The day after Jung Dajun stormed out, The Dawn still carried out their schedule as usual.
“Ah, that pose was great just now. Eyes this way—!”
“Yes!”
“Wow~, Jung Dajun-ssi, you’re really flying today.”
That morning’s schedule was an interview with a famous Japanese fashion magazine.
Thanks to the interpreter with them, the photo shoot went on without a hitch.
Jung Dajun didn’t want to show his feelings, but he had no confidence to look Seo Hoyun in the face calmly. So even when they took group shots, he deliberately positioned himself as far away as possible. Seo Hoyun must have noticed, but said nothing.
During the individual cuts, they rotated for Q&A sessions one by one.
“—In Japan right now, the original track ‘Superhero’ is really popular! I also love it so much that I listen often, and I was truly surprised at your skillful bass playing, Seo Hoyun-ssi.”
“Haha, thank you.”
With his standard polite business smile, Seo Hoyun spoke gently.
“All the members had such a hard time practicing instruments. But since it was a new challenge, we enjoyed it.”
“Oh my, is that # Nоvеlight # so!”
“Especially Dajun worked a lot. He played drums for the first time. He practiced whenever he could, and in the end, he could play naturally. I’m really proud of him.”
A little distance away, getting his makeup touched up, Jung Dajun’s ears pricked. A sulky feeling crept in.
‘He bled from his fingers too, and he talks like that.’
Even when busy, Seo Hoyun never put down the bass. When Kang Ichae gave advice beside him, he would quietly listen and keep repeating until he fixed it. Watching that, Jung Dajun himself had felt motivated.
‘And saying that outside—what’s the point.’
When he didn’t even know what he wanted.
As Seo Hoyun finished and rose from his chair, it was Dajun’s turn. He turned his head the opposite way to avoid eye contact, slipping past to sit before the reporter.
But the more he tried to deliberately ignore him, the more his attention clung to Seo Hoyun.
He seemed to be talking with Sung Jiwon off to the side, though Dajun couldn’t catch the words.
“—Jun-ssi, Jung Dajun-ssi?”
“Ye, yes! Sorry!”
Lost in thought, he had missed the question and hurriedly apologized.
“What did you say?”
Even after, he tried to focus, but it didn’t work out.
“Thank you very much....”
Finally done, drained, he bowed repeatedly to staff before heading back to the waiting room.
After packing up and returning to the hotel, he was resting before the next schedule when the door opened and Sung Jiwon peeked in.
“Dajun-ah, good work.”
“...Jiwon-hyung.”
That radiant smile landed directly on him.
Dajun’s head ducked down of its own accord.
Even thinking back on it, he had been childish storming out yesterday. Yet Sung Jiwon, along with Kim Sunghyun, had followed and comforted him.
“Have you calmed down? I thought you cried, but I’m glad your eyes aren’t swollen.”
“......I didn’t cry.”
“Really?”
Truth was, he had shed a few tears.
“I talked with Hoyun for a bit, and it didn’t seem like he meant it that harshly toward you.”
“...Yeah....”
A curt reply came out.
If that was true, then Seo Hoyun should have said so himself.
Puffing his cheeks, eyes down, Dajun muttered something he had been chewing on.
“...Hyung, doesn’t Hoyun-hyung seem weird these days?”
“Hm?”
“Just... his vibe changed. He feels oddly gentle now.”
“Ahaha, and that’s a bad thing?”
Not exactly.
Mumbling, Dajun’s brows arched.
“But... hyung, we’ve been together how long? It’s obvious something’s off! That’s why I just wanted him to act like usual....”
He thought Sung Jiwon also cared for Seo Hoyun deeply. But faced with his calm attitude, Dajun felt suffocated. Stroking his chin, Jiwon tilted his head.
“Mm, then what do you think you should do, Dajun?”
“...Eh??”
Caught off guard, Dajun’s eyes went wide.
