Archive of Our Own

Manager Ryu Gunwoo's alarm rang out in the dark quiet of early morning. The sun wasn't up yet. He reached out groggily, fumbling for his phone on the nightstand, toppling some magazines, books, and notebooks in the process. He groaned at the added mess to his bedroom floor. Being Testar's personal manager was too demanding of a job that he doesn't have any spare energy left to clean up his own mess at the end of the day.

His fingers finally brushed over the cool surface of his phone, silencing the gentle tune that filled the room—a dreamy music box loop from Testar's reject pile. He had a soft spot for that particular piece, one that never made it pass the screening process among the Testar members. It had so much potential, he wanted to fight for it, convince them to give it a chance and make it into a full song. But alas, he's just one of the agency's staff. His job was to take care of the members, not force his taste in music upon them. Funnily enough, or maybe, the kids pitied him enough, that they gave the melody loop to him as a present, its rhythm had become the soundtrack to his mornings since then.

With a heavy sigh, Manager Gunwoo rubbed the remnants of sleep from his eyes, the weight of exhaustion clinging to him, making his bed much more inviting, tempting him to go back to sleep. He really need to start his day though, there was always so much work to do. After a brief pause, he grabbed his glasses from the bedside and slid them on, the world around him coming into a clearer focus. He sat up, reaching down to retrieve the fallen reading materials on the floor, but their was nothing.

Did he just... imagined it? His head throbbed painfully for a bit and his hand automatically went up to massage his aching temple. Looking around his room sent him into spirals of utter bewilderment. When did he found the time to clean? His bedroom was spotless. The throbbing in his head subsided. It was probably one of the cleaning staff they hired to clean the dorm twice a week. He probably didn't notice his surroundings due to lack of sleep.

Gunwoo made a mental note to buy more beer later to help him relax, sleep easier and faster, as he stretched out his limbs. Another day awaited him, he could already feel the routine pulling him forward. He checked Testar's activity calendar on his phone. His eyes widened at what he read. There was no time to linger in bed, it was time to get moving.

According to the calendar app, today was Testar's first fan signing event. It was hard to suppress a smile as a fluttery feeling spread out in his stomach, he was excited for the kids. His brother, in all but blood, would probably cry a river by the end of the event. For all the hardships that boy went through, Park Moondae deserve to feel all the love and appreciation from his fans.

He was grateful that Testar had a good managerial team, but it was nothing against the sense of organization of Testar's leader. Every file and information that Gunwoo needed to check was linked in the notes section of the calendar app, making his job much smoother, especially since he had spotty memory issues. Before he went into the shower, Gunwoo made sure that the location and logistics for today's event was all in order. With good mood to start a great day, Gunwoo sang a medley of Testar songs while in the shower.

Still humming a tune as he went to the kitchen then stopping in front of the fridge, where the list of dietary restrictions for the kids was posted. He double-checked the paper for any changes that should be noted, and chuckled at the scribbled mess that Cha Eugene did on this maknae's column on the chart, protesting about all the tasty junk food that he wasn't allowed to eat.

Suddenly, arms wrapped around his torso, feeling a forehead lean on the base of his nape.

“Hyung, I'm so glad you're awake,” Park Moondae said softly, anxiously, accompanied by a sleepy wet sigh.

Gunwoo shifted, inviting his sensitive brother to a one arm hug. “Did you have a nightmare?” He took a mental note to check Moondae's medications and to monitor his brother's mood throughout the day. The young man's prone to stress these days.

“I, um...”

His brother leaned in closer, examining Gunwoo's face. After a second, satisfied at whatever the young man saw, Park Moondae continued, “I guess I'm just nervous for today. I don't want to make a mistake and make the fans hate me.”

He rubbed his brother's arm reassuringly. “Just be yourself. You're naturally adorable.” His brother chuckled at that. “It's impossible for anyone to hate you.”

Surprisingly, another set of arms wrapped around them both tight.

“Yup! Park Moondae hyung's really really cute!” Cha Eugene announced loudly. “Only a psycho would hate Moondae hyung!”

“What's this~”

Gunwoo's eyes widened at the tallest Testar member barreling towards them. Keun Sejin ended up squeezing the air out of all three of them.

