|To: RingDingDonghyuck☀️|
JW: hey hyuckie🤗
how are you today?
DH: I'm fine noona.
JW: clearly not
If you're texting like that
DH: Sorry...
Maybe not.
JW: we all know
it's a baseless rumor.
I wish I could do
something about it
DH: it's just...
The damage is already done
and that affects the whole group
I can't help but feel responsible
JW: it's NOT your fault
give it some time
Just like how for Taeyong,
it will spill over
Everyone will know
you're not like that
DH: I hate it noona
I'm not dating anyone
or am I even close to dating
the only girls I'm close to
are the ones in sm rookies
JW: I know that
It's terribly hard
stupid scandals only happen
to those who make it
DH: Idk what to do
I try to perform for the fans
and smile but I can't.
JW: Aw Hyuck...
I promise it'll be better
everyone will soon realize
how dumb a rumor this was
DH: I still feel like I messed up
and it's not like
I can do anything about it
I mean, I'm glad
that it's not you and Jaehyun
or Minah and Taeyong
that would be bad
JW: I know
but it doesn't change the fact
that you've been wrongly accused
😡😡😡😡😡😡
DH: I guess.
JW: just remember
a lot of us are with you
you don't have to suffer
the pain alone
DH: yeah
and I'm always thankful
to have all of you
JW: we miss you
how about I treat you
to something you want today?
What are you feeling?
DH: You don't have to.
The hyungs baby me enough😒
JW: well I want to baby you too,
you are one of my children!!
accept my love donghyuck!
DH: lmao noona
I'm only 4 years
younger than you
JW: so?
you're still younger
DH: and MUCH taller
JW: 🙄wow I see you still got some sass
either I buy you something delicious
or I MAKE you something delicious
DH: I thought you're trying
to make me feel better
not kill me
JW: hey!
I've improved a lot
in the past few months!
DH: sure...
I'll just have to accept your offer
to buy me something then
JW: my dignity is hurt
but I'll accept this
Just don't tell the others👀
they gonna try
mooching off me more
DH: no guarantees
JW: I will fight you
But anyway
take it easy today alright
I'll message you later
DH: sure noona, thank you
Sometimes you're just so easy
to talk to about these things
JW: yup👍🏼👍🏼
I'll always be there
for you and the others!
The thread of messages were from earlier in the morning. Jiwoo couldn't help but check it from time to time in the past couple hours while she worked in her studio. The worry she had for the 127 maknae was incredibly immense.
It had been a couple weeks now since the rumor of Haechan dating a sasaeng had come out on the media. The moment Jiwoo had seen these news, she knew instantly how grave the situation was. The rumor was complete bullshit, but now that it was put out and spread, it had done its damage. And Jiwoo had seen this on social media sites.
It infuriated her.
Haechan was a boy that liked teasing his members, be mischievous, and would successfully put a smile on others' faces. What most people miss is that he's one of the most sensitive in NCT. He boasts and puts himself out there but with the worry that he'd be criticized for it. He does so to help carry the team.
But this?
This idiotic scandal?
The vocal that once smiled every single moment, was now stoic faced. Instead of holding his head high, it's lowered so not to catch any judging stares. He was hated on and tossed away with absolutely no evidence against him. If Jiwoo were to ever find out the anti-fan or insane person to post such a lie, she would wring their neck for putting this boy through so much pain. To be accused for nothing was just... unbelievable.
He was only sixteen.
Jiwoo couldn't concentrate with all the boiling rage she had within her. "I need to walk around," she murmured to herself. Removing the headphones from her head and pushing herself away from her sound board, she stood up and exited her studio.
Jiwoo made her way down to the lobby of the building. A thought had crossed her mind that it was a good time to fulfill that promise to Haechan to get him lunch. She'll have to message him on what he would want so she could buy it for him.
So she did, sending a hey I'm already down at the lobby, lemme know what you want.
And she waited for a response... for ten minutes. In confusion as to why he didn't answer, she tried to call him. However the phone was apparently off, by the sound of the voice message she instantly gotten.
"Should I go look for him in the practice room?" She asked to no one in particular. Just as she turned her heel to go back to the elevator, a heated argument from afar had caught her attention.
"I'm not lying to you! She's my sister and I know him personally. Why would I lie about that?"
"Yeah, and I'm actually the long-lost twin sister of G-Dragon."
Jiwoo's eyes averted over to the front desk that guests would have to go to first before entering the building. Just where the receptionist was, she saw a young female with ash brown wavy hair with an annoyed expression. The guest didn't look anywhere older than her, possibly only in her teens just like the Dream boys. However, what was this girl doing in SM Entertainment on a weekday? Shouldn't she be in school?
"I have proof, okay?" The young girl frantically pulled out her phone from her pocket and was scrolling rapidly on the screen. For what was on the screen, she showed it to the receptionist.
However the older woman barely gave it a serious glance. "Just go, okay? For all I know, you're going to show me a different number or a photoshopped picture. And if you were related to them, you didn't make any reservation nor anything. I can't let you in either way unless someone in the company can vouch for you."
