Rescue at the After-Party
Once the greetings with the guests who had come to the after-party were over, the spacious auditorium was left with only the Spirit members and the graduates. “Everyone,” Jaejun called the current students over after finishing up his photography duties. “Let’s take a group photo now. First-years, get up on stage.”
At their senior’s words, the first-years rushed up onto the stage. The guys linked arms in the back row while the girls struck poses with their waists bent forward. “One! Two! Three!” Jaejun had them hold several different poses in a row before letting out a long sigh. “Alright. Now the 23rd generation, get up here.”
Though he grumbled irritably, Jaejun dutifully fulfilled his role as a senior. “Oppa! You have to take a really good one~” Seoeun’s smile was bright, but Jaejun knew exactly what kind of hell awaited him if the photos weren’t perfect. After all, Seoeun was Spirit’s walking rumor mill—especially when it came to anything involving the 23rd generation, she was an unstoppable, passionate president.
“How should we pose?” Compared to the 24th generation, the height differences among the 23rd generation members were extreme, making it hard to stand in a balanced line. “Hey, Kang. Just sit in the front.” Hana forced Choi Kang into the center. “And the rest of you, put your hands on his head like you’re cheering.”
“What the hell are you doing, Yoon Hana!” Choi Kang’s eyes widened as he glared at her, looking as if someone were trying to pray to a Buddha statue. “We’re just using you as katsuobushi.” It was the ultimate takoyaki treatment! Choi Kang was so dumbfounded he couldn’t even respond properly.
“Is that how it is? Kang~ Then excuse me for a moment?” Seoeun slapped her hand right on top of Choi Kang’s head. Not to be outdone, Hana placed hers on top of Seoeun’s. Juyeon, after gauging the mood, carefully set her small hand on top of Hana’s. “Hey, Lee Suhyun. What are you doing? Put yours up too.”
Hana, standing beside Suhyun, jerked her chin at him as if to say, What are you waiting for? Her expression was that of a mischievous troublemaker. Though he wondered if this was really okay considering Kang’s human rights, one look at Jaejun sighing in the distance told him he couldn’t afford to hesitate any longer.
“I’m taking it! One, two, three!” Choi Kang, having resigned himself, flashed a bright V-sign with a hearty expression. Only beta males would get worked up over something like this! In fact, he was secretly pleased to be the center of attention. The other seniors watched the comically posed 23rd generation with fond smiles.
“What pose did we do back then?” “I think we did the soccer club pose?” “No, no, that was first year. Second year we made Jiseon lie down, remember?” “Ah, I think that photo got deleted when I changed phones.”
After the entire Spirit group took one last big family photo together, Suhyun found himself staring at a gallery in his phone that was suddenly overflowing with pictures for the first time in ages. They decided to clean up the stage and auditorium tomorrow afternoon, so everyone streamed out of the auditorium and headed to the bar.
“Juyeon, you grabbed the keys, right?” Seoeun asked for confirmation, and Juyeon—the designated keyholder—nodded vigorously. After-parties following performances were always grand affairs. Whenever graduates attended, there were always luxurious side dishes that you couldn’t normally find.
“Ah, I’m so dead. I’m drinking like crazy today.” Hana’s eyes sparkled with determination. “You’ll be dead after half a bottle anyway,” Choi Kang shot back, dousing her fire like cold water. “Half a bottle isn’t even drinking.” “Just go home nicely today.” “Even if I die, I’m not asking you for help.” “Then who are you asking?”
When it came to physical labor, Choi Kang was always the first to be drafted. Hana spun around and grabbed Suhyun’s arm. “I’m asking Lee Suhyun for help.” “Huh? Help with what?” Suhyun, who had been talking to Juyeon, looked confused. “If I die, take responsibility for me.” Hana burst into laughter and looked up at him. Suhyun laughed along, but he couldn’t take her joke lightly. She’s a friend. She’s a friend. She’s a friend. Why did his heart race at something friends could easily say to each other?
Suhyun bit his lip gently, just enough not to hurt his front teeth. “Hey, answer me. Lee Suhyun. You’ll take responsibility, right?” Her eyes were like a cat waiting for a snack. Suhyun had no right to refuse. “…I’ll try my best.”
“Lee Suhyun, don’t accept Yoon Hana’s request. You’ll end up as her shuttle.” Choi Kang shook his head like a husband who’d married the wrong wife. “Nooo~ Today’s the day nobody takes responsibility~” Seoeun shouted, linking arms with Juyeon and Hana. “Because today’s the day we all die together!” President Lee Seoeun. Just for today, she was an untamed colt!