“Quick~ Everyone! Last chance to hug manager-nim before he escape!”

Oof!

Seon Ahyeon jogged over with a blush and eagerly threw himself into the growing hug pile. The added weight tipped the group's balance, sending the entirety tumbling to the floor in a heap of laughter and long-idol-limbs. Not missing a beat, Kim Raebin, with an oddly serious face, shamelessly stage-dived onto the pile, landing on top of everyone without hesitation. Ryu Chungwoo was next to peek into the kitchen. Testar's leader was sporting a shy but cheeky grin as he watched the chaos unfold before him.

“—uh-no, Chungwoo—stop!” Gunwoo voiced out breathlessly.

It was useless, however. It seemed that Testar's leader was also feeling very mischievous today.

Fortunately, before the ex-athlete managed to surf across their bodies with pure athletic muscle, Bae Sejin arrived just in time to stop further foolishness from happening.

With a tight grip on Ryu Chungwoo's collar, like how a runaway dog was caught, the oldest Testar member shrieked, “You idiots! If you're doing something like this, then at least do it somewhere soft!”

Okay... Gunwoo wasn't expecting that kind of admonishment.

For their meal at breakfast, Manager Gunwoo carefully ensured that each of the kids had the proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats tailored specifically to their physical requirements. He took into account their body weight, height, and the level of activity planned for today. His meticulous approach was all thanks to the additional detailed notes that was permanently linked in Testar's schedule. With a resource like this, he could confidently manage their nutrition down to the smallest detail.

“Let me thank you again, Chungwoo, for adding and keeping those notes updated. It makes my job easier.” He said nonchalantly while transferring the smoothie he had just prepared to each of the members' respective hydration flasks.

The sudden lack of clinking cutlery made him pause, looking up from what he was doing. His attention shifted to the group at the breakfast table, immediately sensing the change in the air. The lively chatter had faded, replaced by an odd stillness. The group who had been laughing mere moments ago, now sat in a strangely somber mood. It was clear that something weighed on their minds. He noted to check the SNS later himself. The children might have seen something distressful that needed to be corrected.

Testar's leader cleared his throat, “Yes, hyung. It's also helpful to us. Maintaining it became a habit at this point. It's really all thanks to you.”

Gunwoo tilted his head in confusion. “Thanks to me?”

His brother laughed nervously. “Chungwoo hyung meant the team! That managerial team you've assembled! They really... know their stuff.”

“Speeeeeaaaaking of the managerial team~ aren't they running a bit late?” Keun Sejin interjected with chopsticks pointed at him.

He raised an eyebrow. “Good question.” He took his phone out and was about to contact his team, but was stopped from doing so.

“No-no-no-no-no~” The tallest joker of the group sang like a funny spoiled brat that was repeating a nursery song. “Manager-nim needs to eat, right?” The question was directed not at Gunwoo but towards the group, who unanimously agreed with eager nods. “Then it's all settled. Chungwoo hyung will contact them himself.”

Their leader followed through. “Yes. In fact, I'm texting them right now... Said they're on their way.”

Gunwoo was touched. These kids... really.

After he finished recapping all of the flasks, he grabbed a plate full of food and made his way to the table, settling down with the children to join them for the meal. As he took his first bite, the lighthearted atmosphere began to slowly return. Laughter and playful chatter trickled back into the conversation, and the group's familiar banter filled the room with a sense of ease.

Soon, the rest of the managers have arrived. Gunwoo made sure that each of them had the time to sit down and eat before the busy day ahead. One of them was elbowed to the side and was glared at by another manager because the first one was caught staring at Gunwoo with a dazed expression instead of eating. He wondered out loud if something was wrong and was duly informed that this manager was a new hire and wasn't used to “pretty famous faces upclose—erm—early mornings, ahahahaha. Don't worry, he had signed the NDA already.” He was confused for a bit about those details but decided to ignore it.

So while the managers were settling in, he quietly slipped out to inspect the group's transportation vehicle, ensuring it was in good optimal condition and fully stocked with the things that the kids will need. After the thorough check, he moved on to speak with the security team on the phone, confirming their positions and protocols for the fan signing event at the venue.