"But they're both busy and I just need to get this one quick thing! C'mon, it's for my school project due tomorrow morning. If I don't get it now, I won't be able to be back in time."
"I'm sorry, but that's honestly not my problem."
"Lady, you really are about to drive me insane."
"Excuse me? I'm going to call security to escort you out since you're clearly stubborn!"
Jiwoo wasn't sure what compelled her to intervene, but she found herself approaching the two females. The moment the receptionist noticed the composer's presence, she quickly bowed at her in greeting. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help but overhear. What's the problem here?"
"This girl claimed to be the sister of the volleyball player that Park Chanyeol is dating," the receptionist quickly replied, very unamused at the situation before her. She already looked beyond done with everything.
Jiwoo turned towards the teen. "What's your name?"
"Yoon Haneul," the girl huffed out with an irritated frown. "I swear I'm not lying, unnie. I do have proof and I'm not just some fan trying to break in!" She held out her phone towards Jiwoo, tapping at its screen. On the device, there was a picture with Haneul with the famous volleyball player, Yoon Dalnim, and EXO's Chanyeol. "There was a problem. I have a project on entertainment companies and had asked Chanyeol-oppa if he could write down some useful notes for me, but he said he may have accidentally left it in his bag that's on the seventh floor."
"Seventh floor?"
"Yes. Said he was working on a song up there."
As far as Jiwoo knew, she had seen Chanyeol use one of the studios on the very floor to work from time to time. It was a plausible excuse, and the fact knew Haneul knew about this could only mean she was telling the truth.
"Chanyeol said he would come back to the company so to help me but he's caught in traffic," Haneul added, brows knitted out of frustration. "He said he was far so he might not get here on time for when I have to leave."
Jiwoo let out a sigh. She didn't want to deal with such absurdity, but maybe she can trust this high schooler this one time. Call it a gut feeling, she doesn't believe that this girl was lying. The older brunette glanced over at the receptionist. "I'll grant her permission to enter."
With the way the woman's eyes bulged, Jiwoo could clearly see how flabbergasted she was by her reply. Actually, she was surprised at herself... "What? Why would you do that?"
"It doesn't hurt to try. Besides, if she were to do something wrong, you know I'd take care of it. I'll be there the whole time until she gets what she needs," Jiwoo explained. "You don't have to trust her but at least trust me, okay?"
Haneul feigned a hurt expression. "Unnie..."
"Ugh, fine. But Jiwoo, if you're caught assisting some crazy fan, then you might get in big trouble."
"I'll risk it." Placing a hand on Haneul's shoulder, Jiwoo began to lead her towards the elevator. "You better not be messing with me, alright? Security isn't hard to get in this building."
"No, no! I swear I'm not, but seriously thank you so much!" Haneul beamed for ear to ear. "You saved my ass today! I promise that what I said is true and I'll find my notes!"
"If you say so."
"What's your name, by the way, unnie?"
"It's Jiwoo." Haneul instantly held out her hand towards the older girl. Giving her a glimpse, she eventually placed her hand in hers, and they shook on it. They arrived to the elevator soon enough and Jiwoo pressed the up button. "We better be quick, Haneul. I doubt the receptionist would like it if we take our time on it."
"Of course. I'm on a time limit too. I need to get home before my parents realize I went all the way out to Seoul just for this one thing."
"... wouldn't it have been better if Chanyeol have emailed the notes to you later tonight?"
A sheepish grin crossed Haneul's face. "I never miss the opportunity to go to Seoul."
"Unbelievable."
Haneul only shrugged in reply.
"Noona?" At a just opened elevator, Jiwoo noticed a masked Haechan standing alone inside. Jiwoo quickly ushered Haneul into the elevator and she pressed the seventh floor button as well as the close door button, so they could go as soon as possible. The boy looked beyond confused at what was happening, as his eyes darted back from one girl to the other. "What's going on?"
"Sorry, this is a weird predicament, isn't it? I decided to help Haneul here really quick," Jiwoo explained. "But what about you? What happened to your phone?"
"Ah, my phone died right at the moment I was going to reply back to your message. So I thought I could try to meet you at the lobby," he responded. Haechan then turned towards Haneul and gave her a bow.
Haneul had her eyes intensely on the boy. Before Jiwoo could interject that she shouldn't mind him one bit, the girl burst out in utmost excitement, "OH. Wait, wait, wait! Are you, by any chance, Haechan from NCT?"
Jiwoo froze in that very moment.
Did she just make a mistake for letting Haneul in?
There was a wild look in this girl's eyes.
Haechan then removed his mask, just to confirm Haneul's claim. "Yes I am, nice to meet you?..."
"Haneul, Yoon Haneul!" The awe and shock on her face was extreme. She looked ready to scream at the top of her lungs, but she had stopped, took a few breaths, and recollected herself. "I wasn't expecting to meet an idol, this must be my lucky day, oh my god. Ah, I'm a humongous fan of NCT!" Haneul proceeded to sing a bit of Baby Don't Like It, just to show how much of a fan she must be.
As much as Jiwoo wanted to blast from this kind of situation, she looked over at Haechan.
He was smiling.
It was a genuine smile full of joy.
