MIHM Ch 2

#Side—H

The first week of promotions for Baek Yoobin’s third full album title track, ‘ENVY,’ passed by in a blur. The results were, as always, excellent. Charting at the top of music charts, breaking the record for the fastest music video views, surpassing 3 million album sales in the first week, it was a dazzling achievement.

Despite it being the first week, they had already won first place on two music shows. The encore live performance video, where he seemed to devour the song, circulated online and became a hot topic.

On the day of the first music show, despite saying he was nervous, Baek Yoobin soared on stage.

As if he had never said such a thing, the moment he put on his in-ear monitors, his eyes turned serious, and he instantly immersed himself in the performance. Yujin could see that his popularity wasn’t simply due to his looks or luck.

For Yujin, there wasn’t much difference. Performing on stage was something he always did. There was no reason for it to be new just because the singer was Baek Yoobin. The only thing that required some adjustment was coordinating with different dancers, rather than the familiar faces of his usual dance team.

But why was it that the sight of Baek Yoobin’s fans filling the pre-recording studio, their shining light sticks, the roaring cheers, and the fervor of their energy had a distinctly different impact compared to other stages?

The ardent gazes of each and every fan were intensely focused on Baek Yoobin. Even standing behind him, Yujin felt a flush of nervous excitement. He couldn’t imagine what it felt like for Baek Yoobin to face all of that head-on.

Yujin realized anew that Baek Yoobin lived in a different world from him. He didn’t want to admit it, but honestly, it was impressive. The way he confidently showcased his skills, unfazed by the intense gazes, seemed to shine brightly.

So that’s why they call him a star. With such a simple thought, Yujin came to acknowledge Baek Yoobin as a singer. Because the effort he had put in was too evident for Yujin to harbor any petty jealousy. However, regardless of his acknowledgement, Yujin was currently counting down the days until the end of these promotions.

Just then, Baek Yoobin appeared in the waiting room. As soon as he entered, he brushed past everyone who showed interest in him and went straight to Yujin. Then, he spoke affably.

“Yujin, hi. You look handsome today too.”

With that one sentence, all eyes in the waiting room focused on Yujin. Yujin, under their prickly gazes, closed his mouth tightly.

“…….”

What was his motive? He frowned, trying to discern his intentions, and looked up at Baek Yoobin. Baek Yoobin simply smiled brightly, unfazed by the disapproving look.

It was the same thing again. Throughout their encounters for stage schedules, Baek Yoobin smiled at Yujin without reason whenever their eyes met. Not only that, but he kept talking to Yujin, giving him contextless compliments, and doing other incomprehensible things.

Of course, there was nothing wrong with smiling, greeting, or complimenting someone. However, there was something called context, and the problem was that his actions felt unnatural and random. They were too contrived.

Baek Yoobin was practically the main character here. From the dancers to the hair and makeup staff and the manager, everyone in this space revolved around him. It meant that all of his incomprehensible actions were bound to stand out.

And Yujin didn’t like this current situation of receiving unnecessary attention. He even felt slightly uncomfortable. He couldn’t even begin to guess what Baek Yoobin was thinking.

“Yes, I’m coming! See you later.”

Hearing a staff member call him from afar, Baek Yoobin hurriedly waved at Yujin and disappeared. It was a baffling exit after making him feel flustered. As soon as he left, the male dancer next to him asked Yujin,

“Did you know Baek Yoobin before?”

“No.”

The answer came immediately. Perhaps it was a lie, but since it was implicitly agreed upon between them, he had no choice but to say so. It would be ridiculous to claim they knew each other when it was only one-sided.

“Really? I thought you two were close since you filmed the challenge together. And the way Yoobin treats you……”

The dancer cautiously gauged Yujin’s reaction. Seeing him ask so directly, he must have been incredibly curious.

Understandably so. Even to Yujin, Baek Yoobin’s behavior was clearly excessive.

While pretending not to, Baek Yoobin definitely seemed to remember him. He dropped formalities suspiciously easily and was far too casual. It wasn’t the way one treated a stranger.

Yujin found the situation, where they were both pretending not to know each other, amusing. It was like a game where the person who recognized the other first lost.

“We’re not that close.”

“Oh, I see. But did you see the comments on the challenge video? The response was really good……. Did you prepare to be an idol before?”

The dancer bombarded Yujin with questions. He understood that the waiting time was long and boring, but not everyone enjoyed small talk. Besides, Yujin didn’t feel like revealing that he had been a trainee.

Yujin, giving perfunctory replies, stood up from his seat. He excused himself to go to the restroom and left the waiting room. This was the only way to naturally end the conversation.

He decided to get a drink while he was out and headed to the first floor. He wanted something proper from a cafe, rather than a vending machine drink. As he went down the stairs, passing by several people, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

“What are you doing here?”

Turning his head at the familiar voice, he saw a familiar face. A man in pastel-colored casual clothes smiled brightly at Yujin. His characteristically refreshing smile and the way his eyes crinkled at the corners gave him a gentle impression.

Choi Woochan. He was a solo singer, formerly from a group, and had various connections with Yujin. Just two months ago, they had promoted on music shows together, and they had performed together several times at concerts and year-end stages. Especially during the Waterbomb Festival this summer, Yujin, as Choi Woochan’s dancer, had gained some recognition.

“Hello.”

“Hey.”

He responded to Yujin’s greeting in a playful tone. Despite his appearance, he was a 10-year veteran in the industry and always treated Yujin like a kid. It wasn’t particularly pleasant, but there was nothing he could do. He had first met him when he was twenty, and the image of him being the youngest had stuck.

Choi Woochan squeezed Yujin’s shoulder lightly and shook it. He seemed very happy to see him, even though it hadn’t been that long. Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, his eyes widened.

“Right. I was so surprised when I was scrolling through Reels the other day. You looked cool!”

