【Kkung-kkotto... kissing-kkung... ah, fuck.】
“Pff—hahaha.”
Seo Hojin burst into laughter.
He had been watching the footage of Seo Hoyun over and over again through the system, simply waiting for the day he would finally disappear.
【Hoyunie is tired too, hng-hng....】
“Ah, this is hilarious.”
At first, he could barely bring himself to glance at it—but now, it was nothing but fun and amusement.
[This one’s my favorite!]
The system, seemingly excited as well, kept playing another clip after another. Maybe it had absorbed too much of his personality by now, because it picked Seo Hojin’s tastes perfectly.
【You act like you can do whatever you want anyway, and still expect to be praised.】
【......You’re kind of a jerk, hyung.】
【You’re hurt because it’s true. And stop with that ‘hyung’ crap. You only use it when it’s convenient for you. It’s annoying.】
“Oh, so Ichae actually said that? Fair point—seriously, fair point! My brother really does have that habit.”
Because he’d been moving between consciousness and the unconscious, he hadn’t known every detail of what his brother had gone through. Now that he finally did, something inside him itched—restless and ticklish.
“God, this is funny....”
Leaning deep into the chair in the small editing room, Seo Hojin lifted his hand and stared at it. The small hand he’d once had was gone—his body had returned to its adult form.
‘It’s... working out well.’
Wiping the smirk from his face, he fell silent for a moment, then asked the system,
“Still can’t see him in real time?”
Normally, upon entering the unconscious world, he should have been able to monitor Seo Hoyun’s actions immediately. Yet, strangely, ever since the main quest of the game was completed, Seo Hoyun had become invisible to him within the unconscious.
[No, it’s still impossible. Maybe because the game’s completed, or perhaps some “external entity” is blocking it again....]
[Anyhow, do you want to see Mr. Seo Hoyun?]
[If it’s just for a moment, I could probably pull him into the unconscious.]
Seo Hojin stroked his chin, silent for a long while, then tilted his head slightly.
“Why bother?”
‘It’s all over anyway.’
No matter what state Seo Hoyun was in, meeting him now would only stir up old feelings.
“...Forget it. Just make sure he doesn’t find out what I did.”
[Of course. The last thing that surfaced for him was that message from the award ceremony.]
“Yeah, yeah.”
He had revealed just enough of the truth to keep Hoyun from doing anything rash, but the process itself had been hidden. There was no need to show him everything.
As if to shake off his sinking mood, Seo Hojin ran a hand through his hair and began to rise from the chair—
Bzzt—
The screen in front of him filled with static.
“...What the? Did you do that?”
[Huh? No?]
While he sat there bewildered, the display flickered to show a dim, orange-lit room, its curtains tightly drawn against any sunlight.
[...This looks like a live feed.]
Why was it showing up now?
After so long being unable to locate Seo «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» Hoyun, why was his image suddenly appearing?
Unease prickled under his skin as he reached toward the screen. Then Seo Hoyun appeared.
“...Thank god.”
He’s safe.
Relief lasted only a heartbeat. Something about the way Hoyun focused on the laptop in front of him seemed... off.
‘What the hell is he doing?’
He was pressing the spacebar and arrow keys repeatedly, switching background music as if selecting BGM—
Like he was editing.
‘...He’s not insane, is he?’
Had he lost his mind and started believing he was still a PD?
Seo Hojin chewed on a fingernail, growing restless. Then he froze.
Seo Hoyun had set up a camera in front of the sofa table. He clicked the mouse, stared straight ahead, and slowly began to speak.
【...Hello, this is Seo Hoyun.】
A hoarse voice, rough and strained, flowed through the editing room speakers.
“...What.”
【I turned on this camera because I want to tell you the truth.】
The words truth and confession sent cold dread down Hojin’s spine.
【I am not an idol.】
A chill ran up his back.
【I was a producer at QBS Broadcasting, in charge of the trainee survival show “Pick the One.” Becoming a main PD at thirty-three was unusual—but I became infamous for editing contestants negatively and manipulating their portrayals.】
“What... what the hell are you doing, hyung?!”
【That winter, when I was thirty-three, I died in a car accident. But when I opened my eyes, I was in a body ten years younger.
Then a sudden “system” appeared and told me this was a parallel world—and that unless I cleared the game, I would never be able to log out.
And so, unwillingly, I had to become an idol.】
Seo Hojin slammed his fist on the desk where the monitor sat—but of course, Seo Hoyun, unaware of this, continued to speak.
