smiling. “That’s because it’s free,”

Yoseob chuckled softly. “Should I ask for payment then?” He took a grey coat and stood behind Junhyung, helping him wore the coat.

Junhyung grinned mischievously, slowly forgetting his nervousness. “What kind of payment?” as he looked at Yoseob through the mirror and winked when Yoseob was looking at him.

Yoseob laughed louder as his eyes unconsciously closed, crinkled happily. “It’s okay,” Yoseob paused to laugh even louder. “I don’t need it,”

Junhyung smiled softly, looking at himself at the mirror, satisfied. “Thanks,” as he turned around, facing Yoseob and ruffled the smaller guy hair.

Yoseob slowly stopped laughing and smiled innocently, like a little child. “No problem,” cheerfully he replied. Yoseob gently pushed Junhyung to step out of the room. “Now, go,”

Junhyung stepped back, towards the door but stopped his step and gently pecked Yoseob cheek.

******

Kikwang was waiting in the small waiting room at the back of the hall together with his manager. He sat at the sofa quietly before he sighed. He arrived earliest that morning. He couldn’t sleep last night as his mind kept thinking the worst scenarios that could happen that day. The result was his eye bags were so obvious even after the makeup.  

Kikwang was so deep in his depressing thought that he did not notice there was another person in the room beside him and his manager.

“Are you okay?” the voice managed to wake him from his thought as he looked upward, looking at the person who was standing in front of him.

“Hyung,” Kikwang softly spoke as he saw Junhyung who was trying to give his best smile to Kikwang.

Junhyung too was nervous. It was his first appearance to the public after 3 years of sudden disappearance. However, Junhyung knew that Kikwang was more anxious that he was. He landed himself at the empty seat beside Kikwang. “Are you okay?” again, he asked.

Kikwang nodded although it was obvious that he was miserable. His eyes were red and swollen because lack of sleep. His expression obviously showed that he was worried and afraid.

“Have you eaten?” Junhyung asked, remembering what Yoseob advised him last night.

Kikwang shook his head as he looked down. Kikwang wanted to say that he didn’t feel like eating but at the same time he didn’t feel like saying out any word.

“I bring some choco bars. Want some?” Junhyung casually asked, trying to sound cheerful. He took out few of doubled- fingers-sized chocolate bars from his coat pocket.

Kikwang shook his head again, continued his silent response.

“Come on. You have to eat something,” Junhyung said as he was unwrapping a chocolate bar and left half of the bar covered by the wrapper. “Here,” he spoke as he held the chocolate bar right in front of Kikwang face. “Eat it,” he continued.

Kikwang sighed before he bit the chocolate bar and slowly chewed it. Then, he took the chocolate bar from Junhyung’s hold.

Junhyung smiled unintentionally, happy when Kikwang eat the chocolate bar he offered. At least, the main dancer would have some energy for the upcoming and expected chaos in the hall.

“Hyung,” Kikwang called as he finally turned his eyes toward Junhyung. “Why did you act like Yoseob?”

Junhyung who was unwrapping another chocolate bar stopped his action and turned to Kikwang, surprised with the question. He acted like Yoseob?

Kikwang gave out a small smile as he saw how Junhyung was shocked. It was slightly funny for him on how Junhyung not noticed how similar his action just now with Yoseob although Yoseob would sound more cheerful and silly. Well, that guy always ended up making silly things just to make others smiled.

“Is Yoseob here?” Kikwang suddenly asked as he noticed that Junhyung was still in his shocking state.  

“No.” Junhyung replied unconsciously. “Hrmm… He decides not to disturb me when I’m working,” slowly he recovered from the shock and he started eating another chocolate bar. He too did not have any breakfast that morning because he scared he would vomit because of the nervousness.

“Does he know about this?” Kikwang continued asking. Not that he truly believed that Yoseob ghost returned, he was just curious of Junhyung action. Would he tell Yoseob? Would he hide it?

“No, I decide not to tell him,” Junhyung paused, chewing. “You know that he always over thinking and a worrywart,”

That’s true. Kikwang thought. Yoseob always thinks too much and worries too much.  

“Hyung!”

In sudden, another cheerful voice echoed in the small waiting room as the owner cheerfully stepped into the room with his furry white winter jacket and black skinny.

“Dongwoonie, you make it” Kikwang replied, with a smile. He was happy that Dongwoon managed to arrive early. He thought Dongwoon would be late because of the traffic jam from the airport to the hotel and he had to continue the press conference without the maknae.

“Kikwangie hyung, Junhyungie hyung, I’m here,” he greeted, almost politely as he waved and sat beside Junhyung.

“Yo,” Junhyung coolly said. He and Dongwoon made their own greetings as they bumped their fist together before finishing it with a cool brotherly hug.

Kikwang gave his usual smile, temporarily forgot about his upcoming press conference. But it did not last long of course. In a minute, someone entered the waiting room to inform them that they should enter the hall.

******

Junhyung was sweating badly even after he requested the temperature to be lowered. He kept wiping his face with the only tissue he had in his hand. The flashes from the reporters and the clicking sounds worsened his condition. He was anxious, nervous, and afraid as all bad emotions were swelling inside of his chest, feeling heavy and burdened. This caused him to feel a little bit nausea. Luckily, his stomach was empty except for the half chocolate bar he took before.

