The King, the Queen, and the Knights
^{"Because power without justice is meaningless. Because justice without power is equally meaningless."}

The boys of Boys Republic are lounging around playing footsies with one another while waiting backstage for their turn to do a live recording for "The Show" music program.

"One hour left. Isn't it time for Sungjun's little nap?" Their leader, Wonjun, enters with a full plastic bag filled with snacks and drinks. He tosses the bag to the nearest member, Minsu, while glancing at the other three boys.

"Baby, get down, get down! Get down, get down!" Sungjun wrestles the maknae, Suwoong, down to the ground while Sunwoo takes pictures of it from the comforts of a long, stiff sofa.

"What the ... he's choking me for reals. Stop him..." Suwoong's face is turning pale while his fingers are frantically attempting to pry Sungjun's arm from around his constricted neck.

"We can't really get a good reaction from you if it isn't real. Big sis can tell the difference when you're faking it, little Woong. Just hang in there a little longer." Sunwoo snaps a few more pictures while smiling. "It's not like this will kill you."

"It's better to confess now." Sungjun pins Suwoong's legs down with his own. "Say it and I'll let you go."

Suwoong does not waste another moment. He knows Sungjun likes to exert more power than necessary when in battle mode. Maybe he is unconscious of it... maybe... "Okay! I'm guilty. Guilty! Guilty!"

"Did you get all that, Sunwoo?"

"No." Sunwoo smirks. "Let me switch to video recording. Make him squeal again."

"Sunwoo, you bastard! I know you got all that!" Suwoong coughs before Sungjun re-tightens his vice-like grip.

Minsu opens a bag of chips while jamming to his own music. The commotion does not seem to bother him much.

"Sungjun, release him." Wonjun pulls out a chair and takes a seat.

"I don't think I will, leader. What you going to do about it?"

"You got no choice. She's calling for us." Wonjun shakes his ear with a finger. "God, her voice is so..."

"Annoying, dammit. Why is she calling for us right before a performance? Didn't we give her our schedule?"

"Like she gives a damn. She has absolutely no consideration for our lives."

"Minsu, lock the door. We got to go now." Wonjun gives the command at the same time the door locks behind him. Minsu is a step ahead.

"Minsu, make sure it's impenetrable."

"Of course, of course..." Minsu yanks the earbuds out for his ears and shoots the leader a sharp look with his mismatch eyes. "When have my locks been penetrable by these kids?"

"Oh, did you carelessly forget that one time?" Wonjun has no problem reminding him.

"That one time doesn't ing count. That wasn't just some random kid barging into our private space."

Sungjun releases Suwoong and offers him a friendly hand. "No hard feelings?"

Suwoong rubs his raw neck and rolls his eyes before grabbing Sungjun by the arm.

Sunwoo throws his phone back into his bag and stands up after slugging it over his shoulder. "So, we ready to go greet our y Queen?"