The van glided along the neon-lit streets of Seoul, holographic displays shimmering overhead. Inside the warm, intimate space of the private vehicle, Layla, Serena, and Damien sat in the back row, livestreaming and interacting with fans via the floating screen.
Comments scrolled endlessly.
"Layla, do you like Damien?"
"Layla's face is red, but she keeps denying it."
"We want the official center of BABYQUEEN to date Damien!"
Layla read the messages, her eyes widening. Her face turned from pale to a rosy red… like a ripe tomato.
"Uh… no, that's not it. What are you all thinking!?" She frantically shook her hands, her voice trembling like a startled kitten.
Serena chuckled, propping her chin on her hand and giving Layla a mischievous look:
"You fans sure remember. At our first live, I said Layla had noticed a male idol. Her type is cold on the outside, warm on the inside, remember?"
That statement hit Layla like a lightning bolt. She stared at Serena, mouth agape in shock, and then... blushed so hard she had to cover her face with her hands while giggling shyly:
"SERENA. What did you just say…"
Damien, sitting beside her, quietly turned to watch her, his expression curious but softer than usual. He pressed his lips together, then gave a gentle smile ,as if waiting for something… sincere.
Fans exploded in the chat:
"Oh my, cold outside, warm inside ,that's Damien!"
"Stop denying it. Admit it, Layla!"
"We support your love!"
Layla inhaled deeply and shyly smiled at the camera:
"I… I do have someone I'm paying attention to. But it's just, like… an impression."
COMMENTS:
"Oh my, she's admitting it!"
"Who is it, Damien, right?"
"Just give us a hint, please."
Layla giggled, cheeks still a deep pink. She tilted her head, propped her chin on her hand in a playful pose:
"Hmmm… hint: this person always acts before I even say what I need."
Suddenly the car went quiet. Damien frowned, momentarily stunned.
"Who are you talking about?" he murmured, brow furrowed, because he'd lost track too ,was she hinting at him, or someone else? After all, many people tended to anticipate her need before she spoke.
Fans weren't letting up:
"Oh god, that hint is too hard , I surrender."
"I bet it's Damien, even though I'm not watching in person."
Layla covered her mouth while laughing, neither confirming nor denying. She only looked into the lens and winked:
"You're all so good at guessing! But… who knows."
Damien looked at Layla. Beneath the soft car lights, his eyes sparkled warmly ,curious, yet tender. He gave a small smile:
"I don't even know who you mean either, Layla."
Serena pretending to sigh ,mocked them:
"You two are something… lucky fans the fire hasn't broken out yet."
The livestream was still buzzing. Layla chatted on about the "mysterious man" she'd hinted at. Her face was flush, her laughter shy and bright enough to light up the screen.
"Please stop guessing… I won't say anything," she brushed her head side to side, giggling, eyes sparkling teasingly.
Then suddenly, "grrr…" , her stomach rumbled.
Then…
"PFFF."
The entire BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX cast burst into laughter. Serena laughed so hard she leaned into Lilia, Sara was slapping her thigh, Julian turned away to hide his laughter. Only one person remained perfectly calm.
Damien leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowed, voice measured in the silence:
"You hungry?"
A simple question, but within seconds, the livestream chat went wild:
"Damien… so caring…"
"That question was so gentle , I'm dead."
"Cold boy perks up with concern."
"Layla, hurry and say yes!"
"Her stomach and Damien's question… we now understand this couple better."
"That look… is that love? Is that care?"
Layla immediately covered her face, waving her hands:
"No. I'm not hungry. Just… my stomach betrayed me."
"What betrayal are you talking about?" Serena teased, nipping Layla's cheek gently.
Sara chimed in:
"You said someone sits near the stove but stays cold, now we know, ha!"
BABYQUEEN roared with laughter, while Layla, embarrassed, bowed her head, scolding her stomach softly:
"You made me so embarrassed…"
At that moment, Elio sat upright, checking the holographic smartwatch on his wrist:
"Still more than an hour till filming. Our first scene starts at 8. We can stop somewhere to grab a bite."
Rayden nodded:
"Good idea. We rehearsed late last night; some of us might still be hungry."
