KFPCA 08

Chapter 08

“Although it’s been proven that I didn’t do those things, the media are still skeptical, and many people haven’t accepted it yet. So I’m temporarily suspending activities to give everyone some room to come to terms with it.”

Kwon’s father spoke up: “How long will this suspension last? If they never accept it and keep making a fuss, are you just going to be put on hold indefinitely?”

“Father~” Kwon Ji-yong was amused. “What do you mean by ‘put on hold’?”

Seeing that Kwon Ji-yong could still laugh, Kwon’s mother gave him a firm slap. “We’re being serious with you!”

“Araso, araso.” Kwon Ji-yong rubbed his arm where she’d hit him. “It won’t be like this forever. I still make a lot of money—the company can’t just keep me idle. I’ll be on stage for the December family concert.”

Kwon’s father nodded with relief. After all, this was the dream that their Ji-yong had held onto since he was eight, enduring so much hardship to slowly make it come true.

Kwon’s mother: “Then why are you going to the US at this time?”

Kwon Da-mi had already guessed roughly. “Is it Seung-hyun who asked you to come?”

The relationship between Kwon Ji-yong and Kim Seung-hyun had been recognized by both families—meaning both the Kwons and the Kims knew that their child had such a good friend, and they had all met this friend too.

No matter what the issue was, bringing up him/her would prevent any scolding.

“It’s Seung-hyun that child~ Last time didn’t she say she was continuing on to her PhD at Yale? What an amazing child!” Kwon’s mother remarked.

“Ne, she said she just got her scholarship and can support me with it.” As Kwon Ji-yong said this, he couldn’t help the corners of his mouth from turning up, his voice full of pride.

Kwon’s mother said disapprovingly, “Aigoo aigoo, Seung-hyun is still a student. How can you have the nerve to let her support you?”

“Aniyo, Seung-hyun has a lot of money.” Kwon Ji-yong shook his head, his tone light. “She got a full scholarship, and her advisor also pays her a stipend.”

“Then when you go, will Seung-hyun have time?” Kwon Da-mi asked. “A PhD program should be pretty busy, right?”

“She has a break starting on the 14th. She can rest during this break, so we can go out and have fun. After that, when she has class, I’ll go to school with her.” At this, Kwon Ji-yong’s brow furrowed. “New Haven isn’t very safe. If she studies too late at night, she just stays in the study room until morning.”

“I’ve indeed heard that public safety in the US isn’t great.” Kwon’s father nodded. “A girl like Seung-hyun alone isn’t very safe. Ji-yong, you need to take good care of her when you’re there.”

“Ne!”

Hearing that it was Kim Seung-hyun inviting Kwon Ji-yong, the family had no objections.

Even though Kim Seung-hyun had said what she said, they all understood her real intention.

They needed to accept the child’s kindness, and it was also good for him to leave the current environment.

After all, in the current situation, with so many reporters camped outside the front door and him stuck at home every day, staying that way would eventually take a toll on anyone.

The three Kwon family members exchanged glances, seeing the same sense of relief in each other’s eyes.

Relief that their Ji-yong still had a friend like this.

A genuine friend, completely unconnected to the entertainment industry, someone with whom Ji-yong could truly be himself.

After finishing the meal together, Kwon Ji-yong stood up, ready to help clear the dishes.

Kwon Da-mi stopped him. “Aren’t you going to the US? Go pack your things. We can handle this.”

“Yeah, yeah. What’s the climate like in the US now? You need to pack properly.” Kwon’s mother added.

“Seung-hyun already told me everything. I’ll just pack a few clothes later. She’ll take care of the rest.”

“Aigoo.” Kwon Da-mi, her hand still greasy from holding plates, swatted Kwon Ji-yong. “What good deeds did you do in your past life to have a friend as wonderful as Seung-hyun?”

“Noona! Your hands are greasy!” Kwon Ji-yong brushed off his arm. “What can I say? Wuli Sparkle is just that thoughtful.”

“Alright, alright, go pack.” Kwon’s mother shooed the siblings out of the kitchen. “If you’re missing anything, make a list and have your father buy it.”

“Sparkle said she’ll call her parents to have them buy everything. I’ll just go pick it up.”

Seeing her brother’s smug expression, Kwon Da-mi couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Sparkle, Sparkle. You sure have the nerve. You’re going to Seung-hyun’s place, and you’re having her parents prepare things? You really have thick skin!”

“Sparkle said we’re probably being watched by a lot of reporters right now. If anyone in our family goes to a pharmacy, the reporters will write all sorts of nonsense, so she’s having her parents prepare it.”

Kwon’s mother thought Kim Seung-hyun’s consideration made sense and didn’t say anything more, just asking: “Can you pick it up yourself? Will there be reporters following you?”

“Sparkle’s parents are preparing everything. It would be more polite for me to pick it up in person, but if there are tails, I’ll have to send Jihun-hyung. I’ll check the situation tomorrow night.”

“If you can’t go, let your sister go instead.” Kwon’s mother decided. “Your noona has to go to work anyway, so going out is normal. Jihun is also a familiar face around you—it’s hard to guarantee reporters won’t follow him. Don’t end up causing trouble for Seung-hyun’s parents. And it’s more polite.”

“Alright, I’ll see how it looks tomorrow. If I can’t get out, I’ll have Noona go.”

