Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Do not underestimate the quarter-life crisis. The trio standing at the base of an ominous-looking building happened to be a real-time example of such a saying they failed to hear even once in their more than 2 decades of existence.
With a leasing contract clenched in one hand, Go Yougeun opened her mouth to say something before closing it in resignation. 12 hours ago, she and her childhood buddies joined hands in drunken panic to combine their sparse funds and founded an agency without a name or logo. Well— the agency technically did have a name; they had to convince the landowner that it wasn’t a scam afterall.
While Youngeun was trying to find her words, her friend began moving.
Baek Saheon’s chocolate-brown hair swayed in the chilly September wind as he made his way to the building entrance, casually swinging their newly acquired keys in one hand. In light of all the reckless decisions he had made over the day, the peace he felt wasn’t appropriate for the situation. But all that’s done is done and he wasn’t willing to spend even one more moment stressing over it. Also, someone had to stay calm and lead the way; with the other two shaking in their boots, that responsibility fell on him. So up the stairs he went, occasionally glancing back at his dazed companions.
“Tsk. At least pay attention to where you step.” He mumbled a little louder than necessary.
They entered their new office, where one large window/balcony exposed the cityline they’d be looking at for the next few months. The trio’s eyes took in that eerie yet tranquil view. As a certain area in the landscape drew their attention, the quietest of them finally snapped out of his shock.
Kim Soleum weaved in-between Youngeun and Saheon, darting towards the largest window, and pulled the curtains to hide the view. The headquarters of their infant agency would have been pitch black if it wasn’t for the smaller window letting in the remnants of light from the setting sun.
“Geez, you could have waited until we found the lights.” Saheon grumbled, feeling the walls for the switch.
“There’s still light. We’ll be fine.” Soleum retorted with a pout he couldn’t bring himself to hide. He could feel his friends gazing at his outline in the dark with concern. Normally, he would have said something or brushed it off but he was too bothered to deny it this time.
Their new office was too good to be true. Despite neither of them currently having a job, the building owner had signed a lease without much fuss. It was a fair contract too, giving them 11 months to make something of their impulsive startup without many restrictions. It was spacious–with good ventilation and a balcony that gave them a nice view of the sunset. The only problem was… the graveyard, which was a little too close to the building for Soleum's liking. Being the scaredy-cat he was, his face had paled the moment that single flaw was mentioned. In the end, they had to add one more clause to the leasing contract, costing them extra money. He felt guilty but he also knew he’d be just as stressed here as he was at his previous job without that condition.
‘Click!’
The sudden light made them flinch before they rubbed their eyes.
Having recovered faster than the other two, Youngeun said the words they were thinking.
Stretching her arms, she met their gazes.
“Alright, let’s start!”