Yujin knew immediately that he was talking about the challenge video he filmed with Baek Yoobin. He had been hearing similar comments every day because of that video.

The impact was indeed significant, as the number of followers on his neglected Instagram account had recently increased exponentially.

With Yujin’s personality, he couldn’t manage social media. It was bothersome, and he wasn’t that interested in other people’s lives. However, due to the nature of his job, he had to use it, even if reluctantly. For dancers, self-promotion was paramount.

He only occasionally uploaded group photos taken during major schedules and didn’t pay much attention to it. But recently, he had to turn off notifications because of the overwhelming number of comments. The single video with Baek Yoobin had a bigger impact than years of steady work in various fields.

“Is Yoobin only doing music shows these days? Nothing else?”

“Yes.”

“I see. The outfit suits you. I’d believe it if you said you were an idol.”

Choi Woochan patted Yujin’s shoulder. Anyone watching would think they were close, but he was simply someone who liked this kind of physical contact. Yujin subtly pulled his shoulder back and asked,

“What brings you here?”

“Oh, I had a schedule at the broadcasting station, so I stopped by……”

Choi Woochan leaned closer to Yujin’s ear.

“To see my girlfriend’s face.”

He whispered, as if sharing a secret, so that no one else could hear, and smiled, wrinkling his nose. Yujin knew he had a long-time girlfriend. She was a female singer with similar experience in the industry and a celebrity whose relationship, if revealed, would cause a huge scandal and turn the internet upside down.

As far as he could remember, it had been eight years since they met, and they were still going strong. Yujin, who had never been in such a long relationship, found it fascinating that they were still so affectionate after all this time. Usually, even if you loved someone, things cooled down after a while.

“But where are you going, Yujin?”

“I’m going downstairs to get a drink. I’ll see you next time.”

“A drink? Should I buy you one?”

He asked without hesitation. Yujin immediately shook his head.

“It’s okay. I earn money too.”

At his words, Choi Woochan laughed and ruffled Yujin’s hair lightly. From his perspective, it might be cute that Yujin was proudly talking about earning a small amount of money. Yujin frowned slightly and took a step back.

“See you next time then.”

Choi Woochan waved goodbye with a hint of aegyo in his tone. Yujin bowed his head slightly and continued on his way. As he turned the corner of the stairs and took two steps, he ran into another familiar face.

“…….”

It was Baek Yoobin. He was coming up the stairs, holding a drink in each hand with the logo of the cafe on the first floor. Seeing Yujin, his expression momentarily turned surprised. Then, he suddenly held one out to him.

“Yujin. I bought this for you.”

Inside the plastic cup in front of him was an ominous, unknown orange liquid.

🎤

#Side–B

He put in various efforts to get closer to Hong Yujin.

It started with greeting him brightly. Greetings determined a person’s first impression. Based on Yoobin’s social experience so far, that was true. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t their first meeting, but still.

Of course, he didn’t forget to add pleasant words. ‘You look handsome today,’ ‘That stage outfit suits you,’ ‘Did you see the reactions to our challenge? People are asking why you’re not an idol.’ Probably no one in the world would dislike such compliments.

Also, as if to show he had no ill intentions, he purposely smiled whenever their eyes met. As the saying went, ‘You can’t spit on a smiling face,’ he was confident that even someone as wary as a stray cat would open up if he showed this much goodwill.

However, even after doing all this, things didn’t go as smoothly as Yoobin had hoped. Far from opening up, Hong Yujin only seemed to become more uncomfortable. He didn’t think he was being overly burdensome…… Yoobin was frustrated because he couldn’t figure out the problem.

Even if he tried to come up with other methods, the environment wasn’t easy. It was because there weren’t many opportunities to talk to Hong Yujin in the first place.

Whenever he tried to talk to him, someone would call him away. Stylists, managers, hair and makeup staff, PDs, etc…… they interrupted him in various ways.

Almost half of the scheduled two-week promotion period had passed without him being able to do anything properly. Meanwhile, the company was in a celebratory mood, saying that the initial album sales were record-breaking.

Hoping he could get a short vacation after these promotions, Yoobin stepped into the waiting room with his name on it. Among the mix of people, Hong Yujin’s figure came clearly into view. As if a spotlight was shining directly on him.

“Yujin, hi. You look handsome today too.”

At the sound of his voice, Hong Yujin slowly looked up at Yoobin. His soft hazel eyes, like his fine, light brown hair, stared intently at Yoobin.

“…….”

Perhaps because his eyes weren’t inherently sharp, even when he glared like that, it wasn’t very intimidating. Was it because his features resembled those of an innocent actress? It was hard to imagine such powerful dancing coming from that face.

However, with his broad, square shoulders and above-average height, he didn’t give off a particularly delicate impression, despite his plain expression and tone. Rather, he had the kind of appearance that girls these days would like. He understood the comments asking why he wasn’t an idol.

Yoobin smiled, meeting Hong Yujin’s cold gaze. He was determined to properly talk to him today. However, unfortunately, things didn’t go his way. As expected, there was an interruption, and Yoobin had to leave again.

‘What is it this time?’

Sighing at the message that Manager Kang was looking for him, Yoobin left the waiting room. He said he would be back after parking, what was it now?

He pulled a hat over his unstyled hair and went down the stairs. Arriving at the first-floor lobby, he saw Manager Kang on one side. He was bowing to a middle-aged woman and a young girl.

Roughly understanding the situation, Yoobin irritably pulled his hat lower and approached them. Manager Kang, who had been watching the stairs, noticed Yoobin and gave him an awkward smile.

“Oh, Yoobin. You’re here? This is Mrs. Bandi from Bandi Media. And this is……”

Yoobin listened silently to the manager’s explanation, his eyes half-hidden by his hat. He had to make sure his expression didn’t stiffen.

“Her daughter is a huge fan of yours. ……What generation White was it again?”

“2nd generation! I’m going to watch your stage today.”

