When he was young, his eldest brother loved a certain movie, so he ended up watching it over and over.
“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”
But Kang Yeonhoo wasn’t sure if what he was doing now really counted as living out that famous line. Either way, he pulled his cap lower and quietly opened the practice room door.
“Ta-da! Da-da-dan, boom, one-two—!”
He glanced at his watch. He was on time, yet music was still blaring inside.
‘When are they finishing?’
Should he come back later?
He looked up again. The Dawn were still drilling the details of their choreography.
If it had just been them, maybe it would have been fine. But with backup dancers and staff filming behind-the-scenes content filling the room, if even a strand of his hair got caught on camera...
‘Horrifying.’
Especially now, with rumors about Hi-Five and The Dawn buzzing everywhere online, he could already imagine what people would say.
“No, no, it’s like dan-dadan-dan, swoosh swoosh swoosh, see?”
“Ah, ah... you’re right, Jung Dajun.”
“Right?! Heheh!”
Pressing his fingers against his temple, debating whether to leave, his eyes landed on The Dawn’s maknae. Dajun wiped sweat off with his T-shirt and went right back into steps. He looked very different from when Yeonhoo first met him—if he stayed quiet now, he even carried a faintly cold aura like his older members.
Just as Yeonhoo sighed, thinking of Hi-Five’s goofy, innocent maknae,
“Oh! Sunbaenim.”
Jung Dajun spotted him, beaming, and ran over.
“What brings you here?”
That innocent brightness made Yeonhoo instinctively step back. Dajun only tilted his head closer.
“Are you here to see Hoyun-hyung?”
“...Did Seo Hoyun say I’d be coming?”
“No, but if it’s not for him, then why else would you visit us, right!”
“......”
...Was this kid taking a jab?
Should he be worried Dajun was hinting about him being too close to Seo Hoyun, or mocking him for only bothering with Hoyun and ignoring the rest?
Dajun grabbed a towel from Sunghyun, wiped his head, then turned and shouted loudly:
“Hoyun-hyung!!!”
From the corner, something in black twisted up from the floor and staggered forward. Seo Hoyun, draped head-to-toe in black, leaned his chin on Dajun’s shoulder and muttered:
“Gonna die, seriously.”
“Ugh, gross, I’m sweaty! Get off, hyung!!”
“Sung Jiwon, stop him.”
Hoyun deliberately clung tighter, rubbing his face against Dajun’s shirt despite holding a towel. Sung Jiwon, watching with a gentle smile, only stepped in when Sunghyun’s barrage of signals—eyes, hands, even feet—forced him to peel Hoyun off the maknae.
Feeling awkward among the close-knit Dawn, Yeonhoo flinched when Hoyun’s gaze met his.
“So you came after all, sunbaenim.”
Hoyun’s mouth curled into a sly smile.
“...Didn’t you ask me to?”
“Exactly. Thanks for coming. Hey, I’m heading out.”
The Dawn erupted in protest.
“Huh?! Where are you going?! Bring back MelOna!!”
“Hyung, remember curfew’s 10~”
“Hoyun-ah, what about dinner?”
“Let’s have doenjang jjigae at the dorm.”
“Anything’s fine.”
Hoyun told them to give him 10 minutes, then in that short time he showered, fixed his hair, and changed into a crisp white shirt with deep gray slacks tinted blue. He looked like he meant business.
“Shall we?”
“...Seo Hoyun-ssi, I’ll say this up front.”
Yeonhoo decided to draw a line before he got dragged too far.
“This is as far as I go. Understood?”
The only thing WH’s years of training had given him was connections. Just days ago, higher-ups had asked him to meet for dinner, and right on time, Seo Hoyun had asked him to play bridge.
The reason wasn’t hard to guess.
‘Because of the comeback.’
The Dawn’s postponed activities were basically confirmed.
“I know, I know. Just a quiet dinner.”
“Yeah, right...”
Hoyun answered lightly and strode toward WH’s new HQ parking lot. Yeonhoo sighed and followed.
.
.
.
“Manager Jang, good evening.”
“Yeonhoo! Been a while. Sorry for the sudden dinner.”
“Not at all, I should’ve reached out sooner.”
Yeonhoo entered the reserved room first, greeting with a soft smile. Manager Jang patted his shoulder warmly, then his gaze moved to Seo Hoyun.
“Did you enjoy Hawaii?”
“Yes, thanks to your generosity I had a great time.”
“Haha! I was just being nosy. You don’t even know me well.”
“How could I not? You’re known as the Joo Woosung of the execs.”
“What~?!”
“Honestly, I think sometimes even Woosung-hyung loses to you.”
The sheer naturalness of Hoyun’s flattery left Yeonhoo struggling to keep a straight face.
“Hahaha! This kid’s funny!”