There were no questions for him. No one asked him about his whereabouts these three years. Instead of feeling relieved, he felt bad because the reporters were shooting irrelevant questions to Kikwang.

Is it true? Why did you go to Hooker Hill? Who is the girl? Have you been there? How often?

They only asked what they thought could be a big hot for the news. They did not even care if it was the truth. They manipulated the questions, cornering Kikwang here and there, making the anxious guy felt more flustered. Of course, they were also neutral questions. However, Junhyung’s mind could only register the unwanted questions.

Then, a question was suddenly thrown to Dongwoon and Junhyung.

“Do you know that Mr. Lee go to the Itaewon that night?”

Dongwoon and Junhyung looked at each other, not knowing what to answer. The answer was simple, either yes or no but they were afraid of the responses. Both answers could lead to worse scenarios.

Junhyung decided to be honest. “No, but I trust Kikwang. He would not take the risk to destroy his career. He is a hardworking person, very rational and emotion rarely affects his action. I’m sure all Beast members have similar view on this matter including Yoseob if he is here,” Junhyung explained. He did not know where the words came from but he gladded he managed to speak up.

The hall was quiet for a moment upon after listening to Yoseob name, shocked as if speaking the name was a taboo. Yes, the name had been sealed from everyone lips for five years and there was no specific reason for that. His death was so shocking to the Korea music industry, leaving scars in everyone who knew the angel-like guy and listening to that name would likely make the scars bled again.

Dongwoon nodded. “I agree with Junhyung hyung. Kikwang hyung must be troubled with his new drama. That’s why he couldn’t notice that he was at Hooker Hill at that time. Idol is a human too and no human is perfect,” The maknae explained as he stressed more on the last sentence.

In sudden, the main entrance of the hall was opened. People started to turn to the main entrance, wondering how someone could enter the hall with a very tight security around especially through the main entrance.

It was as if the time had been slowed down when figures gradually appeared behind the large wooden doors.

Kikwang who was sitting directly in front of the main door quickly recognized the figures. He instantly stood up, surprised.

“Hyung,” he whispered to himself. It was Doojoon and Hyunseung who was supposed to have a drama shooting and musical going on.

Doojoon and Hyungseung gave the reporters an apology bow before they quickly walked towards the conference table. Hyunseung quickly went towards the person who responsible for the hall while Doojoon grabbed a microphone, standing right in front of the table and Kikwang.

“I apologize for our sudden appearance and rude entrance,” Doojoon spoke determinedly and bowed. “I bring an evidence to prove Lee Kikwang innocent. I believe you’re all here to know the truth and I am here just to convey the truth. Please be seated and watch it properly,” Doojoon gave an empty smile before he returned the microphone and walked away from the table.

Kikwang looked around awkwardly as he was the only one who was standing. Nervously and carefully, he sat back. He was too confused that he could not even form a question.

Slowly, a large white projector screen rolled down while the audiences started to show interest on what will be shown on the screen. The hall’s front lights were switched off. The projector started to transmit bright light to the screen before it changed to a video.

It was obvious it came from a CCTV, judging from the distance, quality and lighting. The video showed first showed inside of a shop where a woman waited at the front glass door. In sudden, the woman pushed the door opened and stepped of the door. After a while the woman came in with a guy, obviously pulling the guy and then pushed him towards the wall. Even with the low quality of the video, it was easy to recognize the guy because of his small physical and appearance. It was Kikwang.

There were buzzing all over the hall, voicing out their shock.

The video continued of what really happened that night. Each eye was focusing on the video except for Kikwang’s. He was watching the reaction of the reporters and the journalists. Would the video be enough to convince them that he was saying the truth, that he was innocent?

The lights were switch on right after the video ended. The audiences focus changed back to Beast especially Kikwang and Doojoon as the leader.

Doojoon quickly stepped back to the table and grabbed the microphone. “This conference has to end now. I’m sorry” Doojoon politely bowed and quickly straight up. “Cube will release an official statement later to answer all of your questions. Thanks for participating today and please continuously look after us,”

Junhyung, Dongwoon and Kikwang were shocked at the sudden statement from Doojoon. Cube managers quickly ushered all five of them out from the hall. All five of them kept silent until they reached Cube’s SUV.

Dongwoon, Kikwang and Junhyung sat at the back while Hyunseung and Doojoon sat at the middle seats. There was still uncomfortable silent even after the SUV moved and Kikwang felt more depressed about it.

I have to say something. Kikwang thought as he took a deep breath and blew it slowly. “Thanks,” he managed to say barely.

Hyunseung instantly turned to Doojoon, waiting for the leader reaction. He decided that he have no right to accept the thanks as compare to Doojoon. He was doing almost everything.

“I’m doing it for myself. I don’t want to see someone crying alone in his room later” Doojoon replied, half-joking, trying to lift up the tense mood.

Every person in the SUV instantly smiled, even the manager who was driving.

Kikwang grinned, slowly lose his depressed feeling. “I’m not a crybaby. Plus, hyung won’t know if I’m crying”

Doojoon looked at the outside window, taking his time to answer Kikwang. “I will know if I stay with you guys,” he said in a low voice, barely heard by the others.

“Hyung, you will stay with us?” Dongwoon was excited at the sudden decision from Doojoon. “Really?” he asked eagerly.

Doojoon was still looking outside, through the tinted window as he slowly nodded.

Author's note

The truth is I have nothing to say. Thanks, I guess. And, Sorry.