A faint blush appeared on the chubby cheeks of the girl who answered brightly. She was still a child, her innocent adoration clearly visible on her face.

Glancing at Yoobin, Manager Kang flinched and averted his gaze. Yoobin knew he hadn’t arranged this meeting on purpose, so he didn’t blame him. It must be due to the circumstances of his superiors. With a soft sigh, Yoobin spoke.

“Thank you. Should I give you an autograph?”

It was quite common for people with social status to use their connections to get opportunities to meet celebrities privately.

It was something that would definitely make those who paid around 150,000 won for concert tickets just to see Yoobin from afar, or those fans who sacrificed sleep to visit the pre-recording studio at dawn, feel deprived.

But there were unavoidable realities, so Yoobin played along. He chatted briefly, scribbled an autograph, bowed, and concluded the encounter.

I’m so tired I could die, I haven’t even slept properly.

Yoobin’s steps, as he walked while irritably readjusting his hat, came to a halt. The franchise cafe operating in the lobby caught his eye. He suddenly thought, if all else fails, a material offensive might work.

Yoobin entered the cafe. He planned to buy his own coffee as well, to shake off his sleepiness. The cafe was quiet, with only a few scattered customers. As he approached the counter, the employee, who was just putting out a finished drink, seemed to recognize Yoobin and widened his eyes.

“Can I help you?”

Yoobin asked the employee, who was politely taking his order without showing any recognition,

“Yes, what’s that?”

Yoobin pointed to the drink that had just come out to the counter. Ice was floating in a refreshing orange liquid. The employee told him it was ‘Grapefruit Black Tea’ just as the customer who ordered it appeared, took the tray, and left.

What if Hong Yujin didn’t drink coffee? Maybe it would be better to buy him something like this. Yoobin thought it was a rather thoughtful gesture, and he didn’t hesitate for long.

“One iced Americano, one grapefruit black tea.”

His order was prepared quickly. Holding a drink in each hand, Yoobin pushed the glass door open with his shoulder and left the cafe. He noticed many people waiting in front of the elevator. It would be difficult to get on with two drinks in hand.

He had no choice but to take the stairs again. He was almost back to the waiting room floor when a voice from above stopped him in his tracks.

“……What are you doing here?”

It was Hong Yujin’s voice. Since he had to find him to give him the drink anyway, Yoobin happily started moving again.

And he saw a man, whose silhouette clearly looked like a celebrity, whispering something affectionately into Hong Yujin’s ear. Witnessing this, Yoobin flinched and stepped back.

“But where are you going, Yujin?”

“I’m going downstairs to get a drink. I’ll see you next time.”

“A drink? Should I buy you one?”

Yoobin, still not understanding why he was hiding, became curious. What kind of relationship did they have that he would offer to buy him a drink so readily?

“It’s okay. I earn money too.”

The man stroked Hong Yujin’s hair. Oh, really? Yoobin took another step back, wanting to interrupt them.

“Then, see you next time. Bye.”

“……Bye?!”

Yoobin’s eyes widened, and the man who was talking to Hong Yujin quickly brushed past him. Yoobin felt a sudden urge to grab the man and confirm his identity. He was almost about to do so when he ran into Hong Yujin, who was slowly coming down the stairs.

“…….”

A brief silence followed. Yoobin, facing Hong Yujin’s clear face, quickly held out the drink. This wasn’t the time.

“Yujin. I bought this for you.”

Hong Yujin sighed softly. It was a clear sign of annoyance.

“I’m okay.”

Yoobin’s eyes turned cold. He couldn’t help but feel hurt.

He exchanged macarons with someone, whispered sweetly with someone else, and even let someone touch his hair without a reaction, but was it so difficult to accept this one drink from him?

“Take it. You said you were going to buy a drink.”

“I don’t like that kind of stuff. Give it to someone else.”

“I bought it for you.”

Couldn’t he just accept it, even if he didn’t like it? He could throw it away later or whatever. Anyone else would do that.

Hong Yujin’s smooth forehead creased slightly. He had expected him to be annoyed. But contrary to his expectations, a quiet question came out of his mouth.

“……So, should I drink it?”

It wasn’t an angry tone, but a genuinely curious one. As if asking why he should drink something Yoobin bought.

That felt like drawing a line, and Yoobin felt hurt. He couldn’t understand why he was being treated so strictly. Yoobin placed the drink in his hand and said,

“I have no one else to give it to. Do whatever you want with it, throw it away or drink it.”

“No, hey, I……”

Yoobin didn’t hear what Hong Yujin said after that. Because he had turned and walked up the stairs, leaving him behind.

He hasn’t changed at all, has he?

Ha, a sigh of frustration escaped Yoobin’s lips.

🎤

The large glass door opened with a jingle of a small bell. A group of three entered the dimly lit bar.

Leading the way was a man with a bulky, almost gangster-like physique. He had a tough appearance and a heavy build, as if he engaged in sports like weightlifting or wrestling. He gave off the impression of having formidable tattoos of tigers or dragons, or at least a few koi fish, hidden beneath his shirt.

Next, a tall, model-like man appeared. Dressed in a black suit, he had a neat and handsome appearance, softening the intimidating aura of the previous member of their group. He also had an athletic build, but unlike the bulky man before him, his muscles were clearly defined from weight training.

Lastly, a woman of short stature followed. Even without comparing her to the other two, she had a noticeably delicate physique. She walked quietly, her face free of makeup, a hat pulled low to cover all but her lips.

The three were led to the private room they had reserved. It was a secluded space with partitions on all sides, perfect for drinking without being disturbed. The man in the suit gestured towards a corner seat.

“Son, you sit inside.”

Son Gyoyoung sat down quietly without a word. After looking around and confirming that the angle made it difficult to see her face from the entrance, she lifted the brim of her hat. It was better to be safe than sorry. If a female idol was caught drinking with male friends, she would likely become the subject of gossip.

