Chapter 416: Reunion - Kang Joo-Han and Goh Yoo-Joon’s story (2)

Goh Yoo-Joon sank deeper into the couch as he tried to find some comfort. “Have you been in touch with Hyun-Woo lately?”

“Maybe occasionally.” Kang Joo-Han pushed his glasses up with his eyes glued to the monitor screen.

Goh Yoo-Joon sat up straight, his interest piqued. “Are you actually in touch with him?!”

“Ah, you startled me. Why are you yelling?”

“You are having normal conversations with him?”

“Well, not exactly.” Kang Joo-Han chuckled and shook his head. “I didn’t say they were normal conversations, did I?”

Ever since that terrible incident, they hadn’t had a straightforward conversation with Suh Hyun-Woo. They’d occasionally have meals together with Joh In-Hyun, but those meetings never ended pleasantly. The air was always thick with unspoken words and unresolved tensions.

From the start, his feelings toward Suh Hyun-Woo had never been straightforward. Their interactions were often tangled in misunderstandings and unexpressed emotions. How could their conversations go smoothly?

Goh Yoo-Joon laughed along with Kang Joo-Han. Even without more explanations, he understood the meaning behind Joo-Han’s response.

“I just hope the message gets through, though.”

“It will take some convincing, for sure.”

Joo-Han was determined to help Hyun-Woo achieve his dream, and that was the only reason he delved into completing this song. They just hoped it would be the key to Hyun-Woo's comeback. He wanted to present the song to Hyun-Woo, help with the recording and release, and even support his musical career.

Unlike when Hyun-Woo left the agency, Joo-Han now had the money and influence to help him. He wouldn’t force Hyun-Woo if he refused, but knowing him, he’d probably be eager to do it. He might refuse out of lack of courage or discomfort with the members.

But he wouldn’t push him. He’d give him the song as a gift and leave it to him to decide. Giving Hyun-Woo another chance to choose was enough.

“When will you give it to him?”

“As soon as he gets back from New York. If I rush, he might feel pressured, so I will test the waters first.”

“Should I come with you?”

Joo-Han thought for a moment and shook his head. “No, it’s okay. If you come, he’s more likely to refuse.”

Goh Yoo-Joon laughed, knowing Hyun-Woo had been avoiding him for a long time. Therefore, Joo-Han’s words didn’t really hurt him.

“Got it. You go alone, then. Let me know if you need any help.”

“Sure.”

“Honestly, Hyun-Woo is too talented to give up music.” Goh Yoo-Joon opened a can of beer which hissed sharply. He was happy that his old friend could continue making music and that he could support him. This opportunity came thanks to their freedom from the group and agency.

Kang Joo-Han handed a sheet of paper to Goh Yoo-Joon. “So, I wrote these lyrics.”

“Yeah, I glanced at them. They’re good.”

“Of course they’re good. But you’re better at writing lyrics, so feel free to edit them.”

“Okay.”

♪ Recreate the halted footsteps

Carving courage into the ground with each step

I start again

Once again

Goh Yoo-Joon read the lyrics for a while, then his expression became thoughtful. He looked up, and a smile spread across his face. “There is no need to change them. The message is what’s important. I think they are perfect as they are.”

“Really?” Joo-Han scratched the back of his neck. He had written the lyrics in a drunken, emotional state and worried they were a bit over the top.

Goh Yoo-Joon read his favorite lines aloud.

♪ Unclench my hands

Shake off the dry soil

Grab hold of new dreams

I can do it once again

Kang Joo-Han pointed to a blank part in the lyrics. “I want to have a rap part here. Do you know anyone who could do it?”

“Me? How would I know?”

“You know a lot of people in the industry.”

“No rappers, though...” Goh Yoo-Joon muttered as he scrolled through his phone. He met people with common interests, but he had no connections with rap or hip-hop artists. “Who exactly are you looking for? Any specific style?”

Joo-Han thought for a moment and replied reluctantly. “Who’s that trendy guy? Chilltwo?”

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

“Chilltwo? You want Chilltwo? Jin-Sung probably knows him. They were on a show together.”

“No, not him,” Joo-Han replied firmly. “Anyone but Chilltwo.”

“Oh.”

Chilltwo’s real name was Kim Jin-Wook. He was the country’s top rapper, known for numerous features. But he wouldn’t fit this song.

In fact, Chilltwo would probably refuse. He tended to release quite rebellious and direct songs, and his features followed that trend. His actual personality was notorious, making him a terrible match for this soft and hopeful song. Chilltwo would likely hate it anyway.

Goh Yoo-Joon put down his phone. “Ask Jin-Sung about rappers, not me. I don’t know any.”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll ask Jin-Sung. For now, let’s just go grab some food.” Kang Joo-Han grabbed his wallet, feeling the need to unwind. His friend had come over, and he wanted to feed him before sending him off and finally getting some rest.

Goh Yoo-Joon stood up and grinned playfully. “You’re paying, right?”

“You make a lot of money now. But fine, I’ll pay. Just decide what you want to eat.”

“Let’s go to that place I know. It’s a bit pricey, but really good.”

