"here is my notice," niko said as she slid a piece of paper across suho's desk. "i'm quitting."

she watched as he blanched, and as he leaned forward and began to speak, she placed something else in front of him. "and here are all the songs i've written for their comeback. pick and choose what you want, but i am expecting full credit."

suho grabbed the notebook with a nervous chuckle. "is there anything i can offer to keep you with our company? extra pay? more vacation days?"

"there is nothing." niko stated, her jaw set in determination. "my mind is made up."

with a slow, unsteady breath, suho nodded. "i understand. on behalf of my entertainment and artists, i apologize for how you've been treated."

niko's lip quirked slightly. "i appreciate that. thank you."

there was a bit of paperwork she had to fill out, but once finished, niko bid her boss a farewell. she'd offered to continue working for two weeks, but suho didn't see the point since she'd already handed him everything he needed to finalize vybe's comeback.

checking the time on her phone, niko smiled when she saw that it was nearly noon.

as she reached the first floor, niko saw the two women she'd been hoping to stumble upon behind the front desk, the taller one with longer hair pulling a bag over her shoulder as she followed a pretty noirette.

it didn't take long for them to spot niko as she approached, and the smaller of the two lit up when she did. "niko! hi, we were just about to leave for lunch if you want to join us!"

with a nod, niko followed eunbin and ami as they made their way to the former's car. niko couldn't help but gape the second she climbed in. "woah, i've never been in a convertible before..."

eunbin smiled at her through the rearview mirror, "want the top down?"

"yes, please."

the trio drove around, listening to music on the radio as they decided where they wanted to go for lunch. after a few minutes, they pulled into a cute sandwich shop and eunbin closed the top of the convertible.

"ami and i used to come here a lot when we were just starting," the short girl explained as ami led the way into the shop. "they closed for a bit due to redecorating, but it's back and you have to try it!"

niko smiled as she let the two girls lead her around. they had such bubbly personalities, but niko could tell they were genuine. she sensed that eunbin wasn't one to allow herself to get walked all over, and she found that very admirable.

when all three received their food and found a spot to eat, niko broke the news. ami's hand froze over her chips as she stared at her new friend. "you're quitting? is it because of what's happening online? because hr should be taking care of—"

niko cut her off with the shake of her head. "no, no, it's not just that. i'm sure if i worked directly with you two i'd like it here, but the people i work with... they just don't care." she knew the second mark's statement got support instead of backlash that her team would turn on her, and they did.

eunbin, who was sitting across from niko, leaned forward and gave her shoulder and squeeze. "don't worry," she said when caught niko's eye, she smiled. "ami and i will support you! you're super talented, everyone know it, so don't ever let them tell you otherwise."

niko looked away when she felt her chest swell, and continued to silently eat her meal as the two girls talked in front of her.

when all three were finished and in the car, eunbin offered to drop niko off at her house. she was glad to accept since she took the train to work and the sky had grown significantly grey since that morning.

"let's do this again sometime, okay?" ami called from her open window as niko unlocked her door. "whether you're a vybe employee or not, let's be friends."

niko nodded and waved goodbye, hurrying into her house before they could see her eyes well with tears.

yuta
is it real?

niko
it's real. i'm sorry you didn't
hear it from me directly.

yuta
is it wrong for me to say
that i'm proud of you?

yuta
part of me wants to ask you to stay,
but i know that leaving is what's best
for you and i won't try to jeopardize
that or change your mind

niko
thank you. i appreciate it

yuta
keep in contact, okay?

yuta
if you ever need a place to breathe,
our rooftop is always open :)

niko
lmao i won't forget that

yuta
take care of yourself niko

niko
you too, yuta

niko jumped when chiyo suddenly groaned in her ear. the older whipped around, pressing her phone screen against her chest with wide eyes. "chi! how long have you been sitting there?!"

"god, the tension! please just sleep together already!"

niko gaped at her sister. "tsukina chiyo!"

she wanted to scold the giggling girl more, but her phone vibrated with a new message, and her sister ran off.

"i'm not done with you!"

mark
what are you doing?

mark
you're leaving vybe?

niko
yes

mark
why the fuck would you do that

niko
you're so funny

mark
do you not realize what i had
to do to get you here?

mark
are you not getting paid enough?

niko
i'm going to put this simply
so that you understand

niko
i don't like you. i don't like it
here. i don't like the way i am
being treated and i am leaving.
end of discussion.

mark
i literally gave you credit

niko
and part of me thought
that'd be enough

niko
it wasn't

mark
what don't you understand?

mark
since the statement is out and
opinions are in, it's my turn to
talk now so listen

mark
those lyrics i took were nothing.
they'd be nothing without me. i'm
the reason you're here right now.

mark
if it wasn't for me, you'd still be
working three jobs to take care of
yourself and your sister. you'd still
be drowning in debt and your moms
hospital bills. but you're not, and it's
thanks to me

mark
but all you do is complain

mark
i did what you asked. it's not my
fault that people see it my way
instead of yours

mark
maybe you're the one in the wrong

niko
go to hell mark lee

niko
are you actually hiring for
lyricists at ruby ent?

woozi
yeah why? are you interested?

niko
very.

•
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