He has my full attention then. Not that I don’t like having him around, but I’m also going to be glad to have my space back. I sit down in the chair across from him, careful not to disturb Noel who is sleeping next to it, extremely unconcerned with my presence, as usual. “What? Did you find a place?”
“More like one dropped in my lap?” Jase shrugs a little. “I guess Task Force bought a few units in a building near theirs and is going to let the group split up between them, and then I can use the leftover one.”
Interesting. I had heard that RYSING was trying to assert their independence a bit more and get into a better living situation. Given their incredible success, denying their requests for as long as the company had seemed counterproductive. “So you’re going to live in the same building as Nikko. That’s convenient.”
“Nah, I think he’s just going to move in with me and make it look like he’s still rooming with one of the other guys,” he explains, smiling.
I immediately assume that Nikko will room with Lu—Yung-Sun, which makes the timing of his visit seem a little suspicious if they just learned about this new development. Yung-Sun sees some additional freedom on the horizon and decides to let me know he’s interested and available.
“Kija?” Jase snaps his fingers like he’s been trying to talk to me and I didn’t realize it. “I totally lost you there for a minute. Are you daydreaming about chucking all my stuff out already?”
Shaking my head, I have a quick debate with myself over how much I want to say. I know I’ll tell him everything eventually, but I’m not sure if I want to spill it all now. “No, something just happened tonight, and I’m wondering if this news had anything to do with it.”
“What’s that?” he asks, getting up and going to the fridge. Noel jumps up to follow him into the kitchen because she is nothing if not food-motivated. He grabs two beers and comes back to where I’m sitting, handing one over as I thank him.
Maybe it’s not so bad having him around all the time.
“Uh, Yung-Sun stopped by my office,” I tell him, then take a long sip waiting for his reaction.
Jase flops down again, Noel jumping up next to him clearlyoffended she did not get anything. He tips the bottle toward me and gives a noncommittal nod. “Huh.”
“What do you mean‘huh?’” I question, then realize it’s entirely possible he knew it would happen. Yung-Sun could have shared his plan with Nikko, who obviously would have told Jase immediately. “Did you know he was going to?”
Jase frowns. “No? I’m just not surprised?”
“You’re not surprised that RYSING’s maknae—the most popular member of the group, no offense to Nikko—showed up after hours to tell me that he wants me?” I’m practically squeaking by the time I’m done talking.
He chuckles. “If I’m surprised about anything, it’s only that it took this long, or that it was somehow news to you. You knew he had a thing for you. He’s so fucking obvious anytime you’re nearby. I’m honestly glad he finally said something and isn’t dancing around it anymore.”
“Wow. Okay.” I chug the better part of my beer to give myself time to think. I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel about any of this. “He told me I could ‘have him when I want him.’ Whodoesthat?”
“Apparently, RYSING’s maknae, the most popular member of the group,” Jase echoes back to me.
He can’t move out soon enough.
SIX
KIJA
“...fourth quarter comeback…”
Is it really a comeback if they never went anywhere? Who decided to call these things comebacks anyway? Some of these groups barely take a breather between an album and a tour and another album. No one even has time to miss them.
I can’t pay attention to anything today, and this meeting is killing me. I know it would be rude to text Grace and ask her to bring me another coffee, but damn.
I just keep thinking about the other night. But it’s fine. I don’t even know why it’s still on my mind. He just caught me off guard. That’s all.
Idols are beautiful. It’s literally part of their job description. They’re supposed to appeal to the masses—any fan, regardless of gender or preference. A perfect combination of all the best things, attractive to everyone.
“...world tour revenue…”
Yung-Sun is pretty. Kind of breathtaking, actually. But also cute in that playful way. Which is why everyone loves him. That’s how it’s meant to be. He’sreallygood at his job. Also, existing. Just looking ethereal wherever he is. Great. Kudos to him.
To all of them, really. Jase never stops talking about how gorgeous Nikko is. Grace thinks everyone is stunning. Task Force has excellent taste. Well done, talent scouts. Maybe I should have tried to get on that team. They probably just look at pictures of hot people all day and don’t have to sit through all these charts and graphs and trend projections.
“...American talk shows…”
This meeting is never going to end. I wish Bitgaram would stop pulling his executive friends into these things and letting them ramble like they know anything. Regardless of what these guys want to say, the entertainment industry is not the same as vehicles or technology. Those are products soldtopeople. Here our productispeople. I swear they forget that sometimes.