Satisfied that everything was in order, Gunwoo returned to the Testar members who had just finished changing their clothes and was packing up their bags. He scanned the room to see if any of them needed additional help or last-minute adjustments before they headed out.

“Oh no, the lollipops...” Park Moondae said dejectedly while looking inside the box of sweets. “I-I should've checked them all.”

He stepped closer, noticing that his brother was staring down at a box of cracked or broken large lollipops with a look of disappointment on his face. Though not all of them were damaged, the sight of the shattered candies had clearly upset him. Still, it wasn't just the broken ones that caught his attention. The sheer number of sweets in the box was a bit concerning.

“What's with this?” He snatched the box from his brother's hand. “Eating too much sweets won't be good for any of you.”

“Hyung! They're not for us! They...” Moondae's shoulders drooped. “They're for the fans. I was feeling guilty, remember, and-and you suggested that I could give them something in return at the fan signing event. So I ordered them... But I can't give them away like this.”

Oh. His brother's such a good kid.

“Hm.” Gunwoo tapped his chin in thought. “It's just candy. We can fix this.”

He hurried into the kitchen, box of broken candies in hand, his mind racing with a solution. Digging through one of the lower shelves, he quickly found a small portable torch and set to work. Carefully reheating the fractured lollipops, he melted the edges just enough to fuse the pieces back together, turning them whole once more. The task required precision, Testar and the rest of the managers gathered around to watch, a quiet sense of focus settled over the room that was slowly smelling like caramel.

“H-hyung, can we help?” One of them asked.

Pausing for a moment, he pushed his glasses up the sweaty bridge of his nose while he shyly admitted, “I'm not good at decorations. Maybe you could help with that part? Careful though, it's very hot.”

With the group ready to assist, Gunwoo rummaged through the fridge and pantry, pulling out snack-bits of chocolate, gummies, and colorful candies.

“ACK! I bought those from Spain and America!!”

“Cha Eugene, this is an emergency!”

“Hahaha~ You thought no one would find your hiding spots~”

They all eagerly joined in, though Eugene did it with a pout, sticking the treats onto the lollipops to cover the cracks, transforming the damaged sweets into something fun and unique. They also ended up adjusting most if not all of the lollipops. It was a lot.

The kitchen became an impromptu lollipop design factory, with everyone working silently and diligently, fully aware of the ticking clock. They had to be on the road soon if they wanted to avoid the traffic. But in that moment, their shared effort and creativity filled the room with a quiet camaraderie, which Gunwoo wish he could perfectly preserve in his spotty memory.

All the hired managers were required to have a license. Manager Gunwoo sat himself behind the wheel, taking on the role of the driver for the day. His reason was simple: he knew all the shortcuts that could help them avoid the worst of the morning work traffic, so that they won't be late. Testar, however, wasn't so easily convinced. The members protested briefly, voicing concerns about his well-being. They must have noticed him rubbing his temples a few times recently and knew something was off.

A little miffed at the unneeded attention, Gunwoo waved off their worries with a firm, “I'm fine,” even though the mild headache he'd been dealing with kept making its presence known, coming and going unpredictably. He wasn't about to let that slow him down. He was used to it. He frequently have headaches after all since he started wearing prescription glasses when he was young.

Testar's leader stepped forward, offering to take over the driving duties. “I'll drive, hyung,” Chungwoo suggested gently, already asking for the route details to input into the GPS.

But Gunwoo shook his head and insisted, “No, you need to conserved your energy for the fans and everything else for today. They bought so many albums and had cheered you all passionately. So you must do your best to treat them well with sincerity. Let me handle the driving. That's part of my job.”

With that, the conversation ended. Despite the lingering ache in his head, Gunwoo settled into the driver's seat, placing his baseball cap on his head, and focusing on getting the kids where they needed to be, quickly and safely.

When they arrived at the art hall in Mokdong, Gunwoo's headache hadn't eased up. His brother noticed and with a determined look, Moondae handed him an ibuprofen tablet, refusing to take no for an answer. His instinct was to brush it off and keep going, but Gunwoo knew there was no point in arguing for something like this. He acquiesced, swallowing the tablet quickly with some mineral water that the newly hired manager had eagerly handed over, so that his brother could focus on getting his hair and makeup done alongside the rest of the Testar members.

