„Come in.“ Seungri smirked as he leant forward in his seat. „I think it’s time that all of you have a serious conversation with the second CEO of this company.“

„…What?“ Youngbae muttered quietly, confusion was written all over his face.

„What what?“ Seungri asked back and just continued smiling at the puzzled bunch standing in the entrance. „Come in and sit down.“

He waited but nothing happened. The youngest could see that s didn’t have a clue about what was happening right now but they obviously were aware of the fact that something was off if their expressions were anything to go by.

„Where is YG? He asked us to come here.“ Daesung eventually added after no one moved.

„As you can see“ The maknae motioned around the room. „He is not here. What, are you not happy to see me? I thought you were looking for me.“

„You didn’t leave.“

All eyes turned to look at Jiyong who had just whispered the obvious.

„You are still here.“

„I am.“

Jiyong leaped forward and threw himself at Seungri, who had kind of expected that reaction from his leader but was slightly surprised anyway. Yet he still opened his arms for the older to fly into, and at that point Seungri thought that Jiyong understood the situation. Kind of. Maybe not.

„Thank you!“ The rapper mumbled into the other’s neck. „I don’t know what happened, but thank you!“

The other three looked at what was taking place in front of them with suspicion. The way the youngest had acted in the beginning had them concerned, there were so many questions but no answers as of yet. If it wasn’t for the strange behavior of their maknae they would’ve done the same as Jiyong but the manner in which the youngest sat in Hyunsuk’s seat and played the CEO… was that some kind of revenge? 

Youngbae decided that, at least for now, he didn’t care after all and walked towards Seungri to peel their leader off him and give him a big hug as well.

„We are so freaking sorry Seungri, you have no idea. I have no clue what is going on at the moment but to be honest I don’t give a damn. I am glad that you are here so that I have the chance to deeply and sincerely apologize. We didn’t treat you the way we should have and even though we never meant to hurt you it does not change the fact that we did. We were ignorant of your feelings and seem to have forgotten about the equality in our group along the way. You have all the rights to be angry, upset and hurt but please do not forget that Bigbang is not Bigbang without you. We love you and just one day, yesterday, taught us probably the biggest lesson of our life.“

Youngbae had always been good with his words. He was a soft guy with an even softer heart that hurt for everyone that suffered. But he was also known to keep a cool head at times like these where no one else was able to keep themselves together. His words had a healing power it seemed, back in the day when Seungri was thrown out of the group, Youngbae was the only one to really care and his encouraging words were the reason the maknae hadn’t given up and tried again. To hear his thoughts, being as soft as always, felt really good.

„I, too, realized a lot yesterday.“ Daesung interrupted with regretful eyes and embraced Seungri shortly but it was meaningful and reminded Seungri of just how much he needed this kind of affection after all. „I am just a year older than you and yet I always behaved like our was so much bigger. My thoughts weren’t always the nicest but you were never the one to blame. I guess I lost faith in the good in people and instead searched for their faults. The thing is, everyone has faults but I saw them where there were none. You are good person through and through, everything you do is done with the best intentions, always. It was hard for me to understand that not everyone is manipulative and selfish but I am so thankful that now I finally caught up with that misconception because of you. I learned so much from you and know that I always love you.

„Not just that.“ Seunghyun added as he pulled Daesung to the side and ruffled Seungri’s hair fondly before hugging him as well. „How come you grew up faster than us? How come it’s you looking after us, looking after me, instead of the other way around? You went through a lot and sometimes we didn’t even notice it. You’ve always been more mature and you always made sure to look after us, even when you were at the lowest yourself. I feel so sorry because I couldn’t be there for you like you deserved. And on top of that we disappointed you so much. I am really sorry maknae, it should’ve never come this far but remember that you will always be our baby, no matter what you do or how old you are. I would beg you to stay with us and there is nothing I would regret more than letting you go because we need you and we love you, but I just can’t be that selfish to keep you from pursuing your happiness.“

Seungri sighed but startled when suddenly everyone just threw their arms around him and squished him in a group hug. Jiyong was basically sitting on his lap by now while the other’s were leaning down and it was…

nice.

It was really nice to feel all the love and affection because it was sincere and not just an act like Seungri had seen from all of his alleged friends.

But as nice as it was, he wasn’t done yet.

„Thank you everyone, you know, this really means a lot. But: I still have important matters to discuss with you.“

„Seungri-“ Jiyong immediately looked up at the younger, not even realizing that the other members had stood up and walked towards the chairs in front of the table, his eyes forever teary and filled with fear that Seungri might leave after all.

