Dirty Switch

“Uh, um…”

Joo Gukwon hesitated, which was rare. He had never once in his life said “no” to his youngest sibling, and now the words just wouldn’t come out.
“Our Taehyun… must really be going through a lot.”
He tried to recall a passage from the parenting books he had devoured through the night before the birth of their youngest. Right, it said to cushion things with gentle words first.

It seemed clear their youngest was under extreme stress. Of course he was angry—who wouldn’t be? He could completely understand the urge to lash out without thinking.
“You don’t have to do something like that, sweetie.”
Still, it wasn’t something he could allow. No matter what his baby wanted—beating a drum or blowing a trumpet—he’d cheer him on. But as the eldest, he couldn’t stand by and watch that child get torn apart by public opinion.

The legal and PR teams were working together to craft a flawless rebuttal. It was his job to read it at the press conference. There was no way their youngest—Joo Taehyun—would be the one to stand in front of the cameras.
“Hyung. I can prove everything. This is something only I can do.”
“Taehyun-ah. You’ll have plenty of chances to speak in public when you’re older. So just let Hyung handle it this time. There’s no need to face something this ugly so early.”

“But if a child is involved, I don’t think a written statement is enough.”
“…Hmm?”
Joo Gukwon blinked in confusion. What did their baby just say? Did he mishear? Something was… what?

“Wait, sweetie. What did you just—”
“I’ll explain everything to the family after the press conference. But Hyung… I…”
Taehyun trailed off, hesitating before finishing his sentence.

Gukwon watched him quietly as he searched for the right words. That Adam’s apple bobbing so clearly, the perfectly sculpted brow bone—anyone could see he had grown into a full-fledged adult man.
Seeing him like this, it didn’t seem right to oppose him just because he was “young.” Their baby had become an adult. Whatever he was planning, it was time to listen seriously.
“Okay, Taehyun-ah. It’s alright. Take your time.”

“…I’m… pregnant.”
His fingers trembled violently as he lightly placed a hand on his stomach. It seemed to be an unconscious gesture—he flinched like he’d been shocked and quickly pulled it away.
“I’m sorry, Hyung. That must’ve been a lot to hear out of nowhere. I didn’t mean to hide it—I just found out recently myself.”
“Oh, sweetie, don’t hyperventilate. Take it slow, okay? Slowly.”

“Mm, thanks. Where was I…? Right, the baby. I haven’t gone to the hospital yet, so it’s not confirmed, but by the calculations, it hasn’t even been three weeks.”
“Wait, Taehyun-ah. You’re not saying… the reason you want to do a press conference is because—”
“…Yes. I’m going to tell everyone I’m actually an Omega… and, um, show the results of a rapid blood test pregnancy kit on the spot.”

Taehyun explained his plan cautiously, step by step.
“Of course, I’m not really an Omega. And yes, I did buy Dirty Switch. But I think if I go about it this way, it won’t hurt our family… or Baekhan hyung either.”
“So you’re trying to say that if you were an Omega, there’d be no reason to use something like Dirty Switch. That the article is a malicious fabrication stitched together from nonsense—that’s your angle?”

“That’s right. I mean, the photos alone don’t even prove anything. And I don’t get why people keep dragging Cheon Seungpil into it. All he did was go out and buy the test kit for me.”
Gukwon didn’t respond for a while. He just rubbed his forehead and muttered, “A baby… our baby is having a baby…”
“I know it’s reckless and sloppy. But—”
Taehyun was just about to continue—just about to ask for trust, explain how visual shock was the most effective tool for shifting public opinion—

“My baby…”
Before he could finish, Gukwon pulled him into a tight hug.
“Alright. We’ll do whatever you want, baby.”

He gently patted Taehyun’s shoulder and nodded. As if he knew exactly what he was doing, his hand touched the bruised spot from when Taehyun hit the office door yesterday. The touch sent a prickling sensation deep into Taehyun’s chest.
“You’re right. There’s nothing more effective than a visual shock. Don’t worry about how it looks or sounds. Just go up there, say everything you need to say—and I’ll take care of the rest.”
“…Hyung.”

“I won’t ask anything right now. I’ll explain the basics to the rest of the family. You just focus on what you want to say.”
“…”
“But when you’re ready… I hope you’ll tell me everything. About what really happened. Even if it’s just me—will you?”

