Fake Love (10)

Joon-woo's vision slowed out of exhaustion. Recording was set to start soon and he hadn't gotten much sleep thanks to Bo Jaesang's escape. His eye bags were visible and as he sat getting his makeup touched up.

"Joon-woo-ssi, look up a bit." The make-up artist instructed as she put what Joon-woo presumed was some cream concealer under his eyes. He followed suit. 

"Y'know you're so easy to work with, one would think you were a girl in your past life…" The artist hummed as Joon-woo shut his eyes and let the small brush cover under his eyes. It was uncomfortable in a familiar way and the artist was spot on. Joon-woo was slightly sweaty. 

"Really, you're better than Mi Yong-ssi at this– and he was an idol once already!" She continued to butter Joon-woo up innocently.

"Thank you Noona…" Joon-woo replied, uncomfortable. 

When he turned his head yet again to her demands, he ended up getting a sight of Bo Jaesang, who was getting his make-up done next to Joon-woo. He too had visible eyebags and was in the process of getting them covered. He would be scolded every few seconds for opening his eyes. But most importantly, he seemed a little more at peace. 

Ryeo Hyun was still nowhere in sight, nowhere near performing anyway. Bo Jaesang hadn't spoken on where he had gone last night or why, but Joon-woo figured it was to chase his other half. What Bo Jaesang had revealed, though, is that Ryeo Hyun's case was being discussed in the company and results were yet to come. 

Though Jung Hyun-Ok and Mi Yong seemed to be as relieved as could be, Reggie and Joon-woo were a bit unsure. Ryeo Hyun was their team's leader, and while they had held on without him for one day of practice, they weren't sure on how many practices they could run.

Their whole team were adults, granted not completely grown, as Joon-woo was still a freshly 18 year-old boy. So they could run without a leader or even re-elect a new one, but even that came out wrong.

They weren't even sure Ryeo Hyun would return soon enough to perform with them for their stage, and they were in no condition to wait. The stages were all due in two days now and the stress was piling up. But a new leader? After Ryeo Hyun had done such a good job with them? The idea sent mutual shivers down the team's spine. 

Would they have to practice and perform as four in a formation of five? Or would they have to adjust it to a four-person formation? The uncertainties rang heavy in their heads. 

"Joon-woo-ssi? I've finished your make-up." The artist informed, knocking Joon-woo out of his thoughts.

Joon-woo flinched, "Oh– sorry." He hurried off the chair and began towards the door. 

It was now time for small interviews.

–+–

Joon-woo peaked in his head in the practice room. The interviews had left his social battery beat, but he still had a full day ahead. They had asked the same stupid questions they did everytime. Who he had gotten close with, his favorite moment with his team, if he liked the song choice and the members, and more answers that only required vague answers. He shivered at how misused they would be in the fully edited episode.

In the practice room already was Reggie and Baek Du-Ho. The usual site of Reggie assisting Baek Du-Ho filled Joon-woo's gaze. They were both a bit sweaty and a certain part both Baek Du-Ho and Joon-woo had stumbled over played from a small speaker.

Joon-woo caught their attention almost immediately.

"Ah, good morning Joon-woo!" Reggie cheerfully called, wiping his sweat. 

Baek Du-Ho sent a small wave. Joon-woo hesitantly replied suitably.

"Come here, come here! This part is also where you struggle…" Reggie spoke with a hand ushering Joon-woo to approach. 

Joon-woo sighed, Ryeo-Hyun matters still weighing heavy on his mind. Really, was it not eating anyone else alive? But he still approached, surely some discussion, some verbalized concern would be uttered. Hell– Reggie had exchanged a glance with Joon-woo when Bo Jaesang debriefed them on Ryeo Hyun's situation. 

"Yes, Hyung…" Joon-woo muttered, stretching at his calves and thighs as he walked over. He felt stiff and overworked all over and slightly winced at the way it stung to pull his knee to his chest. 

Baek Du-Ho looked upon him with that same blank expression, the same one he had when he talked to Joon-woo the day before. He turned and dug into a small pouch grabbed from his own bag. 

Joon-woo watched the actions suspiciously, only half-listening to Reggie's talk about what they both had to fix in certain parts. And when Baek Du-Ho placed a single foil-wrapped pill in his hand without warning, he slightly flinched. 

