It all started from the last time we updated the notes, two years ago. Picking up where we left off, from the time STAY made their debut.

It didn’t take long until we entered another new year. To recap: Unlike most leaders, Cara made history for becoming the first to both go transannual three times and run for three years - an accomplishment we barely noticed because it had been overshadowed by the fact that he chose to put off military service and instead stay for at least one more year. It was what really mattered the most, because not only did it give him enough time to become active with STAY; it was because 2022 was gonna be the year when I thought he would not make it. And I really wanted him so bad to break that, because.. I thought it was not yet time for him to go.

Although he was still on vacation, STAY made their debut to great success. Their debut show was the one we can remember, but their story did not end there. Since then, the boys went on many schedules, with some members having MC roles and others releasing new music, culminating with the project group winning first place in a music show for the very first time - only 22 days into debut. There was also more: They had a fandom name (DEANA), they were on their way to becoming featured on MD Magazine, and they even had a lightstick! STAY did not slow down since their debut. They can already be taken as monster rookies at that point. They were, indeed, living up to their name - as Stars To an Amazing Year 4.

But it cannot go on without any setbacks. Around the time we entered Year 4, a new variant of the coronavirus emerged during this time, which had affected a lot of people, including many K-pop idols. That variant was known as ‘Omnicron’, and I myself can be said to have gotten it - even if it was not confirmed. When we entered the new year, I was actually not feeling well. I was mostly on bed during the first few days in 2022, recovering from flu and headache. It was disheartening to me as we had still some unfinished business left for Cara Week. Thankfully, I recovered a week later and went on to finally culminate Cara Week with a message to everyone involved. To the BTS members, whose members had already contracted the coronavirus. To the ONF members who have already enlisted in the military. And to the STAY members who had recently debuted.

By the end of January, several bandmates of two STAY members had contracted the coronavirus. Anyone, but these two - Cara, and his STAY bandmate Juyeon. I kept on writing about how I wished I wanted to wrap them in bubble wrap! That was how protective I was as a fan-ager.

However, the bubble wrap unfortunately failed to protect one of them.