Chapter 197: Joy (34)

“Goh Yoo-Joon, the kid...”

“Goh Yoo-Joon kiddo, pfft!” Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan couldn't contain their laughter after hearing the lost child center announcement, finding the whole situation absurdly funny.

“Who would've thought of this? It's so ridiculous. It's hilarious!"

“Lost child indeed," I replied to Hee-Su, my eyes fixed on the surveillance camera screen showing Goh Yoo-Joon. With his camera in tow, he sprinted our way. Although his face wasn't clear, his flustered run spoke volumes of his embarrassment.

Goh Yoo-Joon was always the prankster, but he seemed ironically unprepared to be on the receiving end of a joke. Seeing him flustered or embarrassed like this always brought me a certain joy.

Just then, On Ki-Hoon and Lee Cheol-Min peeked into the center. “Suh Hyun-Woo, did you find Yoo-Joon? We came running when we heard the announcement."

“Ah, he's on his way here now." I gestured toward the approaching figure of Goh Yoo-Joon on the monitor. Lee Cheol-Min lingered by the door while On Ki-Hoon casually stood behind me, joining in the observation. The sight of Goh Yoo-Joon finally coming into view sent Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan into another round of laughter.

“It's about time for him to show up. Thank you for your help, sir. We've found our friend thanks to you."

“Oh, it's nothing. We are just glad there's no actual lost child. If it's not too much trouble, could I get your autograph?"

“Of course." As I was carefully signing the paper, a loud "Suh Hyun-Woo!" echoed through the center.

“Ah, the lost child has arrived," I said. Goh Yoo-Joon marched up to me with a scowl, attempting to put me in a headlock.

I easily dodged and pressed a finger to his furrowed brow. “You will get wrinkles there, Goh Yoo-Joon, you kiddo."

“Goh Yoo-Joon, the child."

“Goh Yoo-Joon, the child, heh!"

I handed him a pen after signing. “Your turn to sign."

After turning back to the staff, I said, “Thanks again for helping us find our lost kid. We will make sure not to lose him again."

“Suh Hyun-Woo, enough already." Despite his grumbling, Goh Yoo-Joon obediently signed the paper. As he handed it back to the staff, I ruffled his hair playfully. “What a good boy!"

After I was playfully subdued by Goh Yoo-Joon in a headlock, we eventually left the lost child center.

“Where did you disappear to?"

“I was looking for Daniele when he suddenly vanished. Wait, Daniele, why are you here?"

Daniele frowned. “Where were you? I was in the bathroom!"

“You should've said something! I thought you disappeared! And who comes up with the idea to make a lost child announcement?" Goh Yoo-Joon shot me a glare, but I just shrugged, chuckling along with the kids.

“It's getting close to lunchtime. Have you guys eaten?" I asked Goh Yoo-Joon, On Ki-Hoon, and Lee Cheol-Min. They all shook their heads.

“Have you?" Goh Yoo-Joon asked back.

“We grabbed a bite at the food court earlier. Go ahead and eat. We will come with you."

“The hamburg steaks here are amazing."

“Sounds good." On Ki-Hoon and Lee Cheol-Min nodded, and the seven of us headed to the food court. Hee-Su, Joon-Hwan, and I just chatted while the others tried the famous hamburg steaks.

It was already 1:30 PM. With the first recording of our music show scheduled for today, we needed to leave school earlier than usual.

As they finished their meal, I started planning our next move when Goh Yoo-Joon checked his pockets, looking concerned. “Looks like both of us will need to head back soon. I will pass my remaining money to Daniele. Suh Hyun-Woo, you should give yours to Hee-Su and Joon-Hwan."

“Sure thing." I pulled out my share and handed it to Hee-Su.

“Do you guys have any money left, Ki-Hoon and Cheol-Min?"

“Yeah, we do."

“Then... uh?" Goh Yoo-Joon's brow furrowed as he patted down all his pockets.

“What's up? Lost your money?"

“Just a sec... Oh no, it seems like I did." Goh Yoo-Joon looked helplessly at us. “Sorry, what should we do?"

“It's okay, we still have our share."

“Don't worry, Joon! Don't let it get you down!"

“Seriously, you usually keep track of your things better than this." As I was lightly scolding Goh Yoo-Joon, On Ki-Hoon suddenly made a puzzled sound and started patting down his pockets in a manner strikingly similar to Goh Yoo-Joon’s.

“What's up, Ki-Hoon?" I asked, to which he responded with a sheepish grin. “I think... I might've lost mine too?"

“Your money?"

