Joo Woosung, who came out with his solo, stacked up music show trophies one after another. As much as my stomach churned in jealousy, thankfully, interest in Racing Me, which he appeared on with me, also skyrocketed. Around that time, highlights of us carrying out missions on Racing Me, along with some leftover footage we shot at the end—a short “variety show PD experience” segment—was pre-released on YouTube. [Seo Hoyun really knows how to survive in society └This generation’s variety machine, already prepared... └└The funniest part is how everyone around him is dumbfounded LOOOOOLLL Even pulled up an octopus, what the hell └└He must have studied in advance at the fish market..] [Joo Woosung... worthy of being a 1st-tier idol Didn’t want to get his hands dirty so he called Seo Hoyun over └That’s the smart move └└LOLLLLL Both of them live life without skipping a beat, so likableㅠ Cuteㅠㅠ] [What the hell? Are you editing HoGyung right now?? What are you editing?! Why won’t you show me, fuck!] [No but PD Jeonghoon, why the fuck are you doing your actual job...] [This is why I can’t quit KaBu LMAOOOOOOOOOO Ah... do I look like I’m crying because I love this too much..?] [Please full version, hurry] I was checking fan reactions in the private restaurant room I’d reserved when I finally heard the voice I’d been waiting for, along with the sliding door opening. Breathless, as if he had run all the way here—it was Seo Hojin. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝔫𝔢𝔱 Before the full album promotions started, I figured I should at least have a meal with my younger brother. So despite having a schedule that afternoon, I called Hojin out. He sat down and gulped water, while I pushed the dishes I had pre-ordered toward him. Looking sheepish for being late, Hojin forced a smile and opened with flattery. “Hyung, you really are looking more and more like a celebrity these days.” It’s all for survival, yet eating one meal with my own brother was this difficult. That’s why I had picked a strictly-reservations-only, private restaurant. As soon as he picked up his spoon, Hojin poured out his updates without me even asking. “Since it’s still break, I run into Ichae sometimes in games. He’s really something. Younger than me but sharp and polite...” “Mm, yeah. He’s pretty decent.” “...You think so? Well, anyway.” Honestly, Hojin himself was so awkward that it was still hard to believe Kang Ichae was actually younger than him. “And these days, I’m preparing for graduate school.” I had just taken a sip of soup when my ears perked up at something I was hearing for the first time. For a second, I had been tense he might say he wanted to go into media. I wouldn’t stop him from doing what he wanted, but if I went back to being a PD, the gossip would’ve been endless. I preferred to keep Hojin hidden and safe if possible. Masking those thoughts, I smiled. “Is this household finally producing someone with a ‘sa’ profession?” “Wow~, moments , you really sound like an ajusshi.” Even as he grumbled, Hojin busily shoveled food into his mouth. Watching him, I asked, “So, domestic? Or abroad?” If he was going to study properly, overseas would be better. But sending him somewhere completely out of my reach didn’t feel great. I worried if he’d eat properly, live decently on his own. “Come on. You think I’ve got that kind of money?” But Hojin brushed it off lightly. “The fuck do you mean, you don’t have money?” “Why are you getting mad....” Startled, Hojin put down his chopsticks and hurriedly drank water. “Hyung, I’ve got money too. I was planning to go with what I saved up tutoring.” Meanwhile, I had become someone with nothing left but money. And my brother, who had lost our parents too young, seemed to have picked up the bad habit of growing up too fast. I leaned back in my chair and spit out a barbed comment. “Great, proud of you. Guess I won’t have to worry about my retirement.” “Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll live and eat just fine.” I clamped my mouth shut. Still eating diligently, Hojin peeked at me in the heavy silence, then slid the check forward. “...At least treat me this meal.” Once I saw he had nearly finished eating, I stood up and paid. I’d fed him and heard his updates. After a short pause, I was about to send Hojin home when he hesitated with a question. “Hyung, why don’t you ever come home these days?” “Well... you haven’t once this year.” The way he fidgeted, it felt like that wasn’t the real question he wanted to ask. I narrowed my eyes at him. “If it’s about a girlfriend, you can bring her home.” “That’s not it at all!” “Why’re you jumping like it’s true, then?” Laughing, I ruffled his hair roughly, then shoved whatever card my hand found in my wallet into his palm. “Here, buy yourself some bread.” “I’m gonna swipe this at the department store.” “I’ll even blow it on drinks for my friends.” “Good for you. More friends, then.” As if he could actually do it. Flustered, card still in hand, he hesitated. I grabbed both his cheeks and stretched them. Not soft like when he was little, but still fit nicely in my hands. Rubbing his sore cheek, he yelled, “Hyung, with a personality how the hell are you an idol?!” Leaving like he was fleeing, my silly little brother disappeared, and I