“I wonder if Yujin is on his way?”

A surprisingly gentle voice, contrasting with his appearance, came from the bulky man. It was a high-pitched, friendly tone that reminded one of a kindergarten teacher. Choi Seulgi, whose personality and name didn’t match his appearance, was unexpectedly an ordinary young man running a food business. Ong Seungchan replied, unbuttoning his suit jacket,

“He said he’s coming, so he’ll be here. Let’s start drinking.”

“Yeah, yeah. Okay.”

Ong Seungchan pressed the call button and started ordering, as if he was a regular. The menu didn’t reflect the opinions of the others, but no one complained. Hong Yujin, who wasn’t present, would probably feel the same.

After the employee left, Son Gyoyoung took off her hat and placed it aside. Then, she snapped at her friend, who had dressed up unnecessarily,

“Ong, did you really have to dress like you’re trying to attract attention?”

“Do you think I wanted to come like this? Filming was delayed, and I didn’t have time to go home and change.”

“Sure. You just wanted to show off your fancy suit to us, right?”

“Why would I show off to you guys? If I was trying to pick up girls, then maybe.”

The two childhood friends bickered like this every time they met. Their arguments accounted for more than 80% of the conversations in their group chat.

After a brief squabble with Son Gyoyoung, Ong Seungchan stretched, unbuttoning his tight jacket, and cracked his neck.

“Ah……, it’s been so long since I had a drink. I feel like all I’ve eaten for a week is chicken breast.”

Ong Seungchan, a bodybuilder and stuntman, had recently started working on a new movie. It was a large-scale production with a huge investment from Netflix, and he seemed busy as a stunt double for the lead actor. He grumbled about how his schedule changed daily. Watching him, Choi Seulgi asked with concern,

“If it’s a noir action movie…… isn’t it dangerous to film?”

“Even if it’s not an action movie, our work is inherently dangerous. We film scenes that the actors’ bodies can’t handle.”

He went on to tell a story about how he recently burned his wrist while filming a scene where a moving car exploded. Son Gyoyoung, listening to him with a disinterested expression, munched on the complimentary puffed rice snacks, while Choi Seulgi nodded continuously, actively responding. His empathy was truly remarkable.

“Still, I’m grateful that I at least get to wear a decent suit for this project. When I did the historical drama before, they gave me some weird rags to wear, it was awful.”

“I think that suited you better.”

As she muttered while chewing on the snacks, Ong Seungchan glared at her. Son Gyoyoung, shrugging her shoulders mischievously, quickly changed the subject when the employee appeared with their drinks. Ong Seungchan whispered “Celebrity disease” loud enough for everyone to hear, towards Choi Seulgi. Then, he suddenly started feeling around Choi Seulgi’s shoulders.

“Seulgi, how much can you lift these days? You seem to have gotten bigger.”

“Huh? I haven’t been working out……”

“Did you gain muscle from frying chicken?”

“Ah! That could be it.”

Idol, stuntman, but the busiest and highest earner among them was actually Choi Seulgi. The chicken restaurant he started in his neighborhood became a huge success, and now he even had a branch in Jeju Island. The reason they specifically chose Tuesday to meet was because it was Choi Seulgi’s restaurant’s regular closing day.

“Seriously, seeing a rich kid like Seulgi makes me feel deprived. I have to work out every day and take protein with every meal just to maintain this body.”

From Son Gyoyoung’s perspective, Choi Seulgi’s physique was a bit much, but Ong Seungchan always complimented him on his impressive body. It was his unique preference.

“But don’t most people prefer a body like Yujin’s? I’m a bit chubby too……”

It was sad to hear Choi Seulgi call himself chubby, but it wasn’t entirely wrong. It didn’t matter whether his size was from muscle or fat. From a woman’s perspective, he was just big.

“Hey, you’re not chubby at all. Yujin should gain some weight.”

Unable to stand Ong Seungchan’s clueless comment, Son Gyoyoung spoke up.

“Hey, your standards aren’t universal. Girls like Yujin’s body type.”

“No, he said he wants to bulk up. He’ll be like me soon. Just wait.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Cheers.”

A toast followed at a random moment. As if accustomed, they each emptied their first glass. While Choi Seulgi refilled their glasses, the two continued their conversation.

“Stop putting weird ideas in Yujin’s head. He’s perfect the way he is.”

“What do you mean weird ideas? And he’s not the type to listen to me anyway.”

“……That’s true.”

“And I guarantee, with his handsome face, he’ll look good even if he bulks up. Men need muscles.”

There were muscles, and then there were Ong Seungchan’s muscles. He was excessively muscular. Son Gyoyoung frowned as she held out her glass for Choi Seulgi to refill.

“Anyway, I don’t like it.”

“Why does your opinion matter? You’re not Hong’s girlfriend.”

“I don’t want to hang out with three pigs, that’s why.”

At her words, Ong Seungchan gaped in disbelief, and Choi Seulgi looked momentarily hurt. Ong Seungchan passionately recited his recent InBody test results and his low body fat percentage, but Son Gyoyoung ignored him.

“Is Yujin dating these days?”

“Ask him when he comes.”

Son Gyoyoung replied casually to Choi Seulgi’s question, munching on the puffed rice snacks. But Ong Seungchan, who loved to gossip, especially about other people’s love lives, immediately latched onto the topic.

“I want to see him in a passionate relationship.”

“……Suddenly?”

“Aren’t you curious about what he’d be like when he meets someone he truly likes?”

Hong Yujin was always popular, but he wasn’t the passionate type when it came to relationships. She only knew of two instances. He dated a girlfriend for three months, and another for five months. That was it. Seeing how unaffected he was after the breakups, it seemed like he hadn’t been that into them. It was hard to imagine Hong Yujin in a serious relationship, experiencing emotional turmoil.