“Let’s go.” Kang Joo-Han glanced at Goh Yoo-Joon. “Should we invite Jin-Sung too?”

Suh Hyun-Woo wasn’t the only troubled one among his cherished friends. Goh Yoo-Joon, Park Yoon-Chan, and Lee Jin-Sung were all like that. Especially Goh Yoo-Joon and Lee Jin-Sung. How could such close friends become so distant? He wanted to bridge the gap between them somehow, but...

“Nah, it’s fine.” Goh Yoo-Joon was less sensitive than the others, but he wasn’t too optimistic.

“Alright, let’s go then.”

As they left the studio, Goh Yoo-Joon pointed out, “Hey, isn’t your phone ringing?”

“Huh? Oh.”

His phone was set to silent, and was vibrating. It was Joh In-Hyun, their old manager from Elated.

‘Isn’t he supposed to be in the middle of filming?’

With the comeback of YMM’s new group, he was incredibly busy. They hadn’t even been able to meet or talk lately.

Joo-Han answered, puzzled. “Hey, what’s up? Are you done with filming, hyung?”

Joh In-Hyun would usually answer in a whining tone if Kang Joo-Han answered this casually. Expecting that, Kang Joo-Han was surprised by the silence on the other end. “What’s wrong? If you called by mistake, I’ll hang up.”

When Joh In-Hyun finally spoke, his voice was unusually somber.

- ...Joo-Han.

“What’s up?” Kang Joo-Han asked seriously.

Goh Yoo-Joon mouthed, ‘What’s going on?’

Kang Joo-Han ignored him as he was too focused on the call. Despite the silence, Kang Joo-Han didn’t press Joh In-Hyun. If he was hesitating this much, it had to be something serious.

‘Did he finally get fired?’

Joh In-Hyun had a knack for causing trouble, so calls like this were worrisome.

‘He probably caused some trouble at work, or YMM’s finally gone under. But most likely he caused trouble.’

Just as Kang Joo-Han was contemplating, Joh In-Hyun finally spoke again. His voice was thick with tears.

- It’s about Hyun-Woo, Joo-Han...

Joo-Han’s expression shifted instantly. “What about Hyun-Woo?”

Hearing Suh Hyun-Woo’s name from Joh In-Hyun was rare. No, it never happened. And in such a somber voice, no less.

Anxiety flashed through him. Goh Yoo-Joon noticed Joo-Han’s expression, and also grew worried. “What about Suh Hyun-Woo? What’s wrong, seriously?”

“Yoo-Joon, be quiet. In-Hyun hyung, what’s going on?”

Joh In-Hyun started sobbing and struggled to continue.

- Is Yoo-Joon with you?

“Yeah. Just get to the point. What is it?”

- It’s...

“...”

Kang Joo-Han sighed deeply as he felt his patience wear thin. Joh In-Hyun’s dramatics were nerve-wracking.

How long did they wait? When Joh In-Hyun finally spoke, Kang Joo-Han’s face paled with shock.

- Hyun-Woo... there was a plane crash... his mom called... Hyun-Woo’s dead.

“...”

At times like this, what was the appropriate reaction? Kang Joo-Han couldn’t show any emotion. No sadness, no shock, nothing. His mind was blank, only able to replay Joh In-Hyun's words over and over.

‘Hyun-Woo is dead. Hyun-Woo is dead. Hyun-Woo is dead? What does that even mean? Hyun-Woo? All of a sudden, he’s dead?’

Unable to bear it any longer, Goh Yoo-Joon grabbed the phone from Kang Joo-Han’s hand, which had slightly dropped from his ear.

“Hyung, it’s Yoo-Joon. What’s going on? Why is Joo-Han acting like this? What’s that about Suh Hyun-Woo?” Goh Yoo-Joon asked urgently, but there was no response from Joh In-Hyun.

Instead, Joh In-Hyun broke down into sobs, unable to speak any further. The one who answered instead was Kang Joo-Han. “Yoo-Joon...”

“...What is it, hyung?”

“Hyun-Woo is dead.”

“...What are you talking about?”

But he couldn’t ask more or dismiss it as a cruel joke. Joo-Han was sobbing, unable to breathe. He collapsed to the ground.

‘Ah, I...’

Goh Yoo-Joon closed his eyes against the dizziness.

‘I can’t believe it.’

He couldn’t accept that Suh Hyun-Woo was gone so suddenly. Taking a shaky breath, Goh Yoo-Joon wiped his sweaty hands on his pants and picked up the phone. “Where are you?”

This had to be a mistake. It didn’t make sense. Why would Joh In-Hyun call instead of one of their members? There was no way...

“Yoo-Joon...”

“Where are you? I am taking Joo-Han hyung with me.” Goh Yoo-Joon cursed and hung up before helping Kang Joo-Han to his feet. He wouldn’t believe it until he saw it with his own eyes. It was such an absurd claim.

As they drove through the city, reality began to sink in. Goh Yoo-Joon glanced over at Kang Joo-Han, who was staring blankly out the window, tears still streaming down his face. The bustling city seemed indifferent to their pain. The lights and sounds blurred together as they sped through the streets.