UAI Chapter 40

Episode 40

"How are we supposed to report this to the company? We can't bring up Sejin's story, but we still have to explain why we got suspicious. Any good ideas?"

At Jaewon's question, everyone fell into thought.

If they had any personal connection or interaction with the trainee Kang Seunghwan, it might've been easier to talk about, but the members had only ever seen him briefly at the company.

So, figuring out what excuse to use gave them a headache.

"Hm... We'll need to give the company a reason they'll find convincing, but we barely have any link to him right now. I'll head over to the company this afternoon to check things out."

"You will, hyung?"

Hajin asked in surprise at Joomin's words.

"Yeah. I actually left something in the practice room anyway, so I'll use that as an excuse to drop by. While I'm there, I'll watch the trainees practice for a bit. Maybe seeing it for myself will spark an idea."

"Then I'll go with you. Team 2's team leader asked if I could give one of the debut team's songs to them. I'll talk to him and casually ask about Kang Seunghwan while I'm there."

"Alright then, let's head out in a bit."

Listening to his hyungs' plan, Hajin spoke up.

"Hyungs, just be careful, okay? We can't let Kang Seunghwan notice anything."

"Don't worry. We're not planning to confront him directly. We'll just observe from a distance. If we see something suspicious, we'll use that as a reason to report it to the company."

"Yeah. You guys don't need to worry too much. In this situation, it's most natural for Jaewon and me to go. If Roy or Hwan-i suddenly start asking around, it'll look suspicious."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Alright then, we'll get ready to go. You all don't need to worry too much."

In response to Jaewon's words, Hwan answered.

"Got it. Just check out the situation and come back. Don't do anything dangerous."

"Oh my! Do you think we're like you? We're just going to take a look and come back. No need to worry."

"Okay."

After reassuring the younger members once more, Jaewon and Joomin went to their rooms to get ready. The remaining members soon left the studio and returned to their own rooms as well.

Hajin went downstairs to check on his nephew.

Just then, Sejin had woken up from his nap and was lying on the bed, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

"Sejin, you're awake?"

"Mm-hmm..."

Hajin sat beside him and gently patted his head.

"Still sleepy? Even if you want to sleep more, let's stop here—it's just a nap, or you won't be able to sleep at night."

"'Um okaay... Uncle, up~~"

Sejin stretched his little arms toward Hajin.

Smiling, Hajin slid his hands under Sejin's arms and lifted him up.

"Up we go! Our Sejin's gotten a bit heavier. You feel sturdier than when you were in the hospital."

"Yeah! I big now!"

Sejin declared proudly. Hearing his bright little voice eased some of the heaviness in Hajin's heart.

He fixed Sejin's hair and clothes, then took his hand as they walked out to the living room.

The sound of them coming out made Bbokdol-i, who'd been napping on a cushion, lift his head.

Recognizing Sejin, the dog bounded over excitedly.

"Woof!"

Sejin giggled as Bbokdol-i jumped up and begged to be held.

Since Sejin was still too small to lift the dog, the two ended up hugging each other and rolling around on the living room floor.

The sight made Hajin laugh out loud.

Even though something bad had happened, seeing his nephew so healthy and cheerful made him realize that maybe it wasn't such a big deal after all.

Whatever the problem was, it could be solved, as long as he could protect Sejin, who was happy and thriving like this.

While he was watching Sejin and Bbokdol-i play, Joomin and Jaewon came out to the living room.

"Sejin, did you have a good nap?"

"Yeah! Uncle, where you goin'?"

"Uncles are going to the company for a bit."

"Why?"

"We've got something to take care of. Want us to bring you anything to eat?"

At that, Sejin shook his head hard.

"No! We got food at home!"

At Sejin's words, Jaewon burst out laughing.

"Haha, yeah. We've still got plenty. We just raided the mart not too long ago, remember?"

"Haha, that's true."

"Mm! So you don't gotta buy anything!"

"Alright, then. Have fun while we're gone. Hajin, we'll head out now."

"Okay. Be careful on the way."

"Mm."

After saying goodbye to Hajin and Sejin, Jaewon and Joomin left the house.

A little while later, Hwan and Roy came downstairs from their rooms on the second floor, looking for the two older members who were now nowhere to be seen.

"Where are the hyungs? They already left?"

"Yeah, they went out a bit ago."

"Ah, didn't even notice they left."

Hwan sighed, a little disappointed, then turned to Sejin, who was playing with Bbokdol-i.

"Sejin, isn't it stuffy just staying home all day? Want to take Bbokdol-i for a walk in the park out front?"

At that, Sejin immediately jumped up.

"Yay!!"

"Haha, that happy, huh?"

"Yeah!"

"Alright then, let's go for a short walk. You two coming?"

At Hwan's question, Hajin and Roy both nodded.

A bit of fresh air sounded like exactly what they needed to clear their heads.

Hajin got Bbokdol-i ready with a harness and leash, while Hwan and Roy helped Sejin get dressed.

"Auntie, we're going for a walk to the park out front!"

"Okay, have fun!"

Soon the group headed to the small park inside their villa complex.

It was a private park, accessible only to residents, so the members often went there to relax.

That meant they could go out comfortably, dressed casually without worrying about being seen.

While the three members, Sejin, and Bbokdol-i enjoyed their walk in the park, Jaewon's car pulled into the company's underground parking lot.

Inside the elevator connected to the basement, Jaewon pressed buttons for both the 3rd and 5th floors.

"You're heading straight to the practice room, right?"

Joomin nodded.

"Yeah. I'll grab my stuff first, then stop by to watch the trainees on the 2nd floor. What about you? Going straight to Team 2?"