“Honestly, wouldn’t Hong Yujin be the perfect boyfriend if he just put in the effort? He’s pretty, neat, a good dancer. He wouldn’t cause problems with other women. His personality is…… a bit flawed, but charming. He’d be a good boyfriend, wouldn’t he? If I were a girl, I would have confessed to him.”

“What’s stopping you, just confess. Don’t worry about prejudices in this day and age.”

“That’s just saying. I like women.”

Choi Seulgi smiled awkwardly, sensing the awkwardness of their conversation, which would likely cause Hong Yujin to flip the table if he heard it. On the other hand, the two continued chatting without any remorse. Even if Hong Yujin heard them, they wouldn’t care.

“Yujin is a good guy. That’s why we confessed to him.”

Son Gyoyoung chuckled, bringing up an old story. When did they first meet Hong Yujin? When they were seventeen? Probably around then.

It started when Ong Seungchan’s mother forced him to join a dance academy after he suddenly gained a lot of weight in high school.

Not wanting to go alone, Ong Seungchan dragged Son Gyoyoung along, and that’s how they met Choi Seulgi. Choi Seulgi, who looked more chubby and cute than intimidating at the time, said he was attending the academy for similar reasons as Ong Seungchan. He was unusually kind for a boy his age, and they quickly became friends and started hanging out together.

As was often the case with academies for the arts, the dance academy had its own hierarchy. The senior high school students preparing for entrance exams were particularly harsh, often behaving outrageously.

They would try to monopolize practice rooms they hadn’t even reserved, saying they needed to practice their pieces, or they would pull someone’s hair for not greeting them properly. They even went as far as stepping on and dirtying someone’s shoes if they were the same as theirs, claiming they couldn’t tell them apart.

Looking back, it was crazy, but they were young, so they didn’t fully grasp the seriousness of the situation, even while experiencing it. They were all adapting and getting used to it when Hong Yujin appeared at the academy. From that point on, many things changed at the academy.

Hong Yujin was unafraid. If he was prevented from using a practice room, he would ask why without hesitation, and if he wasn’t satisfied with the answer, he would report it to the teacher. He ignored them even if they found fault with his greetings. It was because they weren’t his seniors at school, and he didn’t need to impress them.

It was something everyone thought about but didn’t dare to do.

Just as students were treated differently based on their test scores at school, at the dance academy, those who danced well had a higher status. Hong Yujin, who had been dancing since he was very young, was far more skilled than the senior students at the time, rendering them speechless.

Finding that aspect of him admirable, the three started persistently following him around, and after some twists and turns, they became friends. Of course, their pursuit of him was still ongoing. Hong Yujin was a friend who strangely made them want to cling to him.

Ong Seungchan pressed the call button and ordered two more bottles of soju without asking. Soon, the dishes they had ordered arrived at the table along with the alcohol. A delicious aroma rose from the bubbling fish cake soup.

“Let’s get him drunk when he comes and ask him if he’s seeing anyone.”

As a secret only they knew, Hong Yujin tended to become slightly more lenient when he was drunk. He would even talk about himself, which he rarely did normally. So, when Hong Yujin joined them for drinks, they usually tried to get him to have a few drinks unnoticed before starting their interrogation.

Just then, Ong Seungchan’s phone vibrated and lit up. Checking the caller ID, he immediately answered the call as if he had been waiting.

“Yeah. You’re here? The room’s location is…… a bit difficult to explain. I’ll just come out and get you.”

Ong Seungchan gestured to the other two and went out to meet Hong Yujin. A moment later, he returned, followed by Hong Yujin, who carried the chill of the outside air. His face was as neat as usual, but his complexion seemed pale and tired.

“Yujin, are you sick?”

At Choi Seulgi’s worried voice, Hong Yujin shook his head and replied in a tired voice,

“No. I’m just exhausted.”

🎤

#Side–H

Yujin downed a shot of soju as soon as he sat down. Seeing this, Son Gyoyoung asked, “What’s wrong?” By his second shot, Ong Seungchan muttered, as if it was someone else’s business, “Is he trying to drink himself to death today?” When he was about to take his third shot, Choi Seulgi stopped him, saying, “Yujin…… you’ll die.”

It wasn’t that he couldn’t hold his liquor, he just didn’t usually drink. They were treating him like a complete lightweight. Perhaps because he was stressed, the soju didn’t taste as repulsive today. However, getting drunk was a different matter.

“Hong, aren’t you working out these days?”

At Ong Seungchan’s random question, Son Gyoyoung glared at him, scanning him from head to toe. Ong Seungchan retorted by mouthing, “Why, why?” Yujin, oblivious to their silent exchange, answered casually,

“I gave up. I don’t have time to go to the gym.”

“Hey, you have to make time for exercise. That’s just an excuse.”

“That’s true.”

Yujin didn’t bother arguing. He wasn’t as serious about working out as Ong Seungchan, nor was he as desperate. He had recently considered bulking up simply because he felt his stamina lacking while dancing. But for him, it was better to spend that time practicing rather than lifting dumbbells.

“Let’s work out together. We can check each other’s form.”

While Son Gyoyoung and Ong Seungchan engaged in another silent battle, Yujin sighed softly and shook his head.

“Not with you.”

“Why?”

“You make working out all about you.”

After working out with Ong Seungchan once before, Yujin had vowed never to go to the gym with him again. He knew the equipment well and was professional, but he talked too much, which was tiring. Yujin preferred to work out alone at his own pace.

“Hey, my PT sessions cost 100,000 won each. He doesn’t appreciate it.”

Ong Seungchan filled Yujin’s empty glass. He seemed pleased that Yujin, who usually refused, was drinking readily today without being urged.

“Cheers.”

Finally, the glasses of the four friends clinked together in the air. The friends, who had already emptied two bottles of soju before Yujin arrived, chatted about trivial topics. Choi Seulgi, who had been listening to Ong Seungchan’s pointless stories with his characteristically kind expression, suddenly looked at Yujin with a dazed expression and spoke.

