translation by mourningmoor
“Ya―. Kang Ichan.”
Kim Jeongsoo, who I ran into in the hallway while heading out to eat breakfast, let out a groan.
“Your new song is a total hit, huh?”
As he got closer, Kim Jeongsoo, who had wrapped his arm around my neck, started chattering about the music video that was released at midnight.
Just then, the elevator arrived.
Without answering the giggling and chattering Kim Jeongsoo, I coldly glanced at the other members of L.I.T and Möbius.
“Everyone, take the next one.”
Then, I closed the elevator doors, leaving only Kim Jeongsoo inside.
When I pressed the button for the 2nd floor and stayed silent, Jeongsoo gulped dryly.
“Hey, why are you being so scary?”
Scared? Seems like you’ve got something to feel guilty about.
I snorted and turned to look at Kim Jeongsoo.
“Explain yourself.”
At that, Jeongsoo, with his big eyes wide open, put on an innocent face, pretending not to understand.
“Explain what?”
“Since when? You and senior Ga Yuna, hyung.”
The man caught by the paparazzi with Ga Yuna wasn’t me—it was Möbius’s Kim Jeongsoo. While I was helping Jaewon pick out bubble tea, the two of them were standing in line at the checkout.
And that outfit. At Causeway Bay, Jeongsoo found the same outfit I was wearing and immediately bought one, talking about couple outfits. Ironically, Ga Yuna ended up buying the same outfit too.
In another angle of the photo, you can see Ga Yuna wearing that outfit around her waist.
In the end, they used me to match their couple looks.
Even after the dating scandal broke out, they stayed silent because they had something to feel guilty about.
“Since when did you two become like that? Huh?”
I was so noisy that I didn’t even turn on my mental radar when I was around Kim Jeongsoo and Ga Yuna, and now they’ve caused this mess.
“Ah, no.”
But this guy doesn’t seem to have any intention of admitting it until the end.
He waved his hands, saying no, then suddenly slumped his shoulders, looking sullen.
“Sorry.”
At least he admitted he was wrong, so that’s something.
“You should’ve been more careful.”
If you knew the world I’m in, the profession I’m in, and the emotions it’s built on, you should’ve been more careful.
An idol who just debuted a year ago dating a female idol who’s been in the industry for four years—fans would find that hard to accept.
If all those words that were thrown at me during that short time yesterday were directed at Jeongsoo. And if that was the truth, with no way to refute it.
Kim Jeongsoo’s morning wouldn’t have been so bright.
“From now on, don’t stick around senior Ga Yuna.”
Jeongsoo looked at me with a puzzled face, as if asking what I was talking about.
Like a child who’s just had a coin snatched from their hand by a stranger, looking bewildered.
It’s infuriating.
“Be careful for a while.”
At 22 years old, in his first year of debut.
Including his trainee days, I heard he’s been in this industry for about four years.
But if he doesn’t even know the most basic things, what can I do?
“The paparazzi now know it’s not me, and other entertainment reporters and fans are going crazy, asking who it is then.”
From now on, everyone will be watching Ga Yuna closely.
Of course, Jeongsoo will also be under suspicion. It’s already public knowledge that the two of them are close.
That’s why Blade has also started cracking down on Ga Yuna.
Last night, Director Gong Seokho called Ga Yuna separately and seemed to press her about who the other person was. But it seems Ga Yuna hasn’t mentioned Jeongsoo yet.
“If it comes out that it’s you, hyung, the whole of Möbius will take a hit.”
One member’s issue affects the whole team.
“We’ve worked so hard to get here, we can’t let it all fall apart.”
It seems he hadn’t thought that far, as Jeongsoo’s face turned pale.
“That’s why you should’ve been more careful. Why did you hold hands outside, why?”
Honestly, it’s ridiculous.
And with Ga Yuna, of all people.
With an annoyed expression, I pressed Jeongsoo and grabbed the hem of his clothes.
“Take this off too.”
Are you bold or just immature?
After what happened yesterday, you came out wearing this outfit again.
“Hurry.”
Jeongsoo nodded and took off his hoodie, handing it to me.
“You’ve already cleared your name from yesterday, so you hold onto this for me.”
Then he hung his head low.
“Sorry. I’m really sorry for making you go through all that yesterday because of me.”
This guy, at least he knows he’s wrong.
I clicked my tongue softly and dispelled the time dilation spell I had cast on the elevator.
“It’s fine. As the leader, just take good care of your team members, hyung.”
* * *
Surprisingly, Kim Jeongsoo listened well.
I was a little worried about Ga Yuna, but it seems Director Gong Seokho has also put her under special management. Since last night, Director Gong has been keeping a close eye on Ga Yuna.
But among the K-KON participants, the rumor had already spread far and wide.
Gyuhyung, who had been observing the atmosphere, shook his head and approached us.
“Alright. Everyone, ignore that side and just focus on the rehearsal. We’re going to kill it.”
At Gyuhyung’s words, the kids’ eyes sparkled, and they nodded.
Morale is high enough, and we’ve practiced enough.
From school violence rumors to dating scandals. For a second-year idol, it’s a bit much, but we’ve gotten through it unscathed, and now all that’s left is to soar to the next level.