turned back with a hum. His body might’ve grown, but his innocence was still exactly the same as when he was small. With light steps, I headed to the company. Other members also seemed to have met family or taken care of errands during their free time. Jung Dajun and Kang Ichae came back buzzing, clearly after hanging out together. “Ah, Seo Hoyun, you’re here?” Kim Sunghyun handed me a choco frappuccino. “You look in a good mood.” I sipped through the straw and answered. Soon the manager came down to guide us to our schedule. That afternoon’s schedule was the annual joint charity concert held every late February. After a simple rehearsal, we came down backstage again, where Sung Jiwon stood center stage, awed. “Wow, I always wanted to stand on this stage....” Last year, we had to drop out of the lineup because of the Japan debut. “This year we almost couldn’t come either!” “Because of the overseas tour?” Daepaseong had planned one again this February. “We’re not doing a world tour this half-year.” And I’d shut it down. I knew they wanted revenue through concerts, but my aim was higher. The CEO had tried to coax me with talk of meeting overseas fans. “Because I don’t want to.” Normally, I would soften things for his pride, but not this time. “......Hmm. Alright.” Flustered, the CEO backed down. Rumors of mergers and acquisitions had been swirling around Daepaseong. No one knew what chaos a single lunatic might cause, so he couldn’t push me too hard. ‘At least he had some sense.’ “Oh, Seo Hoyun! Long time no see!” “Hello, director. Have you been well?” “Haha, of course! Still as polite as ever~.” I exchanged greetings with familiar staff members and moved toward the van. After wardrobe and makeup checks and another rehearsal, it was soon our turn. “Hoyun-ah! It’s our time!” With a bright face, Sung Jiwon said so. The pale, anxious Jiwon from before our first showcase was a distant memory now. As we climbed the steps to the stage, the glowing blue triangular light sticks filled my vision. Our names appeared on the VCR. 【Poking around out of curiosity You keep making me wonder about you】 The melody of “Fall” rang out. We had four songs today. But really, it was short enough to feel like only three. “Fall,” Connected (Rix Cup opening), “Stardust,” and “11:59 PM.” The venue darkened, the light sticks shone brighter. 【Stardust, stars embroidered across the night sea We braved the darkness for this moment】 As we sang “Stardust,” the lights shifting from dawn-blue to sunset-red caught my eyes. All the way to the end Even if we don’t know what awaits】 And when “11:59 PM” began, the audience’s voices grew louder. 【The brilliant light with you This warmth as our cheeks touch】 Through the fluttering paper blossoms, I looked into the crowd. Even fans of other idols joined in the singing with glowing sticks. I knew “11:59 PM” had done decently in the public sphere, but performing it for the first time at a concert—it felt strange. 【Snowflakes scattering white The warm gaze watching me】 At the front, Jung Dajun carried out the choreography perfectly, until a paper blossom stuck to his nose, making the members stifle laughter. It was a bright, warm song, so the spreading laughter fit the moment. 【Always stay by my side Because I’m too shy to say I love you】 We waved to the section where Noeul gathered until the ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) end, then stepped off stage. Covered in blossoms more than anyone, Dajun shook his head furiously. I rested an arm on his shoulder, peeling one off his cheek as I joked. “Bangbang-ah, sticking these everywhere to eat later?” “Apparently this is Dajun’s dinner.” Sung Jiwon teased too. “This isn’t dinner! But when one stuck on my nose I almost sneezed to death!” The maknae, unfazed by teasing, still looked back at the stage with cheers echoing. Then he turned to me. “Hoyun-hyung, wasn’t it... wasn’t it amazing?” Behind him, the others smiled. Yeah. Sometimes in life, unexpected happiness came. Moments when, while running ahead desperately, suddenly your steps slowed, you noticed the scenery, and your chest eased. And those moments would be remembered as good days in my life. I ruffled Dajun’s hair, smiling. “Hyung feels good too.” We chatted noisily with staff and headed for the van. Before the ending stage, all performers would gather on stage again, so we had about thirty minutes to rest. “......What? Really?” Through the noise, a voice caught my ear. “I didn’t really hear much... hmm.” I froze mid-step, staring at him. “No, is that really something you need to hide? Why bother?” A bad feeling pricked me. Sensing my reaction, Kang Ichae turned. My heart pounded like excitement, but my body turned cold. Anxiety swallowed me whole. No way. I’d been careful. I couldn’t stop the bad thoughts. I walked past Ichae straight to the manager. He looked confused, still on the phone. Not after all my caution. I forced a soft smile as I asked. Startled by me, his eyes widened, and he hung up quickly. But the community forum post he had been staring at before hanging up was still on screen. The photo showed me this morning, walking out of the restaurant. I snatched the phone and scrolled down. My fingertips froze. “—you had a younger brother?” Another photo showed Seo Hojin.