Check-In

It had been five years since Gong-gi set foot in an airport. After a dozen countries, all the airports look the same. An unlimited supply of endless queues and scratch marks caused by suitcases. Security guards were telling everyone with a bare face to put their masks on. That Deja-vu hit him like a tonne of bricks until he was asked to do his lateral flow test. As far as he was concerned, nothing belonged up his nose.

He knew that COVID was a terrible disease, but if it meant he could go home, it would have been better than this. "Please be positive!" Gong-gi whispered to himself.

Only one line appeared. He couldn't stop fidgeting. "I shouldn't be here," he muttered to himself. Back then, music was all he had. His wife would wake up to a half-empty bed, and there will be one less person on the dinner table. His phone was where he left it by the kitchen side.

Taeyang adored it of course. What a nice lad, he really deserved better. The sparkle in his blue eyes along the way he grinned, even though he had it rough, reminded him of those energetic protagonists from the anime shows.

"What a big place." Taeyang awed, giggling like a schoolgirl. Gong-gi could not help but wonder if this was how he always acted, or if it was clever acting to make Flo happy. "This is our one-way ticket to stardom."

"You've got that right," Flo said, rubbing her cheeks. "Awe you two look so cute together. You're the perfect couple. I hope you invite me to the wedding. I have the perfect speech written out for you."

"We've only just met," Gong-gi reminded her. "We're just standing here. We're not even a couple. I have a wife."

Flo shrugged her shoulders. "I don't care about that whore."

If Flo was a man, Gong-gi would not have hesitated to punch her. "If you're going to insult my wife, I am going home." What could his Mini-Rose have done to make Flo think so little of her?

Before he could ask, Flo hopped in front of him. "How are you getting home? You left your phone and wallet at home. You have no way of paying, let alone booking a taxi for a reasonable price. Just forget about her. I promise you, if she's as lovely as you think she is, she will understand."

Taeyang stood there, scratching his head. "Have I done something wrong?" Taeyang asked.

Gong-gi turned round to face him. "No, you haven't."

Flo squealed. "Aww, you two are lovely. You both need to hold hands."

"What for?" Gong-gi asked.

"In case the press comes," Flo replied. "You need to act like a convincing couple. I want you to both look like you're in love now."

Taeyang twirled his head. "Miss Glitz, I don't see no paparazzi or cameras anywhere."

"Listen, we've got a private jet and cameras. I have invested so much money into this project, and you are legally obliged to fulfil my project."

Gong-gi frowned upon the sight of Taeyang. He looked like a young boy hiding a lot of pain and saw this project as an escape. Gong-gi knew that Taeyang struggled at school, but there was more to life than school. He's only turned eighteen. Gong-gi remembered his excitement when he debuted with VALENTINE COOKIE.

Taeyang opened the palms of his hands to Gong-gi. "I guess we should try it."

Gong-gi could sense his nerves. Holding onto his hands, he felt his arms vibrating as if they were wires exchanging electricity. There was a lot of stakes here for Taeyang. For Gong-gi, he wouldn't mind if the project fell apart because it meant that he could go back to his family. They were more important to him than fame and fortune.

"Sure," was all he could muster.

There were only two people that Gong-gi had held hands with: his mother and his wife. Holding hands with a man that he had only just met didn't just feel bizarre, it was barbaric. Checking into the flights and the airport was smooth progress. Taeyang was playing his role, sinking his head into Gong-gi's shoulder at every single opportunity.

"I'm glad that you're finally submitting to my plan," Flo whispered to Gong-gi as she hugged both men as if they were her own babies. "I have already written the press statement, and it's gonna go viral tomorrow."

Gong-gi squinted. "What press statement?"

Flo leads them to a Seven-Eleven and purchased a newspaper and three coffees. With a coffee in one hand and the newspaper in the other, Flo passed the newspaper to the two men who held either newspaper side. Within the first couple of pages was an article about Gong-gi.

GONG-GI'S BACK

It has been five years since VALENTINE COOKIE disbanded. While the other members have embarked on either new bands or solo careers, Dal Gang-gi has been hiding since completing his military service. According to sources, Gang-gi still had five years left on his contract. One user on Reddit even suggests that Gang-gi has a wife and two kids and wants the money to provide a stable income for his family.

Dal Gong-gi's new band project is Taegong, and they will be managed by Flo Glitz Entertainment where he was also signed with for VALENTINE COOKIE.

WHO ARE TAEGONG?

Taegong is a South Korean K-POP duo consisting of Dal Gong-gi and Gang Taeyang. Gong-gi is well remembered for his vigorous dance routines and soaring vocals. Taeyang's older brother won Korea's Got Talent but rejected fame to become a doctor.

Taegong is expected to debut next week as special guests performing for Korea's Got Talent.

Gong-Gi was not available to comment.

"Wow," Taeyang said. "I'm still being overshadowed by my brother."

Gong-gi's wife would read this and think that they're marriage is over. They're had to be a way to show his family that he hadn't left them. Perhaps through the music, he could show that he still loved his family.