Joo Wooseong was living life just as usual.
Practicing with Black Call, playing with Nyangnyang, grabbing meals with Chae Jungwoo every now and then, and occasionally dropping by the "Let's Bash Seo Hoyun" club.
He still had his moody spells sometimes, but even during the messier periods of his life, seeing the fans who continued to love him made him feel like life couldn't get any better.
"...What?! Seo Hoyun?"
"Yeah, yeah, it's all over the internet."
He was truly shocked when Chae Jungwoo told him the news about Seo Hoyun.
He rushed to the hospital after getting the details from a contact.
Looking at the guy lying there still and quiet like he was dead, it was obvious he'd overworked himself.
"You crazy bastard, seriously."
There was no point in staying there since it wouldn't help him recover any faster. Without hesitation, Joo Wooseong left the hospital room.
He figured he'd come back once Seo Hoyun was awake.
And some time later, he heard that he'd regained consciousness.
Wondering if he looked as fine as he sounded—or maybe if he should bring some herbal tonic—he arrived at the hospital again.
"…Huh?"
Only to be met with an extremely glossy-looking Seo Hoyun.
He wasn't even wearing a hospital gown.
The room was comfortably air-conditioned, the air purifier was doing its job, and the fruit basket on the dresser was overflowing with colorful fruit.
"Uh… Ah! Um, Joo Wooseong."
"Whoa—your brother?"
He spotted Seo Hoyun's younger brother sitting in the visitor chair next to the bed, peeling an apple.
"Oh, long time no see, Joo Wooseong."
His complexion looked healthy, and he sounded friendly.
Was this cheerful guy really Seo Hoyun?
No way in hell.
"I must have the wrong room. Sorry."
Joo Wooseong quietly slid the door closed.
Then checked the room number again—it matched what he was given.
Frowning, he pulled out his phone to double-check the info, just in case he'd misread it somehow. And then—the door slid open again.
"EEK!"
Seo Hoyun, wearing a black tracksuit and a deadpan expression, had opened the door with his foot. In one hand, he held a banana smoothie, sipping noisily through a straw.
"Why are you acting like you've seen a ghost?"
"Why are you like this?"
"What?"
"Did you hit your head or something? Why… why do you look happy to see me?"
Clicking his tongue, Seo Hoyun gestured for him to come inside.
"Stop talking nonsense and get in here."
Dragging his slippers with a squeak, Joo Wooseong followed Seo Hoyun into the room, still wary. Meanwhile, Seo Hoyun's brother was stacking the plate with even more fruit.
"That's my brother. You know him, right?"
A wonderfully half-assed introduction.
Joo Wooseong had only seen him once while drunk, so he just gave an awkward smile. Unlike his brother, though, Seo Hojin was polite and bowed first.
"Hello! I don't think I properly introduced myself last time. I'm Seo Hojin, Seo Hoyun's younger brother. Thank you for always taking care of him."
"Oh, no, I was totally wasted… sorry about that…"
"What are you two doing?"
Seo Hoyun snorted and flopped back onto the bed like it was some kind of vacation.
He doesn't look like a patient, more like someone on a holiday.
Below the wall-mounted TV, letters from fans were stacked in neat piles. It looked like they'd all been opened and read.
"Seo Hoyun… you're living better than me?"
"It's frustrating."
"Huh?"
"Because I can't go outside."
At that, Seo Hojin handed over a rabbit-shaped apple slice with a fork, which Joo Wooseong crunched into while tilting his head.
"He hasn't been able to leave for three days because of the members and our manager."
"…Why?"
"They just… told him to rest…"
As Seo Hojin mumbled out the vague explanation, Seo Hoyun let out a heavy sigh.
"Even the doctor said I'm fine hell, I could probably run a marathon but what the hell is this?"
"You really do look healthy."
"So why are you just staying put, huh?"
Joo Wooseong narrowed his eyes, full of suspicion. Seo Hoyun just shrugged nonchalantly.
"What can a weak, delicate guy like me do?"
"…Bullshit."
He was definitely enjoying this.
It felt fishy, but since he'd heard they were on hiatus prepping for the next comeback, he figured maybe this was a good chance for Seo Hoyun to rest. He let it go.
This was the second time in less than two years he'd either seen him collapse himself or heard about it right after the fact.
Body's breaking down from all that attitude, he grumbled internally, reaching for a tangerine from the fruit basket.
"Isn't tangerine season over, though?"
"You're eating it for free. Want me to stir-fry it with kimchi or something?"
Even though he was a huge kimchi fried rice fan, he wasn't crazy enough to stir-fry a tangerine.
Glaring at Seo Hoyun who was replying half-heartedly, he noticed Seo Hojin glancing at him.
He raised an eyebrow, and Seo Hojin crept over.
"Um, Wooseong…"
"Yeah?"
"Uh… is my brother, like… kinda mean to you?"
There were only three people in the quiet room, so even though he whispered, it was loud enough for Seo Hoyun to hear.
Seo Hoyun just let out a sarcastic ooh~ sound and kept munching on his apple.
"Well, uh…"
Thinking that nothing good would come from making the guy upset, Joo Wooseong gave a sheepish laugh instead.
