Hanu stood frozen, eyes locked on Robin. "Thank you, Robin," he said with a gentle smile.
"You're welcome. Though… I still haven't really moved on," Robin replied with a teasing grin.
Hanu grabbed a pillow and flung it at him. "ROBIN!! ENOUGH!"
"Kidding…," Robin lifted his hands in surrender. "But seriously, I'll always protect you—from anything. Even the darkness."
A soft smile curved Hanu's lips as he looked deep into Robin's eyes. "Thanks."
Robin gave a small nod. "If you wanna crash here every day, I wouldn't mind at all."
Hanu scoffed and looked away. "Nope. I'm not staying over again."
"Really? But you were comfortable, right?"
"Shut up!"
Robin chuckled to himself. Then—a sharp knock on the door.
Knock knock knock!
"Robin, are you up yet?" came a familiar voice. It was Jun, one of Oblivion's managers.
"Yeah, I'm up!" Robin replied quickly, heading toward the door.
"Briefing's at eight-thirty. We leave for Ancol at nine. Everyone else is already up."
"Got it. Thanks."
"Oh, and Hanu's not in his room. Is he in there with you?" Jun asked, sounding curious.
"Yeah, he's here. I'll let him know."
"Thanks," Jun said before walking off.
Robin turned around. Hanu was already standing, panic in his eyes.
"Shit, what time is it?" Hanu scrambled to find his phone.
Robin glanced at the wall clock. "Five past seven."
"AH CRAP! I'm not ready at all!" Hanu bolted toward the door.
Robin sat down at the edge of the bed, smiling to himself, then turned on his phone.
The group chat for Oblivion's bodyguards and staff was already buzzing.
> VICKY: "I'm in the lobby, grabbing a quick breakfast. Ready by 9."
ARA: "Make-up team's ready on the 2nd floor."
BODYGUARD RYAN: "Ryan's still asleep. Someone please wake him up T___T"
BODYGUARD LEO: "All vehicles are good to go."
> ROBIN: "Hanu's getting ready now."
Robin smiled down at his screen. Hanu's panicked face still played clearly in his mind. He stood, roughly straightened the bed, then headed to the bathroom.
He hadn't slept perfectly, but somehow… he felt lighter.
---
Second Floor – Hallway to the Make-Up Room
Hanu walked fast, eyes downcast. He was still wearing Robin's T-shirt under a hoodie. His hair was half-dry, and his face was bare. A few staff who passed him tried to hide their amused smirks.
Then he spotted a familiar figure near the make-up room door.
"Robin!" he called softly.
Robin turned and walked over immediately.
"You all set?" he asked.
Hanu shook his head quickly. "Not even close. No make-up, still in the wrong clothes, and my hair looks like curly noodles soaked in rain."
Robin chuckled. "Don't worry. The make-up team's waiting. You're not alone."
"Why is idol life this complicated?" Hanu groaned.
"But you're happy, right?"
Hanu looked at him for a moment, silent. Then nodded slowly. "If you're around… maybe I am."
Robin held his gaze, smiling faintly, meaningfully—but before he could say anything, the make-up room door swung open.
"HA-NUUUU!!" shrieked Kak Ayu, the lead make-up artist. "GET IN HERE! We need twenty minutes to save your face!"
Hanu dashed in, but glanced over his shoulder and whispered, "Sit next to me in the car later, okay?"
Robin nodded.
"I'm watching you," Hanu added, pointing to his eyes.
"Yes, boss," Robin saluted playfully.
The door shut behind him.
---
Make-Up Room
As soon as Hanu stepped inside, Kak Ayu pulled him into a chair.
"Sit down! Don't move! You look like you just watched a horror movie alone in the dark."
"Ugh, Kak Ayu… I'm sorry…" Hanu muttered weakly.
Not long after, the door opened again. Luna, Hanu's personal assistant, entered with two hangers—one with his stage outfit, the other with a spare jacket.
"Good morning, sleeping prince~," Luna chimed sweetly.
"Luuun… not the sarcasm. Not this early," Hanu sighed.
"I looked for you in your room. Turns out you slept in the bodyguard's?" She raised an eyebrow—half amused, half threatening.
"It's not like that! I just… I can't sleep in the dark!" Hanu defended quickly.
Kak Ayu snatched up a powder sponge. "He slept cuddling Robin, so he's all calm now."
"KAK AYU!!" Hanu nearly leapt from the chair.
Luna laughed while pulling the hoodie off him. "Relax. I didn't touch you. But you still need to change. This is more appropriate."
"But this shirt's still clean…"
"It's your bodyguard's shirt. I can smell his masculine aura from here," Luna teased, inching closer.
"Hey hey, not in front of Kak Ayu!"
"We've seen you from bare-faced to glowing idol, Han. Don't be shy," Kak Ayu said flatly.
With practiced ease, Luna helped Hanu change into a crisp white oversized tee and fitted jeans.
"I even brought you fresh underwear," she whispered.
"You're like a mom," Hanu muttered.
"And you're like a baby chick."
Luna stepped behind him, running her fingers through his damp hair.
"You okay?" she asked softly.
Hanu nodded slightly, eyes fixed on the mirror. "Yeah."
"Are you happy?"
"I don't know," Hanu whispered, glancing to the side. "But if a certain bodyguard is nearby… maybe I am."
Luna caught his eyes in the mirror and gave him a mischievous smile. "Then hold on to that."
Kak Ayu patted Hanu's cheek gently. "Alright. Done. Ready to become a poster boy."
Hanu stared at his reflection. Neatly messy hair, fresh face, and a heart still pounding from everything that had happened in the past twelve hours.
"Yuan the idol," Luna whispered, smiling. "No more running around, okay?"
Hanu gave a small nod. "I… I'm ready."