„It’s alright.“ He smiled and nudged his leader to follower the other three to the chairs and sit down. Jiyong looked hurt, kind of as if he just wanted to stay safe and secure in Seungri’s lap but complied anyway.

When they all had sat down Seungri took a good look at every one of them, studying their expressions, and it was obvious that despite the regret for their actions in the past they also felt uncertain about what was about to come. And even though Seungri wouldn’t go as hard on them as he had originally planned, he also wouldn’t let them off too easily.

„You are idiots.“ He stated, tilting his head a little. „And I know for a fact that you are aware of that.“

It was almost funny how his four hyungs sat in their chairs, looking like little boys being scolded by their mother.

„You are idiots for many reasons and a few of them you have already realized. How you didn’t treat me like a band member sometimes for example, which, by the way, was probably the main reason that caused me to do what I did. You looked down on me, whether you noticed that or not. You made fun of me a lot too, even though you didn’t have a clue what you were talking about most of the time. Let’s just think back to all those times you laughed at me for being called to your CEO’s office, thinking I was being scolded. But“ Seungri had to smirk as he saw the confusion on their faces. „I was never scolded, at least not for the last, mmh, probably five years or so.“

He slid his glasses, which had been slipping down for the last few minutes, back up the bridge of his nose and leaned against the back rest of his office chair. It felt good to just let it out at this point, he had been getting so much bull over the years from all over the world basically and he always stayed calm, never complaining but everyone needed relief once in a while, right? He was human too and right now he felt good for speaking his mind.

„There are so many reasons as to why you are idiots, not just you but pretty much everyone. People just like to see me as someone insignificant with no value, as if I never worked hard in my life, as if I hadn’t achieved anything. But maybe, just maybe, people think that because they are blind. Or because I am a genius and a good actor. You see, I kept so many things in life a secret from everyone, even you and my family, because of how people would begin to view me if they found out. I am good at what I do and I am successful but I am also still me. With a heart and a soul, with feelings and everything else a normal average person has, thank you very much.“

Nothing was said for a moment, Seungri kept talking rather vague and no one, except Jiyong, really knew what exactly the maknae was talking about. What things did he keep a secret?

„I could’ve taken advantage of my positions, but have I ever? No, I have not and even if I did you wouldn’t know because you don’t which positions I am in. Although one of them is handed to you on a silver platter.“ He looked at s to see if anyone got the obvious hint but the confusion only deepened which actually made him snort. If Jiyong wasn’t so distressed at the moment he would find it funny too, he was sure of that. 

„Okay, let’s solve mystery number one: Why am I sitting here? I’m going to ask you all minus Jiyong.“

Three pairs of eyes turned to stare at the leader who began to fidget slightly in his seat.

„Why not Jiyong?“ Youngbae asked the younger in front of him.

„Because he already knows.“

„You know?“ The singer turned to his best friend, but said one merely nodded with his eyes glued to his hands in his lap. „How? Jiyong!“

„It doesn’t matter for now.“ Seungri brought everyone’s attention back to himself. „I’m sure you asked yourself why we are here, sitting like this. Don’t you have an idea or something as to what’s going on?“

Seungri’s question was met with silence again and he suspected that they felt this whole situation to be ridiculous, until Daesung spoke up suddenly.

„I thought it was to meet up with us?“

„I mean, yeah, that too.“ Seungri answered, the solution probably seemed too farfetched to them to even consider it. „But that’s not all, obviously, I could’ve met you anywhere.“ 

„Well, we didn’t expect you to be here.“ Seunghyun added and the youngest had to smile at that.

„That’s true, that was the plan. Okay, I will give you a hint. I have already told you the solution to this mystery before.“

Again, Seungri was only met with furrowed brows and frowns which showed him that apparently they didn’t get it.

„The solution is right in front of you.“

But nothing.

„Jiyong, care to help out? It seems like they aren’t as observant as you even though right now it’s the most obvious thing ever. If they opened their eyes that is.“ He smiled at his leader warmly, showing that he wasn’t being mocked but instead that he was meant to help his band members. So he nodded in agreement, smiling for the first time.

He looked at the others, who stared at him impatiently to finally tell them what this was all about.

„Look at the sign on the table. Seungri is our CEO.“ Jiyong said calmly and watched as his three members let their gazes switch between him, the sign and Seungri.

„…What the hell?“ Seunghyun blurted out and went back to staring at Jiyong. „This is a joke right?“ But Jiyong shook his head.