【To clear the game, I had to complete quests. Using my knowledge from my PD days, I did whatever it took. I blackmailed a composer who had used chart-rigging to gain hits, and I exploited scandals to forge ties with industry idols.
I even contacted paparazzi I’d known as a PD and deliberately fueled controversies.】
“Is that a live stream? Is he broadcasting this right now?!”
[Wait, I’m checking!]
“Check, now!!”
【...—Most of the leaks you’ve seen were spread by me personally. From Today’s drug photos during Shining Star Season 1 to my own family scandal in Season 2—every single one.】
If this went public, Seo Hoyun would be utterly destroyed.
【After four years of this absurd and unnatural life, I cleared the game by winning the Grand Prize at the Korean Music Awards.】
He should’ve erased his brother’s memories completely.
Clenching his lips, Seo Hojin looked up—Seo Hoyun was giving a faint, almost relieved smile.
【All I wanted was to return to my original world and see my brother again.】
And then, as if looking directly at him through the screen—
【But the little brother I broke my back to raise, feed, and protect... turned out to stab me in the back at the end.】
Shock seized Hojin’s face just as the system pinged.
[I checked—it’s not being broadcast anywhere. It’s a recording!]
Just as he turned back toward the screen—
【Hojin.】
Hearing his name, Seo Hojin stopped breathing.
【I know you’re still alive and watching me.】
He was trying to talk to him.
【Call me over.】
“...What?”
【If you don’t bring me into your unconscious right now, I’ll upload this video as it is.】
“...Is he out of his damn mind?”
How did he know he was alive here—or that he could call him?
Hojin grabbed his head, grinding his teeth.
No, that wasn’t the point.
If Seo Hoyun actually uploaded that video, he’d be branded insane and his career would be finished.
“That crazy bastard’s lost it...!”
That damn memory wipe!
He raked his fingers through his hair, trying to steady his breath.
He knew his brother’s temperament too well.
Hoyun would never expose others to harm without reason.
...Even if, by some miracle, he had lost his mind and really did upload it, WH Entertainment would cover it up completely—and any trace of “Seo Hojin” would vanish.
【...Pff.】
A faint laugh drew his gaze back to the screen. Seo Hoyun flicked the lighter’s wheel.
【I can hear your brain working from here.】
Considering his brother’s bulldozer personality, it was plausible he could go that far.
Hojin’s eyes darted over the background.
‘Why isn’t he at home?’
Why choose an empty vacation house, of all places?
Unpleasant thoughts crept in as he bit his lip. Then came a weak murmur.
【...Please.】
The hand holding the lighter was trembling.
Seeing that, Hojin’s shoulders began to shake too.
【You’re really not going to say goodbye? Just for a moment—just one look.】
Because Seo Hoyun had never shown weakness before him.
He had always acted as if nothing could scare him.
【I just... just want to see you one more time.】
“......”
Get a grip.
Don’t fall for that.
That’s what reason said.
But—
‘Goddamn it!’
Seo Hojin ground his teeth.
***
Ding!
Ding!
Ding-ding!
.
.
.
Endless notification sounds echoed. In the middle of a cramped room filled with computers and nameless devices, Seo Hojin looked down heavily at the figure lying there—Seo Hoyun.
It was their first time meeting face-to-face since the truth had come out.
Honestly, Hojin was terrified of what his brother might say next. He scratched the back of his head, pretending indifference.
‘Convince him fast. Send him back safely.’
Time allowed for this meeting wouldn’t be long.
He steadied himself—then Seo Hoyun’s eyes snapped open.
“...Uh, so...”
The man who had raised him after their parents died, who had died over and over again before him—the man who had pretended to be fine even at the edge of the sea.
Meeting those eyes again made words threaten to spill from Hojin’s throat. He bowed his head quickly.
He’d expected this.
“I mean, you asked me to bring you here, so I did. But... let’s make it quick, okay? I know you’re shocked, but—”
“Hojin.”
At that soft tone, Hojin’s heart lurched.
“Seo Hojin.”
Seo Hoyun sat up and reached out toward him.
Sensing danger, Hojin tried to back away—but before he could, Hoyun grabbed him by the collar.
—Thud!!
“It was a fucking pain finding you.”
Sprawled on the floor, clutching his cheek, Seo Hojin looked up in shock.
Panting, eyes blazing like a beast’s, Seo Hoyun forced a gentler tone.
“You said if I ever got lost, you’d come find me, didn’t you, you little bastard.”
