overwhelmed

“and spotlight isn’t giving any more mangers to you guys? that’s absurd– you’re going to burn out!”

“well.... siwan and junjie are the only two really pursuing solo careers, and junjie takes care of himsef. he shouldn’t have to, but he does,” she said, trying to make sense of it all.

“i guess with the lineup changes and enlistments they figured it was less people to keep track of for you, but… one of those people is dayoon. he’s worth like four people on his own.”

“they’re at the age where they all have their own schedules, too,” yuko pointed out. “by this point in their career, i’m fairly certain every member of empire had their own manager.”

he shook his head. “when legacy is gone, that’s my career gone too. i don’t have any real prospects beyond this. it feels pathetic, but i have to hold on for as long as i possibly can.”

“i don’t think that’s true,” she commented. “people have done worse, actually done it and been found guilty, and still been able to continue with their careers. i think if you wanted to transition into acting, or stay with spotlight and find some sort of unit to be in, that’s viable.”

“oh, i can totally see how that’d help,” she giggled. “too bad that can’t be a permanent fixture..”

“back in the day, traxx had two managers. when there were twelve members, i mean. i don’t know why they thought i would be fine on my own, especially with traxx of all groups,” yuko sighed.

“that’s good. once there’s enough people telling you you’re going to disband, even if you know it’s not true, you start to believe it,” he admitted with a tiny sigh. “have you ever been our manager for a full group comeback? like, a real full group comeback, with all of us?” he mused

“i guess i’ve never asked you about that-- i know siwan and dayoon are counting the days to disbandment, and junjie too in some ways, but you don’t want that? even with everything that’s happened?” she asked. yuko shook her head. “no, i haven’t. i joined shortly after love shot, but i wasn’t there for love shot. my first comeback with all of you was obsession.”

“how were the unit promotions? was it easier with less members? or did it mean less people to interfere with siwan and dayoon going at it?”

“it was easier. not because of the less members, though. eunsung’s creed manager was there with me,” yuko explained.

“if you say so,” he sighed, offering her a tiny smile. “it could be a lot worse but…it was still bad. and you did a great job, being thrown off the deep end like that. we’re really lucky to have you. even if some of the others can’t seem to figure as much out.”

“they’ll figure it out quick,” she said with a tiny sigh. “one of these days i’m not going to be there to help them out of their messes. and they’re going to regret taking me for granted.” she reached up to hold the necklace he’d given her, turning and going on her toes to kiss his cheek. “thank you, hasik.”

“their new songs are fun. sentimental was fine. the others were boring and a waste of my talents.”

“they clearly didn’t know what they had on their hands until it was gone, and then desperately tried to make up for lost time, if you ask me,” yuko retorted.

he blushed, looking down at his feet. “it’s the least i can do,” he answered quietly. “you work so hard, and you got dropped on us at the worst possible time, and i made life hell for you for a couple months. and i’ve lived with traxx– i know how hard to handle they can be. you don’t deserve to have to deal with them by yourself.”

“hey, it wasn’t your fault,” she quickly said. it was hell, but she knew how much it weighed on him, and she didn’t want that. “we got through it just fine. and it made me better at my job in the long run. the others are a headache for sure, but it could be a lot worse i suppose.”

he felt bad. he liked yuko, and he knew how hard she worked. he tried hard to make sure her job was as easy as it could be, but she’d been assigned to traxx right around when his scandal really went down, and siwan and dayoon were a nightmare. her job was unnecessarily hell. blushing a little, he hugged her back, nodding. “yeah, of course…” he answered, taking it gingerly and waiting for her to turn around. “you’re welcome.”

she turned back to face him, playing gingerly with her new jewelry. “i...don’t think i say it enough, hasik, but i’m very grateful for you,” she answered softly. “you’re always there for me. you always do your best to make sure i’m not overwhelmed. dayoon and siwan are nightmares. jaden likes to conveniently disappear whenever things get hard. but you’re a steady person i can count on being there. it means a lot.”

“yes. also the music. i thought it was boring,” jisung answered. “it’s gotten better, but it used to be really bad. everything was so sad and moody for no reason.”

“i was about to fight you, because their new song is one of my favorites, but if you mean the songs that came out while you were still there, i think i’ll have to agree with you,” yuko laughed. “the only one i can remember downloading is sentimental.”