“Yujin, you get more handsome every time I see you.”

At the sudden, earnest compliment, Ong Seungchan burst out laughing, squeezing his eyes shut.

“He’s always been obsessed with Hong’s looks. You know what he said earlier? He said girls like Yujin’s body type, and that he’s chubby, so he’s not popular.”

Ong Seungchan’s words were slightly edited and exaggerated. Choi Seulgi’s actual words were “people,” not “girls,” and while he did call himself chubby, he didn’t say he wasn’t popular. The nuance had subtly changed in the retelling, but no one pointed it out.

“Why, you’re not chubby at all.”

Yujin had the same reaction as Ong Seungchan, and Son Gyoyoung, with a knowing look, silently picked at the food. Men’s tastes seemed similar.

The three who were there earlier had already finished catching up, so their attention naturally turned to Yujin, who had joined last. The topic of conversation shifted to Baek Yoobin, who had recently become entangled with Yujin. He was a famous idol, but he was also someone they knew, so he couldn’t be left out of the conversation.

“Ah, if I knew he’d become this successful, I should have become closer to him back at the academy. So I could brag about knowing him.”

Son Gyoyoung clicked her tongue at the regretful tone. As a fellow celebrity, it wasn’t a pleasant comment to make about Baek Yoobin.

“If that’s your intention, Baek Yoobin would probably decline.”

Ong Seungchan shrugged nonchalantly. It was a gesture that suggested he wasn’t genuinely regretful about his relationship with Baek Yoobin, he had simply brought it up because it was the topic of conversation. Choi Seulgi, who had been quietly eating, cautiously spoke,

“Why didn’t Yoobin stand out back then? ……Not that he was bad or anything. I mean, compared to now.”

Mid-sentence, Choi Seulgi, overcome by his timid nature, started rambling nervously as if he had made a mistake.

“I understand what you mean, so calm down.”

When Son Gyoyoung reassured him, Choi Seulgi breathed a sigh of relief, his face relaxing. Despite his tough appearance, he had a gentle heart.

“Back then, well, he was handsome, but he didn’t have an aura like he does now, right?”

“Ah, right. Right.”

“I also find that fascinating. At first, I thought it was just the camera, but even when you meet him in person, he feels different from before.”

Just as Yujin had felt that Baek Yoobin had become a completely different person when he first saw him on screen, they were having a similar conversation. Listening to their lively chatter, Yujin finished the last drops of soju in his glass.

As if waiting, Ong Seungchan immediately tilted the soju bottle. Finding him slightly suspicious, Yujin raised an eyebrow. Ong Seungchan grinned and shook the bottle as if urging him to bring his glass closer. Just as Yujin was about to say he would drink more slowly, Ong Seungchan turned to Son Gyoyoung, and his words were lost.

“Why? How is he different?”

“Hmm……. He looks like a celebrity.”

“Haha. What’s that supposed to mean? Aren’t you a celebrity too?”

Ong Seungchan, who had been pouring without looking, burst out laughing and spilled soju all over Yujin. Yujin immediately turned serious.

“Hey, what the hell are you doing?”

Yujin said in an annoyed tone, shaking his soju-soaked fingers. The soju had also splashed on his shirt, making it completely damp. While Choi Seulgi hurriedly handed him tissues, Ong Seungchan apologized halfheartedly, “Sorry, sorry.”

Amidst the chaos, Son Gyoyoung spoke again.

“I mean he looks like a celebrity among celebrities. Haven’t I seen a few idols in this industry? Especially guys, when they take off their makeup, most of them look worse than Hong Yujin. They’re mostly ordinary. But he really has an aura.”

Yujin, who had finished cleaning up the mess with the tissues, frowned and looked at Son Gyoyoung. He hadn’t expected his name to be mentioned here. Lost in thought, he turned his gaze to the table.

“Our Hong would have been amazing if he debuted as an idol. Right?”

Ong Seungchan suddenly started acting cute. This kind of baseless praise for Yujin was a running joke among them. They did it even more because they found Yujin’s disgusted reaction amusing.

At this point, he should have told them to stop, but Yujin just fiddled with his now empty glass. His expression was serious, as if he was pondering something. The three, excluding Yujin, exchanged puzzled glances.

A moment later, a quiet question came from Yujin’s mouth.

“Did I do something wrong to Baek Yoobin in the past?”

“Why?”

“……He doesn’t seem to like me very much.”

It wasn’t something the usually indifferent Hong Yujin would say. Choi Seulgi asked, his eyes filled with concern,

“Why, what happened?”

“It’s not that something happened……”

Yujin searched for the right words, recalling the events so far. He had been confused, but now things were becoming clear. Baek Yoobin disliked him.

He could understand him pretending not to know him and reintroducing himself. They hadn’t been close enough to bring up their past connection. He had interpreted it as Baek Yoobin wanting to keep things professional and tried to treat him accordingly.

But Baek Yoobin kept hovering around him, constantly creating uncomfortable situations. He would give him forced compliments, even with other dancers present, drawing attention to him. The way he smiled without reason every time their eyes met felt like a kind of provocation to Yujin.

The incident with the unsolicited drink was the same. The drink Baek Yoobin offered happened to contain grapefruit, which Yujin couldn’t drink.

Yujin had initially declined politely. He often encountered situations where people apologized profusely after he mentioned his allergy, and he found those situations bothersome. Besides, there were plenty of other people he could give the drink to.

‘I bought it for you.’

Baek Yoobin said, his eyes looking as if he had been hurt. At his slightly aggressive tone, Yujin couldn’t help but respond sharply.

‘……So, should I drink it?’

He wondered if refusing an unsolicited drink was that big of a deal. He could have thanked him out of courtesy, but as someone lacking social skills, such a thought didn’t even cross his mind.

