*they were arguing over the recent rumors*

As soon as the rumors released, S.Coups went to his girlfriend Kyungsook and asked her if what she was saying was true. He trusted his girlfriend and always took her word. He believed her to be smart and confident, and wholesome. Their relationship was very supportive and open and honest. They talked about everything, so he believed her when she told him over the phone about Seoyoon. After hearing it for himself and hearing the pain in her voice, his anger arose out of him. He was furious and felt betrayed by someone he considered a good friend. He needed answers.

For some reason, he decided to confront Seoyoon about the rumors. He dialed up her number and waited. After several rings... she finally answered.

SEOYOON: "Hello?"

Her voice sounded a bit cautious, like she wasn't expecting a phone call. And he had to admit it was a bit weird to hear her voice at the other end of the call since they hadn't talked over the phone in maybe three years. He was busy after all and they sort of drifted apart. But he always kept her number.

SCOUPS: "Seoyoon... do I have the right number?"

SEOYOON: "Yeah. Seungcheol? What's going on? Why did you call?"

SCOUPS: "I think you know why. I just talked to Kyungsook myself. Did you really think you could bully her out of the company and get away with it?!"

His voice was raised. She scoffed on the other end.

SEOYOON: "Seriously?! You really believe her lie?"

SCOUPS: "She wouldn't lie to me... not about something serious like this."

SEOYOON: "Well, sorry to burst your little fairytale idea you have about her, but she's no victim. If anything, she took the easy way out by leaving... I could've just brushed everything under the rug, but for some stupid, self-loathing reason, she decided to create this tale and bring up the issue."

SCOUPS: "She didn't leave on her own like it was reported. You forced her to leave because you kept verbally abusing her and making things harder for her at the company--"

SEOYOON: "Did you not see the live stream where I explained how she was harassing me? Everything she said is a lie!"

She takes a breath. It sounds like she's moving or walking somewhere... there's a faint female voice in the background asking if everything is okay, and then a door is shut.

SEOYOON: "She was the one verbally abusing me and then acting all innocent. She's a manipulator!"

SCOUPS: "She would never do that! I don't care what anyone says. I know her."

SEOYOON: "No, you think you know her! But you didn't have to share a room with her, or a rehearsal space, or a car. You didn't experience the pinches, or the profanity-filled whispers about how I need to get my shit together, or the gaslighting. You barely even got to see her in person while you were dating... all you know her for is some image in your mind."

SCOUPS: "Don't try to tell me what I know. You must've done something to make her leave the company. Everything was going smoothly. She loved singing and performing. She wouldn't just leave for no reason..."

SEOYOON: "You're not even listening to me! Why did you even call me? Just to defend how perfect and righteous you think your girlfriend is?"

SCOUPS: "I called because you need to know how f***** up your behavior is! I'm not gonna sit around knowing that you harassed her. You don't deserve to be a leader!"

SEOYOON: "My behavior is f***** up?! You're screaming at me trying to protect your secret girlfriend's image from being tainted. The only reason you care is because she'll look bad, which will make you look bad! You're just as worse as her..."

SCOUPS: "That's a lie!"

SEOYOON: "All you care about is a freaking image..."

SCOUPS: "I care about Kyungsook's feelings--"

SEOYOON: "And none about mine. When was the last time you called or texted to check up on me?"

SCOUPS: "This isn't about you."

SEOYOON: "It never is. Why do you think I kept this a secret? I don't want the attention. But I know my worth now... and I want respect. So drop my number."

The line clicks on the other end. In fury, he slammed his phone on his kitchen counter and started pacing the room. He was furious about what she said about Kyungsook. This isn't about image, this is about right and wrong. What he believed to be right and wrong. And it was never Kyungsook... she was never wrong...

She was never wrong...

She was never wrong...