Managers waiting anxiously in the hallway outside the conference room, all looking like identical fish-shaped buns. When would they finally come out?
The door opened soon enough, and everyone shot to their feet at once.
"Moo-young!"
This scene... it was like moms welcoming their kids after the college entrance exam.
Moo-young and Ro Min approached him with smiles.
"How'd it go? You kill it?"
Whispering, of course. With rivals still around, Go Kyung-min covered his mouth as he asked.
The two just beamed silently.
"We'll talk in the car."
"Yeah, not great here, right?"
"Ugh! I'm starving. Wanna grab something tasty?"
"If Ro Min's paying, count me in!"
"Whoa, I'm the maknae here?"
"Money talks—makes you hyung. Hyung."
They bantered as they waited for the elevator.
Then Lee Yu-jin PD came dashing up, out of breath.
"Hold on!"
The people around turned to her with expectant eyes. Me? Is it me?
"Ha Moo-young-ssi!"
"Yes?"
Of course. Lee Yu-jin grabbed Moo-young and reminded him of the schedule once more.
"Don't forget. The documentary."
"Oh, right."
"Company'll get a call soon, but shooting schedule's not set, so keep it loose in your head."
"Yessir! Got it."
Ding! The elevator arrived, and Moo-young bowed politely as he boarded. Ro Min and Go Kyung-min followed suit.
She crossed her arms and ended with a meaningful line.
"See you again. Later."
"Take care!"
See you again—what did that mean? The documentary? Or...?
Good job! Moo-young! Well done! Go Kyung-min downed a bowl of kimchi soup in his excitement, gazing lovingly at Moo-young's back.
Moo-young caught the intense stare and glanced back with an awkward smile.
"What's up?"
"Nothing. Let's go. Food time!"
"Oh, manager hyung's treating?"
Moo-young grinned as he checked his phone. One text from an unknown number.
Unknown[How about dinner tonight?]Who was this? Digging through his memory, the name surfaced.
"Daryeong?"
"Daryeong? Why her?"
On the way to the parking lot, Ro Min asked curiously at Moo-young's mutter. Hearing that name from Moo-young of all people piqued his interest.
"Dunno. Inviting me to dinner?"
"Whoa, why? Don't eat with her, hyung. Eat with me instead."
"Wish I could..."
He was curious what that sparkle from earlier would bring.
As Moo-young buckled up, Ro Min chattered on about her backstory.
"Her personality's no joke. Bad rumors too."
"Same age as you?"
"Nah, three years older, I think?"
Yeah, not treating her like a sunbae then. Moo-young pondered, then texted Jun-ho. He'd specifically asked to bring Jun-ho, so if he said yes, go. Otherwise, bail.
[Jun-ho-ya. Dinner tonight good?]Im Jun-ho[Nailed the audition, huh? Was gonna treat to chicken. Whatcha want?][Y'know Daryeong? The one who punched Bora's nose back then. She's asking to dinner. Come with? Don't wanna go solo.]Im Jun-ho[That bitch. Who asks you to dinner? Don't she know you're Bora's friend? Ballsy much?][Dunno.]Im Jun-ho[Dumbass Ha Moo-young.]Crystal clear. He was probably pounding his chest in frustration right now. But it wasn't just hunger—he was tempted by that sparkle!
Im Jun-ho[What'd you do without me? Pick place and time. Hyung's got ironclad defense incoming.]Okay. Got it. With a solid ally on board, Moo-young felt at ease.
Ro Min, watching the texts, warned him.
"Absolutely no booze! Just scarf the food and bail. Got it?"
"Yes, yes. Chill, or your manager hyung'll worry. Anyway, pick a spot for dinner. Treat picks the place."
Ro Min thought for a sec, then rattled off a restaurant address. Perfect—near the dorm! Drop him off after eating.
As Moo-young hummed happily, Go Kyung-min took a call from Na Geum-dong on his earbuds.
"Yes, boss. Just wrapped, heading to eat... Oh? Really? Then what do we do?"
His tone turned grave. Moo-young and Ro Min held their breath, gauging the vibe.
After the long call, Moo-young eyed him curiously.
"Yeah, nothing solid. Tell you later. Sorry, gotta head to the office."
Then a glance. Go Kyung-min looked at Ro Min.
"Mm. Got it. You two eat then?"
"Sounds good! Hyung's got evening plans anyway. Hang at the dorm till then. See-woon hyung loves you."
"Me? Why?"
"Said he's never seen anyone sing like that."
Curious, but reasons exist for silence. Maybe 'cause Ro Min was an outsider. Moo-young leaned his forehead on the cool window, staring toward Hannam-dong.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇And that evening.
"What's up, Ha Moo-young. Why you all dolled up?"
Gangnam bar. Unlike casually dressed Jun-ho straight from work, Moo-young was still in his audition look. Eyes locked on him the second they entered.
"If it wasn't a room, I'd bolt."
"That noticeable?"
"No mirror check?"
Supposed to be a restaurant, but it was booze central with food secondary.
Jun-ho rolled up his sleeves, battle-ready.
"Tonight, I avenge Bora."
"...By punching her nose too?"
"Crazy? I'm a star—jail ain't it. Gentleman style. Gentleman."
As he burned with zeal, the door flew open. Two women entered: Daryeong and a stranger. Tall and striking—model vibes.
Jun-ho recognized her instantly and muttered.
"Mori?"
"Hi. Sorry we're late? Traffic."
"You know her? Wow—thrilled."