Taehyun leaned his forehead against Gukwon’s collarbone and gave a small shake of his head. Of course he would. It felt like he was back in the days when he was just a kid, clinging to his big brother.
Yeah. This is what it felt like to have someone on your side.
“…Hyung. I really—”

“If you say sorry, I’m seriously gonna get mad.”
Gukwon playfully brushed back Taehyun’s bangs into a ridiculous shape and clapped his hands to shift the mood.
“Going to Seoul right now is too much. But holding a press conference right in downtown Pyongyang seems «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» risky too. Do you have anywhere in mind?”

“No. It can be really small. Doesn’t matter.”
“Hmm, alright. Yoonwoo’s close with Sojin, so I’ll ask if she knows anywhere suitable nearby. I’ll also get in touch with a law firm. In the meantime, you talk to your lawyer, okay?”
Taehyun nodded, then caught himself biting his lip and quickly loosened up. He’d been trying hard to fix that habit—Baekhan hated it—but it was still hard to shake.

The press conference.
He knew full well how reckless this was. And how stunned Baekhan would be when he found out.
He’d let that foolish love from when he was twenty blind him. And it had hurt too many people. Baekhan, his family, Baekhan’s family, the Yunra Foundation, and Cheon Seungpil too.

So whatever the fallout, he wanted to end this himself. People in Pyongyang already hated him—what difference did it make if they thought he was overdramatic?
But the baby.
The baby that had taken root in his belly, without warning, and was already being used as a prop—he felt terribly, deeply sorry for it.

* * *
[BREAKING] DH Group’s Joo Taehyun (26) to hold emergency press conference this evening
Following renewed controversy over Dirty Switch and alleged drug use, Joo Taehyun is expected to speak directly at a press conference this evening to clarify the situation and state his official position.

(photo.jpg)
▲ DH Group director Seo Baekhan and Joo Taehyun spotted on a date in Pyongyang by civilians.
Comments (1,789)

Not buying this druggie’s pity fest. Get lost.
fml I was defending Taehyun up until last week. Now I feel stupid
Didn’t Seo Baekhan literally get stabbed for him not long ago...

But the “evidence” this time seems kinda weak again? None of it’s conclusive
➥ Stop astroturfing. It’s so obvious you’re paid PR
➥ Can’t deny he used Switch though. That’s a fact

➥➥ Then isn’t that a problem for Seo Baekhan too? His husband was using that stuff
➥➥➥ No, he was cheating with other guys, remember? Get real
Seo Baekhan pressed his palm roughly over his dry eyelids and threw his phone.

The aftermath of the article had spiraled out of control. If not for the phone call from Gukwon right before it dropped, he might’ve ignored whatever Taehyun had asked and just acted.
‘DH Group will take responsibility under my name and Father’s. Just leave it to us. I just finished briefing Assemblyman Seo as well.’
‘But, Hyung—’

‘…Right. You’re his Hyung too, but I’m yours. So let me ask you just one thing—as your Hyung. Baekhan, did you really not know anything? About Taehyun?’
‘I only saw the press release draft yesterday. Taehyun was with me at the time. He told me he had a plan—said to just let the articles drop.’
‘You really don’t know, do you.’

Gukwon’s voice had gone from cold to outright chilling.
‘I had a hunch... but Baekhan, you seriously don’t know anything.’
Before Baekhan could ask what that meant, the call was cut off with a final, “Then keep it that way.”

He called back immediately, but Gukwon didn’t pick up. Sometimes it cut off before it even rang, like he’d been blocked.
Seriously, what the hell is going on?
And ever since then—not a word from Taehyun, not a single message from DH Group. The press conference was approaching fast.

Unable to take it anymore, Baekhan grabbed his phone again and stared at the constantly updating news feeds—then suddenly stood up.
He knew he was being impulsive, but his body moved before he could think.
“Director? What’s the matter?”

“Where’s the car?”
“Excuse me? Are you trying to go to the press conference?”
The aides stationed outside his hospital room tried to stop him in a panic.

“Assemblyman Seo gave strict orders. Until DH Group makes a move, you are not to leave the hospital under any circumsta—”
“You really think I’ve been quietly rotting in this hospital because of my father’s orders?”
It was because he was furious at Taehyun’s mention of divorce. Because he’d been dumbfounded by Taehyun saying he’d “handle it all himself,” and thought, fine—let’s see how that goes.

A press conference? In Pyongyang?
Even if he talked big, what could Taehyun possibly do? The guy’s only public experience was academic presentations—and now a press conference? Obviously, cleaning up the mess would fall to him.