Shaking off Seo Hoyun, whose tongue was endlessly slick with words, Joo Woosung fled as if escaping, locking himself in the hotel and killing time by sleeping. With his face buried in the pillow, his hand instinctively reached out for Meowy, only for him to remember again that he was in Hawaii.
Instead, his hand bumped the charging phone, and he saw it was still early morning.
‘Should I sleep a bit more.’
He vaguely recalled something about them setting up a camera in the living room to film more realistic daily-life footage today.... Those thoughts blurred as he drifted back into half-sleep—
【Your body’s insane HOO HOO】
—when suddenly the lyrics of ‘Eye Color’ rang out.
【Wherever you go, people only stare at your body Hoo
Sorry, but I can’t remember your eye color】
“Ugh, why....”
Annoyed by the nightmare of a song chasing him, he raked his hair back roughly and sat up, not even questioning why it was his ringtone as he sluggishly grabbed the phone.
“Yes, this is Joo Woosung....”
Normally he had his phone set to block unknown numbers, so he answered a bit defenselessly.
[...]
“Hello?”
No answer. Pulling the phone away from his ear, he saw the name Seo Hoyun on the screen. Pressing thumb and forefinger into his eyelids, he switched to speaker.
[Not your darling, it’s Hoyun.]
The familiar low voice came through the device.
Utter nonsense. His brain needed a moment to translate it.
“...Seo Hoyun?”
[Did you sleep well?]
A shiver crawled down his spine. Even unseen, he could tell Hoyun’s voice was laced with a grin.
[Sleepyhead, hurry and get up~.]
“W-what?”
And then the call ended, just like that.
Staring at the phone for a moment, Joo Woosung threw it away in shock.
“He’s finally lost it?”
Every hair on his body—including the fine ones—stood on end. He scrubbed his arms furiously.
Something was definitely wrong this morning. Muttering “camera setup” like it was some cursed incantation, he choked back rising curses and went to wash up.
‘Was his pride hurt that badly yesterday?’
Was saying he didn’t know broadcasting really that much of an insult?
Drying his wet hair half-heartedly with a towel, he stepped out to find staff already there, along with his manager, on the balcony connected to the living room. And there was Seo Hoyun—who usually dressed only in black—wearing a white shirt, leaning on the wooden table, sipping cocoa. On the table were plates with fluffy scrambled eggs, golden toast, and thick, glistening bacon.
Gazing out at the beach, Hoyun greeted him.
The alarm bells in Joo Woosung’s head went off.
“You’re here?”
Today was dangerous.
Suppressing his instinct to back away, he sat down hesitantly. Hoyun turned, smiling with his eyes.
“Good morning.”
“......”
This bastard... he’s not actually on drugs, right?
“Y-you’re up early....”
Forcing his face into control under the camera now pointed at him, he picked up a butter knife, spreading fig jam on his toast while glancing at Hoyun.
Scrape, scrape—the knife rasped over the dry bread.
He took a bite, sweetness still spreading on his tongue when Hoyun asked:
“Where do you want to go today?”
“Wherever.”
“...I’d like to hit the beach again.”
He hated the workshop so much he never wanted to go near it again, but the travel voucher they won there was paying off.
The warm, salty scent brushing his nose, the endless emerald sea, the wide freedom of movement—it all loosened his nerves.
“Shall we then?”
Woosung’s brow arched.
‘What’s with this guy.’
Even though Woosung’s danger signals were flashing, Hoyun seemed oddly the same as usual.
As Woosung stabbed his fork into bacon, feeling suspicious,
“Why do you always get food on your mouth.”
“......”
Hoyun’s finger tapped Woosung’s lip and withdrew.
Screeeech—
Only the sound of Woosung’s chair scraping echoed. One second more and he would’ve spat breakfast back out onto the table.
“...Are you crazy?”
“Hm?”
Hoyun tilted his head innocently, as if he’d only meant to help.
To Woosung, it looked like a preview of the hell awaiting him.
.
.
.
“Phew, let’s go.”
After a lazy morning at the beach, they headed to a shopping district, supposedly to buy gifts for their members. Even with hats pulled low, people sometimes recognized them, especially Joo Woosung, who was often asked for photos.
Feeling awkward, Woosung tugged Hoyun along and muttered,
“Hey, sorry. That must’ve been uncomfortable.”
“No, not really.”
Hoyun shrugged, unconcerned.
“It looked nice.”
“......”
What the hell was wrong with him?
In LA he’d been full of grumbling and jabs, but now he said it looked nice?
“I like it when I see you being loved.”
“......”
Was there something wrong with the maple syrup on the bacon? Woosung clutched his head at the thought—
Vroom!
An engine roared. Before he could even look back, a hand yanked him violently by the collar.
“Danger!”
The hell was dangerous?
Thrown to the ground, he saw a motorcycle passing steadily along the road, keeping all traffic rules, three meters from the sidewalk.
