Chapter Text
Hanbin woke up to the sounds of his phone buzzing. He was disoriented and it took a while to adjust to the daylight. He went clubbing the previous night, since his band was on a break, so waking up earlier than 2pm wasn’t in his schedule. He fidgeted trying to find his phone, then looked at the screen.
[6 missed calls from boss (manager #1)]
Weird. Their manager usually left the members alone while they were on break. He finally picked the phone up.
‘Hey, boss, what’s u-’
‘Have you read the article I sent you?’ the manager cuts him off with an irritated tone.
‘What article?’
‘Ugh, take a look at it and call me back.’
Hanbin looked at his texts and found a link to an article. It was from a pretty well known celebrity gossip news outlet.
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5th Generation Male Idol Found Mingling with Korean Rock Band Lead Singer
Friday night, around 1 a.m, Freshz member Kang Minseo was seen leaving a club in Itaewon with a fellow industry affiliate. Sources report the man to be Lee Hanbin, main vocalist and leader of 6way. Fans of the idol sent K-Star Newz photo evidence (see below).
[photo1.jpg] [photo2.jpg]
As seen above, the shorter man had his arm around the other’s shoulders. Even though their faces were hidden in the pictures, fans recognised Kang Minseo’s hoodie on the other man.
Their companies have yet to confirm their relationship.
Comments:
[+327] f*ck, i know idols shouldn't be dating, but don’t they look too cute? ㅋㅋㅋ
[+415] kang minseo who gives his hoodie to his boyfriend…
[-27] wow they must not respect their fans at all.
[+201] congrats to the new couple but i’m jealous hanbini isn’t mine anymore ㅠㅠ at least his boyfriend treats him well ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
[+124] shibal aren’t their visuals too good together? ㅋㅋ
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Hanbin couldn’t believe what he was reading. This must’ve been a fever dream. He called the manager back in a hurry.
‘Did you read it?’ the manager asked, expectantly.
‘Um… yeah… what the hell is going on?’
‘You tell me, dumbass. What the fuck were you doing out with a man?’
‘I… don’t remember.’
He wasn’t lying. He got so blacked out the previous night he didn't even remember how he got home. While trying to recall memories of his clubbing fiasco, he took a look down at his clothes. His heart actually skipped a beat. He was wearing the hoodie from the picture.
‘Well, you better try to remember in the 15 minutes you have left before the driver picks you up,’ the manager said before closing the phone call.
Hanbin couldn't believe what was happening to him. He got dressed in whatever clothes he found first, took a painkiller for his hangover headache and left his apartment when he heard the driver honking.
After a 20-minute drive, he arrived at what he assumed was Freshz’ company building. His manager was waiting at the front door. They took the elevator to level 6, where they entered a meeting room.
Inside, there were two people sitting down. A man who looked to be in his mid 30s, probably Freshz’ manager, and a black haired boy who he figured out was his alleged boyfriend. They both stood up when Hanbin and his manager came in, and stretched their hands for a handshake. The younger man’s handshake was firm, yet tender. Him and Hanbin locked eyes briefly, moment in which Hanbin noticed just how big and sparkly his eyes were. He could also tell he had make up on, and Hanbin felt a bit awkward that he came in looking a mess. He grabbed whatever clothes were laid on his sofa, brushed his hair and his teeth in a hurry and left. But this guy looked put together. Make up on, hair shiny and sprayed in place, and a checkered yellow shirt that exposed his collar bones just briefly. Hanbin couldn't deny he was attractive.
‘So, to get straight to the point’ Freshz’ manager started ‘we invited you here for a proposal.’
‘Proposal?’ Hanbin cut in. ‘I thought we were going to deny everything.’
6way manager intervened, being at the end of his rope with his patience. ‘Let the man speak, Hanbin.’
‘Thank you,’ the other manager continued. ‘Well, in most cases, companies deny dating rumours even if they're real, in order to protect their artists. However, the reaction to you guys has been overwhelmingly positive.’
‘So?’ Hanbin cut in, again.
‘So, we were actually thinking of making your relationship official.’
Hanbin stood up and raised his tone in shock. ‘What?!!’ The other boy didn’t react, he probably already knew about this.
Freshz’ manager continued his speech. ‘Look, I know this sounds crazy, but I think it would help both groups get more exposure. Freshz have been stagnant for a while with new groups debuting, and from what I heard from your manager, Hanbin, 6way concert sales aren’t doing great. This could be beneficial for you.’
‘He’s right, Hanbin,’ his manager added. ‘This could be good publicity.’
‘Has everyone lost their minds?!’ Hanbin exclaimed. ‘I don’t even know this guy.’
‘I’m Minseo, thank you very much. And you seemed to want to get to know me last night,’ he chuckled.
What… what the actual fuck did I do last night, Hanbin thought.
‘See? I think you two might get along pretty well. And you don’t have to date for real, you just have to pretend sometimes so the public has something to talk about.’
‘Am I the only one who thinks this is insane?’ Hanbin asked.
‘Calm down’ Minseo intervened. ‘I don’t like this either, but we just have to suck it up for a few months.’
‘I’m out of here’ Hanbin stood up to leave, but his manager grabbed his wrist.
‘You signed a contract, dumbass, you have to do what we say.’
‘I didn’t sign a contract for being a bl actor.’
‘Well, that’s too bad. If you don’t want to do this, you better come up with a better option to promote 6way. All your ideas have already failed, anyway.’
‘Fuck you.’
‘Well, great then!’ Freshz’ manager cut in. ‘How about we leave you and Minseo alone so you can discuss? Oh, and before I forget, you’ll have to keep this up for at least 6 months. That’s when Freshz’ comeback is scheduled.’
‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ Hanbin added.
‘Bye guys. It was a pleasure, Hanbin,’ the manager continued.
Now Minseo and Hanbin were left alone in the meeting room, sitting in an awkward silence.
‘So…’ Minseo began ‘should we exchange instas or something?’
‘Sure, whatever,’ Hanbin replied nonchalantly. ‘Hey, um, could you like.. tell me what happened last night?’
Minseo chuckled. ‘You don’t remember?’
‘I don’t get what’s so funny. And no, I don’t.’
‘Pfft, if you behave, I might tell you eventually.’
‘You…’ Hanbin added, visibly angered.
‘Don’t cry’ Minseo giggled. ‘Just followed you on insta, I’ll dm you to plan our first date.’
‘This is the worst day of my life.’
‘Wow, is dating a pretty boy that bad?’
‘We’re not dating.’
‘I know that, you know that, but the thousands of people who love us don’t know that. So, be a good boy and do as I say, will you?’
This guy is genuinely insane.
‘Talk to you later, cutie,’ Minseo said with a wink and a smirk as he left the room.
Hanbin stood still, dumbfounded and questioning his entire existence up until that point.