OAO | Chapter 10

The address written in the message led to an ordinary villa. Jaeyoon, standing in front of it, looked up at the second floor with a blank expression. Was this Hanjun’s house? It was rather fortunate. It was better than having people gossip in public places about whether he and Kangyoon were in that kind of relationship. Although he didn’t like being in Hanjun’s territory, he had no choice but to take this risk.

Before entering the villa, he checked the photo sent in the message once more. It was definitely the day they parked the car at Han River Park and kissed. It seemed like the moment when Kangyoon pushed Jaeyoon away after kissing him and reclined the passenger seat. So, it wasn’t exactly a kissing scene. But from the photo alone, it looked like they were kissing. Since they did kiss afterward, it couldn’t be said that the photo was entirely fake or a lie.

Of all people, why did that photo end up in Hanjun’s hands? What if he went to Kangyoon with the photo and demanded a song? It was all his fault for causing trouble for Kangyoon. He should have been more careful.

He entered the villa and went up to the second floor as Hanjun had instructed. Standing in front of the door marked 202, he pressed the intercom. Without asking who it was, the door clicked open.

“Come in.”

Hanjun nodded his head, signaling him to enter. The layout was a living room combined with a kitchen and a single bedroom. The smaller-than-expected house seemed to starkly reveal his current situation.

“Sit anywhere.”

Although he was told to sit, there was no suitable place. One side of the living room was cluttered with broadcasting equipment like camcorders and computers, as Hanjun had mentioned starting a video channel. The only place untouched by the camcorder was a single-seater sofa. There was a two-seater dining table in the kitchen area, but it was piled with miscellaneous items, making it a mess. Considering how meticulous Hanjun had been during their group living days, the current state of his house was surprisingly messy. The difference was even more noticeable compared to Kangyoon’s always neatly organized home.

“Just get to the point.”

Hanjun, who had been staring at him while sitting on the sofa, smirked at his response that there was no need to sit.

“You’re doing well these days, aren’t you? Filming a movie, right?”

So what? Jaeyoon met Hanjun’s gaze with an expression that said just that.

“Doing well, you must not see anything in front of you. You don’t even understand the situation, do you?”

What was there to understand? He knew all too well that Hanjun was threatening him.

“This is you and Kangyoon, right?”

Hanjun threw the photo he had sent via message onto the floor. Jaeyoon only glanced down at the photo. Although he was obscured by Kangyoon, Kangyoon’s profile was clearly visible.

“No matter how you look at it, it’s a kiss. Since when were you two like that? Was Kangyoon always covering for you because you were in that kind of relationship?”

Despite Hanjun’s sarcastic remarks, Jaeyoon’s expression didn’t change as he stared at him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Hanjun’s face twisted at his calm reply. Then, he smirked as if mocking him.

“Denying it won’t help.”

“I don’t know what you’re asking me to deny.”

“Hah! Is that how you’re going to play it?”

Hanjun, looking incredulous, picked up his phone and scrolled through his contacts. He showed Jaeyoon the name and number of Park Jin-hoo, a reporter from the entertainment section of Hankyung Newspaper, displayed on the screen.

“You know this guy, right? The one who always tried to bring our group down.”

Some reporters wrote favorable articles, while others, for some reason, only focused on the negatives. Park Jin-hoo was a prime example of the latter. He had written very malicious articles when Hanjun was involved in a drunk driving and assault incident, and when Gyuho’s girlfriend got pregnant.

“He’d love to get his hands on this photo, wouldn’t he? Especially since you’re currently filming a movie about a same-sex relationship. The media will be buzzing for a while. People might even say you got the role by sleeping with someone.”

Hanjun stared intently at Jaeyoon’s face. So, what are you going to do now? His gaze was urging for an answer. Jaeyoon met his gaze without wavering. He couldn’t give Hanjun any certainty here. If it were just him, it would be different, but Kangyoon was involved.

He could claim it was a misunderstanding based on the photo alone. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a photo of them kissing, so he could make up any excuse. The problem was that regardless of the truth, if it spread, it would cause a commotion. Even if he denied it, people would be curious and paparazzi would watch them more closely than usual.

It was his own fault, but Kangyoon didn’t deserve this. Kangyoon had only been swayed by him, and he didn’t want to cause him any harm.