“Yeah. What do we do now?"

It was almost unbelievable.

“Check your inside pockets too. It seems unlikely you'd lose it here."

“I will be back in a sec, going to check the counter," Goh Yoo-Joon announced, heading toward the food court's counter, only to return with the same look of bewilderment.

“Nothing there either..." said Goh Yoo-Joon.

Up until we paid for our hamburg steaks, both of them seemed to have their money intact. To lose it while simply sitting and eating seemed improbable.

On Ki-Hoon turned to Lee Cheol-Min and asked, “Cheol-Min, did I ever give you my money to hold?"

“Nope."

“Where could it have gone then?" The situation unfolded too abruptly, leaving us puzzled. Amidst this unexpected drama, our manager and the production team signaled us, as it was time to leave.

“Goh Yoo-Joon, Suh Hyun-Woo, it's time to head out," the manager said.

“Just a moment, please?"

“Yoo-Joon, we will keep an eye out for your money. You should get going for now," said the production staff, reassuring us that everything was fine.

Goh Yoo-Joon, apologetic to the end, stood up. “I'm really sorry! I will head out first!"

“Don't worry! If we find your money here, we will let you know. Good luck with the first recording!"

“You got this! Knock 'em dead!"

“Go smash it!"

“You can do it, guys!"

With the kids' enthusiastic cheers sending us off, we moved past the cameras and out of the scene.

“Hyun-Woo and Yoo-Joon, we are rooting for you. Nail that recording," said On Ki-Hoon.

“Thanks, really," I responded to On Ki-Hoon's support just as we were about to pass by. And then, there was silence. Lee Cheol-Min lowered his head, and I couldn't help but turn back to look at him, sensing a sudden shift in the atmosphere.

Lee Cheol-Min wore a complex expression, mingled with frustration, injustice, and confusion. I paused for a bit, trying to decipher what his look meant. Why did he wear such a troubled face?

However, before I could gather my thoughts, just as the perplexed Lee Cheol-Min looked up at me as if seeking help, the manager's voice pulled me back to reality. “Suh Hyun-Woo, we really should get going. We are a bit pressed for time."

Reluctantly led by the manager's hand, I turned away.

***

“Don't beat yourself up, our dear twenty-year-old Goh Yoo-Joon kiddo."

“Say that one more time, and I swear I will throw you out of this car."

“Hey, threatening to throw someone out of the car, who do you think you are? Some mob boss?

Tsk tsk

, such words don't suit a child, you know."

“Enough with the jokes." Despite my teasing, Goh Yoo-Joon's previously worried face slowly regained its usual composure.

“Don't stress too much. We will find that money soon enough," I reassured him.

“How? Tell me."

I couldn't very well present my speculation as fact... So, I feigned ignorance, gazing out the car window instead. I was initially baffled but had pieced things together on the drive over. This missing money incident was more than a simple case of lost cash.

Given the timing and Lee Cheol-Min's sudden shift from indifference to a flurry of emotions, it was clear this wasn't a case of lost money but theft. If this was true, Lee Cheol-Min would be the prime suspect.

However, his earlier look, as if asking for help, stuck with me.

“What is it? Come on, tell me, Suh Hyun-Woo."

“Let's just focus on our image for now," I replied as I handed one earbud to Goh Yoo-Joon. “Forget the money for now. Let's concentrate on nailing our first show, Yoo-Joon kiddo."

“Alright, alright, Suh Hyun-Woo, the guardian."

A soft chuckle from the manager accompanied our banter. I subtly smiled and turned on “Joy” as we approached the broadcast station. Just before we stepped out of the car, the manager, having received a call from the

Graduating

production team, shared the breaking news. “The production team just called. It turns out that Lee Cheol-Min had all the money. On Ki-Hoon found him taking it."

“..On Ki-Hoon?"

“Yes, that’s what I heard. The part about the stolen money will be edited out for now, and the decision regarding Lee Cheol-Min’s participation will be discussed further.”

“To even think of stealing... Gosh, that’s just wrong,” Goh Yoo-Joon murmured with a mix of anger and disbelief, his voice heavy with seriousness.

Lee Cheol-Min’s expression at that moment came back to me, hinting that the situation might not be as straightforward as it seemed.

My thoughts suddenly drifted back to the chaotic finale of

Graduating

before my regression, marred by revelations and controversies. If there was a connection between that turmoil and this incident, and if it led to a repeat of those events, both Goh Yoo-Joon and I could find ourselves caught in a similar storm of controversy that had affected the entire cast.