“...A guide?”
Joo Woosung faltered as if pushed back by my momentum.
I closed the distance he had given up and pressed harder.
“I’ve been too busy lately to travel anywhere, so coming to Japan like this got me really excited, you know?”
“......”
“And after helping the staff and rehearsing, I’m starving.”
All I’d really done was carry a few pieces of equipment and sing one song, yet the sky was already glowing red. Dinner time had long passed.
The tinted car was still parked stubbornly in the same spot.
Joo Woosung raked his fingers through his hair, looking exasperated, then softened his tone.
“Seo Hoyun-ssi. Sorry, but I already promised to eat with someone...”
“Ah! I’m starving!!”
“......”
With his mouth hanging open and eyes blinking at nothing, Joo Woosung let out a hollow laugh. Then he sighed deeply and pulled out his phone.
I thought he might be calling security, but instead he typed out a short text, shoved the phone back into his pocket, and looked at me again.
“...Fine. Let’s eat. But I don’t really know this area either.”
“How about Korean food?”
For Joo Woosung, it had to be kimchi fried rice.
Sure enough, after a moment’s hesitation, he nodded.
Having hooked the golden boy so smoothly, I swallowed my irritation and quickly searched for nearby Korean restaurants.
“You know, when I’m overseas, it feels nice to move around freely.”
“Yes, well.”
“......”
Say more than two ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) words, you bastard.
I tried to steer the conversation a few more times, but he didn’t bite. Since I’d already secured my main objective, I shut my mouth too.
All I needed was to keep him with me until the paparazzi got bored and left.
“This place is quiet and nice.”
The restaurant we finally found was—luckily for us—completely empty.
“...Wow.”
We hurried into a corner table and ordered food. Then I understood why the place had no customers.
Drip.
“...Wow.”
It was worse than the bizarre dishes Jung Dajun made.
How was this even possible...?
The menu had promised kimchi fried rice, but when the actual menu arrived, it wasn’t there at all. The gomtang I settled on tasted like oily hot water.
The bibimbap I ordered on the side had vegetables so limp they melted like cotton candy in my mouth, and it was so salty I couldn’t even taste the ingredients themselves.
Even I—who could eat almost anything without fuss—wanted to spit it back out.
‘Fuck....’
If Joo Woosung stormed out right now, I wouldn’t be able to say a word. I wanted to barge into the kitchen and cook kimchi fried rice myself.
When I glanced up, he was still spooning food into his mouth silently, face unreadable.
Scooping the bibimbap that was hardening and cooling, I muttered,
“...This tastes... interesting.”
“Mm.”
The Joo Woosung I knew would’ve snapped, “Seo Hoyun, you have no damn taste—how could you bring me here?”
But instead—
Chew.
Chew, chew, chew.
The guy in front of me just chewed dutifully like it was an obligation.
I watched for a bit, then shoved another spoonful into my own mouth.
‘Let’s check the area outside after this and then split....’
At last the meal ended, the silence heavier than the food. After I paid, Joo Woosung stepped outside first, fiddling with his phone again. He’d been checking it even while eating.
“Let’s call it a night. Time’s late.”
‘Fuck, that won’t do.’
A shadow was still tailing us—not from a car anymore, but jogging nearby. The paparazzo himself was following.
“Haha, Woosung-ssi, after a meal, a coffee to cleanse the palate?”
“Not really...”
“Then at least a picture for SNS?”
“Do we need to...?”
“A picture sounds perfect!”
I slung my arm around his shoulder before he could protest, steering him quickly.
“I saw earlier while searching restaurants, there’s a beach park nearby. Photos come out amazing there. It’s embarrassing to brag, but I’m quite the photographer.”
“Seriously, it’s fine...”
“Here we are, just ahead! Oh? That spot looks great. Stand there.”
Down a long staircase, the entrance to the beach park appeared.
There were only a few passersby—being a weekday evening, it wasn’t crowded.
Behind a huge tree with sprawling branches, waves crashed in the background. Joo Woosung stood there reluctantly, scowling, but with his looks, even that turned into a picture.
Click.
“You’ll thank me once you see it, Woosung-ssi...”
But on screen, it looked like a horror movie poster—Joo Woosung standing coldly beneath a menacing tree shaking in the dark night sky.
“....”
I’d forgotten to use the flash.
As I tried to keep my composure, Joo Woosung wandered over and checked the photo.
“...Thanks?”
“....”
“You really are a photographer.”
Fuck...
I admitted my mistake, but still felt ungratefully wronged, my fingertips trembling.
Weren’t you the one who once told me to be a photographer instead of an idol...?
“Take it.”
Clicking my tongue, I handed back the phone. For the first time, Joo Woosung’s indifferent face shifted as he studied me.
“...Mm, should I take one of you too, Hoyun-ssi?”
“No need.”
I cut him off sharply.
The shadow lurking around had finally disappeared.
If I’d had to endure one or two more hours of this, I might’ve knocked him out cold just to end it.
‘That’s enough. Let’s go back to the hotel.’
Even if an article came out, it would only say a rookie actor was friendly with Joo Woosung. At worst, people would gossip that some no-name actor was leeching off his fame.
I’d blocked things once, and that was enough to satisfy my conscience.
