chapter 1 - newcomer

5 years ago

Roses headquarters

"I heard the newcomer's a bit rough," a chuckle emerged from the crowd gathering outside the building.

"Who cares, isn't it better if an aggressive person is on our side?"

"Haha, all fun and games until they become our boss."

"Don't jinx it."

Kang Seojun headed up the stairs, leading to the entrance of an uprising organisation, his eyes fierce as they glared at the girl waiting on top. Her long light brown hair flowing in the wind as her arms folded over one another, a grin sat on her face. 

"Welcome~!" Two other men yelled, emerging from behind her as Seojun stopped in his tracks. 

The noise made the crowd turn their attention to the 4 In Front of the entrance, causing Seojun to groan, "..was this necessary?"

"Of course, to show our hospitality~" the girl grinned. Mun Haneul, Rose's founder and boss.

"Whatever." He said bluntly.

"You're right, he has a nasty personality," one of the guys behind the girl said. He had plain black hair, the left side slightly pushed back, and eyes the same colour, but for some reason they didn't seem as dull as it sounded. Seojun glanced at him with an annoyed look, which was met with a smirk before the guy held out his hand, "Kim Hyunwoo." 

"..." He blinked as his hands stayed by his sides, then just simply turned back to the girl.

This little.. Kim Hyunwoo thought as he retreated his hand. 

"I'm Kei," the other guy said, unlike Hyunwoo, this guy was the definition of brightness, or passion, or anger, either way, he was.. Something. Red hair and red eyes, and a smirk just like the other sitting on his face. He held his hand out too, maybe as a joke but Seojun shook it this time. "Pfft.." he chuckled as Hyunwoo made a pissed expression. "Calm down," he whispered. 

"..Er, well, come in, we have some things to do," the girl said.

Located in the centre of the city, the headquarter which already looked big on the outside was even more intimidating in. The lobby has a chandelier hanging from the high ceiling, and doors leading to who knows what kind of rooms. The first thing visible even from before entering the building was of course, the front desk; which was more of a show than anything. Two secretaries sat about, idly chit-chatting, a few documents on their desk that hadn't been touched since however long. They straightened up as they saw the girl walk in, "good morning~" they greeted. 

"Morning," the girl nodded back. 

The 4 walked further inside, until the elevators were in view, there were 5, 2 on either side and one in the centre, on the back wall. Although it was a weekday, the building seemed sparse apart from the little crowd outside earlier. Still Seojun couldn't care less as he aimlessly played follow the leader, and her two minions, onto the centre elevator, and up the building. Finally they arrived on the top floor, and into the main office. The room was massive, but had a somewhat empty vibe to it. The furniture is all neutral tone, bookshelves filled to the brim, a coffee table set on the right side of the room and a desk in front of the floor length windows, with a photo frame by the computer. 

The girl walked over to the computer, slumping onto the chair before typing something quickly. "One second, we need to get you registered into the organisation first, but… I don't know how to do that…" she said awkwardly. "And I don't know where Lu's gone.." she whispered helplessly.

"I'll call him," Kei said. 

Seojun stood there as the girl kept trying to start the admin work, with a worried look on her face, and the red hair mumbling something into his phone. He looked up as the other guy turned around, eyes meeting. The height difference was noticeable, even more as Hyunwoo grinned, he strolled over to Seojun, his hands behind his back. "Want me to show you around?" he said, leaning in.

"No!" the girl interrupted quickly, "no no not yet, we need to do this first or Lu'll get annoyed.."

"Don't worry, he's on his way," Kei said as he hung up and walked over to the other side of the desk. "This first," he said, pointing to the screen. 

".." Seojun stared at the scene blankly, as Hyunwoo retreated a few steps back. 

"Let's sit down," Hyunwoo said, as he grabbed Seojun's hand by the wrist, leading him to the couch. He tried to shake off the other's grasp but had no success before he finally gave up and sat beside him. 

"Sorry, I'm here," a business-like voice emerged as a man appeared in the office. Pushing his glasses up as he put his phone in his pocket.

