Yongsun and Sooyoung carried two large plastic bags in each hand, while Alpha had four. Even though he brought more items than the others, Alpha didn't seem bothered. When they got out of the car, Alpha offered to carry all the groceries.
"We're home."
They all put their groceries on the living room floor, where only Seunghoon was reading a book. Seeing that everyone had come, Seunghoon took off the airpod and started to help unpack the contents of the plastic bag.
"I brought a lot of snacks and cakes. Also, some packs of soda," Yongsun said, arranging boxes of mochi, macarons, and several packs of snacks on the table.
Alpha looked around the apartment, feeling a calming aura that didn't match the lively atmosphere of his friends.
"Why is it so quiet? Where are Yoobin and Mingyu?" asked Alpha, calling the member who was the noisiest in the dorm.
"They left to meet their personal trainer at the gym as usual. Meanwhile, Hyunwoo is in his room watching a movie."
Seunghoon rechecked the things he took out from the first and second plastic bags. "Did you guys buy coffee and creamer too?"
From the third plastic bag, Sooyoung lifted two white and brown boxes. She showed it to Seunghoon and asked, "This one is your favorite, right? Mingyu wrote it on the shopping list. So I didn't miss it."
Seunghoon looked at Sooyoung for a few seconds in silence, then nodded. "Very good. Bring it here."
After receiving the coffee box, Seunghoon stood up while carrying a pile of other items to the kitchen. Seeing the man alone, Sooyoung cleaned up the green vegetables and took them into the new plastic bag.
"I also want to help clean things up," Sooyoung said to Yongsun.
But Alpha held her hand first, then took over all the vegetables from Sooyoung. He said again, "Oh, no need, Sooyoung. Let me do it."
Sooyoung just froze in shock. His touch was surprising. His grip felt firm that she thought, even for a moment, was able to shake her heart strangely. She reflexively held her breath after Alpha gripped her wrist as nervousness crept under her skin.
"I almost forgot. Composer Smith had called. I don't really understand because he spoke in English, but I think he asked you to come to the studio," said Seunghoon, exiting the kitchen and returning to the living room to get some fruit.
Alpha raised an eyebrow, then nodded without debate. "Oh, I see. Fine, I'll be there."
The man went to his room, just put in a hoodie and took a small tote bag. Sooyoung ventured to ask before Alpha left the dorm.
"Do I need to take you there?" Sooyoung offered.
"No, thanks. I can take a taxi. After all, today is not your official work schedule." Alpha smiled carelessly. "You can stay here and wait for the Moon couple to come."
"Okay."
Sooyoung watched Alpha go out alone, then closed the door with her heart pounding really hard. There's no use in mistaking him just because Alpha does be nice to Sooyoung very easily.
Sooyoung knows that all members are as good as Alpha. However, a barrier still keeps the boys a little distance because the slightest interaction with the opposite gender will make the idol stricken with scandal or rumors.
Except for Alpha. He ignored it and treated Sooyoung with such kindness that she almost misunderstood. Is Alpha becoming such a kind human because Sooyoung is his manager, or because Sooyoung is a girl?
Sooyoung didn't want to answer that, decided to forget it. After seeing Alpha come out of the apartment, Sooyoung turned around. She was surprised to see Yongsun standing in the hallway, apparently noticing Alpha's departure as well.
"He's swamped, right." Yongsun smiled. "Our group leader is always on the lookout."
Sooyoung responded with a smile. Then she returned to the kitchen to clean up the rest of the groceries and didn't let Seunghoon do it alone.
When Sooyoung was about to put the soda bottles into the refrigerator, suddenly, her right hand was slapped.
Next to her, Seunghoon stared fiercely. "Don't just put it there. You need to arrange them in order of color properly!"
"What?"
"Like this!"
Seunghoon deftly changed the position of the soda and replaced it with another drink can so that it formed a perfect line of colors like a rainbow.
Sooyoung gasped. A bit confused by Seunghoon's behavior. Was he earnest about the drink arrangement or was it a subtle attempt at expelling because he didn't like Sooyoung?
"Doesn't it hurt your eyes when you see all the vegetables fall apart? Hah...." Seunghoon grumbled as he came out of the kitchen.
Okay, the second reason seems more appropriate.