Jiwoo calmed herself upon seeing the delighted expression.
"Ey, you sound pretty good," Haechan complimented the girl.
Instantly, Haneul's cheeks flushed a rosy pink. "Well, not as good as you, of course! You're one of my favorite vocalists out of everyone. Your voice just really stands out to me."
"You're not only saying that because you're in front of me, right?"
"Of course not!" Haneul waved her hands at him dismissively, her eyes wide. "I really do like your voice."
"Well, thanks, that means a lot to me." Another pleased smile. Jiwoo had to smile too. It was nice seeing much more emotion on Haechan's face after weeks of sulking. Okay, maybe it wasn't a mistake this happened.
The three finally reached the seventh floor.
"Oh, why are we up here, noona?" Haechan asked Jiwoo as they made their way to a studio not hers.
"It's the reason why Haneul is here. Apparently she knows Chanyeol and is his girlfriend's sister."
"Uh... that's far fetched, isn't it?"
"Ah, not you too," Haneul pouted over at Haechan. "I really am Yoon Dalnim's sister. I know for sure that the studio Chanyeol-oppa uses is Room 7D."
The young idol glimpsed over at Jiwoo as if to need some confirmation on this information. However, the seventh floor resident only shrugged at this. She may know Chanyeol comes up here occasionally, but she wouldn't know exactly what studio he uses.
"Here it is," Haneul chimed in enthusiasm. Without Jiwoo and Haechan's say, the girl entered the room. The two quickly followed after into the studio.
The particular room was significantly cleaner than Jiwoo's. It showed that it wasn't used as frequently.
Jiwoo walked over to the counter where a few written-in music sheets sprawled across it. On the top corner of one of the paper, she could make out a name on it.
Park Chanyeol.
Haneul was right.
"Aha! Found the sucker!" Haneul held a couple sheets of yellow lined paper in her hands. She shuffled over to Jiwoo and Haechan and showed them the scribbles. Surprisingly enough, her very name was on the top. To be exact, it said, "For Haneul's project."
"Wow, you really do know Chanyeol-hyung," the NCT member quipped in shock as he checked the pages himself.
"I told you!" Haneul grinned, a fist pump into the air. "I can't wait to rub this into that desk lady's face. Goes to show to not cross Yoon Haneul's way!"
"I recommend not to. She could still get security to throw you out," Jiwoo interjected. "But the feeling of being right still counts."
"Ah, you're right." She snatched up Jiwoo's hands in hers and shook it out of appreciation. "You are literally my savior! I need to repay you in some way!"
The older lass shook her head, giving Haneul's hands a gentle squeeze. "Nah, it's fine. Maybe just try to get an A on the project you went out of your way for."
"You're too kind, unnie. I'll never forget you!" She then turned towards Haechan and bowed just about a hundred times to him. "And you too! Today turned out way, way better now that I've met you. It's seriously an honor."
"Same to you, it was my pleasure."
There was something going on here, Jiwoo thought. There was an instant connection.
The three went back to the first floor, leading the guest back to the exit. Haneul, despite Jiwoo's warning, managed to stick out her tongue towards the receptionist, waving the notes from Chanyeol in a very provoking manner. Jiwoo rushed her along, so to not give the older woman a chance to call security.
Haechan and Jiwoo waited around until Haneul got into a cab to get a ride back home. Before the younger girl entered the vehicle, she bared one last thankful smile to both of them. "I better go before my parents find me out. Thank you so much again! Today turned out pretty awesome. I'll take today as fate to stan NCT forever!"
"Ha, please do," Jiwoo chimed.
With waves goodbye, Haneul finally made her exit, the taxi disappearing far down the road. This left Haechan and Jiwoo in their own thoughts after the random, yet somehow entertaining encounter.
Jiwoo took another glance at the young idol.
He was smiling again.
He looked content, as if he weren't just worrying about some scandal. Maybe this chance meeting with a big fan, a person that could appreciate him for himself, was something he really needed after so many self-proclaimed fans have turned him away. Haneul was then a beam of light in Haechan's life, a sign that he could push through it a little longer and persevere.
Jiwoo was happy to see him this way.
"So, how long were you supposed to be out? I'm sure the boys are wondering where you are," she asked him, getting back to the reality of things. They can't just forget the duties they were supposed to be doing right now... like the boy being an idol with a jam-packed schedule of activities and practices to do. "Think I can get away of just stealing you away right now to for food? I still promised you lunch."
The sun-kissed lad pursed his lips at the questions. There was no sign of concern anywhere of his face, instead, there was a cheeky grin. It was a usual grin from him. "Well, might as well. Just text Taeyong-hyung that I ran into you and you unwillingly brought me."
"Unwillingly? It sounds like I took you in as captive. That's a bit too much, ain't it?"
"C'mooooon, Let's go get some ramen, noona!"
Yeah. The boy will be fine.
A/n: another bonus chapter done. I did this one surprisingly quick, but I think that's just more Bc I have a LOT of feelings of when that rumor with Haechan came out. I basically said what I had to say through this story.
I just hope that this beautiful boy is doing alright nowadays and he'll smile again.