“Did you send the same message to Kangyoon Hyung?”

He swallowed a sigh and asked. He knew it was a question that showed weakness, but he had to confirm it first. Hanjun, seemingly pleased that he was finally making sense, smiled and put down his phone.

“Not yet. I thought you’d be more reasonable than him.”

Thank goodness. Even though the situation wasn’t favorable for him, he was relieved that Kangyoon didn’t know yet.

“I don’t know what misunderstanding you have, but Kangyoon Hyung and I are not in any kind of relationship. That kind of photo was taken countless times when we were active as a group.”

In fact, during concerts, he would openly kiss Kangyoon on the cheek and cling to him, all as fan service.

“Do you think I’m an idiot? You did this in a place with no fans around and call it the same as those countless photos?”

Hanjun wasn’t easily convinced. Jaeyoon took a slow, deep breath.

“What do you want? If you want me to get a song from Kangyoon Hyung, I can’t. It’s not that I won’t, it’s impossible. You know his personality better than anyone, right?”

If he was doing this for a song, there was no way he could help, even if the sky fell.

“One billion won.”

Hanjun replied. One billion won? He barely held back the urge to say that one billion won was a dog’s name.

“That’s not such a big amount for you, is it?”

He really did think lightly of money. No wonder he had squandered all the money he earned from his idol activities and ended up like this.

“You can earn that from one commercial, right? You don’t have to share it with the group anymore, so it’s all your money.”

One billion won for a commercial.

“Unfortunately, I’m not that much of a top star.”

“But you must have some movie guarantee.”

How much did Hanjun think he was getting paid for the movie? Sure, if the movie was a huge hit, the guarantee would be substantial, but that was only if the movie succeeded. Unable to hide his sigh, Hanjun frowned.

“The fact that you think I’d spend 1 billion won on a single photo is ridiculous.”

Jaeyoon subtly emphasized that the photo was nothing. Hanjun’s eyes wavered at Jaeyoon’s reaction, as if he was starting to doubt his certainty.

“The fact that you came here is proof.”

Jaeyoon chuckled as if that was all there was to it.

“You think I came all the way here for a single photo?”

Hanjun frowned as if asking if that wasn’t the case.

“I came here out of old affection. Remember what you said last time? That we should help each other as members. You said I grew this much thanks to you during On&On. Thinking about it, you weren’t wrong. After all, I got my name out there and my face known during On&On activities.”

He smiled at Hanjun, making it clear that he came out of sympathy and not because of his threats. Hanjun’s expression twisted subtly, realizing the meaning behind his words. He couldn’t deny it because he needed something from Jaeyoon, so he frowned but said nothing.

“1 billion won is too much. Tell me something realistic. Then I’ll help you out of old affection.”

“Who needs help from whom…!”

“Don’t need it? Then forget it.”

“You don’t care if this photo goes to the press?”

“I’ve been saying, do as you please. I’ll just explain that nothing happened. Actually, it might be good publicity for my movie about same-sex relationships. Our On&On fans will probably go wild. Even the fans we met at Han River Park were calling us the YoonYoon couple just from seeing us together.”

The more Jaeyoon brushed it off, the more Hanjun’s face darkened. He seemed bewildered by Jaeyoon’s unexpected reaction.

Jaeyoon had been in the entertainment industry for ten years. He wasn’t completely jaded, but he wasn’t going to crumble over a single photo.

“I’ll give you 100 million won.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“100 million won should be enough for you to get by. If you don’t need it, then forget it.”

Jaeyoon turned away as if he had no regrets.

“Hey, Yoon Jaeyoon!”

A desperate Hanjun stood up and grabbed Jaeyoon. Jaeyoon looked down at the hand holding his arm.

“You’re being too greedy, trying to get something for nothing. I’m offering 100 million won out of old affection. I wondered how desperate you must be to threaten me with a photo. With that money, you could buy a song from another composer.”

What Hanjun really wanted was to return to the entertainment industry. He was trying to use a video channel as a stepping stone to sing again. Whether he would succeed was unknown, but offering him the funds to buy a song and sing was something Hanjun couldn’t refuse.

Jaeyoon wanted to tell him to delete all the photo files in exchange for the money, but he held back. The more he showed he cared about the photo, the more Hanjun would try to use it against him later. He had to act like it didn’t matter at all, making the photo useless to Hanjun.