DING!
The apartment door opened. Moon Hyejin took off her jacket and stepped inside. Sooyoung had approached her senior with a bright smile on her lips.
"Welcome, Mrs. Moon!" Sooyoung bowed respectfully.
"Oh, Sooyoung! You're here already." Hyejin greeted and smiled in return.
"Yes, also I had time to take Alpha and Yongsun to go shopping," Sooyoung replied.
Hyejin looked at her junior proudly, then turned to Yongsun and Seunghoon sitting on the sofa.
"Is that so? Did you all treat Sooyoung well?" Hyejin asked the two young men.
"Of course!"
Only Yongsun replied cheerfully, while Seunghoon only glanced at her and smiled forcefully and then returned to the novel in his hand.
Sooyoung just smirked. She wondered if she could do this job while there was a member who hated her. Was her first impression that bad? Sooyoung felt so bad.
"Good." Hyejin nodded, then waved at Sooyoung. "Well, come here. I will explain the job desk in detail and then give the members' schedules for the next month."
The two women sat opposite each other at the dining table. Hyejin handed over a folder containing various documents. Sooyoung checked them one by one.
"Some of them also have individual schedules, so make sure they do that properly," Hyejin said, tapping her finger on the schedule table on one of the pages.
"Wow, so dense. They did all this?" said Sooyoung, amazed.
"Yes. When it comes to photoshoots, it usually only takes a few hours," said Hyejin, "Don't forget that they need individual practice. At least four times a week."
Sooyoung nodded. "Okay, I'll keep that in mind."
***
The next day, Sooyoung officially worked at SYG Ent. as the new assistant manager for HEXAGON. Hyejin was kind enough to give a short tour while introducing Sooyoung to all the staff on the entire floor, but not a few teams showed gloomy faces when they saw Sooyoung.
Hyejin seemed to know if Sooyoung felt uncomfortable or inferior to them, so she patted her junior's shoulder.
"Don't worry about their reaction like that. You know that the atmosphere in the company is a bit bad because of the scandal."
"Is there still no progress as well?" Sooyoung asked worriedly.
This agency's reputation has been well known for a long time, but once a scandal hits, all departments are almost affected. Maybe if DOMINO's former manager is not arrested soon, people will continue to doubt the quality of this agency.
"Last time I overheard, Director Song had to send his men to chase the former manager overseas," Hyejin whispered.
The two girls finished their rounds, returning to their respective desks.
"But it's also good that Director Song didn't give up. He recruited a team of lawyers from the best law firm in Seoul and urged them to find a way to get the lost money back," Hyejin continued.
"Well, Sooyoung. This afternoon I will take Yongsun and Hyunwoo for a photoshoot. What's your schedule for today?"
Sooyoung hastily opened the notepad she made as a note.
"Just taking Seunghoon for vocal practice," replied Sooyoung, grimacing bitterly.
As if knowing the meaning of that expression, Hyejin just chuckled. "Is Seunghoon being mean to you?"
"Not really." Sooyoung lied a bit.
Hyejin took the car keys.
"That boy is very sensitive to his singing ability and very ambitious. So please forgive him if he occasionally yells at you." She said.
"Oh okay." Sooyoung answered shortly because that was all she could say.
"Well, feel free to go around to have a look at this company. If you are satisfied enough, you can go directly to the cafeteria on the rooftop."
After that Hyejin went out, leaving Sooyoung in a room full of desks and staff she didn't fully know. Sooyoung didn't want to disturb them because they were busy, so she decided to go out and have a look one more time.
The long hallway that Sooyoung found had lots of doors. There are photos of agency idols plastered on the walls. Sooyoung giggled for a while when she saw the HEXAGON poster there.
Then Sooyoung peeked into one of the doors that had a glass surface at the top. Inside, there is a large area with big mirrors in all three corners.
"Wow... This is the practice room, isn't it?" Sooyoung muttered, then when she peeked further, accidentally her eyes met with Mingyu who was also looking straight at her.
"What do you gain from peeking at someone?" The man shouted from inside the room.
Sooyoung gasped. "Eh? Sorry! I will get going."
"No. Just come in," Mingyu said again.
"What?"
Sooyoung hoped what she heard was wrong.