But seeing that, Seo Hojin sighed dramatically.
"If it ever gets really bad, you can talk to me, okay?"
"Hojin, what could you even do?"
"—I can at least listen!"
Seeing the gentle younger brother with a personality kind of like Seo Hoyun but way softer, Joo Wooseong felt strangely touched.
Seo Hoyun, on the other hand, looked at the two of them like they were pathetic.
"Hojin, you're a college student, right? How old are you?"
"Yeah! I'm twenty-four."
"Huh? Same age as me?"
"Wait… aren't you in the middle of exams?"
Like he'd been suddenly recharged, Seo Hoyun sat up straight. Hojin visibly flinched.
"...Uh."
"What? Why are you here? Don't you have class? You were with me all day yesterday too, right?"
"…Only missed two classes so far…"
"Don't bullshit me, you fucker."
As Seo Hoyun ground his teeth and snapped, Seo Hojin quickly offered an excuse.
"I was planning to take summer courses anyway."
"Does that sound like an excuse or a fart? Hurry up and go."
"..."
"Answer me."
Hojin, who had been pouting and glaring defiantly at Hoyun, immediately wilted and lowered his head when their eyes met.
"…Fine! I'll go, okay?!"
Muttering that he is the incarnation of virtue and the reason he's the class president, Seo Hojin stood up from his seat.
Watching this, Joo Wooseong looked puzzled.
'Aren't they the same age?'
Same age, but calling him "hyung"?
And why does he seem so whipped?
"Hyung, if you feel sick, tell Dajun right away!!"
Seo Hojin quickly grabbed his things and scurried out of the room like he was fleeing.
"Tsk…"
The brief click of the tongue made it clear Seo Hoyun was annoyed.
But surprisingly, he didn't look angry at all.
Leaning his chin on his hand, he was staring at the now-empty doorway with a warm expression.
'It's him.'
Joo Wooseong realized it immediately.
The reason Seo Hoyun clings so desperately to being an idol—it's because of Seo Hojin.
He didn't quite understand the connection between Hojin and idol activities, but he could tell it was important.
'Still, after always seeing him tearing into people behind the scenes, seeing that face is kinda refreshing.'
As he peeled another mandarin—clearly not in season—from the fruit basket, Seo Hoyun, now standing, gave the chair Wooseong was sitting in a light kick.
"Ahk!"
Wooseong nearly toppled over but caught himself just in time, while Hoyun gave a bright smile and held out his hand.
"What the—are you crazy? Are you seriously offering your hand after kicking me?"
"What nonsense are you talking about."
Just as Wooseong reached for it, Hoyun pulled his hand away and added,
"My phone got confiscated too."
He meant: So give me yours.
Wooseong brushed his ash-tinged light brown hair back and let out a breath like he couldn't believe it.
"Don't tell me… you little shit, the only reason you were happy to see me was…"
"Of course, it's because I'm so glad to see your face, sunbae."
Not a single ounce of sincerity in his voice.
"You asshole…"
He muttered a curse, but somehow that made him feel better. That's the Seo Hoyun I know.
The fact that Hoyun's attitude hadn't changed even after collapsing made Wooseong feel oddly reassured.
---
'Of course. They're not restricting Joo Wooseong.'
On the day I woke up, after a lot of discussion, everyone agreed to essentially lock me in here. That same evening, pressured by the members, I handed over my phone to the manager.
After that, Seo Hojin stopped bringing a phone with him to the hospital altogether.
I was still debating what to do when Wooseong happened to visit.
The members would stop by every day after practice, but all they ever did was talk about trivial stuff reviewing the new ramen at the convenience store, wanting to go eat oyster soup in Tongyeong when winter comes, or ranting about restaurants featured on TV.
Clearly, they were trying to shield me from any bad news.
Who do they think I am?
I'm Seo Hoyun.
If it's insults, I've already received more than enough to be immortal in my past life. I actually get a weird sense of satisfaction thinking of it as jealousy.
I accessed my SNS through a portal app and started searching my name with a few keywords.
>[Daepaseong you fucking bastard just die, I knew you were gonna suck the life out of him]
>[Hoyun's complexion looked bad for weeks you fuckers... Daepaseong doesn't protect their artists, just leech off them]
[#DaepaseongJustDie
#ProtectDaepaseongArtists]
It's chaos out there.
Thankfully, there were no rumors about me coughing up blood or my heart stopping.
After the incident between Seong Jiwon and Kang Ichae calmed down, our leader Kim Seonghyeon had told the manager about my condition. Then, as if they were waiting outside the door, the manager and road manager burst in like rockets.
"H-Hoyun!!"
"..."
The manager sobbed while patting and checking my body in a way that made me squirm. After crying snot and tears about how thankful he was, he contacted Daepaseong to put up an official notice.
Considering the previous posts too, the company responded relatively quickly. But fans, already furious, looked like they were about to stage a protest in front of the agency any minute.
"You keep reading that kind of stuff, and your mental health's gonna shatter."
"Who do you think you're talking to?"
"…Right. You're Seo Hoyun, after all."
