“Wooho?”
Jung Dajun tilted his head to the side.
“What’s Wooho Wooho?”
“Bangbang, candy.”
I peeled the wrapper off a candy from the bowl always set out on the coffee table and tossed it into the maknae’s mouth. Even as he chewed, his eyes stayed puzzled.
Still sulky, looking dissatisfied with everything, Kang Ichae tossed the mic aside, slouched over to Sung Jiwon, and whined.
“Jiwon hyung, can you open this for me? I was sick for ten days, so I don’t have the strength...”
“Mm, really?”
“My wrist feels like it’s gonna snap!”
“Haha.”
Sung Jiwon glanced at Kang Ichae’s sturdy wrist as he whined while holding his drink, then smiled gently and shifted away. A firm refusal to indulge him.
Immediately, Kang Ichae turned his head toward Kim Sunghyun.
“Sunghyun hyung, Ichae is too frail...”
“I’ll open it if you shut up.”
“Okay~.”
With a disgusted look, Kim Sunghyun still obediently popped the can open.
‘Ah, Kim Sunghyun.’
That was the problem.
Recently, the one who suffered the most from Kang Ichae’s antics among The Dawn was Kim Sunghyun—because he was the only one who gave in.
As if releasing his own stress, Kang Ichae kept poking and pestering Sunghyun endlessly.
Sunghyun’s eyes silently pleaded for help, but I ignored him. Moving away, I headed for the corner, and Sung Jiwon patted the empty space beside him on the sofa.
“Hoyun, you’re here? Was the test result okay?”
“They said I’m fine. Today’s about talking over the album tracks, right?”
Jung Dajun chimed in, rolling candy around in his mouth.
“We finished preparing the tracks.”
While prying Ichae’s head off his shoulder, Sunghyun added,
“You had that hospital checkup, but there was also a company meeting. Ichae came back with feedback revisions. That’s the only reason I’m putting up with this crap.”
“Aiing~.”
Only then did Kang Ichae finally retreat with a pout and fetch his laptop.
“Then, I’ll play it once~.”
His long fingers pressed the space bar, and a melody that was both familiar and new filled the room.
I hadn’t heard it for nearly a year.
【It’s kinda hard,
Keeping this distance between you and me,
Pretending nothing’s wrong, controlling my expression,
Can we stop for a bit?】
They must not have had time to re-record, so only the beat and arrangement were slightly changed.
“Not bad.”
Just a little change made it sound completely different. As I nodded to the rhythm, Ichae played the next track.
【If the sun blinds your eyes,
Breathe in the dawn once,
Run to the beat of your heart】
“There’s luxury dripping from that beat. You insane? Hyung, are you insane?! Did Mozart possess you?!”
“Mozart in my body....”
Goosebumps prickled on Jung Dajun’s arms as he shivered. Ichae kept going.
“This one’s new.”
【Inside the time that’s already cracked】
He must have finished writing lyrics too, because the guide was perfectly sung in his own voice. Light for summer, yet with a strangely gloomy humidity woven into the beat.
【No need to weigh pros and cons,
I just want you to be honest】
“...Whoa.”
The candy fell from Dajun’s open mouth.
‘Shit....’
I was just as shocked.
The lyrics were a blatant jab at me.
While everyone sat in awe and disbelief, only Kang Ichae smiled faintly.
When the music ended, Sung Jiwon clapped first.
“When did you come up with this? You couldn’t have had time.”
“Mm, ten days?”
“...Ten days?”
The fox turned his gaze on me, narrowing his eyes with a sly pout.
“I had plenty of time.”
So this was him dropping hints.
I ignored it and asked Sunghyun instead.
“Kim Sunghyun, can you bring this to the next meeting?”
“Of course.”
Replaying the melody in his head, Sunghyun nodded.
“...This has to go on the album. The schedule’s tight, but if we rush recording, it’s doable.”
“Right. Since Ichae made such a great song, we should push hard for it.”
While discussing how to persuade the company, Sunghyun patted Ichae’s head.
“Well done, Kang Ichae.”
Eyes wide, Ichae brushed his messy hair back and smirked.
Then—
“...I can’t take this.”
“Huh?”
Muttering as he kept hitting the space bar, Jung Dajun suddenly jumped up.
“I’m going to practice!! I can’t lose to that bastard Ichae!!”
Full of energy as always. His loud voice made my ears ring. At the word “practice,” Sung Jiwon smiled.
“Then shall we go practice right now, Dajun?”
“Yes! Today I’ll defeat the practice machine!!”
“What? Hahaha!”
The “practice machine” Sung Jiwon laughed unusually loudly and stood with Dajun, then turned to me.
“Hoyun, you coming too?”
“No, I have to go to the broadcast station later.”
“Ah, right. That trainee survival show shoot?”
I nodded.
Survival programs kept popping up, and my guest appearance had been scheduled months ago.
“I don’t wanna go....”
“Huh? Since when does our Hoyun say that?”
I slipped a candy into my mouth, dodging Jiwon’s curious look.
.
.
.
For fuck’s sake. Is there seriously only one PD in the world who handles survival programs?
“Well, well, look who it is~.”
Why the hell do I keep running into her?
Oh, Heeyoung. Hello.
“Hello, PD Kim.”
I bowed politely. Kim Heeyoung shot back that I didn’t need to be so formal.
