On a blank white wall, bold black ink declared:
"여기에 우리가 있다 … WOLVES."Here we are… The Wolves.
The sound of pounding footsteps splashed through puddles, echoing down a narrow alleyway. Shadows of five wolves ran as one pack, darting through lamplight and into darkness, only to burst out again beneath the glow of the street. Their bodies shifted mid-stride, transforming into five striking young men. Cloaked in black, they leapt into the center of a crosswalk and landed in unison.
"We are Wolves Kiss!Enjoy the rhythm my grace!" the five shouted together, eyes locked on the camera lens.
"Cut! That's perfect, boys," the director called. "Wrap it up for today!"
I pulled down my hood, breath warm against the night air. The staff rushed in, holding up a mirror. Every time I looked at my reflection now, I saw someone else staring back. A stranger. A star. Since the surgery, my confidence had sharpened silver-white hair glinted like shards of diamond, my jawline clean, nose sharp, lips shaped like an artist's sculpture. This wasn't the boy I used to be. This was… a god reborn.
Beside me, K grinned, his face altered only slightly from before. Still him, but polished.
"Ugh, finally done," groaned Kang Juwon, the delicate-featured one with brows that always made him look like a depressed Romeo.
"I can't wait to hit a sack." muttered Jin Kang Yoo, his voice flat with perpetual boredom.
Then Baek Giyul slung his arms over both their shoulders, his expression blazing with endless energy. "It's gym time! No excuses gotta stay lean!"
We were five wolves, five brothers. Wolves Kiss. Yeah… I never loved the name either, but it wasn't terrible. I could live with it.
"Hey, hey." K clapped us on the shoulders. "Work's over. Time to party."
"Party? We can't eat sweets, can't drink soda, can't even sip hot pot soup. What's left?" Juwon sighed like the world had ended.
"But alcohol wasn't on the ban list ye?" K said with a mischievous smile, leading us toward the dressing room.
We changed back into our street clothes, and as I stepped out, a bespectacled man greeted me.
"Manager Bonsong. How did it go?" I asked.
He handed me a holographic document and a laser pen. "Not bad. Better than last time. Sign here for credits." I didn't wait a second to sign "Wolves Kiss is very unique band. Trust me, this will work. See you soon, Seokjin."
"See you, manager."
"Yo, Whitie!" Juwon waved from the exit. "Let's get back to the apartment. Shuttle bus is cheaper than wasting company gas."
I laughed, jogging after them. "Coming!"
We boarded the bus, slipping into the back seats where it was empty. Juwon and Jin slid in beside me, while K and Giyul chose to stand nearby.
That's when two girls clambered aboard a little one with a guitar case strapped to her back, and her elementary-aged friend. They scanned the bus for seats, frowning when they found none.
"Guess we're standing again, Namjoo," the friend said softly.
K spotted them instantly. "Hey, seats free in the back! You could sit."
"You're not sitting, Oppa?" the younger girl asked shyly.
K's smile brimmed with kindness. "Nah, we ain't tired."
They bowed politely before hurrying over. The girl with the guitar glanced at me nervously, and I gave her a reassuring smile.
"Go ahead. Don't be shy," Jin encouraged.
"You guys look like… a boy band," the friend whispered.
Jin chuckled. "That's because we're....."
But K quickly covered his mouth. "We're just trainees. Ain't a big of a deal." Then he asked gently, "So anyone want to be artists?"
"She's amazing at piano and guitar." the friend said while pointing at Namjoo.
"Don't exaggerate," Namjoo murmured. "I only started two months ago."
"May I see?" Jin asked.
She hesitated, then carefully pulled out a pristine white guitar. "Please be gentle. My dad bought it for me."
"Wuhu~ Such beauty" Jin said, testing the strings with care. "Should we play something?" He looked at me.
I shook my head with a smile. Then K and Giyul grinned at each other.
"Alright. How about Ha Dongjin - I Want To Be In Love Once?"
"Classic. My dad's favorite," Jin agreed, strumming the opening chords.
Music filled the bus, laughter and applause rising with the rhythm. Neon lights flashed across the windows as the city rolled past. Jin handed the guitar back gently.
"Get home safe, okay?" K said, waving goodbye as the girls hopped off.
"Okay~~~ Thanks Oppa"
We climbed down at our stop, five young men standing shoulder-to-shoulder, gazing up at the glowing apartment tower we now called home.
"Our sweet home," someone murmured.
And for a moment, we believed it.