“Should you pick a fight for attention like you did? Or should you press him directly about what’s on his mind?”
“...Uh....”
Remembering yesterday, his way hadn’t been right. But the latter option didn’t feel like the answer either....
“...Uh, well....”
Watching him hesitate, Jiwon burst into laughter and lightly added,
“Truth is, I don’t know the answer either.”
“......”
“So I’m just going to wait.”
That made him feel even more stifled.
Whether Jiwon knew or not, he only patted Dajun’s back, nudging him forward.
“Then, go talk properly.”
Saying Hoyun was waiting, he pulled Dajun out and placed the hotel room key in his hand before leaving himself.
Scratching his head as he watched his back, Dajun sighed.
No matter how much he matured, he didn’t think he could ever match Jiwon’s broad tolerance. They were only a few years apart, but today the gap felt enormous.
Slowly moving, Dajun arrived before Hoyun’s room, heart pounding. Taking a deep breath, he knocked—uncharacteristically. No reply. He knocked again. Still nothing.
So he used the key and opened the door. Bright daylight streamed through the big window, lighting the room.
“Hyung....”
But the room was empty. He was about to search when—
“—By now, you should understand.”
A voice sharp as a blade pierced his ears.
Thinking it was aimed at him, Dajun jumped, shoulders hunching. But then he spotted the shadow on the terrace and realized Hoyun was out there.
Carefully creeping closer, he saw Hoyun leaning against the iron railing, staring down at the city.
“Jung Wonha-ssi, I warned you. I said don’t do this.”
......Jung Wonha?
Dajun clapped his hand over his mouth to hold back the scream threatening to escape.
“You dare touch our maknae? And you think you can still have a place in this industry after that?”
His brows furrowed, voice biting with anger.
“Ha, you don’t get it.”
Suppressing his temper with a sigh, Hoyun’s lips curved into a crooked smirk.
“Enough. Don’t ever contact Jung Dajun again. It’ll stop being fun for you.”
He ended the call, tossing his phone onto the table, then roughly raked his bangs back.
“...Shit, that was so not me.”
Hearing those lines like a live reenactment of Han Chaehyuk’s role, Dajun squeezed his hands tighter.
‘...This isn’t a hidden camera prank, right?’
At that moment, Hoyun turned and their eyes met.
Panicking, Dajun floundered while Hoyun stepped inside, sliding the terrace door.
“...Jung Dajun?”
“...Uh, hy-hyung! Ha, haha. They said you were waiting, so... but who were you on the phone with?”
Straightening in a rush, he peeked nervously at Hoyun.
Hoyun brushed past into the room, answering calmly.
“Nothing important.”
“R-really?”
“Yeah.”
“I see?!”
His cheeks flushed, grin tugging at his lips. He thought he was hiding it well—Hoyun’s expression hadn’t changed.
“Jung Dajun, sit here.”
Dropping onto the sofa, Hoyun gestured. As if he’d never been sulking, Dajun plopped right beside him.
“About yesterday—I called you to clear up some misunderstandings.”
“Yes!”
Hoyun’s eyes narrowed faintly, then relaxed.
Feeling he was too excited, Dajun shifted back, forcing his brain to calm.
“First, let’s set one thing straight. Jung Dajun, I don’t feel happy when you pick fights.”
“...But—.”
“Answer.”
“...Yes.”
Even though you do.
“So you don’t need to stir up trouble just to come to me. That doesn’t make me happy.”
Dajun only fidgeted with his fingers.
“And how could I not care if you got cursed at? I only thought you’d be fine because I trusted you.”
“...Trusted me?”
“Yeah.”
There was no over-bright smile to deceive, no coaxing tone to sway.
So Dajun naturally accepted it as sincere.
“I knew you could handle it on your own.”
His eyelids fluttered.
That gaze full of trust made his chest float upward. If Hoyun looked forward to him like that, he felt he could go on endlessly.
Finally, Dajun carefully shared his true feelings.
