The uproar subsided half an hour later. Sooyoung, Seungkwan, along with the six members of Hexagon sat on the floor around the long table in the living room while enjoying the breakfast menu: miso soup with some tasty leftover side dishes. Even though it's still awkward and stiff, Sooyoung agrees that Mingyu's homemade miso soup is really good.
Seungkwan cleared his throat when he finished. His eyes sweep on the youths he had cared for the past three years, their memories and changes flashed through Seungkwan's head. The Hexagon members, who were initially noisy, immediately stopped their activities, then looked back at Seungkwan.
"Okay, I won't do any dilly-dally. I came here with my sister, Sooyoung. She is your new road manager," Seungkwan explained briefly, then put his arm around Sooyoung's shoulder. "Wanna introduce yourself, sis?"
Sooyoung nodded slowly. "I'm Ahn Sooyoung, 21 years old. Nice to meet you."
"Wow, we're the same age!" Yongsun exclaimed with a very bright wide smile. He reached out, "I'm Nam Yongsun. Nice to meet you too, Sooyoung!"
"Be polite, Yongsunnie." Alpha, who this time was wearing a black hoodie as a cover for his body correctly nudged Yongsun who then just laughed sweetly. Then Alpha turned to Sooyoung, nodded, and smiled shyly.
"I'm Hwang Alpha, in charge of these delinquents. Sorry for startling you earlier."
Sooyoung shook her head quickly. It was true that she was surprised, her flushed cheeks and pounding heart hadn't subsided either, but hearing such an apology made her doubly nervous.
"No need to continue, shouldn't she as a manager know who we are?" From the end of the table, Mingyu who was piling small bowls answered.
"Wha–Of course," Sooyoung replied.
"Be polite, man." Alpha rebuked in a joking tone.
"Wait! Wait." From the right side, Seunghoon adjusted the glasses perched on his sturdy nose bone, inched closer and acted as if he was about to carry out some kind of interrogation, in this case, of course the target was Sooyoung.
"Why do you want to be our new manager? Are you one of our Honey? Didn't mean to offend, you didn't use Seungkwan's connection to get close to us?"
That successive question in one breath left everyone dumbfounded. Alpha who was laughing with Yongsun and Yoobin stopped, and the awkwardness returned to the living room. Everyone looked at Seunghoon with the same look in their eyes.
"Hoonie, I think you're asking a little too much," said Alpha, then stood up to move to sit next to Seunghoon and hugged him tightly. He laughed blandly and glanced at Sooyoung guiltily.
"I'm just being honest. For real, Alpha!" Seunghoon defended himself and then freed himself from the leader's arms. He looked back at Sooyoung, "I don't want to see someone secretly spying on us like a week ago."
"Enough, Kim Seunghoon." Alpha answered firmly, making Seunghoon freeze in his seat, and avoiding the young man's gaze as his fierce aura radiated. But Alpha immediately spread his gentle smile.
"You made Sooyoung uncomfortable, shouldn't we welcome her nicely? Remember what we talked about manner?"
Sooyoung was speechless for a few minutes as her mind drifted between surprise and awe. The way Alpha handles his members is interesting too. Sooyoung was lost in thought for a few seconds before finally realizing that the young men there were looking at her as if they were expecting her to answer too. Her older brother was just silent and calm, as well inviting Sooyoung to speak.
"Then let me set this thing straight. I'm not part of your fans, because I'm just an ordinary student from Hongik University. I took temporary leave and came here, worked at a cafe near the company building, and suddenly Seungkwan brought me in front of Director Song and he agreed with me to be your new manager." Sooyoung immediately pursed her lips tightly and corrected her breathing because she was talking too fast.
Suddenly the table shook and the cutlery on the table collided with each other, causing a loud rattling sound. To Seungkwan's right, Hyunwoo who had been listening in silence, then showed his interest. His black eyes sparkled. "Y–You're from Hongik? That means you're my senior!"
"Is that true? What is your major?"
"Painting from the Fine Arts, well, I'm still a freshman though." Hyunwoo replied while moving his body and covering half of his face with the sofa cushion.
Sooyoung nodded, momentarily reminded of her college life and the stifling memory, but she kept a smile on her lips. "That's a good major. I'd love to see your paintings too."
***
"Woolim and Hyejin will come a bit late, you know that the company is closed today?" Seungkwan opened the conversation shortly after, while checking his phone again. After three days of sleep deprivation, he had to sort things out to get proper rest.
He told that after they were all done. In the kitchen, Seunghoon who was lost in rock-paper-scissors was busy washing the cutlery while muttering to himself. The others, were still gathered in the living room watching TV.
"So we got a day off today? Finally...." Hyunwoo leaned back on the sofa, straightened his legs, then let out a long exaggerated sigh that ended in a yawn. With Sooyoung here, he's a bit relaxed and didn't bother to maintain his cool idol image.
On the other hand, Yoobin rolled his eyes, then clenched his fists in the air and exclaims joyfully, "Wohoo!! Let's go to round two. This time I will choose your character, Yongsun!"
"Where's my fun, then?!" The blond-haired lad replied with a cute frowning expression, then laughed crisply while tickling his partner. They wrestled again on the floor, dodged to dodge each other's attacks while bursting into laughter.
"Are you guys have another schedule?" Seungkwan turned his head, not at all distracted by that two youth.
From the kitchen, Seunghoon who had finished his task came wiping his hands with a tissue. He replied, "I'm going to the boxing practice equipment. Alpha, how about you?"
"Hmm, looks like I need to buy something." The leader answered.
Mingyu jumped up from his supine position on the floor, quickly sat up and his smile grew. "Then go on! Some of the things in the fridge and cupboards are gone."
"Okay, make the list." Alpha nodded without thinking. "You're not coming?"
"Precisely because I'm too lazy, that's why I just asked you and Seunghoon to go." Mingyu smirked mischievously. "But I've already made a list!"
"Fine. You're such an evil cat."
"I just take advantage of the day of opportunity."
"Can I come along?" Yongsun, who was finally able to escape from Yoobin's counterattack, ran over to the leader so that Yoobin couldn't catch up with him. The young man clung to and embraced Alpha's arm while mocking Yoobin.
"I'd rather buy some snacks than play games with Yoobin!"
Apparently Yoobin was afraid of Alpha so he could only scream from where he was sitting. "Hey, I'm just teaching you the game, you know?"
Seungkwan nodded, then looked at Sooyoung who was drinking tea while watching the apartment crowd in silence. He patted his younger sister's shoulder, saying, "Then Sooyoung, this is your first assignment."
"Eh?" Sooyoung almost choked.
"Take them to the Lowwe Store," explained Seungkwan. "Because neither of them can drive."