* * *
“Those were the days… We used to drink straight soju right on the field. We’d just buy a pack of kimchi and bring it over.” “Man… That was real romance! Hyung-nim! That’s what rock spirit is all about…”
Why… is this happening to me… Suhyun sipped his soju instead of crying. His table luck was truly the worst. The drinking party was split evenly between graduates and current students. Naturally, they’d mixed everyone up to help people get closer. At a table where multiple generations were jumbled together, Suhyun found himself stuck in a corner with two of the oldest seniors.
“Suhyun, is there anything else you want to eat?” The one silver lining was that he was sitting with the seniors who were paying, so he could order whatever he wanted. But given Suhyun’s personality, he couldn’t bring himself to call out menu items confidently. “I’m… fine… I just need some odeng-tang broth…” “Make yourself comfortable! Suhyun! Feel free!” Please stop. I’m seriously going to die of discomfort. Suhyun forced an awkward smile and downed another shot of soju. When you had nothing to say, you ended up tilting your glass again and again. Haa… I wonder if the other tables are having fun…
Suhyun’s gaze drifted toward the table packed with first- and second-years. Choi Kang was showing off by filling a beer glass to the brim with soju and downing it in one shot, while Sohye clapped beside him, saying it was cool. Taeho was grinning, and Juyeon was snuggled up next to Seoeun, looking cozy. I… I want to go over there too…! He couldn’t say it out loud, but tears streamed down inside Suhyun’s heart.
“Suhyun-ah. If you want to join them, you can go play.” The senior in front of him smiled bitterly and tried to comfort him. “No, it’s okay. I like it here too.” How could he actually go even if they told him to? Suhyun had at least that much social awareness. “Seniors~”
Just as he was praying for the seniors to suggest moving to a second round so he could escape this suffering, an angel appeared before Suhyun. Hana plopped down in the empty seat next to him. Her cheeks were already flushed a light pink, probably from the alcohol. “Oh my! Hana! Want a drink?” Hana was popular even with the old-timers. “Of course! If not me, who else would take the glass?” Hana held out both hands politely to receive the shot.
“Hey, Lee Suhyun. Drink with me too.” Hana poured soju into his glass with a steady stream. Suhyun wasn’t sure if he was reading her correctly, but her eyes seemed to say, You only have me, right? “To the eternal glory of Spirit!” “Ah~ To glory~” With the clear clink of glasses, the alcohol slid down his throat. Hana rested her head on Suhyun’s shoulder. “Seniors~” “What?” “Can we get an ice cream chance?” “Wow~ Hana. You really see us as walking wallets, huh?” “So, can we or not?”
Since Hana had already built up plenty of goodwill last year, the seniors found her adorable. “Hey, buy some for the kids too.” Unable to resist her aegyo, one senior readily handed over his card. “Ah! Thank youuu~” Hana shot up immediately and grabbed Suhyun’s wrist. “Then I’ll borrow this guy too! Seniors!” “Go ahead! Have fun!”
Hana dashed out of the bar like she was being chased, even though no one was following. Once outside, the sky was already pitch black—it was deep into the night. “Lee Suhyukgi.” This wasn’t the first time they’d drunk together, so Suhyun could tell right away that she was drunk. “You worked hard.” Hana reached out and ruffled his hair messily. “Dealing with the oppas must’ve been tough!” “No… it wasn’t that bad.” “Really…? I went to save you, but I guess I didn’t need to…?”
She dramatically covered her mouth with both hands, then tried to push Suhyun back into the bar. “Damn it. Get back in there.” “No! I actually really liked it! I thought you were the only one I had! Please don’t push me back in there! I’ll do my best! Wah! I was seriously about to cry from how hard it was!” When his pathetic lie fell apart, Hana giggled and pinched his cheeks. “I knew it… kihihi… Still, tomorrow will be fine!” “Tomorrow?” “Yeah! We’re going out just the two of us tomorrow, remember?”
Suhyun had been so caught up in how long today felt that he hadn’t thought about tomorrow at all. “Oh. Right.” “Right? Oh. Riiight?” Hana frowned, looking disappointed. “What? You don’t want to hang out?” “No? When did I say that?” “See? You’re looking forward to it too, right?”
The crimson streetlight illuminated Hana. “I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.” Sorry for being so cute. Suhyun had always wondered when people used that phrase—it seemed so insincere—but today he finally understood where it came from. Hana being cute was a crime. It was a serious offense that constantly threatened their friendship. If Suhyun ended up losing control and making a move tomorrow, it would all be her fault. “Yeah. I’m looking forward to it too.” At Suhyun’s answer, Hana pulled his wrist once more.