Shaking his head, Joo Wooseong dug through the fruit basket again like he intended to devour it all himself.
I turned my gaze back to the phone.
This time, I searched the names of the other members.
> [Ichae's stage apparently SLAYED...
Hurry up and drop the teaser Don't drive us women crazy]
> [Yes, my Rising Rookies pick is...
"Kang Ichae"!
└ You're my number one
└ My little baby gangster Ichae, precious,,]
> [Ichae looks terrifying with his neutral face when he's not with the members lololol
└ Good thing the mentees didn't piss themselves
└└LOLLL]
Nothing major, but there was a slight buzz around Kang Ichae.
Looks like word is already getting around about the Rising Rookies mentor performances—even though the clips haven't even been released yet.
Still, maybe because I collapsed that day, most people seemed to be trying not to talk about it too much.
> [Hoyun, I love you ㅠㅠ Please rest well without worrying]
Cute.
After scrolling through a few more fan reactions, I turned off the app and handed the phone back to Wooseong.
I owe Min Jiheon for this.
I figured I should talk to him when I got the chance.
From the way things were unfolding, it looked like I should refrain from any broadcast activities for now.
Maybe in about a week, I could post a selfie and send a message on PopPop or SNS.
I wracked my brain over how to reassure fans and make a smooth return.
"Will I be able to win a grand prize next year? No I have to."
Even if I work myself to the bone to at least brush the edge of the top-tier idols, what I probably needed more than anything right now… was luck.
And also the right timing, and a powerful song that could shake the hearts of the general public.
But..
"Hey, you should take care of your health."
"..."
"Normal people don't collapse like you do. I'm seriously worried you're going to die one day, man."
Even if I had everything lined up, I still had to push past this doofus who's munching on tangerines while worrying about me.
"I'm going to train like hell. Can you help me out?"
"Huh? Uh, sure."
"…Why are you so cooperative?"
"I've got time to help a nobody like you."
I ignored whatever nonsense Joo Wooseong was spouting.
This year's grand prize was basically locked in for Black Call.
And they'd probably still be active next year too.
'Shit. That wall's so damn high.'
It was already almost November. I might win a few decent awards, but the grand prize? Out of reach.
Just seeing Joo Wooseong's annoyingly smooth face a guy who barely promotes yet sweeps every award made me click my tongue.
"Joo Wooseong."
"Hm?"
He replied while wiping his sticky fingers with a wet tissue.
"You're not going to the army next year?"
"…Huh?"
"Just say you are."
"…Don't you think I'm a bit too young for that?"
Sigh…
I asked again, holding onto a shred of hope.
"Then… any chance of a scandal with your members?"
"Why the hell are you like this to me?!"
Judging by how he reacted more sensitively to that than the army talk, I guess he still wasn't close with anyone other than Chae Jeongwoo.
Grumbling next to me, he muttered stuff like, "How close are you with your members anyway?!" and "Ugh, you do look kinda close though."
"Can't a guy just ask a question?"
"You stab me where it hurts and then act all innocent. Why are you even asking"
Right when he was ranting the loudest, Joo Wooseong suddenly stopped and let out a dry laugh.
"Ah, fuck, I get it now."
"…What do you get."
"You're trying to check if I'll win the grand prize, aren't you?"
I rolled my eyes and gave a harmless little smile.
As if that kind of thing never crossed my mind.
"Of course not."
…Though it was exactly what I was doing.
Naturally, Joo Wooseong, who already had me figured out, freaked out.
"Wow! Look at this ungrateful bastard! I came to check on him out of worry and this little shit's scheming about grand prizes!!"
"No way. I was just curious about how well you get along with your members."
"Like hell you were curious about that! Hey, I'm Joo Wooseong. Even if there was a scandal, I'd still win a grand prize like it's nothing!"
"…!!"
This bastard.
I could feel my blood pressure rising up my neck.
As I forced my twitching lips into a smile, Joo Wooseong made it obvious he was sulking.
"Fine~, I'll win the grand prize every year for the next five years. You'll never get one."
"Are you insane?!"
"Did you just drop honorifics?!"
While we were yelling back and forth like idiots, Kang Ichae walked in.
"Oh, Wooseong hyung~."
"I'm leaving! I'm going!"
"Who told you not to?! Go, just go!"
He brushed past Kang Ichae, who had just walked in, and stormed out of the room.
"I'll see you at practice! You clumsy rookie!!"
…And yet he's still going to help me practice?
I rubbed the back of my stiff neck as Kang Ichae casually strolled over and plopped down in the chair Wooseong had just vacated.
Ever since he brought up the whole "you should suspend activities" thing, he usually just sat around with the others and ignored me. So I was surprised he came alone this time.
"Kang Ichae."
"Yes, hyung."
"…What's up with you now."
Suddenly using formal speech?
Gave me the creeps.
"I'm creating emotional distance by using formalities, hyung. Dajun gave me the advice."
"Are you insane?"
"Ahaha."
Kang Ichae covered his mouth like he was shy and laughed.
"Maybe just a little."
"..."
Ah.
Still crazy as ever. I decided to leave him alone for now.