Giving him money was a way to pacify him, as ignoring him might provoke him to do something rash. He also made sure to remind Hanjun that he was the one in need, not Jaeyoon. Spending 100 million won was worth it to avoid disrupting Kangyoon’s life.

“If you’re interested, leave your account number.”

He shook off Hanjun’s hand and headed for the door.

“Oh!”

He stopped as if he had just remembered something.

“It would be best not to let Kangyoon Hyung know about this. If he finds out you threatened me, even the 100 million won will be gone.”

He smiled at Hanjun before leaving his house. Once the door closed, he let out a long sigh. He hoped his words had an effect. The smile faded from his face, and fatigue washed over him.

Hanjun must have been really cornered. He felt a tiny bit of sympathy, just a tiny bit. The guy who always looked down on him was now the one needing his help. That must have hurt his sky-high pride. That alone was a small victory for Jaeyoon.

What should I do today? I didn’t feel like going to Kangyoon’s house in my current mood. No, it wasn’t just about my mood. Staying at Kangyoon’s house like this might be dangerous. Even the kiss in the car, which I thought would never be discovered, was photographed. Although it seemed unlikely that Hanjun would spread the photo immediately, who knew who else might have seen it? It wouldn’t be good if it became known that I was practically living at Kangyoon’s house. It might fuel baseless rumors.

I guess I should go home?

Even though I logically concluded that, I felt regretful. I needed to talk to Kangyoon today… I couldn’t even imagine what expression he would have when he found out I was an omega.

Sighing deeply, I hailed a taxi. I gave the driver my home address and leaned back into the seat. Maybe later. It seemed too overwhelming to face Kangyoon today.

🎥🎤

What song was it from a few years ago? It must have been at least five years since it topped the music charts whenever a new song was released. Even back then, it wasn’t a particularly noticed song. It was a quiet love song included in a regular album.

That song was playing as Jaeyoon’s caller tune. I had called him multiple times, listening to it repeatedly until I was sick of it, but he never answered.

Sighing deeply, Kangyoon gave up and tossed his phone onto the sofa. This guy, he was definitely avoiding me on purpose. After confirming the truth with the manager and even asking Choi Sunghyun, his co-star, to take rut suppressants, Jaeyoon must have heard that I knew he was an omega. But to react like this immediately…

“I didn’t intentionally deceive you. When Jaeyoon first signed the contract with our company, he was a beta. But not long after signing, I felt something was off and had him retested, and he came out as an omega. Sometimes, omega pheromones are so weak that they’re mistakenly identified as beta. Jaeyoon was just like that.”

When I questioned why they had hidden the fact that he was an omega for over ten years, the manager hesitated and answered.

“The company told him to live as a beta since his pheromones were almost non-existent and the suppressants worked well. They thought you and Hanjun would be disgusted if you knew he was an omega, especially since group activities required living together.”

“Is that supposed to be an excuse? What if something had happened during the group living?”

The heat cycles of an omega and the resulting rut could cause harm to both the omega and the alpha. If Jaeyoon had gone into heat during the group living and someone had attacked him, it would have left indelible scars on both Jaeyoon and the attacker.

“Jaeyoon managed it well. You didn’t know until now, did you?”

I couldn’t argue with the manager’s response. I just let out a long sigh. Yoon Jaeyoon had indeed managed it exceptionally well. In ten years, I had never once suspected he might be an omega.

“Even so, you shouldn’t have let him take on this movie.”

Giving an omega, who was pretending to be a beta, the role of an omega in a movie about a fated love with an alpha, where they were helplessly swayed by each other’s pheromones, seemed insane. The explicitness was also excessive.

“We didn’t force him. The company received the script because it seemed like a good project, but Jaeyoon chose it himself. Honestly, I was surprised. I didn’t think he’d agree to it.”

So why did Yoon Jaeyoon suddenly take on such a risky role? He must have known that playing an omega would stimulate his own omega traits.

“Do you want to have sex with me?”

Thinking of him asking that with a calm smile made my chest tighten. He was the one who had initiated the kiss but didn’t even know how to kiss properly. When I kissed him more intensely, his eyes wavered, yet he smiled at me as if nothing had happened.

“Is it really because of me…?”

