“Uwaaaahhh!!”
Lost in the heat of the concert, she was waving her light stick frantically before realizing that three songs had already passed.
The music that had seemed endless paused for a moment. The members of The Dawn wiped their sweat, drank water, and waved toward the Noeul fans. Each time they did, cheers erupted from the audience like waves.
After a short moment of interaction between the fans and The Dawn, a new VCR began to play on the massive screen.
While the video rolled, the members disappeared backstage and soon reappeared in pairs and trios, riding hot-air balloons. Seeing them wave to the melody of Connected, she suddenly felt tears sting her eyes.
【Even if we fly higher toward the sun
These wings won’t melt,
They’ll only burn hotter】
The song already had an extravagant beat, but the bold rearrangement made it even more radiant and grand.
The balloons soared toward the ceiling, and when Jung Dajun came close to the second floor, smiling brightly as if he knew no fear, her excitement peaked.
【When our eyes meet
All anxiety melts away
What’s left for us are wings and trust】
“I’m gonna faint...”
Muttering from beside her made her nod unconsciously in agreement, just as the members jumped down from the balloons and sprinted across the runway stage.
“Everyone! Sing along with us!”
Sung Jiwon waved his hand broadly and shouted.
【What’s the problem today?
Stop being so picky
Don’t sharpen your words
Let’s just get along sweetly, Ah, okay】
‘That song...!!!’
It was Candies, the legendary song among Noeul.
As Kim Sunghyun swept a hand over the floor and spun during the dance break, he spotted a banner featuring one of his old embarrassing photos. He winced and gave a short, sheepish smile.
Then, changing his expression, he sang directly toward the audience.
“...I want to marry Kim Sunghyun.”
Me too...
Even amid the loud sound system, that kind of mumbling hit crystal clear.
Before she knew it, she was imagining herself marrying Kim Sunghyun and honeymooning in Bali—when suddenly, she noticed Seo Hoyun approaching casually in a white jacket.
They said Noeul called him the god of fan service, and he truly lived up to it.
Even while singing passionately, he made eye contact with as many fans as possible, occasionally posing or sending finger hearts their way.
【Breathing quickens,
The heartbeat races】
She was screaming inside her head at how incredible he looked when suddenly, Seo Hoyun’s gaze met hers directly.
【The moments only we can share
Still linger in my mouth】
He raised an eyebrow slightly, bringing the mic close to his lips.
【Whatever you want, I’ll match it for you
What’s so hard about bending a little pride】
As he switched places with Kang Ichae and moved sideways, he stretched his right hand toward her section, mouthing the words—
‘......Long time no see??’
God, my ego’s enormous, isn’t it?
Sure, she was in the front row, but still, it couldn’t possibly be directed at her... could it?
【Was it sour? Was it sweet?
I don’t know if you understand what I’m saying now
It’s okay, I’m nervous too, no, I mean it
Just open up and take my candy first】
But then, Seo Hoyun’s finger pointed straight at her, lightly tapping his own throat before curling his thumb and forefinger into an OK sign.
“......Oh...”
So it was for me.
Two years ago—back when she was still an active Noeul—she had suddenly been diagnosed with an unfamiliar illness during a regular checkup. Despite the complicated name, the cure rate was high and the surgery wasn’t considered serious, yet she had been terrified.
A week before the surgery, she’d been selected for a video-call fansign with Seo Hoyun.
That short, precious time—she’d completely forgotten all the questions she’d prepared and ended up sobbing, saying she didn’t know why life was so hard. She could still vividly remember how much of a mess she had been.
At that time, Seo Hoyun had—
“Okay!!!”
Even startled, she raised both hands and made a big circle in the air. Seo Hoyun straightened up and smiled, his eyes crinkling.
【The moments only we can share
Still linger in my mouth】
The audience thought it was just another fan interaction and cheered loudly.
“...Oh, wow...”
During that video call, Seo Hoyun had listened quietly the whole time, and in the final few seconds, he’d spoken.
He’d said she would do well.
That she would recover both physically and emotionally, and that they would meet again somewhere.
That he’d ask if she was doing okay next time.
‘And he actually did.’
She never thought ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) he would remember.
From then on, she couldn’t even focus on the concert properly.
“Alright everyone, let’s take a picture~!”
Before she knew it, the concert was nearing its end, and it was time for The Dawn and the fans to take a group photo together.
“Move a bit closer.”
“Hey, don’t press on my head!!”
The members turned their backs to the crowd, facing the cameras, and just as the shutter clicked—
The lights suddenly went out, and whistles blew from several sections.
【—Where are we standing right now】
At the same time, the chorus of Film began to echo through the hall.
【Are our footsteps following the same path
I want to ask, but I just wait】
At first, the scattered voices were out of sync, but under Sung Jiwon’s guiding hand, they gradually merged into harmony.
She cleared her throat, glancing at the lyrics printed on the back of her slogan.
【Looking back, we were so naïve
And that’s why our film shone even brighter】
The members probably knew about the group sing-along beforehand. Kim Sunghyun’s emotional face and Jung Dajun’s laughter gave it away.
Kang Ichae rested his hand on Sung Jiwon’s shoulder, leaning slightly with a faint smile.