At Yujin’s words, Baek Yoobin’s expression hardened even more. While thinking that he was indeed very handsome, Yujin felt a surge of absurdity.

In the end, Baek Yoobin, ignoring Yujin’s opinion, placed the cup in his hand and left. Even that was stubborn. Yujin belatedly raised his voice, saying he couldn’t drink it, but his words didn’t reach Baek Yoobin, who had already left.

The drink was troublesome. He couldn’t drink it himself, and it was awkward to immediately give it to someone else. He felt uneasy about throwing it away unopened.

After much deliberation, he concluded that he had no choice but to dispose of it. On his way to the restroom to throw away the drink, Yujin ran into Choi Woochan again. When he was about to throw away the untouched drink, Choi Woochan expressed his confusion.

After a brief explanation, Choi Woochan, who was thirsty, took the drink, saying it worked out well. Yujin, thinking it was better to give it to someone who wanted it rather than throwing it away, readily handed it over. Choi Woochan took a long sip through the straw, said “Bye,” and left.

After that, Baek Yoobin’s attitude changed noticeably. He didn’t bother Yujin today, not even greeting him. It was a welcome change for Yujin, but it went too far, to the point of treating him like he was invisible. He didn’t care, but it still felt unpleasant.

Yujin couldn’t connect Baek Yoobin’s attitude with the incident from the previous day. Understandably so, because he hadn’t done anything wrong.

Therefore, Yujin concluded that Baek Yoobin was finally revealing his true colors. He had been clinging to him and subtly tormenting him, but now he had lost interest. If that was the case, what had Yujin done so wrong?

He would have understood if he had made a mistake in the past, but Yujin was frustrated because he couldn’t think of anything.

Without realizing it, Yujin recounted the events with Baek Yoobin. It was evidence that he was getting drunk. The three listened quietly to his words.

“I really had no connection with him. The only thing I did was tell him not to step on the studio floor while it was being repaired.”

Ong Seungchan, tilting his head, interrupted and asked,

“Then why is Yoobin acting like that towards you?”

“I don’t know!”

Yujin’s voice rose slightly in frustration. He genuinely didn’t know. Why had he suddenly become entangled with him and why was he being treated like this? He desperately wished for these promotions to end soon.

🎤

#Side–B

Mornings during busy promotion periods were always similar. He would wake up when they woke him, get in the van half-asleep, and arrive at the shop, where he would come to his senses while drinking a refreshing beverage. On tiring days, he would sometimes doze off during styling, but today he was completely awake. Because he was too annoyed to sleep.

Colorful candies exploded on Yoobin’s phone screen with popping sounds. Yoobin, engrossed in the game, kept letting out sighs of disbelief.

“Huh, seriously. Ha…… seriously.”

What was exploding wasn’t the candy in the game. It was his wounded heart. He knew he was overreacting over something trivial, but he couldn’t help feeling upset.

Fine, he could refuse a drink he didn’t ask for. Most people would at least pretend to accept it out of courtesy! But it was Hong Yujin, so it was possible. At the time, he had acted impulsively in the heat of the moment, but Yoobin tried to be understanding. He later found out that the ‘Grapefruit Black Tea’ he had thoughtlessly bought was a rather divisive menu item.

However, his understanding had shattered like the candy in his game when he saw someone else holding a drink that he had clearly bought in the hallway of the broadcasting station.

Even if he tried to assume it was a coincidence that they bought the same drink at the same cafe, that man was the same person who was talking intimately with Hong Yujin on the stairs. Yoobin clearly remembered the man’s appearance and could identify him.

Choi Woochan. A member of the five-member group ‘EXCEL’ and currently a solo artist after renewing his contract, he was a senior singer Yoobin greatly respected.

Choi Woochan had always been popular with the public due to his youthful appearance and friendly personality. He had a solid core fanbase from his EXCEL days, and he consistently gained new fans with each album release. Even if Yoobin was currently more popular, he was not someone to be ignored.

Choi Woochan was also famous for having avoided any scandals during his long career in the entertainment industry. It was unusual for someone who had been in the industry for about ten years to be completely clean. The lack of any scandals surrounding his private life even led to rumors that he was gay. That was what bothered Yoobin.

Choi Woochan and Hong Yujin were excessively affectionate. They whispered closely, touched each other’s shoulders, and stroked each other’s hair. From Yoobin’s perspective, men didn’t usually engage in such physical contact. Except when celebrities pretended to be close for the cameras.

Rumors were unreliable, but sometimes they stemmed from truth. Yoobin knew this all too well, and the more he thought about it, the more his suspicions grew. He kept getting up from his seat, thinking, ‘There’s no way,’ but then thinking, ‘What if?’

Even if it were true, it wasn’t that surprising. It wasn’t a big deal to be LGBTQ+ these days. Especially in the entertainment industry, it was more common than one might think. Yoobin was quite open-minded in that regard, so there was nothing wrong with it.

“Seriously……”

Even so, Yoobin couldn’t help but feel resentful that Hong Yujin had given the drink he bought him to his boyfriend. He felt an inexplicable, unpleasant emotion. It was surprisingly hurtful.

Yoobin closed the game he was playing and opened another app. It was a messenger app that allowed him to communicate with his fans in real time. As he entered the chatroom, he saw messages from different fans constantly scrolling down.

—What are you doing? Are you sleeping?

—I’m at work ㅠ So tired…

—♥♥♥ Fighting for your stage today!!! ♥♥♥

—It’s cold today, dress warmly

—I LOVE YOU SO MUCH YOO—BIN!!♥♥♥

—Give me a dot if you read mine

It was still early morning, before sunrise, but the chat was very active. The fans, who paid a monthly subscription fee to access the content, mostly left positive messages. Yoobin always felt energized by the support from these strangers.

Occasionally, there were people who paid money just to leave hateful comments. He wondered if they didn’t know they could be blocked, but Yoobin usually left them alone. He found it amusing to see various reactions.