I covered my face with one hand and took a deep breath.

I couldn’t blame Jaeyoon for not coming back or answering my calls. I needed to sort out my own feelings first. If I didn’t decide what to do, I would only keep him wandering.

He really is a handful. He had been like that since we first started living together.

“I have nowhere to go. So I have to endure here. I don’t care about Hanjun Hyung’s behavior.”

What was Jaeyoon thinking when he said that at seventeen? How desperate must he have been, confused by his late-changing gender, yet hiding the fact that he was an omega from all the members so thoroughly?

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I felt pity thinking about what Jaeyoon must have gone through.

A clueless guy.

He always seemed to be the most cunning, smiling slyly, but to Kangyoon, Jaeyoon always seemed clumsy. That’s why I couldn’t take my eyes off him for a moment.

It was obvious where he would go if he didn’t come to his own house. He put on his jacket and grabbed his car keys. Somehow, he felt that he shouldn’t leave Jaeyoon alone right now. He didn’t know what Jaeyoon might be thinking with that small head of his, but he was sure it wouldn’t be a positive conclusion.

🎥🎤

Huaaam. Jaeyoon yawned loudly. The manager standing behind him as he got his makeup done clicked his tongue.

“Where did you sleep last night?”

The manager asked with a frown, and Jaeyoon smiled at him through the mirror.

“You didn’t go to Kangyoon’s place, did you?”

Last night, he hadn’t come back on time and had ignored all of Kangyoon’s calls. To be precise, he had turned off his phone. So, of course, Kangyoon would have contacted the manager.

“And you didn’t go to your own house either.”

Jaeyoon just smiled silently at the continued questioning. Initially, he had planned to go home. But then he realized that if he went home, Kangyoon would come looking for him. Kangyoon, being overly worried, would think he wasn’t coming because he found out he was an omega and would probably come to fetch him, fearing he might be having strange thoughts. So, he changed direction and went to a hotel near the location of today’s magazine cover shoot.

Despite booking an expensive hotel, he couldn’t sleep due to various thoughts, and now he kept yawning. In the morning, he had informed the manager to come directly to the shoot location. By the time the manager arrived, he was already getting his makeup done, which was why the manager was fuming behind him.

“I couldn’t sleep a wink because of you. You didn’t answer your phone, where were you? Kangyoon probably didn’t sleep either.”

I feel a bit sorry for that. I didn’t mean to worry them. I just needed some time to sort out my thoughts.

“Just pretend you don’t know. I’m not a kid anymore. I need some time for my private life too.”

The manager, who had been staring blankly at his strange words, suddenly frowned.

“Hey, you didn’t…?”

His face turned red as if he had something to say, but he didn’t voice it out loud, conscious of the people around.

“Don’t do anything stupid.”

The manager warned through gritted teeth.

“Stupid? I’m an adult, you know?”

Jaeyoon smiled prettily at him through the mirror.

“So don’t do anything reckless… Are you stuck with your acting?”

The manager’s face turned pale, recalling the bed scene shoot that had been blocked yesterday. His eyes were filled with horror at the thought that Jaeyoon might go that far for acting.

No way. Not for acting, at least. If anything, it was the other way around. I tried to use acting as an excuse to date, but it backfired.

Swallowing all the words he wanted to say, Jaeyoon just smiled, making the manager pound his chest in frustration.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll be thirty soon.”

Twenty-eight. It wasn’t a young age anymore. But to the manager and the older members, he still seemed like seventeen-year-old Yoon Jaeyoon.

“Let’s not talk about it.”

The manager finally gave up, holding his forehead and turning away. The conversation ended there as the staff announced that the shoot was about to start.

🎥🎤

The cover shoot ended earlier than expected. Since it didn’t require any sensuality, Jaeyoon’s usual appearance was enough, and the director easily approved with Jaeyoon’s princely atmosphere and smile.

As a result, he had free time. Originally, he was supposed to have a movie shoot afterward, but the director had told him to take a couple of days off, so he had nothing to do. According to the director’s intention, he should do something for the bed scene, but that was quite daunting.

Should I rent a bunch of erotic movies? Kangyoon Hyung’s home theater is great. Sitting in the living room and listening to the moaning sounds with a powerful sound system would be awesome.

