#60

I increased the intensity of my workouts.

I kept the morning jogging routine but extended the PT (personal training) sessions. I had clearly realized that without proper physical stamina, I wouldn't be able to keep up with the grueling schedule. Of course, it was also to satisfy my own ambitions.

There was so much to do, and so little time.

If we wanted to aim for the Rookie Award, we had to make a comeback by November at the latest, and to do that, there was a mountain of preparations to be made.

That meant I needed to accumulate more mana and build up the stamina to sustain my magical energy.

"You've improved a lot, haven't you?"

By mid-October, the results of my efforts were slowly starting to show.

Kang Ichan's body, which had been as skinny as an anchovy, was finally starting to develop some muscle.

The PT trainer in charge of our team didn't hold back on the compliments.

"You don't need to lose any more body fat, and maintaining this level of muscle mass is perfect."

The trainer meticulously measured my arms, waist, and thighs, then entered the numbers into a tablet.

"I heard there's a harness in the concept outfits for this album? If you get too thin, it won't look good, but with your current build, it'll look just right."

"Really?"

I gave a faint smile at the trainer's praise, took the tablet, and signed the confirmation box.

A few months ago, when I first started working out, I was clearly 178 cm tall, but since then, I had grown another 1.9 cm. 179.9 cm. Still 2.3 cm shorter than Hanjoon.

Unsurprisingly, Hanjoon, who was standing next to me, peeked at my tablet and let out a snort.

"Hyung, don't get too comfortable. You never know what'll happen next year. I'm still growing."

With that, Hanjoon immediately went back to his spot and started jumping rope. A man's pride—he couldn't lose in height, no matter what.

I gave him a sly smile and headed to the shower room with a towel.

"I'll stop here and head in."

"Why are you leaving already? There's still a few hours before practice starts."

Hanjoon, who had stopped jumping rope, furrowed his brows and asked.

"I need to go buy some clothes."

"Clothes?"

"I grew a bit, so my pants don't fit anymore."

The pants I wore last spring were all too tight now.

With my height increase and muscle gain, all of Kang Ichan's old clothes were too small. To be honest, Kang Ichan last spring was way too skinny.

"Let's go together."

"You need clothes too, hyung?"

"All my pants are too big now."

Well, a lot had changed for him too.

For one, he had lost a lot of weight. But he looked even more solid now, thanks to consistent exercise.

"Sure."

Going alone would be fine, but since I'm still not 100% familiar with this world, it wouldn't hurt to bring someone along.

"But let's not tell the others. If we all go together, it'll just draw unnecessary attention."

* * *

Hanjoon and I took the subway and arrived at a place called "Central City."

The underground world, tangled like a spider's web, reminded me of the capital of Armenia, Yerevan. On top of that, the sheer number of people was overwhelming, making my head spin.

"If I'm not careful, I might get lost."

It was the kind of place where even the slightest lapse in attention could leave you disoriented.

"Country bumpkin."

Hanjoon snorted and took the lead.

"Follow me. I know my way around here like the back of my hand."

I followed Hanjoon, who walked confidently ahead, and pulled my cap down low.

Occasionally, people would glance at us openly, but I didn't hesitate or try to hide my face. That would only make them more suspicious.

Fortunately, no one blocked our path or shouted at us.

After a while, I felt comfortable enough to walk around without worrying too much.

"Come this way."

As confident as he seemed, Hanjoon was indeed very familiar with the area.

He skillfully navigated the maze-like streets and guided me to where I could find what I needed.

Thanks to him, I was able to buy not just clothes, but also sneakers, accessories, socks, underwear, and other daily necessities—everything I had been needing.

"I think we've bought enough for now. Should we head back?"

"Let's stop by there for a moment."

Hanjoon pointed to a coffee shop with a green sign.

"Why a coffee shop?"

"I ordered hot chocolate through Siren Order."

"...Hot chocolate?"

"I ordered it earlier. Just drink it without asking questions, okay?"

Then, Hanjoon handed me a paper cup he had received from the staff.

"Since when did you start drinking hot chocolate?"

"I got paid for the lyrics, thanks to you. It's my treat."

Two days ago, Hanjoon and I had separately received payments for composing and writing lyrics.

As soon as he got paid, Hanjoon bought lunch for the L.I.T members and drinks for the A&R team. And now, he was even buying me hot chocolate.

Despite his brusque attitude and tone, no one took care of those around him better than Hanjoon.

"Hey, hyung. Is a cup of hot chocolate enough?"

I felt pretty good. Proud, even. It felt like a well-raised eldest son had just received his first paycheck and brought home a gift.

"You know I rewrote most of your lyrics, right, hyung?"

"I know, man. When the album comes out and I get the royalties, I'll buy you something nice."

Hanjoon smiled awkwardly, adjusted the shopping bags, and started walking again.

"For now, I'm just keeping some pocket money and sending the rest to my mom."

That was unexpected. He never talked about his family, so I thought he didn't have much affection for them. But sending all his first earnings to his mom? That was really surprising.