"If you're in pain… I'm having a hard time too." Baek Du-Ho spoke quietly. 

Joon-woo looked at the other, a bit surprised. Was Baek Du-Ho actually trying to redeem himself?

Reggie watched the scene with the realization that they weren't listening to his dance lecture. "Guys I'm trying to give you pointers here, especially you, Joon-woo! You're our center and you're lagging behind." He huffed, arms crossed. 

"Sorry, sorry Hyung…" Joon-woo replied, stuffing the small pain relief pill in his pocket, "What were you saying?" 

–+–

'Hah' Joon-woo huffed, 'being the center was too much work.'

He practically collapsed onto the practice room floor every time they went over the routine. Not to mention everytime a harem of worries would escape his teammates lips. Really, he was fine, just a bit stressed. 

Ever since he had been practically blackmailed by Producer Jang-Soo, cameras had freaked him out more. And Ryeo Hyun's situation reminded Joon-woo of Ha-rin in the worst way possible. Social media ridiculing, pressing and assuming articles. They had practically taken Ha-rin to the grave, so would they do the same for Ryeo Hyun?

As he pondered lying as a star on the practice room floor, a sweat towel was dropped from above and directly onto his face. Joon-woo winced as the towel smacked his vision shut. He took it off and peered up at Reggie as he stood above.

"You did good today, Joon-woo." Reggie complimented, his sweaty figure looking down at Joon-woo. 

They had practiced with a gap in the formation and that slightly relieved Joon-woo, they didn't even sing over Ryeo Hyun's parts. It sparked a bit of hope in Joon-woo's mind. And as he wiped sweat from his forehead, his arm felt shaky and weak. 

He hadn't even felt this bad during the first dance-only challenge with Mi Yong and the mess of Team One. But now– his whole body felt as if it had given out. His fingers were hard to move and his reaction time had definitely slowed. 

Maybe his lack of sleep was the cause? His stress? He didn't really care though, as all he wanted in the moment was a sudden burst of energy.

Reggie was still peering at Joon-woo lying on the floor while he pondered. Joon-woo sighed, he thought of the way the editors might use this interaction to push some queer bait-y shit. 

"You're holding on quite well, you know. You've improved a lot." Reggie continued. 

Joon-woo hummed, he was still nowhere near idol-level though. "You too, Hyung."  He spoke in reference to Reggie's speedy vocal improvement.

"I guess we taught each other well then." Reggie prided, suddenly squatting to Joon-woo's level and also setting himself on the practice room floor.

Joon-woo slightly shifted in surprise. Shifting from his star shape to just closed-armed-and-legged. "What are you doing?" He asked.

"It looked comfy." Reggie shrugged.

Joon-woo refrained from verbally and physically judging Reggie at this action. Was Reggie also being blackmailed or something? Because it felt like he was playing into Joon-woo's fake affection.

"Is it?" Joon-woo inquired.

"I hoped it would be more." Reggie replied, slightly pout-y. 

Joon-woo chuckled at that. Wasn't this free content for the editors right here? 

"How're you holding up?" Reggie asked. 

Joon-woo tried to lift his arm but it felt as if it weighed ten times more than usual. "I'm holding up okay." He lied. 

Reggie hummed at that, "Okay… Just make sure to tell me if it's too much. You have big vocal parts too." 

Joon-woo nodded. Live singing wasn't as big of a problem as one would think. He knew the breathing techniques and energy saving steps from his years as Ha-rin. It was his damn stamina and dance that were keeping him from being where he wanted himself to be. 

"With practice I will be okay." Joon-woo said. "And what about you? Are you finding it hard to sing and dance at once?" He asked but he already knew the answer. 

Reggie wasn't like Joon-woo in the way he never lived as Ha-rin, almost no one here did. So he didn't have the techniques and energy-saving movement down yet and wouldn't until a few years after debut.

Reggie sighed, "It's tricky… Really–  don't know how you do the singing while dancing part so well."

"I could show you the tech–" Joon-woo was quietly about to offer, when the door to the practice room suddenly opened. 

Song Chunghee or Baek Du-Ho had returned from interviews, Joon-woo thought. He didn't bother to turn to see who was there. 

"Hyung, did you bring more water?" Joon-woo inquired, hoping whichever Hyung it was, they had some liquid substance. 

"Please say you did…" Reggie added. 

Footsteps replied, but no words. 