He chuckled at the idle thought. Kangyoon would probably find it pathetic if he saw him like that. Besides, he couldn’t go to Kangyoon’s house. Kangyoon might have gone to the recording studio, but who knew what excuse Hanjun might find to cause trouble again.

“What are you going to do now?”

The manager, who was also free due to the empty schedule, asked.

“Well…”

Jaeyoon was about to say he might hole up somewhere and watch erotic movies when he squinted at the sight of someone approaching from a distance and trailed off.

“Huh? Why is that guy here…?”

The unexpected appearance of Hanjun left the manager flustered. He tried to subtly block Jaeyoon, but Jaeyoon shook his head, signaling him not to.

How does that guy know my schedule so well? He always shows up at the right time. Oh, right, the fan club site shares the schedule. But it’s funny to think that Hanjun actually joined the fan club site just to check my schedule.

“Jaeyoon won’t eat you. Don’t be so wary. Is he a kid? It’s ridiculous, really.”

Hanjun spoke first, noticing the manager’s tense demeanor.

“I just came to finish our conversation from yesterday.”

“Yesterday?”

The manager turned to Jaeyoon with a look of confusion, as if a big question mark had appeared over his head. This idiot. Why not just tell him you were blackmailing me with a photo? I was trying to play it off like nothing happened, and now this.

“Actually, I was with Hanjun Hyung yesterday.”

Jaeyoon smiled and approached Hanjun, placing an arm around his shoulder and leaning in slightly. Hanjun looked at him with a ‘what the hell are you doing?’ expression.

“I don’t want things to get noisy, so cooperate, will you?”

He whispered quietly into Hanjun’s ear before turning to face the manager.

“I got some advice from Hanjun Hyung yesterday. The topic was a bit sensitive, so I didn’t mention it.”

The manager frowned, trying to gauge if Jaeyoon was telling the truth. It made sense, considering Jaeyoon hadn’t been in contact with Hanjun at all since his incident. Suddenly seeking advice from him now seemed unbelievable.

“Kangyoon Hyung is a bit stiff about these things. I thought Hanjun Hyung would understand better.”

Jaeyoon added an explanation with a smile, as if understanding the manager’s suspicion.

“Well, Kangyoon is a bit… like that.”

The manager nodded, accepting that Kangyoon might not be the best person for advice, even if he couldn’t understand why Hanjun was the chosen confidant.

“Great. I was going to contact Hyung anyway. Take me out today. Somewhere we can do something fun, maybe even a bit naughty.”

“Hey! Yoon Jaeyoon!”

The manager shouted, his face turning pale at Jaeyoon’s request. Hanjun also looked bewildered, unable to follow the conversation.

“Or would you prefer to show me yourself, Hanjun Hyung? I wouldn’t mind that either.”

The manager covered his forehead in exasperation at Jaeyoon’s playful words.

“What do you want me to show you?”

Hanjun frowned, unable to keep up with Jaeyoon’s banter. Jaeyoon smiled sweetly and brought his lips close to Hanjun’s ear.

“I told you yesterday, I’m struggling with the bed scene.”

Hanjun’s face twisted further at the mention of the bed scene. Even during their idol days, he had hated skinship for fan service, so this was no surprise.

“You’re crazy…”

Hanjun started to curse, but Jaeyoon grabbed his arm tightly.

Didn’t you want to be alone? If you want to get rid of the manager, cooperate.

Jaeyoon looked at him with a smiling face but gave a firm nod, and Hanjun finally understood, letting out a groan and nodding back.

“Anyway, that’s how it is, so I’m done for today. I have the day off tomorrow, right? I’ll be back to normal for the movie shoot the day after, so don’t worry too much.”

Without waiting for the manager’s response, Jaeyoon grabbed Hanjun’s arm and started walking.

“Hey, Yoon Jaeyoon! Ah, that guy, seriously.”

The manager called out in frustration, but Jaeyoon just waved his hand without looking back. Hanjun, realizing Jaeyoon’s intention to get rid of the manager, followed without a word.

“Why did you come here when I told you to just send the account number?”

As soon as they were out of the manager’s sight, Jaeyoon let go of his arm and faced him.

“Why should I trust you?”

Hanjun’s words made Jaeyoon sigh.

“If the manager or anyone else finds out, it will be troublesome for you too, Hyung.”