“Thank you for visiting me at the hospital.”
“Are you feeling better? If it weren’t for Joo Woosung, I wouldn’t have even known you were sick.”
“Haha, well, Woosung hyung’s good about that stuff.”
That night when I woke up, Joo Woosung had come to the hospital only to scold me endlessly, like that was his purpose.
Still, as the elder, I generously let it slide and treated him kindly.
“You two still seem close. By the way, Woosung said you’ve been acting strange lately. Too sweet, he said....”
That bastard Joo Woosung....
Just then, a staff member hovering nearby seized the chance to speak up.
“...Uh, PD-nim, this...”
“Ah, just a second.”
Kim Heeyoung kept fielding questions from various staff in the middle of our conversation.
“You’re the main PD now?”
“No. Not since Shining Star Season 2 ended.”
“Really?”
“I was sick of it. Babysitting kids felt pointless. I’m half-seriously considering transferring to the culture division. At least they follow broadcast rating guidelines.”
What bullshit.
She’ll be buried in variety until the day she dies.
Still, she rambled about a friend in that department who seemed to have decent work-life balance, how she’d like to edit nature documentaries, then clicked her tongue.
“Though I’m not really any different. Sigh, just gotta adapt to reality.”
“Adapt? Sunbae... didn’t you clash with the director just last week?”
“...Why would you say that in front of cast members? That’s embarrassing.”
Realizing their slip, the staff clapped a hand over their mouth. Heeyoung awkwardly shoved them along, saying it was time to go.
I couldn’t help but smile faintly.
“You know this mission is the trainees covering The Dawn’s songs, right? You guys are full-on superstars now~. It’s really something. Anyway, sorry we can’t talk longer since I’m busy. Let’s catch up properly next time.”
“No problem. You’ve got work. I’ll see you later.”
She smiled warmly, waved, and left.
The moment she disappeared, the trainees who’d been sneaking glances at me swarmed over.
“Sunbae-nim, hello!”
“Hello!”
“Nice to meet you.”
Endless greetings. I answered automatically as I walked.
“Hello, I’m Han Yeongjin!”
“Okay. Do your best today.”
I tried to pass, but a strong grip caught my arm.
“Ah, sunbae-nim. Just a moment.”
I turned my eyes toward him. Han Yeongjin flinched, then quickly smiled.
‘Look at this brat.’
He reeked of ambition.
“I always watch your stages. Ahaha, I’m so nervous I can’t speak well. Thank you for coming today!”
Every word, every gesture dripped with artificial sweetness.
Obvious. The type who smiles in your face and stabs you in the back.
I folded my arms and looked down at him, wondering what his angle was.
“If you don’t mind, sunbae-nim, could we talk for a—”
“Seo Hoyun.”
A familiar voice cut in.
I turned. A neatly dressed man stood there, unsure how to treat me.
“Long ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) time no see.”
Another guest, today’s background extra.
I put on my business smile.
“Yeonhoo sunbae, hello?”
Kang Yeonhoo sighed, then moved closer and gave Han Yeongjin a nod.
“I have something to discuss with Seo Hoyun.”
“...Ah, yes!”
Despite his polite smile, Yeonhoo’s voice was cold. Han Yeongjin stepped back.
Yeonhoo gestured for me to follow and walked ahead. I matched his pace.
“So, what do you want to say?”
“First, are you feeling better?”
“Just a cold.”
“You’re calling it a cold to downplay it, but the people who matter know the truth.”
Inside the guest waiting room, Yeonhoo sat on the sofa and sighed.
“That trainee who just talked to you—I know him through others. Best stay away.”
“Why?”
“He’s calculating and fake. Runs his mouth carelessly too.”
“Did he insult you?”
“Yeah. You too.”
“What did he say?”
Rubbing his jaw uncomfortably, Yeonhoo asked back.
“Do you really need to hear it?”
“Yes.”
“...Just stuff like, how did The Dawn manage to get into WH, you’re lucky, your rise is too fast for your ability. Things like that.”
“Sounds filtered.”
Not wanting to elaborate, Yeonhoo just shrugged.
“Anyway, don’t get dragged into weird rumors. The Dawn’s doing well these days.”
I knew Yeonhoo wasn’t the type to lie, so I only nodded.
As silence settled, he scratched the back of his head and spoke again.
“All this just proves your popularity. Seo Hoyun, you’ve really made it.”
I’d just stayed quiet with nothing to add, but he seemed to think I was offended and veered off on his own tangent.
“This industry is all about hierarchy through recognition. Juniors pay attention, seniors get wary. It’s not always bad. It means people care.”
“Do you get wary of me too, Yeonhoo sunbae?”
“......”
He blinked, then turned his gaze away and rubbed his cheek.
“...I’d be lying if I said no.”
I stared at him.
Quick-witted, perceptive, but unfortunately too softhearted.
“Honestly, yeah. But don’t misunderstand. I’d never scheme behind your back....”
Listening to his flustered excuses, I smirked.
No wonder Chae Jungwoo valued him.
“Got it. Got it. So, Yeonhoo, you just want my attention.”
“...Why twist it like that?”
“Don’t make it so obvious.”
“When did I—?!”
“So you do want attention?”
“Hey!!”
As he sprang up, shouting, I grinned. Realizing he’d been pulled into my pace, his ears flushed red.