"Nah. I'll say hi to Cheolhwan hyung first, then head over to Team 2."

"Alright. Don't make it obvious, just quietly look into what you can. I'll do the same."

"Got it."

When the elevator stopped at the 3rd floor, Joomin got off.

Jaewon pressed the close button and glanced at the digital display inside the elevator.

Images of himself, Violet, and the company's signed actors were being shown there.

As he watched, the elevator soon arrived at the 5th floor.

Jaewon quickly stepped out and entered the 1st Team's Singer Division office.

"Hello! I'm here!"

Startled by the sudden visit, Cheolhwan and the staff who had been working all stood up.

"Oh? Jaewon! What brings you here?"

"Welcome!"

"Haha, it's nice seeing you around so often these days."

Smiling at their warm greeting, Jaewon approached Cheolhwan.

"What brings you here? You didn't even call first."

"Oh, I was just resting at home and remembered the request from Team 2's team leader. And since Joomin said he was stopping by the company to pick something up, I tagged along."

"If Joomin's stuff was that important, he could've told me. I'd have sent Minsu to drop it off."

Jaewon quickly waved his hands.

"Oh, it's nothing urgent. He was just getting bored stuck at home, so he used it as an excuse to get out."

"So he went to the 3rd floor?"

"Yeah. He said he'd grab his things and maybe watch the trainees on the 2nd floor while he's at it."

"Really? Guess he must've been pretty bored then."

At Cheolhwan's comment, Jaewon felt a brief pang of anxiety but managed to keep a calm expression.

"Haha, you know, we've got a few trainees we're familiar with. And with the debut lineup being decided soon, they're all probably nervous. It reminded him of when we were about to debut, so he must've felt for them. That's probably why he came."

"Ah, what a good guy."

"Haha, yeah."

Before the conversation could drag on and risk showing anything on his face, Jaewon quickly changed the subject.

"I also remembered that the Team 2's team leader once asked if I could contribute one of our songs for the debut team's album. So I thought I'd stop by and talk about it."

"Oh! Right, I think I heard about that before. So you're planning to give them a track?"

"I haven't decided yet. I'd like to, but we'd have to make sure it fits the concept of their album, and coordinate a bunch of other things. Plus, with our seventh-anniversary album coming up, time's already a bit tight."

"True. If you want your album out in the fall, it's already cutting it close. Think it over carefully before you decide. Your health comes first, so don't overwork yourself."

At Cheolhwan's advice, Jaewon smiled and nodded.

"Don't worry. No matter how cute our juniors are, our team comes first. Anyway, I'll head over to Team 2 now."

"Alright. Give me a call before you leave."

"Sure."

After saying goodbye to Cheolhwan and the rest of Team 1, Jaewon made his way toward Team 2's office.

While Team 1 handled B-One exclusively, Team 2 managed Violet and the soon-to-debut rookie group.

Knocking lightly on the open door, Jaewon stepped inside. The staff looked up and greeted him warmly.

"Oh? Jaewon! Welcome! What brings you to our office?"

"It's been a while. Is the team leader in? I need to talk to him about something."

"Ah... The team leader just stepped out a bit ago. He went down to the 2nd floor."

"The 2nd floor?"

"Yes. He went to check on the trainees."

"Ah, I see. Then I'll head down to the 2nd floor myself."

"Would you like to? I'll let the team leader know, just in case you miss each other."

"Thanks. By the way, did something happen? The team leader personally going down to the 2nd floor sounds unusual."

Jaewon tossed the question casually, but the staff members' faces suddenly stiffened.

Their awkward smiles caught him off guard, it was clear something wasn't quite right.

Sensing the strange atmosphere, Jaewon quickly smiled gently.

"Why? Is something wrong? Sorry, I didn't mean to make things awkward by asking. My bad."

At his lighthearted apology, the staff frantically waved their hands.

"Oh, no, no! You don't need to apologize!"

"That's right! It's nothing serious. One of the trainees suddenly said he wanted to quit, that's all. Don't worry about it."

"A trainee?"

Jaewon asked in surprise.

One of the employees sighed and explained.

"Yes. He's been with the company for over three years, but suddenly announced he's leaving. You probably know him, Lee Jiwon?"

"Oh! Jiwon? Yeah, I know him! We're actually pretty close. He said he's quitting?"

Jaewon couldn't hide his surprise.

Lee Jiwon was one of the trainees they all knew well.

Lee Jiwon had joined Ain Entertainment as a trainee when he was in sixth grade.

He was good-looking, cute, and had such a bright, polite personality that everyone adored him.

He often said, like a habit, that he wanted to become an idol just like his seniors.

It had been a few months since Jaewon last saw him, since everyone had been preoccupied with Hajin's situation, but up until then, he had always been diligent and full of energy.

For someone like him to suddenly quit... no matter how he thought about it, something didn't add up.

"Jiwon doesn't seem like the type to just quit. Did he say why?"

At Jaewon's question, the staff sighed.

"We don't know. He won't tell us the reason."

"We even asked if maybe he got a scout offer from another company, but he said no."

"He just keeps repeating that he wants to quit, nothing else. That's why the team leader went down to talk to him."

"He texted the team leader last night, saying he was quitting, and came in today to pack his things."

The more Jaewon heard, the deeper his suspicion grew.

Jiwon might still be young, but from what he'd seen of him over the past few years, he wasn't the kind of person to act impulsively.

Something serious must have happened.

"I see. I'll go down and check on him myself. He's not the type to do this without a reason. Something's off. Thank you."

Worry etched across his face, Jaewon gave a quick bow and hurried out of Team 2's office.