The company and the manager were wary of Hanjun, and he knew it. Especially since the company was aware of his recent approach to Kangyoon for a song, they were even more on edge.

“Withdraw the money in cash instead of a bank transfer.”

He might as well be a robber. Jaeyoon barely held back the words that almost slipped out.

“Afraid of leaving a record if you do a bank transfer?”

Hanjun’s lips tightened as he glared at Jaeyoon, who sighed but nodded, not wanting to leave a record either.

“Did you bring your car?”

In response to Jaeyoon’s question, Hanjun gestured towards a car parked a little distance away. Despite struggling to make a living and resorting to blackmail, he drove a fancy foreign car. Jaeyoon held back the urge to ask if he could afford to maintain it and walked ahead of Hanjun.

“Go to the nearest bank. Anywhere is fine.”

He wanted to give Hanjun the money and get rid of him as soon as possible, hoping never to cross paths again.

🎥🎤

A long sigh fell to the ground. It came from Kangyoon, who was standing behind the corner of a building, less than 5 meters from where Hanjun and Jaeyoon had been.

Kangyoon had arrived at the magazine shoot location before Hanjun. He had come to find Jaeyoon, who hadn’t answered his calls the previous night. He had confirmed with the manager that Jaeyoon had no schedule after this.

Then, unexpectedly, Hanjun appeared. Kangyoon frowned, thinking Hanjun was there to cause trouble over his song again, but then Jaeyoon mentioned he had been with Hanjun the previous night and had gotten advice from him.

Kangyoon knew Jaeyoon was struggling with the bed scene. But to resolve it with Hanjun?

Hanjun was also an alpha. The thought of Jaeyoon saying he might go to an alpha club made a dark emotion rise within Kangyoon. He clenched his fists, suppressing the swirling emotions, while Jaeyoon managed to ditch the manager and leave with Hanjun.

“Can I kiss you?”

“Do you want to have sex with me?”

The image of Jaeyoon seducing him with a sweet smile flashed in his mind. Imagining Hanjun reaching out to Jaeyoon made something snap in his head.

Taking a deep breath, Kangyoon brushed his hair back and calmed his emotions. It couldn’t be true. Jaeyoon wouldn’t say such things to Hanjun. Maybe to his co-star Choi Sunghyun, but not Hanjun.

So Jaeyoon was lying to the manager. Realizing this, Kangyoon’s emotions settled. Now he was curious why Jaeyoon was lying and why Hanjun had come here.

Focused on escaping the manager, Jaeyoon and Hanjun didn’t notice Kangyoon following them.

Jaeyoon’s comment about sending the account number and Hanjun’s demand for cash were enough to understand the situation.

Watching them move to Hanjun’s car, Kangyoon lowered his eyes in thought before making a call.

“This is Kangyoon. It’s been a while.”

The polite greeting seemed to surprise the person on the other end, but they welcomed him.

“I’d like to visit briefly, if that’s okay?”

The hesitation in the response confirmed Kangyoon’s suspicions as he started his car.

🎥🎤

After withdrawing the money for Hanjun, Jaeyoon wandered aimlessly. He couldn’t go to his own house or Kangyoon’s, leaving him with nowhere to go. He felt like he was seventeen again, a self-deprecating laugh escaping him.

Should I go to a club and drink myself silly?

He had considered it, but he was a lightweight. Getting drunk and blacking out could lead to trouble, and he didn’t want that. It wouldn’t just ruin him but also affect everyone involved in the movie. He fully agreed with the manager’s warning to avoid scandals.

Besides, he didn’t want to risk Kangyoon’s disapproval. Even if he had pushed boundaries, he hadn’t crossed the line yet, so maybe he was still safe. He might still be a good group member and a good younger brother.

Or maybe not. Now that Kangyoon knew he was an omega, he couldn’t guess what Kangyoon thought of him. The manager said nothing would change, but people’s feelings weren’t absolute. They could change anytime, and someone he thought was precious could abandon him.

“You’re not a kid anymore. You can take care of yourself, can’t you?”

“I’m not even sure if you’re my child. So don’t expect anything from me.”