Mori. Hottest rookie model. They smiled and took the front seats. Suddenly, it felt like a 2-on-2 mixer. What the hell?
"Brought a friend too."
"Surprised? Haha."
Daryeong ditched her mask for greetings. Full makeup this time! Eyes twice as big as last.
"Starving, right? Their hotpot's killer. Soju for both?"
Seasoned pro, she nailed the menu and ordered. Table set up lightning-fast. As drinks and food arrived, they naturally poured shots.
"Whoa! Delicious!"
Moo-young's hotpot praise earned a thigh pinch from Jun-ho under the table. Snap out of it.
Daryeong poured for him and asked.
"Name's Jun-ho, right?"
"Yes. Im Jun-ho."
"Work at Bonturi?"
Super sultry smile. Jun-ho froze; Moo-young pinched back.
"Ow!"
"Pardon?"
"Y-yeah. MD there."
He glared daggers at Moo-young while answering. Tongue out—Moo-young's retort. Wake up!
"No more of that—cheers! Cheers!"
At their urging, Jun-ho raised his glass grimly. Now he got it. Bora's revenge was...
Gonna down those bottles, huh?
Moo-young hung back to cheer.
Clink—full shot glasses sparkled under the lights. Jun-ho downed his like a warrior, then grinned at Daryeong: your turn.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇"Hic!"
Three hours later. Eight empty soju bottles by the table. Moo-young had bailed midway; the other three were trashed.
"-so what'd I say?"
"...Dunno."
"Jeez, Jun-ho's so cold. Not here to see me?"
"Here for booze, obviously! Cheers!"
"Mean!"
"Dinner again? Blech—"
Flushed faces, each talking nonsense.
Moo-young, who'd stuck to hotpot, rubbed his bloated belly and watched.
Ugh, exhausting. What's the sparkle anyway?
Jun-ho, downing the last shot, stuck out his tongue and slumped on Moo-young's shoulder. Face screaming puke imminent, mumbling.
"What the hell are they? Drink like champs."
"Yeah. You're the drunkest."
"Can't be. Bora... gotta avenge..."
Then thunk.
"Huh? Hey, you okay?"
Daryeong's friend face-planted on the table. One down.
Moo-young waved to call it, standing.
Whatever the sparkle meant, enough was enough.
"Drank plenty. Time to go."
"Help me up."
Daryeong giggled, reaching for Jun-ho. Moo-young went to grab instead; she swatted his hand.
"No! Jun-ho!"
"God, picky."
Moo-young eyed Jun-ho: taxi time. Three hours of Daryeong's antics on him—exhausting to watch.
"Bill's on you guys."
Stumbling hands and feet—she was wasted too. She signed the receipt and headed out.
"Oof, night air! Freezing!"
"Summer, it's hot."
"Daryeong's cold—"
Clinging to Jun-ho's arm nonstop.
As Jun-ho tried shaking her off—
"Hey!"
Bellow that sobered them. Moo-young and Jun-ho whipped around, eyes wide.
It was Bora.
"Im Jun-ho. What're you doing?"
"B-Bora. Why're you here?"
Jun-ho freaked, shoving Daryeong off. But she clung like a leech.
"Said meeting-slash-drinks after early out. You said you left early too?"
Her gaze hit drunk Daryeong. Mask dangling at her chin, uncomfortable.
Daryeong wrapped Jun-ho's arm, retorting.
"Early out for drinks. Why yell?"
Sultry and sharp. Bora glared at Jun-ho, stunned.
Then whirled away without a word.
"Bora!"
"Where? Taxi to my place. Round two?"
"Fuck off. Let go!"
Jun-ho flung her and chased Bora. Daryeong wobbled unsteadily.
Moo-young snagged a taxi quick, shoving the model friend and Daryeong in.
"Careful. Tell driver the address! Plate's Seoul A 8457, unauthorized transport... Text on arrival. Driver, please take care!"
"Where—! Where you all going!"
He bolted after Jun-ho and Bora too.
Checked plate, company, door shut tight—but one mistake...
"Let me out!"
"Uh, miss. Door open's dangerous? Getting out?"
"Whatever! Not going! Fuck, I'm getting out! Why everyone chase that Kang Bora...!"
"Sheesh."
Taxi peeled off—he hadn't seen it stop. Daryeong sat roadside, grumbling... then puked up the night's haul.
"Blaaagh!"
"Whoa, look at her."
"Gross."
"Huh? Isn't that Daryeong?"
"Daryeong? Where?"
...Meanwhile, Moo-young raced after Jun-ho. Lost 'em. No answer on calls.
He ruffled his hair, self-reproach.
Flower pollen my ass! For real!
Luck bullshit! Bora'd hate him now. Traitor? And Jun-ho misunderstood—sorry as hell...
"Ugh!"
Squatting in regret, something flowed on the ground.
Flower pollen!
...?
Moo-young stared, then followed slowly. It guided like a path.
Curving into the alley... around the corner—
"Gasp!"
A couple deep in a kiss. Woman startled by the noise, unwrapped her arms from his neck.
"Ah, s-s-sorry!"
Moo-young covered his eyes, turning away fast.
"...Hold up."
Those two. Silhouettes super familiar?
"Hey!"
Moo-young freaked, pointing wildly. Mouth agape in shock.
Bora hid her face—busted. Jun-ho grinned sheepishly.
"Mind your business, Moo-young."
"You crazies! What the—!"
The warm sparkle enveloping them. When a precious person finds their own precious one.
That's exactly what the sparkle meant.
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Read 106 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
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