So I had a little idea, a sort of continuation of this, and I figured you all would appreciate this. It’s based off of one of my favorite songs from the Hunchback of Notre Dame Musical, The Tavern Song (Thai Mol Piyas) and there’s specifically a set of lyrics that I want to take inspiration from. I recommend listening to the song 1: Because it’s good and 2: It’ll add some extra fun context to what I’m about to layout.
So basically, in the song, Frollo—unable to get Esmeralda out of his head, ends up wandering the streets to avoid going bald to his cold lonely bed—and stumbles upon a tavern where he witnesses Esmeralda and Phoebus growing closer.
I imagine that one cold day, on his rare stints off the island, Inho does end up wandering the streets of Seoul alone. Maybe he’s avoiding going back? Maybe Gihun’s name in his head and voice in his heart keep the Front Man from going back to his cold bed. He swears he sees Gihun everywhere. Until, inevitably, he comes across a busy bar. People are drinking and laughing and just having a good time. Then he spots Wooseok, recognizes him as someone helping Gihun, and follows him back to where his little group is set up, and there he is. Seong Gihun. He’s nursing a drink but he’s still laughing, and talking. Specifically to Junho.
Inho freezes. He can’t stop staring at the two of them.
For his part, Junho is just happy to be there. The plan is almost ready to inact but they all needed this night, this one singular night to not be on the war path. Somehow, he ends up sitting next to Gihun and the two are just… talking. They’ve been growing closer since Junho joined the mission. Junho really likes Gihun—he’s smart, funny, kind, and pretty easy on the eyes. And Gihun likes Junho a lot as well. The kid is clever, determined, endearing, and Gihun does find Junho attractive, very attractive. So the two get to talking. Cracking jokes and flirting. And maybe it’s the alcohol in their systems, but the two of them are feeling bold tonight. So, Gihun kisses Junho. And Junho kisses back.
Now in the song, Frollo sings v the following lyrics as he watches Esmeralda and Phoebus kiss:
“Brazen, lewd, and odious, this vile, depraved display
I cannot bear to watch and yet I cannot turn away”
So I imagine that Inho is watching this all go down, sitting across the bar, and he feels his blood run cold. He watches his brother kiss Gihun—his Gihun—and a type of anger Inho didn’t know he was capable of curl low in his gut. Watching it go down makes Inho sick, yet he’s unable to look away. He’s heartbroken and furious, saddened and betrayed all at once. He hates feeling this way, but he wants it to stop more than anything. He leaves the bar with an idea in his head.
The next morning, The Recruiter is sent out to bait Gihun, to deliver a message, to let him know where to find the Front Man. Inho is laying the perfect trap and praying Gihun will walk into it. Because once he has Gihun in the palm of his hands, he holding onto him with a white-knuckle grip and not letting go.