With his stomach full and surrounded by a happy atmosphere, Kwon Ji-yong was buzzing with excitement as he prepared to pack his luggage.

“One month?” Kwon Ji-yong stood in front of his closet, thinking about what clothes to bring.

But no matter how he looked, nothing satisfied him.

After debuting, he mostly lived in the dorm. Compared to the walk-in closet there, the clothes in his room at home were far too few.

In the end, he had to retreat in defeat and text his assistant, giving remote instructions to go to the dorm and pack his clothes.

After finishing the video call instructions, Kwon Ji-yong noticed a chat screenshot that Kwon Da-mi had sent him ten minutes ago.

The other person on the screen was someone he knew very well—Kim Seung-hyun.

[Kwon Da-mi: Seung-hyun, are you busy?]

The reply came quickly.

[Seung-hyun: Aniyo, Unnie. Nothing much today, just resting.]

[Kwon Da-mi: I just heard from Ji-yong that you invited him to the US. Neomu kamsahamnida! Eomma is also very grateful, but she was afraid that contacting you directly might make you uncomfortable, so she asked me to express our thanks.]

[Seung-hyun: Unnie, you don’t have to say that. I’m really happy that Ji-yong is coming too.]

[Kwon Da-mi: It’s not just that. We’re also grateful to you for this whole situation. If it weren’t for you, I can’t imagine how things would be right now.]

[Seung-hyun: It’s the least I could do. I’m happy to be able to help.]

[Kwon Da-mi: No matter what, thank you so much, Seung-hyun. Thank you for always, always taking care of Ji-yong, for staying by his side even in a situation like this.]

[Seung-hyun: Gwaenchanha, Unnie. Before G-Dragon, I knew Kwon Ji-yong first. Even now that he’s successfully debuted, become the leader of Bigbang and the big star G-Dragon, in my heart, he’s always been that kind, soft, foolish Ji-yong who would scratch his head over homework, who would let people push him around because he was afraid of jeopardizing his debut!]

[Seung-hyun: Unnie, I think my best quality is patience.]

[Seung-hyun: I spent a very, very long time getting to know Ji-yong little by little. I believe in my own judgment.]

[Kwon Da-mi: Aigoo, that kid Ji-yong must have accumulated some serious good karma in his past life to have a friend like you.]

[Seung-hyun: Having Ji-yong is also my luck.]

That was the end of the screenshot.

Kwon Ji-yong stared without blinking at the conversation in the image. It was a long moment before he blinked hard.

**Author’s Note:**
*There’s a hint here (hehehe)*

**Chapter 5**

The next evening, as Kwon Ji-yong had expected, not a single reporter had left from in front of his house.

Left with no choice, Kwon Ji-yong contacted Kwon Da-mi, who hadn’t come home yet, and asked her to go to Kim Seung-hyun’s house to pick up the things prepared by the Kim parents.

After hanging up, he also called Kim Seung-hyun’s father.

Just as Kim Seung-hyun had the Kwon family’s contact information, Kwon Ji-yong likewise had the Kim parents’ contact information, and Kwon Ji-yong’s relationship with them was quite good.

This was thanks to the fact that during Kim Seung-hyun’s middle school years, no matter how busy they were, one of the Kim parents would always pick her up from school and then take her to her tutoring sessions.

It was during that time that they learned their daughter had a very close deskmate—a well-behaved little boy.

The Kim family had a relaxed atmosphere, and since childhood, Kim Seung-hyun had been able to talk about anything with her parents.

So when the name “Kwon Ji-yong” started popping up frequently from Kim Seung-hyun’s mouth, the Kim parents initially worried that their daughter might be having a childhood crush.

But after observing them, they found that the two kids really were just close friends who helped each other with their studies.

Not only that, although this child named “Kwon Ji-yong” was a trainee, he retained the purity of a child his age while also possessing a humility that rebellious teenagers often lacked. Therefore, the Kim parents had always had a good impression of Kwon Ji-yong.

In fact, both Mr. and Mrs. Kim had even tutored Kwon Ji-yong on homework problems.

So when Kwon Ji-yong communicated with them, it was always respectful yet familiar.

“Annyeonghaseyo, Uncle Kim. This is Ji-yong.” Even over the phone, Kwon Ji-yong greeted him respectfully.

“Ji-yong-ah, calling at this hour—did something happen?”

“Ne!” Kwon Ji-yong said. “There are too many reporters outside my house. I was worried that going over myself would expose your address, so I asked Noona to go instead.”

“Is that all.” Kim’s father said nonchalantly. “It’s no problem. Seung-hyun mentioned it when she called yesterday. I’m sorry to trouble you to carry so many things all that way for her.”

“It’s no trouble at all, Uncle. I should be the one thanking Seung-hyun for being willing to invite me to visit at a time like this.” Kwon Ji-yong’s tone was full of gratitude and humility.

“It’s only right, Ji-yong. That’s what friends are for—to help in times like this!” Kim’s father fully approved of his daughter’s actions, and also took the opportunity to encourage Kwon Ji-yong. “Ji-yong-ah, don’t pay so much attention to what outsiders say. The reason they say those things is because they don’t really know you. We all believe in you! Go have a good time for a while, and when you come back, stand on that stage just like before—with your head held high and full of confidence.”