Page 79 of Teach Me K-Pop

“Basically the truth,” I say, as I raise my hand to slip through his hair. “I’m moving back to South Korea because I got a great offer for a job in the education division of an entertainment company. If someone asks for more than that, I’ll tell them about Kija working there. That will be enough.”

“Are you sad you cannot tell anyone more than that?” Nikko asks, tilting his head to be able to look up at me.

“No. I think that’s enough information. I’ve never wanted people all up in my personal business, so this is fine for me,” I tell him, truthfully. I wonder if he feels the same, though, if that’s why he’s asking. “Do you want to tell someone?”

Nikko shrugs. “My parents and the members know, and they are the important ones. I do wish I could be honest with VOX, though. We share so much with them, and they support us so fiercely, it feels wrong to leave out something that should be celebrated. But I know that is not how it works.”

I bow my head to drop a kiss in his hair. “I think they’d be happy for you.”

“Many would be, I think. Not all. But enough, probably,” he says, quietly, then shifts to prop himself up on his elbows. “I am used to hiding the things I am not supposed to let anyone see. And that is fine. But you are such a good thing in my life. I feel like I should not have to keep the good things secret.”

I roll onto my side so we can face each other. “Maybe it’s not fair or right that you’re being asked to do that, but maybe it’s not such a bad thing either. You give a lot to your fans, but you don’t have to give them everything. You are allowed to keep things to yourself.”

“I know. I think I feel selfish wanting you all to myself,” he smiles, bashful, and I have to kiss him.

“I’m yours, naekkeo. What we have is ours.” I need him to know that I don’t care about the secrets or the fans or the company. “You and me.”

“You and me,” he repeats. “Just Jase and Nikko.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

JASE

one year later

“Gamsahamnida.” I thank the delivery guy again as I close the door, trying to juggle the ridiculous amount of food he’s just handed me and not trip over Noel in the process.

Having regular access to my favorite dishes again has not made me any less excited about eating any of it. Every meal is still pretty much the equivalent of a party for my taste buds. Especially when we order from our favoritechimekplace just down the street. Which happens far more often than it probably should. Now that I fully understand why Nikko isn’t allowed in a kitchen, it’s either me trying to cook or us ordering out. While I appreciate Ryo’s attempts to teach me a few basic Korean staples, I think it’s safer for everyone if we just continue to support local businesses.

I manage to make it to the dining room before anything falls out of my arms, the containers of kimchi and rice scattering onto the table. Sorting the sides and entrees is quick work, despite how many of the sleek black plastic bowls there are. I dump the chopsticks and sauces into a neat little pile and go to grab drinks.

Beers out and open, I follow the sound down the hall, pausing outside the spare bedroom door to listen for a moment before I knock. I don’t want to interrupt a moment of genius, but I also like to eavesdrop when I can. I’ve always considered myself a fan of music, but the level of respect that I have for the creative process and what it takes to actually make songs that people love is infinite at this point.

I can hear the soft strumming of a guitar, and then Nikko laughs, loud and bright, making me smile. As I peek inside, he catches sight of me almost immediately and grins. “Hey,” I say, “time for a break. Dinner is here.”

“Food?” Nikko jumps up from his chair and reaches to take Iseul’s guitar so he can stand, too. “This is why I love you,” he declares, leading the three of us out of the room.

“I hope that’s not the only reason,” I joke, slipping my hand in the back pocket of his jeans to give his ass a squeeze.

Iseul snorts behind me. “He’s got a whole album’s worth of tracks if you need proof it’s not. I’m happy to play them for you.”

“No!” Nikko yelps, spinning around wildly enough to only narrowly avoid colliding with the kitchen wall. “He can’t hear any of it yet!”

Iseul raises his hands in mock surrender. “Yes, I know. You’ve mentioned that many times,” he chuckles, taking his usual seat at the table.

Nikko glares back at him, but it’s playful. Almost instantly, he’s smiling again, picking up his chopsticks to dig in. I pretend not to notice that he slips the first bite to Noel, as usual, but Iseul is quick to tease him about it.

I think their dynamic is one of the reasons they work so well together. I know they make good music, but Iseul’s calm aura seems to have some sort of magic effect on Nikko’s tendencies to get anxious, too.

As much as I have come to love all the members of the group, Iseul—it feels weird to call him Lalo now—has become one of my closest friends and favorite people. He’s a regular fixture at our place, working with Nikko on music for his solo album or just hanging out. The three of us are all pretty low-key and prefer staying in more than going out like some of the other guys. And with Kija all wrapped up in his new relationship, it’s been nice to expand my social circle some, too.

The almost three months I had lived with Kija had been an excellent re-bonding experience for us to catch up on absolutely everything, be totally platonic bro dates to Dae-Ho’s wedding, and become a part of each other’s daily lives again. And then get tired of being up in each other’s business all the damn time. It was fine, and we both knew it was temporary, but the wait to get everything settled had seemed so long some days.

Part of the delay had been due to Task Force’s decision to let the members of RYSING finally move out of their shared living space with the six of them together. The company purchased several units in a new building not far from their headquarters and designated three of them for the group. Ryo and Tang in one, Chita and Lux in another, and—on paper, officially—Lalo and Nikko in the last. When they had all done a live-stream to tour their new places for the fans, Nikko proudly showed off a bedroom he’d never spent a single night in.

Instead, he sleeps just down the hall.

With me.

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