Author's Note! Early release for crowdfund spon. :)

Also, I literally have no idea if this is where I intend to have this story, but--it'll be where it's going hahaha.

As always,

If you like my work, kindly consider buying me a coffee! <3

https://ko-fi.com/naxxerie

It was afternoon.

It was a peaceful afternoon when the four members of Bigbang were officially released from their military service. There wasn't a lot of buzz, Jiyong requested their company to release a different date so they could sneak away from the release venue without being plucked by their fans and the media.

Seungri's so-called scandal was still a big buzz in the local (and international news), everyone's talking about it, as if it was an international crisis—or an impending war. Jiyong hated the way that the media grasped this story, with its dirty claws scratching at every scrap of hearsay, clamoring their opinions and parading them as facts.

Jiyong hated it. Hated it so much he wanted to scream at the top of his lungs how big of a liar everyone is.

"Hey," Jiyong looked around and noticed that Youngbae has a grim smile on his lips. His friend gently tapped Jiyong on the shoulder, "You're thinking about it again?" he asked, despite fully knowing the answer.

Jiyong sighed. He looked back and saw Daesung and TOP easing their luggage towards the car. He shook his head and took his seat at the back, Youngbae immediately following him. Daesung and TOP sat at the front backseat of the van.

"We all worry about him, Ji, you're not alone," Youngbae reminded him.

Jiyong nodded. "I know," the but staying dead on his lips.

"It's unfair," TOP said, he was also gazing out the window. His fists were clenched on his laps, and there were anger in his eyes. "They did it with me. Why must they also do it with him?" TOP was the one who sympathized more with the harshness that his little pseudo-brother had faced. After being called a ing addict, a drug dealer, a criminal, every harsh words in the Korean language had been thrown in his feet, every criticism, every insult, they all scarred his name.

And he thought that it'll be enough. That