“Boss Jeon, why’d you call me in here?” I asked not bothering to greet him first. “And why are we at the rooftop?” I asked again.

He didn’t answer me and I saw him pulling a cigarette box from his pocket. He lit the lead and started inhaling it. This is my first time seeing him smoke.

“How are you?” he asked me while looking at the view in front of us.

“I’m doing well,” I replied.

“And Sunghoon?” he asked that made my brows rise.

“Well… Everything is going according to the plan. We’re now friends,” I answered him.

He turns around to see me, “Okay that’s good to hear. Your scoops are getting better too. I love that you’re really doing everything just to help your friend, by the way how is he?” he asked me again.

He’s so weird right now.

“Uh, Ni-ki’s fine. Jungwon is still looking for a job,” I answered him.

“As he should. Anyways, I know you’re doing well about Sunghoon but can we step up a bit?” he asked me.

My brows frown, “What do you mean?”

Wait, does he know my plan? How?

“You know, ENB’s rank in powerhouse media is unstable. The only solution I can think for now is to cause a chaos in any HIVE artists. And since you’re already in Sunghoon’s side, I’ll task you in this one,” he stated.

That’s my actual plan!

“So, you want me to dig deeper about Sunghoon and find fault in his life?” I asked him for clarification.

He nods, “Exactly. I know you’re going to demand for a high price but give me the scoop first and I’m going to give you money,” he negotiated.

“I have a request too,” I added a condition.

He looked again at his front still smoking, “What is it?” he asked.

“You’ll arrange Ni-ki’s paper so that he can fly to Japan without any hassle,” I stated.

“Is that an assurance that Ni-ki will really go back to Japan? How?” he interrogated me.

“I will assure that I will give you the scoop that you want. I will do it no matter what,” I answered him with full of assurance.

I heard him smirk, “Deal. No worries just give me that scoop as fast as possible. Year end is also approaching, everything will be really interesting,” he replied and let out an evil chuckle.

It means artist will be really busy since year end awards are approaching. If we can make a scoop before or during that time, Sunghoon will be eliminated and it can cause a bigger issue in the industry.

His career will ruin in just a single article that ENB will release.

I don’t know what I’m going to feel if that will happen. I’ll be honest, I’m starting to like him already and sometimes I feel like I don’t want to continue this because of what Jungwon said.

But I can’t. I can’t stop right now. This is for the best.

“Why Park Sunghoon of all the artist out there?” I asked him since I’m really curious. “I also don’t think it’s just because of me,” I added.

He raised his chin as if he’s thinking to what he’s going to answer. “Well, simple because he’s famous,” he stated.

I nod as a response of agreeing to his answer. “You’re right. This is going to be a bit tough for me but I will still assure you that we will get it,” I stated.

“Why?” he asks me and then turn his head sideways just to glance at me. “I’m really going to be disappointed if you’ll be like Jungwon.”

“It’s not like that—“ he cut me off.

“You don’t like him, right?” he asked after stopping me from talking.

“I don’t,” I denied.

“That’s what all I want to know. I trust you a lot Sunoo,” he replied.

For the first time, I felt a heavy pressure that Boss Jeon just put on my shoulder. He’s calm and composed right now but I’m still afraid of what will happen.

“You won’t fail, right?” he asked again that made me throw my gaze at him.

I keep silent for a moment and a thought crossed my mind. What if I really fail?

No, I was really confident but considering what will happen in the future, I’m starting to doubt already.

Kim Sunoo, you won’t right? I hope I won’t.

“Now I doubt you,” he stated.

I breathe in and speak, “You may right now but I will assure you the success of this plan Boss Jeon,” I replied.

He nods, “Well, okay. I still trust you,”

Are conversation ended like that and I started walking to the bus stop. I take a seat with a heavy feeling then a mint chocolate ice cream appeared in front of me.

I looked up and saw Jungwon smiling at me, “Why do you look so sad?” he asked me.

I reached the icecream and eat first before answering him. “Boss Jeon gave me a task that’s heavier than what I planned,” I stated.

“Really!?” he exclaimed. “What is it?” he asked looking so shock.

“Well, actually it’s just the same but when Boss Jeon was the one who gave me that order, I felt like I’m going to fail,” I answered honestly.

“Why are you like that? You were so sure before,” he reacted.