Some celebrities found this kind of content bothersome, but Yoobin used it quite well. Fans, who only knew him through media, found his surprisingly talkative real-life personality a refreshing change and liked it even more. Of course, there were also quite a few fans who were annoyed by him sending a barrage of messages late at night.

Yoobin casually took a selfie with his phone’s default camera.

[.]

[Photo]

[Hi~~ What are you doing?]

After exactly three seconds, the chatroom exploded. To exaggerate slightly, it was like the roar of a concert hall, but in text form.

—Lol what’s with the photo

—OMG I’m glad I stayed up

—IVE BEEN WAITING YESS♥♥♥♥

—Hi!!!

—I can’t say hi,,, I’m on my way to work like a wilted bean sprout

—♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

—I love you!

—What’s up at this hour???? lol

—Thinking of you

—Bin woke noona up..^^

—Congrats on winning 1st place on Music Bank~~~~~~~~!!! Always prioritize your health, don’t overwork yourself…. Thanks for always working hardㅎㅎㅎ

—Jeonju Bibimbap vs. Chicken Mayo, big dilemma

—Your black hair dye faded a lot, what color are you going to do next??

—Come to Turkey

—Love you♥♥♥ I’ll watch after I sleep a bit more

It was impossible to read every single message, but Yoobin scrolled down, mentally replying to the ones that caught his eye. Chicken mayo sounds good.

[I have a concern]

He dropped a cryptic comment, and as expected, a flood of worried replies poured in. If he waited any longer, tens of thousands of fans would probably rush to where he was, so he hurriedly typed his next message.

[When you want to become friends with someone]

[What do you all do?]

Although a bit unusual, Yoobin often asked such random questions through the app.

Small questions like how to remove a stain from white clothes or why the sugar coating on his candied fruit wasn’t hardening. Strangely, experts in those areas would appear and offer advice. Fans found it funny that he used the communication app like a Q&A site.

However, the general atmosphere of the replies he received this time was unusual. Sensing a strange misunderstanding, Yoobin hurriedly added,

[No no.]

[It’s a male friend]

[No, not like that]

[A friend who’s a guy]

As he sent this, countless ‘lololololol’ and messages flooded in.

—Oh, I thought haha..

—Who is it????????????

—Just reveal it here, I’ll help you become friends

—Just kiss him

—Male…friend…..?? ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)

—Lol you ask us all sorts of things

—Um,, uh.. I’m also socially awkward, not my area of expertise..ㅠ

—Show him your charm!!

Among the various responses, the words ‘Show him your charm!!’ caught Yoobin’s eye.

[Charm???]

[What’s my charm..?]

—Face

—Face

—Baek Yoobin himself

—It’s hard to pick just one..? I like everything

—Your pace

—Your face….

—Your voice??

—HaㅠPhewㅠㅠㅠSuch a difficult question… I just like everything..

—Face!!!!

—Congrats on being handsome

—Being handsome is your charm❤❤

—I can’t choose……

—Face

“…….”

Somehow, all the replies were about his face. He was a singer, but there was no mention of his stage presence or singing. Moreover, Yoobin always received positive feedback on his performances.

[No..]

[Is it only my face?]

[lololololol]

‘Yes’, ‘Yep’, ‘Being handsome is the best’ etc…….

Quite decisive answers came back. Yoobin, with a sullen expression, typed a message asking if they only liked his face. After chatting with his fans for a while and turning off his phone, he realized he had gained nothing.

Yoobin fell into deep thought. What was the point of asking if he didn’t know what to do with the answers? Did he still want to get closer to Hong Yujin? He didn’t know. He felt upset, but he was too proud to give up.

“Who are you texting?”

Turning his head at the sudden voice, he saw Shin, a senior singer. He and Yoobin had once spent a week abroad together for a variety show shoot. They weren’t close, but they would greet each other if they were at the same shop.

“The manager said you were here, so I came to say hi. But why didn’t you ask me to do the challenge?”

He jokingly expressed his disappointment as soon as he saw Yoobin.

“Hello. Oh, should we film it now?”

He stopped Yoobin, who pretended to get up from his seat.

“It’s okay. I haven’t even had my hair and makeup done……. But who are you texting? Do you have a girlfriend?”

The man was always friendly towards Yoobin, but it was awkward that he always brought up girls every time they met. Yoobin replied with his dazzling idol persona that the public was familiar with.

“It’s a fan, a fan.”

“You’re meeting with a fan? Wow, I didn’t know you were like that.”

“No……”

Yoobin almost became speechless. How could he interpret it that way?

“Foam. It’s an app for communicating with fans.”

“Ah, that?”

Only then did the man nod.

“You have that much to talk about there? I don’t even know what to say. I barely send one message a day.”

“I just tell them what I’m eating, tell them to dress warmly because it’s cold outside. Things like that. Like a friend.”

“Wow, a professional idol is different. As expected.”

The man said in an exaggerated tone, giving him a thumbs-up. Yoobin sensed that it wasn’t entirely a compliment. His face said, ‘I can’t do such tiring things.’ Even after exchanging greetings, the man didn’t leave and asked,

“What did you talk about today?”

“What was it. I asked them what to do if you want to become friends with someone.”

“……You did?”

“Yes. What would you do, hyung?”

When Yoobin asked casually, the man thoughtfully stroked his chin as if in deep thought. Yoobin didn’t expect much from his answer, but he waited just in case.

“Well. The best way to become friends is to drink together. Even better if you miss the last train.”

For some reason, it felt like he had the wrong gender in mind, but it made sense. Until now, they lacked any real connection. Maybe things would be different if they had a drink and talked. And maybe bring up some old stories.

“That sounds like a good idea.”

Since the promotions were almost over and the results were good, wouldn’t it be nice to organize a team dinner? As Yoobin’s mind raced, the man, excited by his positive response, started talking about ways to get someone drunk quickly.