Kang Ichan, who wanted to buy his mom a house, Hanjoon, who sent all his first earnings to his mom, and the youngest, who cried while hugging his mom—these were all unfamiliar emotions and scenes to me.

I couldn't even remember the face of the mother who gave birth to me, but it seemed like mothers were special to everyone.

"Such a filial son."

"It's not about being filial..."

Hanjoon denied the term "filial son" and made a face I had never seen before. It was a bittersweet, melancholic expression.

Then he quickly shut his mouth again.

"Never mind."

Hanjoon forced a smile, licked his lips, and quickened his pace.

"Let's go. We'll be late for practice."

Right, everyone has their own story. That's just how life is.

I didn't press further and hurriedly followed Hanjoon.

Just as we were about to enter the subway station, 

Gyuhyung called.

"Huh? It's Gyuhyung."

I hadn't told Gyuhyung that we were going shopping.

The youngest had to go to the dentist, so Gyuhyung went with him, and the road hyungs were handling other schedules with Roa and Siu.

"Hyung, I'll take this call first."

I stopped Hanjoon, set the shopping bags down for a moment, and answered the call.

"Hyung."

―Where are you guys?

"We're at... Central City."

―I know you're at Central City. Where in Central City?

"At the subway station. Why?"

Wait, how did he know we were at Central City? I didn't even tell him.

―Don't make it obvious. Listen carefully. You've got a sasaeng following you.

"What?"

―Don't look back. They're probably right next to you. They've taken photos of Hanjoon's neck and him changing clothes. There are photos of your hands and lips too.

I hadn't been using my Heart’s Resonance much lately. I decided not to peek into the kids' emotions, and nothing much was happening with the company staff.

Plus, I deliberately turned off my Heart’s Resonance in crowded places to avoid unnecessary energy drain.

But a sasaeng? And right next to us?

This is why you should never let your guard down.

―Don't take the subway. Come up to the ground. I'm nearby.

I nodded quietly and reluctantly turned on my Heart’s Resonance.

Instantly, a flood of emotions hit me like a tidal wave.

―If you tell Hanjoon, it'll be too obvious, so move quietly. Let's meet at the taxi stand.

"Got it."

With my Heart’s Resonance on, I finally heard what I needed to hear amidst the noise.

《Ooh, if I get a little closer, I can pluck a hair.》

Crazy, why would you pluck a hair?

I quickly picked up the shopping bags, grabbed Hanjoon's arm, and changed direction.

"Hey. What's going on? Where are we going all of a sudden?"

"Gyuhyung said he's coming to pick us up."

"Gyuhyung? Why?"

Without explaining properly, I placed my hand on Hanjoon's shoulder and quickened my pace.

《Ugh shit, why are they suddenly moving so fast? I lost them.》

《I really wanted to touch his thigh.》

Ha, are they completely insane?

The sasaeng was so perverted that I was at a loss for words.

"Hey, aren't you letting go? How dare you grab your hyung's neck?"

"I'm just too tired. I'm exhausted from following you around."

"You bought more stuff than I did."

"Come on. I'm even giving you a neck massage. Let's just go, okay?"

I let Hanjoon onto the escalator first, then followed and glanced back. I saw a woman behind us flinch and turn her head.

So it's you? Perverted sasaeng.

I wanted to cause a scene right then and there, but as a public idol and with the year-end rookie award in sight, I held back.

Once we reached the first floor, I handed all the shopping bags to Hanjoon.

"Gyuhyung said to wait at the taxi stand. Take these and go ahead."

Then, I gently pushed Hanjoon toward the exit.

I used a tiny bit of the "Authority" spell, and Hanjoon, though clearly annoyed, obediently walked toward the taxi stand.

Now, it was the perverted sasaeng's turn.

After confirming through the glass door that Hanjoon had gotten into the van, I turned around. The sasaeng, who had been right behind me, flinched and took a step back.

Of the three "Divine Powers" I possessed, the one my master was most concerned about was the "Heart’s Resonance." Depending on how it was used, it could even peek into someone's memories.

It was similar to the "Mind Domination" used by the Demon King, and was often treated as no different from dark magic. That's why I always made sure not to go beyond the third level.

But this wasn't Armenia, so there was no reason not to use it.

Of course, it would consume a tremendous amount of magical energy.

"Kim Miim, 25 years old, living in Changdong."

As I rummaged through the sasaeng fan's memories, my insides twisted. The sudden surge of magical energy caused Kang Ichan's body to react abnormally.

I might end up with another nosebleed at this rate.

"Living with parents, an older brother, and... oh, a grandmother too. But do they know that Kim Miim-ssi is out here doing perverted things like this? No, right?"

Instantly, the sasaeng fan's face turned pale.

"Let's keep it reasonable. Delete the photos on your own."

This is as far as I'll let it go.

"If we meet like this again, it won't end with just a warning."

I flicked my finger in front of the sasaeng fan's eyes, and Kim Miim, 25, from Changdong, slowly closed her eyes.

"Stay like this for exactly one minute, then go straight home and delete the photos. And the memories too."

I cast the spell in a very kind voice and leisurely walked away.

It felt like being Jesquière again after a long time.