Jennifer smiled at Layla:
"Your stomach betrayed you, but we're friends , we'll find someplace good to refuel before we shine."
The livestream continued to erupt with thousands of comments: fans demanding tight shots of Damien, new hashtags blazing:
#Laymien #SaveTheWorldWithLaylasStomach #DamienSoftModeOn #SilentCarefulMan #HungryAndLoved
Layla sighed softly and nestled against Serena, whispering so the fans could hear:
"I should've finished that rice plate this morning…"
A fan replied instantly:
"No problem dear, eat rice in the morning, eat your man in the evening."
Serena read it aloud, sending Layla nearly into tears of laughter. The car echoed with giggles. Damien, still cool and calm against the seat, gazed out the window… but if you looked closely, his lips curved into a subtle smile: gentle, warm.
---
Atop the floating mall, 7:00 AM
After stepping out of the van, BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX moved into a sleek sky‑suspended shopping center on the third floor. The place was covered in transparent energy glass, the wind gentle overhead, and below nothing but open space , walking amid the sky itself.
They naturally paired up: Serena & Julian, Sara with Elio, Jennifer and Rayden, Lilia with Lucas. Only Layla and Damien remained a few steps apart , a silent distance.
Fans watching through VR cams exploded:
"Damien is 1.98 m tall, can he step faster and walk next to Layla?"
"At 1.98 next to 1.68 is the national couple , step to her side, Damien!"
Damien glanced at his AR lens display, frowned slightly, then lengthened his steps to walk beside Layla. She paused briefly, looked up, face red , but knowing fans were watching, she didn't shy away. She lowered her gaze and kept walking beside him, still blushing.
Inside the mall, they browsed food stalls. The girls assembled a cart full of pastries, snacks, candy. Jennifer and Lilia even fought playfully over strawberry candy , Rayden shook his head in amusement.
Meanwhile, Layla eyed a bag of her favorite cheese chips perched at the top shelf. She stretched and tip‑toed but still couldn't reach.
Silently, Damien moved behind her, gripped the bag, and handed it to her. Startled, she turned and accepted it.
"Thanks…"
Then she noticed another bag beside it. Without hesitation, she tip‑toed again to take it. Damien frowned:
"Still haven't learned your lesson?"
Before she could respond, he slid an arm around her waist and lifted her off the ground as if she weighed nothing. Layla froze:
"Oh… put me down! I got enough."
Fans erupted:
"DAMLAY , like something out of a romantic novel!"
"It's as if Damien's her boyfriend rather than a colleague, Layla."
"If I were Layla, I'd drop the chip bag and climb on Damien."
Damien stayed composed, as she said she'd enough, he lowered her gently:
"I only helped grab snack," he said calmly, as if it were nothing.
Everyone turned, breaking into laughter. Serena teased:
"Damien, planning to carry her forever?"
Damien stayed silent, looking away.
They reached a plush toy kiosk. Layla lit up like a ten-year-old, clutching Doraemon, rabbits, pink cats, some Shin plushies. Fans of Layla lost it:
"Is she a little kid?"
"Oh my god, is anyone cuter than Layla?"
Sara stepped close, smiling:
"Layla, I love Doraemon and Shin too."
Layla nodded, hugging the plushies:
"I've watched since I was little… Whenever I'm stressed I watch Doraemon under a blanket."
Everyone laughed at her childlike charm. Elio scratched his head:
"I blast techno when stressed ,never guessed Layla watches cartoons."
Damien didn't say anything, but his eyes betrayed tenderness. He looked at Layla as though beholding something pure ,a softness even an AI-esque heartless man could feel.
After buying everything, they pushed their cart to center court, where a holographic galaxy fountain swirled. Hundreds of fans had gathered, livestreaming from all angles.
Layla held a giant bubble tea, about to walk toward Serena when…
She slipped.
"Ah…"
In an instant, everyone froze. Damien sprang into action from behind he grabbed Layla's waist in one fluid move, lifting her off her feet. She tilted backward, her hair floating, her legs mid air ,like in slow motion.
Her eyes wide in shock, she stared at Damien, who held her with a single arm; his expression remained cool, slightly leaning down, face just a few centimeters from hers.
BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX members were frozen in place.
Serena: "Oh my god, I forgot to breathe."
Sara covered her mouth: "That scene's straight out of a fairytale when the princess almost falls from the tower…"
Jennifer (eyes scanning): "Warning: red-level heart flutter, viewers will melt in 0.5 seconds."
Lilia: "Give it hearts! 10 million points for visual chemistry."
Fandom at large howled:
"Tell me this is real life or romance."
"Oh god, let them be."
"I gasped when Layla fell, Damien, you're her giant hero."
"LAYMIEN is legit."
"Shipping Laymien, but I thought they were father, child, sorry."
Layla struggled briefly:
"Ah-anh… okay, enough now, I'm fine…"
Damien spoke calmly:
"Probably not. If you had fallen, you wouldn't get back today."
He set her down gently, still holding her waist for balance.
Layla, still blushing deeply, turned away, covering her mouth while smiling shyly.
BABYQUEEN was in stitches:
Serena: "Damien, were you filming a TikTok or saving someone? Too cinematic."
Sara with narrowed eyes: "If not an idol, he'd make a great lead actor."
Jennifer quietly saved the video immediately.
ASTRIX teased too:
Julian punched Damien's shoulder: "Man, when are you making this official? One rescue and you trend ten times over!"
Elio winked: "That 45 degree posture was perfect ,professional model right there."
Across social media, the stream exploded 20 million views in five minutes:
"Romance flooding the screen, Damien!"
"Layla fell, but with future husband saving her no worries!"
"This is big boss cold and little wife… sorry, I'm getting sappy."
"I love this couple."
---
At checkout, Layla fumbled for her card when the clerk said:
"Mr. Damien has paid for everything."
Layla's eyes widened:
"Huh? You didn't have to… I can pay myself…"
Damien looked at her softly:
"I don't like waiting. Let's go."
Fans exploded:
"I've got diabetes now."
"Layla, that's your type. Love him already."
"He not only bought snacks, he bought Layla, sweeter than sugar."
Layla lowered her gaze, hugging plushies against her chest, red as ever, quietly walking beside him amid the group's laughter.
The mall trembled with joyful energy as they headed to the film set zone. On the live feed from BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX, viewer count soared past 80 million. Chat messages flooded like tidal waves.
Layla sat by the window in the van, smiling and reading the comments as usual, when Damien unexpectedly rose, sat beside her, and gently held her hand.
Before she could react, he pulled out a small white box from his palm ,a portable ultrasonic healing device, affixed it to her wrist without warning.
A soft blue light glowed, enveloped her minor scratch, and within seconds her skin looked unmarked.
The livestream camera zoomed in. Fans worldwide froze briefly, then erupted:
"Oh my god, Damien cares for Layla."
"When did he get a self-medicating device like that?"
"Romance, true love ,I'm jealous of Layla."
"Damien publicly cares for her now."
"Damien finally knows how to love."
Layla's eyes widened:
"W‑what are you doing?"
Damien remained calm, eyes fixed on the device's soft "ting" sound finishing its job:
"If you're center, don't get injured. Looks unprofessional."
Layla jerked her hand back, face blazing to her ears:
"I…I can wrap it myself…"
At that moment, the others lost it.
Sara turned, laughing:
"Look what fans are spamming! 'Laymin is canon now.'"
Serena propped her chin, raised an eyebrow:
"Seriously ,now no one dares get close to Layla. Damien's guarding her with a force-field."
Julian slapped his knee:
"Come on, I hadn't even bought Sara chocolates, and Damien already brought a healing device. What's left for the other male idols?"
Lilia collapsed into giggles:
"Is this modern flirting? Soft and hurts 500 hearts."
Jennifer folded her arms, cocked her head, smiling:
"This whole romance, everyone's hyping this so much."
Layla, flushed and biting her lip, pressed her phone app. She hesitated at first ,then… she only followed ASTRIX's official account, not Damien's personal account. Fans immediately tweeted:
"National wife still shy!!"
"Layla, follow husband now!"
"This pair is so sweet it's tooth‑aching…"
Outside the window, the van slowed at the studio gates. The air remained thick with laughter and sweet energy.