Fake Love (8)

Joon-woo scrolled through his Witter feed with his expression dark.

@jiwonsolos1 

No way there's already a bullying scandal in Producer10 💀💀💀💀💀💀

188 reposts 16 quotes 2.6k likes

@woonbinsfavguitar replying to @jiwonsolos1

not even three episodes in yet lol tbh he always seemed like a bully anyway

@05liners_ replying to @jiwonsolos1

I'm literally so disappointed… 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲

@hearts4winner

Guys, give Ryeo Hyun a chance to explain! These things are faked often!

143 reposts 345 quotes 1.2k likes

@soovinslargstlefttoe replying to @hearts4winner

now you know damn well 💀💀💀💀

@jiwonsolos1 replying to @hearts4winner

The victims literally posted photos of him and his friends smoking???? 

@kpopbreakingnews

Popular Producer10 contestant Ryeo Hyun exposed for school bullying… see more at…

1.4k reposts 2.6k quotes 10.7k likes

@blink4dadub replying to @kpopbreakingnews

can this show stay out of a scandal for more than a week???? 

@polishwings334 replying to @blink4dadub

frrrr like don't they do background checks?? Free my boys Joon-woo and Reggie

@miyongsleft_ball

My men Mi Yong and Joon-woo would never, just saying… 🤷🤷🤷🤷

98 reposts 15 quotes 987 likes

@jkookarchives replying to @miyongsleft_ball

yeah 'cause they were probably the ones being bullied ☠️

@miyongsleft_ball replying to @jkookarchives

your just mad it's ur fav got exposed for being a bully

@jkookarchives replying to @miyongsleft_ball

you're*

Joon-woo ran his fingers through his hair as he read the words of disappointed fans and curious outsiders. The amount of people believing the accusations outweighed all support for Ryeo Hyun and that worried Joon-woo. 

What if he saw these weets? What if he saw the curses coming his way and like Ha-rin, took them too close to heart? Joon-woo recalled the days she would be so scared to step outside, that Ha-rin would fake exhaustion and fake falling at her feet to avoid so. He recalled a time it was only the dorm she felt safe and nowhere else because there was always an angry mob stabbing at her back until she bled in begs for their mercy.

How would Ryeo Hyun, someone who not only convinced Baek Du-Ho in all his aloof nature, to try and talk it out with Joon-woo, but had been there for Joon-woo more times than he ever thought he needed, cope with something like this?

Joon-woo recalled Ryeo Hyun's older trainee age. He was just months younger than Mi Yong. Would the idea of this being his last chance plague his mind? Or even worse, losing everything he had built?

The thoughts piled in his mind as he rested his head against the same bottom bunk he had been using for two weeks now. But this time, the bed across from him was empty. Ryeo Hyun's suitcase still tucked under the bed, Joon-woo saw. He saw the snacks Ryeo Hyun, Bo Jaesang, and Jung Hyun-Ok had snuck out to buy. The squid and beef jerky that Bo Jaesang mocked him for, half-eaten and hanging out.

The memory felt bittersweet and as the dark dorm room was illuminated by the bathroom lights. Jung Hyun-Ok stepped out and even in the dark could Joon-woo tell the other was off.

"Hyung?" Joon-woo questioned.

Jung Hyun-Ok turned Joon-woo's way. His face was tired and evidence of anger reigned in the ever-calm Hyun-Ok's expression. His face softened, though, when he spotted the sleepy Joon-woo. 

"Have you seen Hyun Hyung today?" Joon-woo cautiously asked, not wanting to overstep. 

Jung Hyun-Ok clicked his tongue, "Umm… This morning I did"

"How– how was he..? If you don't mind me asking." Joon-woo asked and the words felt weird on his tongue. He recalled himself never verbalizing his concern for others' in this life.

Jung Hyun-Ok tapped at his sides, "Mm… Better than I thought he would be." 

Joon-woo thought the reply to be just a bit comforting, maybe a little poetic. "Did he say where and what he had to do? He's been out a all day and–" 

Jung Hyun-Ok shook his head and that shut Joon-woo up. "It's nothing that you need to worry about. He'll be okay. But if you must know, I'm actually not really sure… He said he had a meeting with the higher ups and then he had to go to his agency… He said he'll return as soon as he can."

Joon-woo thought the words a bit offensive, as mentally he was older than every contestant here. But he still nodded along, afterall in this life he was still just 18. 

"Okay. Thank you, goodnight Hyung." Joon-woo spoke low. 

"Goodnight." Jung Hyun-Ok whispered in reply.

–+–

Ryeo Hyun exited the doors of Xe Entertainment with his phone lit up with notifications. Messages from friends and notifications from his various secret social medias filled his screen. 

He peered at the messages. 

Bo Jaesang: Hyung, where are you? 

Bo Jaesang: Messag me once you get otu of your meeting

Reggie: Me and Joon-woo took the lead for the team today!! :p 

Reggie: so don't worry about us!!

Mi Yong: here for u if u need (if you need advice on how to deal with these things)

Ryeo Hyun kept his screen panned on each notification until his screen turned dark and off. He wore a mask and his long coat illuminated his figure under the streetlights. 

He looked up to the star-full sky, "Hmm… Fuck this is unfair…" He huffed, "Aish– what should I do now?"

His expression was pained under his black face mask and when he looked back to his phone again, he regretted the way his gut burned at seeing his friends messages again. He missed them, fuck, he had grown attached to them and he wanted to see them. 

Hell– Ryeo Hyun had a whole team to lead. So really, why had things turned out like this?