The humid air was thicker than Korea’s, clinging to my skin. Pushing damp bangs off my forehead, I called his name.
“...Woosung-ssi.”
“What now? What’s next on your list?”
His reply was sharp, but then he suddenly stopped speaking.
I waved my hand like shooing a fly.
“Go rest quickly.”
Without waiting for his answer, I turned away.
Muttering curses in my head, I trudged along until I spotted a convenience store. I walked straight in and bought a six-pack of beer.
“Damn, I really went overboard today, huh?”
Ding!
[TT_TT So touching... TT_TT]
[Everyone! Seo Hoyun has finally become human!]
I’ve always been human, you little shits.
Too tired to argue with the endless stream of reality-check notifications, I pressed my temples with my fingers and trudged on.
When I reached the back entrance of the hotel—
“...—why are you still—here? With—?”
That pleasant low voice.
Like Joo Woosung’s.
‘...No way.’
I craned my neck cautiously.
And there he was—actually talking with someone.
‘No fucking way.’
A girl in her early twenties, long straight black hair...
[...Huh?]
“They say she’s sooo pure and pretty.”
[...Ahh?!]
My temper exploded like fireworks.
“Haha, hahaha.”
An idol, being this careless?!
“She didn’t come with me. Mom told me to at least see her face.”
“Send a text saying we met.”
“Okay—. But can you go already? It’s—getting—.”
I strode forward with the rustling bag of beer cans like it was an accessory.
“You? You dare run your mouth so prettily—argh!”
And grabbed him by the back of the neck.
His startled eyes met mine head-on.
“Hello.”
“What the hell....”
“...Huh?”
I let go of his collar naturally and put on the friendliest smile I could manage.
“Sorry for barging in. I’m Seo Hoyun, Woosung-ssi’s close younger brother.”
“...Uh... Seo Hoyun....”
The girl tilted her head, then suddenly clapped.
“Ah~!! You’re the actor, right!?”
“......”
“No way! I loved Dead after Hope so much! Wow, with this new styling you totally look like an idol! You’re so handsome! Can I get your autograph?!”
“...Autograph?”
Who asks for an autograph in front of their boyfriend?
The vibe was strange, but fanservice was second nature to me by now.
“Of course. I’d be happy to sign.”
“Eek! Thank you! See, Woosung is actually useful sometimes!”
“...What?”
Before I could react, Joo Woosung stepped in front of me, blocking her from view with a sharp look.
“Hey, go home.”
The atmosphere instantly soured.
But the girl only pouted, whining that she still wanted an autograph.
“Not leaving?”
“Fine! I’m going, I’m going!”
Only when Woosung scowled fiercely did she finally leave.
“I’ll keep watching your dramas, Hoyun-ssi! Fighting!”
“...Fighting~.”
She left cheerfully without a hint of defeat.
I waved until she was out of sight, then dropped my hand and turned coldly to Joo Woosung.
“Woosung-ssi.”
“......”
“Let’s have a frank talk.”
“Now you want to?”
He crossed his arms and smirked crookedly.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Honestly, I had no desire to meddle in his private life.
He was still young. It was natural to be interested in love.
“Not being careful?”
But if being an idol was his job, that changed everything.
I’d flat-out banned The Dawn members from dating.
“I get it’s easier to meet people abroad than back home, but if you get caught, how do you plan to cover it? Did your company say they’d handle it?”
“......”
“Didn’t you see the paparazzi earlier?”
“I saw.”
“...What?”
He saw, and still met her?
I was beyond dumbfounded.
But Woosung added casually,
“Whether there’s paparazzi or not, I don’t care.”
How could he not—
“She’s my sister.”
—not care?
I froze. Woosung turned his head and exhaled long.
“Dating her? That’s disgusting. Though, I guess since we don’t look alike, I can understand the mistake.”
I stared, incredulous. He shrugged.
“She texted saying she was traveling, but since it was Japan, my parents insisted I at least see her once. I just wanted to grab dinner with her. Not that I got to, thanks to someone.”
“...Your sister?”
“Don’t believe me? Want me to get our family registry?”
Then I remembered a text I’d dismissed as unimportant.
When Seo Hojin’s info had spread, Woosung had messaged, saying he had a younger sister three years younger, too—and he’d explain how to handle it.
Ding!
[Oh shit!! They really do look alike down to the nano level!!]
“Besides, my solo comeback teaser drops next week. You think I’d risk doing something stupid at a time like this?”
His tone was steady, matter-of-fact. I shut my eyes tightly, then opened them.
...Right.
“Ah, I see.”
Today, dragging him around...
Eating together...
Taking photos...
Dodging paparazzi...
Lecturing him...
All of it had been completely pointless.
“...Well then.”
I curved my lips upward.
“I misunderstood.”
“......”
“Sorry for the hassle, Woosung-ssi. Enjoy the rest of your time with your family.”
I hurried past him, but he suddenly raised an arm to block me.
“Seo Hoyun-ssi.”
“What now.”
His gaze traveled slowly from my feet upward.
“How did you know about the green tea latte?”
...What the hell?
“...What are you talking about?”
“You gave me one that time.”
Woosung lowered his arm, tilting his head. For once, he didn’t flash that polished smile he used with others.
His face only showed suspicion—
“And how did you know I like it?”
—and just a trace of curiosity.