Looking at my reflection in the mirror, wearing the white uniform with a stand-up collar, I glanced down at my fingers. The pattern peeking out from between the rings made me curl my lips.
The mark that had disappeared was returning.
It seems my body is finally synchronizing with it.
“L.I.T, come down to the stage. Two minutes left.”
At the staff’s words, we gathered below the stage, stacking our hands on top of each other in a circle.
“Now, we’re going to take it to the next level.”
Then Jaewon chimed in with a “Yeah!”
Roa also shrugged his shoulders, unable to hide his excitement.
“Let’s just do what we practiced. Everyone, be careful with your knees.”
“Got it.”
Hanjoon also responded energetically.
“Hyung, just a little faster, and Siu, come out with confidence.”
“Yeah. Got it.”
Then the staff signaled that there were 10 seconds left.
The members, locking eyes with each other, shouted “Fighting!” in unison.
“L.I.T, L.I.T, fighting!”
After encouraging each other, we returned to our positions and got on the lift. Now, the second act was about to begin.
* * *
The Hong Kong Expo Arena was shaking as if it was about to collapse.
Because L.I.T’s performance had just ended.
Irene, who had come from the U.S., was also watching the stage with a heavy heart.
In her fifth year of diving into K-POP, she had fallen head over heels for T.I.ONE, who had aimed for the U.S. market from the start, becoming a hardcore fan. After that, she got into ARCHE and started considering Korea her second home.
She came to Hong Kong on a trip with a friend and decided to catch K-KON, and now Irene feels like she’s met her destiny.
L.I.T? What kind of terrifying kids are these?
Dazed, enjoying the lingering energy of the stage, Irene finally let out a scream.
Seeing Irene like this, her friend shook her head, saying she couldn’t be helped.
{Your Noah oppa is close with their leader. That kid who appeared on ‘go! ARCHE’ a while back.}
{Oh, my God. That friend Noah threatened to bring along?}
{Yeah. The part-timer from ‘Hotel Ohana.’}
Irene knew him too.
That young idol with a cold, handsome vibe who got along so well with Noah.
Part-timer number 2, who never got overshadowed by Noah’s powerful charisma.
{His name is… Ichan? Ichan, right?}
{Yeah. That’s him. He’s only in his second year, but his popularity is skyrocketing.}
At her friend’s words, Irene nodded vigorously.
Seeing him in person, she could understand why.
First of all, the stage performance was insane. The five members and about ten backup dancers put on an incredibly flashy show.
Plus, the music was amazing.
The melody started off grand, like a classical piece, then shifted into jazz, went into contemporary, and then returned to classical—it hit you right in the heart. And why are all the vocalists’ voices so good? The rap was also captivating.
Irene couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel and start editing the video she had just taken.
* * *
We successfully wrapped up K-KON in Hong Kong.
Early the next morning, we arrived at Incheon Airport on a chartered flight.
Somehow, there were more reporters gathered for our arrival than when we left.
Probably because of the Ga Yuna scandal that broke out, drawing attention to K-KON in Hong Kong.
Sure enough, as soon as we stepped out of the departure gate, a barrage of camera flashes greeted us.
It was only natural that attention would be focused on me, who had been suspected of being Ga Yuna’s lover but had barely cleared my name.
Moreover, because I was there at the time, I was seen as the “number one person who knows the truth.”
To the reporters’ questions about how I felt, I smiled faintly and got into the car without answering.
Hanjoon, who got into the car after me, frowned and pointed outside the window.
“They seem to have caught on. Möbius is in chaos right now.”
“Huh?”
“Jeongsoo hyung, it seems he got caught.”
Following Hanjoon’s finger, I saw Jeongsoo surrounded by reporters. Ga Yuna had returned with Director Gong Seokho right after K-KON ended to avoid the chaos, but it seems Jeongsoo got caught without any countermeasures.
This morning, at Hong Kong Airport.
[Ichan-ssi. What if the reporters figure it out? Actually, I was also slightly in those paparazzi photos. Since it’s already proven that I was there at the time, isn’t it just a matter of time before they find out it’s me?]
[If you were worried about that, you shouldn’t have done it in the first place. Holding hands so openly like it’s fine even if you get caught?]
[At the time, I thought it was fine even if we got caught. But after hearing what you said, I came to my senses. About how our team, the other members, would get hurt.]
He seemed regretful.
[I’m the leader, after all. I can’t let the other guys get dragged down because of me.]
That’s why I advised him.
[If they find out it’s you, hyung, just deny it to the death.]
[Will that work?]
[Just deny it to the death. Whether it works or not, think about that later.]
I really hate doing this, but I thought I’d help Jeongsoo a little.
I took out my phone and called Roa.
After a few rings, Roa picked up.
―Yes, hyungnim.
“About the Ga Yuna paparazzi thing.”
It’s a bit funny that I’m asking Roa for this.
“Can you find out who it is and where they live?”
―Piece of cake. Should I look into it for you?
“Yeah. Please.”
But there’s no one faster than Roa when it comes to getting results.
Roa might catch on at this rate, but I decided to think about that later. Right now, solving this is urgent.