【Snow falling in summer, heat haze in winter
Sunflowers greeting the moon, or moonflowers facing the sun
Even when the world is full of things we can’t understand】
Or maybe not.
She wasn’t sure anymore.
Until the other side spoke their true heart, every assumption would stay just that—an assumption.
Because in this kind of one-sided structure of love, she believed fans knew idols best.
Noeul could list exactly what Seo Hoyun liked and hated, which season he preferred, every detail of his profile.
‘But sometimes, it feels like he knows me better.’
And yet, she had no idea what he truly felt right now.
【We’re still standing there
In our rightful place】
To outsiders, worrying about one of the country’s most popular male idols might sound ridiculous—they’d probably tell her to take care of herself instead.
She had thought the same before entering the concert hall. She might even laugh about it later, calling herself foolish.
But was there really anything to be ashamed of?
You can’t help but worry about the person you like.
【Where are we standing right now
Are our footsteps following the same path】
Was he truly enjoying this concert? Was he doing alright? Was the sudden fame weighing on him? Was he eating well? Did he still hate mint chocolate?
Endless, trivial questions filled her mind as she looked up at Seo Hoyun on the screen, singing softly along with the crowd.
【I want to ask, but I just wait】
In the end, fans could only ever wait.
Until their star chose to speak his heart.
***
After the two-day concert held on December 23rd and 24th ended, I returned to the office to drop off the Best Supporting Actor trophy.
Taking the elevator to the management team’s floor, I noticed faint light seeping out from the office at the end of the hallway.
At this hour? Peering through the cracked door, I saw Jung Seonui quietly packing her things into a box on the desk.
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, I deliberately made some noise. Her head lifted.
“...Team Leader. What are you doing at work on Christmas?”
“Is it Christmas already?”
“It’s past midnight.”
At that, she pushed her glasses up with a small laugh. Looking down, I saw the neatly arranged box — laptop, calendar, and office supplies inside.
There was only one reason someone would be doing this at dawn.
“You’re resigning?”
“Straightforward as always.”
Lost a round in the office politics?
No wonder the company atmosphere had felt tense lately.
Tilting my head, I watched as she clicked her pen and said,
“...Well, in the end, yes.”
“So who’s the new management team leader then?”
“You’ll find out next year.”
“Then I guess Lee Jihyun gets promoted to assistant manager next year.”
Internal power struggles were nothing new, so I thought it was just another passing storm. But if even Jung Seonui, who had endured this long, was leaving, then it was serious.
Trying to seem unaffected, she accidentally dropped the pen she’d been holding. Smiling faintly, I stepped into the management office and closed the door.
“So, do you have any more questions about my resignation?”
“Oh, I’m not particularly interested in you, Team Leader.”
“......”
“Just make sure you tighten up control before you go.”
Last year, I’d learned the hard way how painful a failure in information control could be — especially when it led to rumors about colluding with paparazzi.
In truth, only Team Leader Jung Seonui and her superiors inside WH Entertainment knew about it.
“...Control?”
“The Grand Prize from last year.”
I couldn’t afford another mistake.
But her puzzled expression caught me off guard.
“What about last year’s Grand Prize?”
“Because I’m the reason we didn’t get it?”
“Because of you?”
Something about this conversation felt off.
‘Is she messing with me?’
Pretending not to know?
I crossed my arms, speechless, watching as she hesitated, then took off her glasses and set them down.
“...Seo Hoyun, your solo work doesn’t necessarily dictate the group’s recognition. The reason The Dawn didn’t win last year’s Grand Prize was because their popularity was neck-and-neck with Hi-Five. How could that possibly be your fault?”
“Well, because I—”
I stopped mid-sentence.
Her faintly furrowed eyes were filled with genuine concern directed at me.
“......”
“Seo Hoyun?”
Meeting her gaze, the memories of all those unnatural incidents that had happened to me resurfaced.
‘...Wow.’
Biting the inside of my cheek lightly, I forced a calm smile.
“...Never mind.”
“......?”
Then I picked up the pen she’d dropped and placed it neatly into the box on her desk.
Watching the slight crease still lingering between her brows, I smiled again.
“Team Leader, have a good Christmas.”
“...Sure, thanks.”
She lifted the box and walked past me. I opened the door for her. Pausing briefly, she murmured softly,
“...You know, even though I was strict with you during my time here... it’s not like I didn’t want The Dawn to succeed.”
“......”
“I hope you win the Grand Prize this time.”
Then she left.
Her pure, simple sincerity made me smile.
I walked slowly toward the window and sat on the ledge.
“...Well, look at that.”
Jung Seonui’s memory had been erased.
And the only entity capable of doing that was the system.
A world now stripped of obstacles.
There was no longer any need to find out who had leaked the information about my “collusion.”
Because here, I had become a spotless, flawless idol.
“Damn... thorough bastard.”
Who did I take after?
Two weeks left until the Grand Prize.
Within that time, I would know.
All I had to do was wait for time to deliver the result.
Outside the window, across the street, a giant digital billboard was playing The Dawn’s advertisement. On screen, I smiled — flawless, immaculate, without a single trace of guilt.
Pressing my forehead against the cold glass, I stared at my own image and repeated silently to myself—
I can do this.