“Shouldn’t you drive straight.”
At least three meters away.
“Do you have eyes on your feet?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
No, you.
But it didn’t end there.
Hoyun kept making him walk on the inside. Even if Woosung tried to switch, Hoyun naturally moved to the outside. He didn’t forget to throw in stupid jokes along the way either. Finally, Woosung’s patience snapped.
While staff paused to change tapes, he grabbed Hoyun.
“Hey. Are you seriously insane?”
“What?”
“Why the hell are you acting like this since morning? You crazy? And how the fuck did you change my ringtone?”
“Huh?”
Hoyun widened his eyes, looking genuinely surprised, and lowered his brows sadly.
“Hyung, did I do something wrong...?”
“What?”
“...I’m upset.”
“Wow, fuck! Ha! Really! Ha! I’m the upset one! Me!!”
Letting the curses burst out at last, Woosung beat his chest with his fist. But when staff approached with the mic, he shut his mouth.
‘I can’t get dragged into Seo Hoyun’s bait.’
He swore he wouldn’t react no matter what Hoyun did.
The day went on. They enjoyed themselves decently, arms full of shopping bags, until early evening, when they stopped at a small pub. In the corner was a small stage; the air was filled with guitar music and only foreign customers, giving it an exotic feel.
Woosung ordered a beer, whispering to a staff member beside him.
“Is there some hidden mission I don’t know about? Like ‘Make Joo Woosung curse’?”
“No, nothing...”
“......”
“But seriously, you two look so close, the vlog’s gonna be amazing! So fun to watch!!”
Forcing an awkward smile, Woosung took his drink back to Hoyun’s side.
Meaning Hoyun was doing all this of his own accord. Spending the whole day acting like a “thoughtful junior drawn from a picture.” And the worst part—it looked convincing, thanks to his pale face.
Then, the foreigner who had been singing earlier on the pub’s small stage came over and asked in English:
“Are you filming now? Those people over there showed me a broadcast consent form earlier.”
“Oh, yes.”
Hoyun answered in English. The singer, excited, asked again:
“You’re celebrities, right? Actors? Models?”
“Singers.”
“Oh! Then, since it’s fate, would you mind singing a song?”
It was good broadcast material, but clearly awkward to step up to. Staff hesitated—when Hoyun looked at Woosung.
At once, the memory of the workshop surfaced.
“Woosung-hyung, you’re so shy at times like this.”
Smiling knowingly, Hoyun walked up alone, picked up a guitar, and stood at the mic.
【No regret
Even if it’s far, blurred, or frightening
If you smile, it’s over】
A husky, low voice spread softly through the pub, drawing everyone’s attention.
Since the first time, Woosung had never been able to deny the strange pull Hoyun had.
【When I imagine a future with you
Why does it feel so lonely】
Eyes half-lidded, clutching the mic with both hands, scraping his throat into the high notes—it was unusually poignant, almost heartbreaking.
Ding-ding-ding.
Finishing with a gentle strum, Hoyun fixed his gaze straight on Woosung.
“Hyung....”
“......”
A wave of dread slammed into Woosung.
“I think I was only able to come this far thanks to you.”
Why the hell did he have to say that—on stage, in Korean—deliberately creating the mood of ‘only you will understand this.’
Woosung wanted to storm out immediately.
“Always, thank you.”
The staff looked bewildered, unsure of what was happening, as Hoyun repeated the words in English.
“Everyone, this song—...”
“Hey, don’t! Whatever you’re doing, don’t do it!”
“—was sung for that precious person sitting right there. Please give them applause.”
“No! It’s not!”
“Thank you. Woosung-hyung, let’s enjoy the rest of our trip too.”
“Hey! Heyyy!!!”
Woosung’s desperate cries were buried under cheers and applause.
“Nice! Nice man!”
“Wheeeew~!! Wheeeew~!”
“No! It’s not! I don’t know him!!”
But his denial was taken as proof of their closeness, people nodding knowingly and patting his shoulder.
“Enjoy your trip!”
Staff spun their cameras happily, sure the footage would turn out beautiful. All Woosung could do was chug his beer.
“Wow, what a perfect story arc!”
“Shall we call it a day? I bet we’ll get bonuses again, the views ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) will be insane!”
Returning the guitar, Hoyun strode back. Woosung slammed his empty glass down on the table.
“Joo Woosung-ssi.”
Leaning casually on the table, Hoyun said warmly,
“This is broadcasting.”
“You’re fucking unbearable....”
“Shh, our little kitty. On broadcast, only pretty words.”
Fuck... what... did I even do...!
Anger surged, but when Woosung saw Hoyun’s eyes nearly spinning 270 degrees, he snapped his mouth shut.
Because if anyone could go even crazier right here, it was this guy.
“Answer.”
“...Yeah.”
Resolving never to bring up broadcasting in front of Seo Hoyun again, Joo Woosung quietly ordered another beer.