"Huh?" Seojun looked up. Where did he.. He thought as he quickly retreated back to his poker face. Though a bit too late as Hyunwoo noticed his reaction, but he didn't say anything. 

"Oh thank god, here this," the girl said hurriedly as she pointed to her screen.

"Name?" The guy asked as he walked around the desk. 

"He's there," Kei said, looking in the two's direction. 

Seojun stood up and walked over. 

"Alright, I just need him for this," the guy said, "Oh boss, since you're free.."

"Gah," the girl gulped, "..actually~! I have plans! Ahaha, right Kei?" She laughed awkwardly as she poked Kei. 

"Right!" Kei said quickly, as Haneul sighed with relief, "we have a date." 

"..." Haneul slowly turned her head, a disgusted expression, as she slowly clenched her fist, "..you idiot.." she trembled. 

"...You know I have your dates in calendar right?" the guy answered with a deadpan face.

"He does!?" Kei whispered to Haneul, as she nodded, a face of defeat. "Well.. whatever it is I'm sure Haneul is up to it!" He smiled.

"Throwing me under the bus after busting my excuse.. You're a horrible person," the girl groaned helplessly. 

"..please act like the boss of your own organisation," the guy with glasses said, "anyway, it's just the executive meeting this afternoon, we'll leave in a bit after I'm done with this."

"Oh right, I forgot about that," the girl looked up, "hmm.." she was in thought for a bit before speaking again, "alright Kei let's go!" she said suddenly, full of energy.

"Where?" Kei asked, already following her out the door. 

"Shopping!" the girl said cheerfully before the door closed behind her. 

"..you sure it's ok for her to do that now?" Hyunwoo asked as he stood up. 

"It's fine," the guy with glasses replied, "you can accompany them if you'd like, I only need him here for the process," he said, referring to Seojun. 

"Well.. That'll be a bit boring, I become a stock boy when I go shopping with her, and there's something more interesting here," Hyunwoo said, gradually approaching Seojun from behind before the two were practically touching. 

"..Have you ever heard of personal space?" Seojun snapped, whipping his head around to see a shocked expression on Hyunwoo before he grinned again. 

"That's the first thing you say to me?" Hyunwoo leaned in even more, their noses practically touching at this point, "after such a long silent treatment too, it's a bit of a shame." He said, raising Seojun's chin with a single finger. 

"Don't touch me," Seojun replied, as he pushed the other off, causing him to stumble slightly. 

"Haha, cute," Hyunwoo laughed as he quickly found his balance again. 

Seojun shot him a glare before turning to the guy with glasses. 

"So we just need some personal information, then you're good to go," he said. "My name is Lu by the way." He introduced briefly. 

"Kang Seojun," Seojun replied. 

"Alright, date of birth?"

"April 22nd, 2xx4."

"Ability?"

"Psychometry."

Hyunwoo perked up as he heard the last answer, an edge of his mouth raising. 

After a few more questions, the registration process was complete, Lu typed a final little something in the computer before locking it. "It's all done, have you been shown around yet?"

"Not yet," Seojun shook his head.

"Then-"

"I'll do it!" Hyunwoo volunteered quickly, "don't you need to get to that meeting, Lu?" He hinted.

"Ah… yes, I'll see you two around then." He nodded before disappearing. 

What the hell? Seojun thought as he stared at the place the guy was just in before. "What's with him?" He asked. 

"Who Lu?"

Seojun nodded.

"Oh, that's just his ability."

"Teleportation huh.. Lucky," Seojun mumbled enviously. 

"You think?"

"It's convenient. What about you?"

"Huh?"

"Your ability, what is it?"

"Are you curious?" Hyunwoo smiled, looking at Seojun.

"Yeah," the other replied. 

"Hm.. that's too bad!" He laughed.

"..." Seojun frowned. 

"I'll show you when the.. Conditions are met?" Hyunwoo said in a somewhat suspicious tone. 

"Whatever, it probably isn't too impressive." Seojun scoffed. 

"Rude brat."

"What was that?" 

"Someone needs to teach you some manners." Hyunwoo said in a monotone voice. It was as if the vibes had completed shifted now they were alone.