„Come one, stop it.“ Youngbae grunted unamused. „That’s not funny, Seungri. I get that you are angry at us and you have every right to be but don’t joke around, now is really not the time. We meant it when we said we are sorry.“

„And I meant it too when I said you are going to have a conversation with the second CEO of this company.“ The maknae replied sternly but Youngbae only crossed his arms in front of his broad chest and huffed.

„Yeah right.“

„You really do, don’t you?“ Daesung interrupted and looked at the younger. „Mean it, that is, right?“

„Yes, as I said.“

And that very second was the moment it sunk in for the three of them. Their maknae was their CEO.

„No. ing. Way. How long?“ Seunghyun muttered, his eyes wide, rapidly blinking.

„About five years.“

„FIVE YEARS?!“

„How long have you known?!“ Youngbae threw at Jiyong, who was startled by the sudden question.

„U-uhm, for a few weeks.“

„And you didn’t tell us?!“

„I told him not to.“ Seungri defended him quickly. „I didn’t want this to spread, no one except him and the higher-ups know about this.“

„Why didn’t you tell us though? Do you not trust us at all?“

„You would have seen him differently.“ Jiyong said to his friends, his voice was sad and sounded far away. „I did when I found out. Do you remember how I avoided him for a week? It was about exactly this. I suddenly saw him in different light. Don’t judge him, you yourself said he is a good person and he still is, believe me.“

The atmosphere was tense, you could literally feel the disbelief and frustration in the room.

„Listen.“ Seungri breathed out exhaustedly, he did dread this conversation after all. „I used to be so scared to tell you, I felt bad and I felt pressured, I regretted not telling you for so long but I am done with that. I am sick of caring about everything, I am a very busy man that tends to want to make everyone happy, which in itself is not possible. I am leading so many businesses you didn’t even know I had anything to do with, in fact, all of your are probably using and wearing things of companies I am the CEO or at least hold parts of ownerships of. I don’t have the time worry about what every single person thinks of me, so if you want to hate me, go ahead. I know I am a good person so if you have any issues with me being your CEO - I’m sorry, but I can’t help you and neither can YG. We both hold the exact same rights over this company. I worked hard for everything I’ve achieved so far and nothing you do can take that away from me.“

There was so much Seungri wanted to tell them, so many things he kept to himself all throughout the years, but he knew now was not the right time. There was no point in dumping it all on them at once, he had kind of done that with Jiyong, even though he was already holding back there, but it hadn’t gone too well. All he wanted to achieve was peace and a little understanding from his hyungs’ part, he didn’t expect them to get over it immediately. It would take time.

„Okay.“ 

Everyone was surprised when Daesung spoke up, the second youngest used to always stay out of arguments or other issues, just standing back and waiting until everything was settled. He never felt like he had much authority to begin with so he was convinced that it was better for him to keep quiet.

„You’ve got me stunned with what you revealed and I might not fully understand everything, but I get it. Perhaps it’s because I’m closest to you age wise or maybe it’s because we have been treated similarly in the past but I get it. And I am fine with it. To be honest I don’t really care why or how you came to take the place as the second CEO but I know that you never had evil intentions. I trust you, I don’t need to know the whole backstory to accept the fact that you are my boss because in the end we are still friends and apparently you were our boss the past few years and I didn’t feel like our relationship has changed since then. After thinking about it, I’m not too surprised either, if one of us is capable of being this company’s CEO it’s you, there’s no doubt.“

„Dae…“ Seungri muttered, touched by his sincere words. He would’ve never expected the singer to be this compassionate and understanding. 

It felt good. It felt really ing good.

Youngbae sighed and tilted his head. „Well, what can I say. I think it has to sink in for a while, you know? It’s just unbelievable to me that you are supposed to be my boss, and even more so that you have been for years apparently. And it does hurt that you haven’t told us sooner, though, that doesn’t mean that I don’t understand why you hesitated for so long.“ His shoulders relaxed and he slumped in his chair in defeat. „I can’t promise that I will see you the same after today but that doesn’t have to be something bad right?“

„I agree with the two of them.“ Seunghyun grinned. „It’s sad that you have to treat us like children in order for us to understand you. It’s no surprise though, is it? You’ve been always the smartest one, the one that would cheer us up when we were sad or help us when we were in trouble. You always worked so hard behind the scenes so in the end, haven’t you always been a boss to us?“

„I guess.“ Seungri chuckled. „Or your mother, I’m not sure.“

It felt