“Right, I was so sure too… I thought I was but I felt like things are slowly turning around,” I replied in my low voice and scoop again the icecream.

I felt Jungwon’s gentle tap on my shoulder, “Just do what you need to do. What makes you happy and what can benefit you,” he advised me.

“I should get the money, that’s the best but…” I paused. “Argh! Really! I don’t know anymore,” I growled and continue eating.

I heard Jungwon laugh at me, “You’re just confused right now but I know you will understand things for yourself soon,” he added and smiled at me.

I smiled at him, “Thank you Jungwonie!” I exclaimed and stood up. “The bus is here!”

“Let’s go!”

We head in and take the seat. “How’s looking for work?” I asked him.

“Huh? Ahh, well… Everything is going well. Don’t worry about me,” he replied with a smile.

“I also wanna tell you that you don’t need to pressure yourself in looking for job. Just take your time and my work is still doing fine. I also checked my bank account and Boss Jeon is giving the exact amount that we talked about,” I told him.

“You’re really a master sasaeng, Sunoo. You know how you will work things out and think of an immediate solution,” he commented.

“Hey! You’re our leader! You’re the best!” I complimented him that made him laugh.

“Well… Okay! Hahaha! But your leader is kinda busy for looking a new job so forgive me for now hahaha!” he chuckled.

“You’re always forgiven,” I replied and laugh at him also.

“News are talking about this year’s CSAT, I envy them,” I heard him say.

“It’s okay, we’ll take the next examination next year. Let’s review really hard,” I comforted him and I saw him smiled.

We arrived at our dorm around afternoon already and we started eating while talking to random things.

“What will be Sunghoon’s schedule?” he asked me while we’re watching on tv.

“He’s free for two weeks then he will start shooting for his own variety show. The next schedules will be send to me soon,” I replied.

“Ohh I see, Boss Jeon’s spy is really good at stealing the schedules,” Jungwon commented.

“Yeah but Sunghoon is the one who’s giving me his own schedule,” I replied casually.

“WAIT WHAT? SUNGHOON IS WHAT?” he exclaimed.

I burst in laughing so hard after seeing his shocked face. “WAIT! HAHAHAHA! WAIT! THE FUCK! You look like a shit right now!” I shouted then laugh so hard again.

“HEY! Answer me first, damn you!” he yelled at me.

“Okay! Okay!” I said and then calm myself from laughing. “Yeah, that’s true. He agreed to be my sasaeng and a friend because I saved him once then I will agree but he’ll help me with my scoop,” I explained to him.

“Whoa! You’re really a master sasaeng, Kim Sunoo!” he exclaimed that made me laugh.

“No hahaha! I just accept the friendship that he offered but I need to take something from him also,” I replied.

“Friends with benefits,” he commented. “Aww! What! I’m saying the truth in here HAHAHA!” he laughs after I kick him.

“That sounds so dirty, what the heck,” I stated and rolled my eyes at him.

“HAHAHA! Sunghoon will gain a new friend and you will have scoops. You’re benefiting each other. But is friendship the only thing he offered?” he asked after stating what he said.

I sighed and picked my phone that is on the table, “Look at this,” I said after showing him the polaroid film that I took out under my phone case.

“Fuck,” he hissed. “This guy likes you,” he commented.

I sighed again and nods, “I know and I kinda feel the same too but I’m still not sure,” I replied.

“See, I told you you’re going to like him too. You’re not sure because you’re denying it,” he said still looking at the picture.

“Maybe…” I paused. “I’ll keep on denying it for now, I’m worried it will distract me a lot,” I stated.

“Well, it depends to you,” he agreed and lends me back the film.

I looked at our picture and smiled a bit, “It’s not wrong liking him back if he’ll confess. The wrong will happen after I like him back,” I stated.

Jungwon’s hand held mine to comfort me, “Liking him back will never be wrong, Sunoo. And even if everything will mess up after having the same feelings with him, I believe you can still fix it,” he commented with a smile.

“Nope, I won’t ruin anything just because I like him so that I won’t fix it also. I hate hassle as much as I hate doing dishes,” I replied that made him laugh.

“HAHAHA! Okay okay! I get it. Just tell me everything that’s bothering you, okay?” he asked.

“I’m really bothered that I like him, Jungwon,” I replied.

“Then what should we do?” he asked me.

“I don’t want to do anything, I’ll stick to the plan and just regret things after.”