Why is it that memories like these remain so vivid, even though they’re so old? The words spoken by those who bore the titles of mother and father came back to Jaeyoon, word for word, bringing a bitter smile to his lips. He had become an adult who didn’t need their help anymore, someone who could live well on his own, but even now, when these memories surfaced, it was hard not to feel a pang in his heart.

“Do you want to become a celebrity?”

When Jaeyoon wandered the streets alone and received the business card of the current agency, he thought it didn’t matter.

“Isn’t it a scam? Don’t add unnecessary trouble.”

His mother, without even listening properly, worried only about the potential hassle. Since Jaeyoon was still a minor, he needed his parents’ consent to sign with the agency, so she reluctantly took the time to meet with the agency president.

“It’s better this way. I was planning to sell the house anyway, and it’s good that you’ll be living in a dorm.”

She wasn’t interested in any other conditions. She didn’t even ask if her son would become a singer or an actor. She was just glad Jaeyoon would be leaving home to live in a dorm.

At that time, Jaeyoon’s parents were each living with their respective lovers and were in the midst of divorce negotiations, neither wanting to take Jaeyoon with them. It must have been awkward for their lovers to accept taking in a seventeen-year-old son.

Jaeyoon had to endure joining an idol group late, practicing singing and dancing all night despite not being good at it, being disregarded by Hanjun, and hiding the fact that he was an Omega. There was no other place for him to go. For Jaeyoon, being an idol was the last place left for him.

Compared to other celebrities, his reason for becoming an idol wasn’t pure, but considering that, he endured well for ten years. Isn’t that quite an achievement in itself?

Perhaps because he was wandering alone, all sorts of unnecessary thoughts occupied his mind. It had been over ten years since he had cut ties with his parents, yet thinking of them now made him realize he must be feeling unsettled.

“Excuse me… Are you Jaeyoon oppa?”

Lost in thought, he found himself in a crowded place. He realized too late that people had recognized him.

“Can I have your autograph?”

Seeing the high school girl looking up at him with sparkling eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to say no. Unfortunately, he hadn’t brought sunglasses or a hat today, so he couldn’t even deny his identity.

Taking the paper and pen handed to him by the girl, a small scream erupted from somewhere. Immediately, more people began rushing in, asking for autographs. He was soon surrounded by people.

Ah, Kangyoon hyung would scold me for this.

Even in this situation, the thought of getting scolded by Kangyoon made him chuckle.

To Jaeyoon, who had completely severed ties with his parents ten years ago, the members, especially Kangyoon, were like family. So even if he couldn’t date, even if Kangyoon didn’t see him as a romantic partner, he still didn’t want to let go of his hand just yet.

🎥🎤

No matter where he went, people’s attention was on him. It was awkward at first, but after hours of receiving requests for photos and autographs, he got used to it. Thinking that providing fan service for a day and mingling with people on the street wasn’t so bad after all. Of course, his manager would be shocked if he found out.

His phone had been off since earlier. There were no urgent schedules, so he didn’t need to receive calls from his manager or the company, and he didn’t feel like listening to Hanjun’s incessant chatter.

He had a homemade burger for dinner at an outdoor table and then went to the cinema alone. There was a bit of a commotion in the cinema, but when Jaeyoon playfully said he was on a break, fans nodded understandingly and wished him an enjoyable movie.

It was a two and a half hour long movie. He chose a somewhat intense romance film, thinking it might help, but he had too many thoughts during the movie and couldn’t emotionally connect with it at all. By the time the end credits rolled, he was feeling lost, wondering what he was even doing.

He didn’t move from his seat until the credits finished. He planned to leave after all the other viewers had exited. It was close to midnight, and he figured he wouldn’t bump into anyone if he took his time.

After waiting another minute after the last viewer besides Jaeyoon left the screening room, he stood up. As expected, the hallway outside the screening room and the lobby were quiet. Only a few staff members were left at the ticket booth. Jaeyoon nodded to the ticket booth staff who recognized him and headed towards the elevator.

How should I get to the hotel? He had come to a cinema near the hotel, but it was too close to take a taxi and about a 20-minute walk. Since the streets were quiet, he thought he might as well take a leisurely walk, enjoying the night breeze.

Lost in these thoughts, the elevator arrived on the first floor. As the door opened with a ding, Jaeyoon hesitated. Kangyoon was leaning against the wall opposite the elevator with his arms crossed.

“How did you get here…?”