“...Actually, I wasn’t even that angry.”
“I know.”
“Now I can just let it go....”
“You’ve grown, our maknae.”
Grinning at Hoyun’s affirmation, Dajun then hesitated and asked,
“...But hyung. Then why have you seemed different lately?”
Hoyun tilted his chin, prompting him to explain.
“I mean, you’ve been too gentle. It doesn’t feel like your usual self....”
“What, you don’t like it?”
A chuckle echoed and faded.
With a mischievous smile, Hoyun reached over and ruffled his hair roughly.
“Didn’t know you had a hobby of getting scolded.”
“I don’t, okay?!”
“Really? Then good.”
It felt like he’d dodged the question, but just confirming Hoyun’s attention was enough to lift Dajun’s mood.
“Then, are we done talking?”
“...Yeah.”
“Got it off your chest?”
“Yes... Sorry for making a fuss.”
“Good.”
At the easy forgiveness, Dajun rolled his eyes and sprang up.
“Uh, cough, hyung! We still have schedules later, aren’t you tired?! Should I buy some snacks to recharge?”
“Go ahead.”
Clattering about, he reached the door but stopped. Turning back, he called out.
“...—Hoyun-hyung!”
A bright, pure smile spread across his face.
“I’m really glad you’re in our group!”
Then came the sound of the doorknob turning and footsteps racing away.
“Geez....”
Left alone, Hoyun sighed, picking up his buzzing phone. Messages from Lim Hyunsu were flooding in.
[Lim Hyunsu: Crazy bastard]
[Lim Hyunsu: You didn’t lose it, right? I asked you to buy sake and Japanese cigarettes, and you suddenly spew that crazy shit on the phone??]
[Lim Hyunsu: Jung Wonha? What the hell is that? Stop screwing with busy people]
“I can’t even babysit a puppy properly.”
Reading the texts, Hoyun only sighed.
He had stayed up all night watching Campus Thrill Love, then even mimicked Han Chaehyuk’s corny lines Dajun liked—now his mind and body were exhausted.
“How does Min Jiheon even act out roles like this?”
Clicking his tongue, he moved back toward the room, when he noticed Dajun’s phone left on the table. He decided to leave it, knowing the boy would soon return. Just then, the screen lit up.
[Jung Wonha sunbaenim]
It was a call from TEW’s Jung Wonha.
Hoyun counted a few seconds, then answered.
[Finally you pick up. Excuse me, Jung Dajun-ssi. You keep ignoring your senior and—.]
“Wonha-ya, hello.”
[...Huh?]
“It’s me, Seo Hoyun.”
There was a pause, then a forced cough and reluctant greeting.
[Ah... yeah. Long time.]
“Yeah. Have you been well?”
After ignoring countless calls, to now greet him warmly—it was no wonder Jung Wonha’s breathing grew harsh.
[...Seo Hoyun-ssi, I’m shocked. What does that kind of greeting matter now.]
“Why, are you angry?”
[Is that even a question...!]
Pressing his throbbing temple, Hoyun deliberately laced his voice with a smile.
“Because of the trouble our maknae gave you?”
[So you know.]
“I heard enough.”
Immediately, Jung Wonha snapped sharper.
[I don’t know what Jung Dajun told you, but don’t think about blaming me. He became disrespectful because you all spoiled him. And you, Seo Hoyun-ssi, have no right to lecture me. Don’t forget your own mistake.]
“Mistake?”
[Don’t you remember?]
With a scoff, his voice grew louder.
[Right before the Shining Star unit competition—you asked if I was dating. Thanks to you, I screwed that stage. Just thinking about it still makes my teeth grind. I trusted you, Seo Hoyun-ssi!]
Who lives without mistakes?
Seo Hoyun was no exception.
—But the incident Jung Wonha mentioned was no mistake.
“Wonha-ya.”
And Hoyun had no intention of hiding it.
“That wasn’t a mistake. It was intentional.”
