Lee Yong stood up to toast. But instead of toasting to Haneul like others, he toasted the glass of juice to their President, Lim Tae-Ri, for giving him a talented choreographer for his team.
He used to hate Tae-Ri before for never focusing on the company. After witnessing everything in their band studio, he felt there was more to it, and he did not want to hold the past against her.
After all, family can be complicated. As someone who finally knew the issues in his family, he decided to let go of his prejudice against her. Now he started to see things in a different light.
When Lim Ro Han asked about the song Na Hyun Joon wrote, and Haneul's choreography, the talk shifted to first love. Everyone praised both the song and the choreography. Soon Lim Tae-Ri and Lim Ro Han teased the band members into telling their first love story.
Rose Crown started their story, and it was all cute innocent crush and one-sided love that ended with never confessing apart from their band leader. Lydia confessed to her first crush and has been in a relationship with him since then. Everyone was surprised when they found out Haneul was their matchmaker.
Chung Seok and Yun Soo told their first love story briefly. It started to turn wild when Ji Yu could not identify who was his first love. They all pulled his leg, knowing how easily and faster he always fell in love.
While everyone's almost done with the story, Na Hyun Joon weaselled his way out, stating it was an unrequited love he wanted to keep for himself.
"But you can give us a hint. Do we know that person? Have we ever met? Is that why you are not telling us?" Chung Seok asked curiously.
Hyun Joon, the obedient maknae (youngest), never liked to lie to his sunbaes' (seniors). But he was not ready to reveal anything.
'How could he tell anyone it was their band leader's little brother?'
He would rather die than admit it out loud to anyone.
Haneul noticed Na Hyun Joon's awkwardness adorable. He wanted to help the cute idol who helped him on his first day and made his work easy.
As Hyun Joon grew uncomfortable, Haneul's words distracted everyone.
"Why don't you tell us about your love story, band leader? While you are at it, tell us which song you wrote was about your love life?" Haneul challenged the leader.
Everyone expected Lee Yong not to answer, but he answered, surprising everyone. His eyes did not even leave Haneul as he spoke. "I need to love someone to write something about them first. Had some crushes before never had time to cultivate them into love."
"Pity! Let's hope you feel love at least once in your life." Haneul's words and the pitied gaze pissed Lee Yong. But he held back and threw the same question directed at him.
"What is your love story? You looked very sad at the song's end like it was from your personal experience." Lee Yong regretted his second question as soon as he asked.
The unshed tears in Haneul's eyes affected Lee Yong so much that he asked without thinking. He was curious about Haneul and wanted to know more about the choreographer. Also, he wanted to punch anyone who made him sad.
"My first song was about my first love only. It is a he, and I am gay. You can let me know if that's an issue now itself." Haneul came out very casually.
For him, these people would only be his colleagues. He came out long ago to the people who mattered, and none of them bothered to make a fuss. After all, he was not the first to come out of the closet in their social circle.
He would not have bothered to mention his sexuality to anyone here, but he knew the importance of transparency with the company helps better in the entertainment industry.
Na Hyun Joon doubted Haneul's sexuality but did not expect the other to come out so casually. So he ended by being surprised and tongue-tied.
"It's not an issue." Chung Seok, the king of obliviousness in Celestials, was the first to respond to the claim.
"Not an issue." Yun Soo and Ji Yu spoke simultaneously with a smile towards the new choreographer. They have someone who swings that was in their band already. So obviously, they have no issues with gay men as long as they are not hit on.
Ji Yu even thought of becoming a matchmaker for Hyun Joon and Haneul. He thought the two cute guys would make a beautiful and cute couple.
Lee Yong blinked his eyes rapidly and did not say anything. The last few days were difficult for him, and the choreographer was the third person to come out to him. He still did not know how to respond to someone coming out. So he chose silence as his response.
The girls from the Rose Crown just nodded when they received a glare from their band leader, Lydia.
"As long as you don't cause any scandal, your private life is not anyone's business. You are not an idol for me to be concerned about. Make sure you don't affect any of my artists." Manager Do become strict as he did not want his artist to end up in a scandal with the choreographer. He was already informed about Haneul's sexuality and knew his opinion never mattered in front of the company president.
Lim Tae-Ri had to take a stance as the company's president, but she preferred to behave as the cousin of Haneul. "You can do whatever you want, oppa. Even if you cause a scandal, fix it. You have your cousin on your side."
"Obviously, I will. When have I not done what I please? Or more like 'who'?" Haneul responded with a cheeky grin as if he was already thinking of engaging in what kind of scandalous act.
Lim Ro Han choked on the water when he heard his cousin's shameless words.
Lim Tae-Ri rolled her eyes, pitying her cousin's next victim. All she could hope was the potential victim was not working in this company.
Haneul's implication scandalised Lee Yong and how casually he spoke those words to his cousin in front of strangers. Lee Yong could only think of one thing to divert the direction of the talk to the safe zone.
"Can we hear your first song?" Lee Yong asked half curiously and half bitterly.
Haneul smiled sweetly as he responded. "No."
No one expected the rejection outright, and they did not know how to respond.
Lydia became worried as she thought about the songs Bang Su-Jin stole from Haneul. "Was it the song that he… Bang Su-Jin… I mean… Was it…"
Haneul's eyes softened as he understood her worry. "No. I only played it in school when I proposed to my first love. No one else has heard it outside my school premises."
"I think I know which song you are talking about. When I heard you wrote it, I never believed it. The entire girls' dorm did not believe you wrote it. Love does make people do weird stuff. Many commented that it was not your style. It was so cheesy…" Lim Tae-Ri hugged herself as she felt goosebumps on her skin and remembered the cheesiest song she had ever heard and cringed over the memory.
Haneul rolled his eyes as he slumped against the chair in defeat. "That's why I don't want anyone to hear it. So leave it."
The more Lee Yong heard about Haneul's first love, he did not like it, but he wanted to know more. "Who is your first love?"
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Announcement:
I am delighted to share the good news that this book is contracted with Webnovel now. Thank you for all your support and love.
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