Of course the Planning HQ head knew exactly what kind of talent Joo Woosung was. Yet somehow Hoyun’s obvious buttering up wasn’t irritating—Jang laughed heartily and invited them to sit.
“So, you’re close with Yeonhoo? He never brings anyone, so this is a surprise.”
“Yes, Yeonhoo-hyung—ah, I mean, Yeonhoo-sunbaenim—”
Hoyun deliberately slipped with the title, cheeks faintly flushed. Yeonhoo nearly spat out his food.
“He’s been good to me since Shining Star Season 2. These days, with the timing, we can’t greet each other in public, but...”
Since when were we that close...
“Oh really? That’s good. Artists supporting each other is best, you know? Everything runs smoother without us lifting a finger.”
“Oh no, it’s only possible because people like you make things easier for us. Nothing in the world runs smoothly on its own.”
“Haha! This one talks like no ordinary kid.”
Cheered, Manager Jang launched into his usual routine of recounting Yeonhoo’s trainee stories. Hoyun matched every line with eager laughter, while Yeonhoo could only bow his head in embarrassment and focus on his plate.
“Must be proud, seeing Hi-Five debut.”
“Of course! The CEO adores Yeonhoo like no one else.”
“Sorry if I’m intruding, then.”
“Oh no, I’m glad. Seo Hoyun-ssi shows a new side today. No wonder your group’s so popular lately~.”
When the mood was at its peak, Hoyun struck.
“I’m glad you think so. Still, I’m anxious sometimes. With rumors of our comeback being delayed... just gossip, of course.”
He emphasized “rumors” with a practiced smile. Manager Jang stared at him briefly, then returned to his usual expression.
“Well, unfortunately, I don’t know about that.”
Yeonhoo realized:
“He’s drawing the line.”
Even if he knew, Jang had no intention of saying anything.
He glanced at Hoyun, who remained calm, nodding.
“Is that so?”
“...Ah, excuse me. This call I have to take.”
With that, Manager Jang stepped out. Once the door shut, Yeonhoo leaned toward Hoyun.
“‘Yeonhoo-hyung’? Did you put lip gloss on with that lie?”
Hoyun widened his eyes, then stuck out his tongue, licking his lips.
“Just did.”
“Ha...”
Yeonhoo chuckled in disbelief—then froze. Hoyun’s smile had vanished. He stared at the seat Jang had just left, lost in thought.
‘Getting what he wants won’t be easy.’
At this rate, dinner was all they’d get.
Feeling awkward, Yeonhoo stayed silent until Jang returned.
“Sorry, it’s busy with personnel changes lately. Calls all the time.”
“I see.”
Hoyun, perfectly composed again, answered politely.
Yeonhoo’s skin prickled.
“Oh, by the way, you know who that call was with? Deputy Manager Kim. His daughter’s a fan of The Dawn.”
“Really? That’s an honor.”
“Kim looks scary, but for his daughter, he’d do anything. If you get the chance, meet him for dinner too. Then he can brag to her... wouldn’t that be nice?”
From the useless rambling to the roundabout hint, it was obvious—
Yeonhoo stole a glance at Hoyun.
“Yes, I’ll contact Deputy Manager Kim.”
Hoyun answered calmly, idol smile intact.
After that, dinner was ordinary.
“Seo Hoyun-ssi, you’re such a bright, cheerful person.”
“Haha, thank you.”
Bright and cheerful...
While Yeonhoo silently gawked at Hoyun’s effortless chatter, Manager Jang finished his tea and stood.
“Well then, I’ll leave you young ones to it.”
“Thank you for today. Next time I’ll come with Yeonhoo-hyung.”
“Good, good. I cherish Yeonhoo, and you seem a decent friend.”
“I’m grateful for the kind words.”
What is this, a matchmaking dinner?
Yeonhoo forced his mouth into a tight smile as Jang chuckled and patted his back before leaving.
“Haa...”
Finally exhaling, he gulped sparkling water like medicine.
“How can you be this fake?”
“This is my real self.”
“Please, even fans say you’re the king of fakery.”
Yeonhoo clicked his tongue at Hoyun, who calmly nibbled dessert.
“You sure this was worth it? Didn’t seem like much gained.”
Hoyun pulled out the fork, smiling.
“Why? Worried about me?”
“Why do you—”
“Anyway, Manager Jang is popular for a reason. His carrot and stick are clear.”
“What?”
“He draws his line cleanly, stays neutral...”
He twirled a shine muscat grape on his fork, then stabbed it.
“...but slyly drops a hint.”
“......”
That must be it. His mention of ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) Deputy Manager Kim was a gift disguised as chatter.
“Isn’t it fun?”
—Fun, my ass.
“Then I’ll enjoy it deliciously.”
Hoyun popped the grape into his mouth, smiling sweetly. Yeonhoo suddenly felt the urgent need for antacids.