Joon-woo slowly sat up, a bit annoyed by fatigue. Who was being so unresponsive? He swore– if it was that changed bastard Baek Du-Ho–

Oh. Joon-woo flinched up. "...Hyung?" 

Ryeo Hyun stood a few feet away from Reggie and Joon-woo as they lied on the floor. They both fully shot up at the sight. 

Ryeo Hyun, who had gone radio silent for the last two days, stood in front of them. His eyes were slightly red, as if he had been crying, but other than that he seemed unscathed. Joon-woo scanned him for any signs of mental fatigue. 

Reggie shot up and ran towards the other, embracing him in a tight hug.  "Hyung! Hyung! You're back?!" 

Joon-woo watched Ryeo Hyun slowly nod and noted it mentally. He stood still a  few yards away from the scene of Ryeo Hyun being bearhugged by Reggie. 

Over Reggie's shoulder, Ryeo Hyun sent a small wave Joon-woo's way. 

"Wh– What happened?" Reggie quietly questioned, a bit hesitant. "Jae Hyung said things were still being–"

Ryeo Hyun looked away, "I think– It'd be better if I showed you myself…" 

Joon-woo's curiosity peaked.

–+–

@urbae_chinmae

Ryeo Hyun was not a bully. In the group photo was a group of the popular kids.

And while he was a part of that crowd, he was quite avoidant towards them…

In fact when they smoked or often bullied people he wouldn't participate. I'm

saying this as a victim of the other popular kid's bullying. Ryeo Hyun even helped 

me and the others' our sometimes when his friends weren't looking. So while he

isn't completely innocent (he was a primary bystander), he isn't guilty… 

3.7k reposts  1.4k quotes  20.9k likes

And attached to the Weet was Ryeo Hyun's yearbook photo next to the supposed account owner, a few photos of the similar group from the first group photo but without a few others including Ryeo Hyun. 

It was undeniable proof and as Joon-woo read through the post over and over again, he couldn't help but feel incredibly relieved. 

Even the replies slightly calmed Joon-woo down.

@jkookarchives replying to @urbae_chinmae

Told ya'll and what did you say? Justice for my man!!!

@miyongsleft_ball replying to @urbae_chinmae

Like this as an apology for Ryeo Hyunnie!!!

23 reposts  8 quotes  10.4k likes

@hearts4winner

Ryeo Hyun deserves the biggest apology from all of you freaks.

1.8k reposts  256 quotes  3.4k likes

The phone was pulled away from Joon-woo and Reggie's faces. 

"Thank god… Really who in their right mind would accuse you of something like that? You're a really kind person, Hyung." Reggie spoke with sincerity.

Ryeo Hyun didn't reply. Instead he seemed to be a bit… guilty? Joon-woo noted that too. He noted every little thing because he never wanted Ryeo Hyun or anyone else to feel as helpless as Ha-rin did. 

As Joon-woo pondered through worries and relief, Reggie's eyes slightly widened. "Hyung? Hey…" Joon-woo looked up and saw a sight he never thought he would ever see.

Ryeo Hyun was crying, if you count a single tear rolling down his cheek. Bo Jaesang jumped from where he was sitting and quickly embraced his other half. 

Joon-woo had seen the most hard-shelled people cry already. Mi Yong and Ryeo Hyun. He stood a yard away as Reggie also embraced Ryeo Hyun. Joon-woo sent a concerned look to Mi Yong and Jung Hyun-Ok, who watched the scene with wide but fond eyes. 

"You guys…. You guys are…" Ryeo Hyung tried to speak, but his words were choked up. "You really believed me?" 

Reggie and Bo Jaesang quickly nodded. 

"How could we not?" Mi Yong added, Jung Hyun-Ok nodding along. 

Joon-woo kept a gulp and waved guilt to himself. For a moment he doubted Ryeo Hyun. Ryeo Hyun who on multiple occasions helped Joon-woo. Ryeo Hyun who had gotten Baek Du-Ho to apologize. Ryeo Hyun who Joon-woo had first confided in, while nothing too heavy– it was a record for Joon-woo. Ryeo Hyun who was so trustworthy that Joon-woo could feel it hard to resist letting down his guard.

He watched Ryeo Hyun break down in tears in the arms of Reggie and Bo Jaesang, feeling worse than he even had so far in his life as Joon-woo. Really, didn't something need to change?