As the stylists worked their magic in preparing the idols for the fan signing event, Gunwoo stayed busy, checking the final arrangements on the stage, making sure that the platform was secure and intact that no accident could occur on and off it. Before the doors opened to the public, Testar had a few quick photoshoots for their SNS account.

Always ready to help, Gunwoo stepped in and grabbed the agency's phone camera, snapping pictures of the group and ensuring that they all have their best angles. He moved seamlessly between the members, offering quiet directions and framing the photos with the professionalism he gained from his data pal days.

By seven-thirty in the morning, Testar made their entrance from the side of the stage. The moment the kids appeared, deafening cheers erupted, filling the small art hall with an overwhelming wave of excitement. Gunwoo couldn't help but smile at the sight, despite the awkward timing and date, the fans who won their slot had shown up in full force.

He knew that the early hour wasn't ideal. Events like this were usually held in the afternoon or early evening, giving fans the chance to attend after school or work. But this time, circumstances had forced them into an unusual schedule.

The reason for the odd timing still irritated him. Another idol group, one that had been around longer and carried more influence than Testar, had also booked the same venue. And while it wasn't for a fan signing event, their presence still required adjustments to Testar's schedule. The only available option was to shift everything to the morning. It had been a frustrating change, and by the time Gunwoo learned about the conflict, it was already too late to do anything.

Though the situation was far from ideal, he was relieved to see that the early hour hadn't dampened the fans' enthusiasm. The energy felt good. Testar, in turn, responded with a warm gratitude. The young men waved eagerly, some of them wearing bright confident smiles, while the others, especially the more reserved members, entered with a touch of bashfulness but their hands still raised in shy greeting. They all looked so adorable in their own way.

“Take your STAR! Hello, we're TeSTAR!” The boys said in unison.

“Woooahhh!!! Whooo!”

Gunwoo joined in, clapping along with the audience, his heart swelling with pride. He watched as the kids took a collective bow. They had maintained their professionalism, their charm and connection with the fans was palpable even from his spot at the side of the stage. Gunwoo couldn't help but feel how special this was for the rookie idols, despite the challenges of the day. He was glad to see that everything was proceeding smoothly for his kids.

The initial exchange of greetings came to an end as Testar, who was still energized by the crowd's cheers, made their way back to the table and took their seats. The atmosphere, though still buzzing with excitement, settled into a more organized rhythm as the fan signing event officially began.

While the other managers moved quickly to help the event coordinators guide the fans into neat lines, ensuring the process run smoothly, Gunwoo turned his focus back to his charges. He quietly slipped backstage, swiftly gathering the refreshments he had prepared earlier. With practiced ease, he returned to the table and discreetly distributed extra markers, sealed water bottles, and small snacks to each member, making sure they stayed hydrated and comfortable for the long event ahead.

As he approached his brother seated in the last row, with a subtle movement carefully trying not to draw attention to himself, Gunwoo slid the bag of lollipops they've all worked hard on repairing. He had already filed a complaint via email to the gourmet candy company who had sent his brother a ton of broken custom lollipops.

Gunwoo smiled to himself as he stepped back, finding a quiet spot at the edge of the stage. From his vantage point, he could observe the proceedings without interruption, as he savored a milestone that his kids had achieved as a rookie idol group.

He watched as Ryu Chungwoo warmly greeted the first fan who had nervously stepped on the platform. The young idol's gentle smile and encouraging words had gradually melted away the fan's anxiety. But just as Gunwoo was enjoying this heartwarming scene, he suddenly felt a firm hand grip him by the arm, yanking him back forcefully backstage.

Startled, Gunwoo stumbled slightly before regaining his balance. He turned to find himself face-to-face with a bright beaming individual, a familiar infectious grin that could light up a stage. The young man's head was partly obscured by a large gray hoodie that hung loosely over his frame, the fabric casting a shadow over some of his features.

Despite this, Gunwoo couldn't shake the feeling that there was something familiar about him. For some reason, his mind instinctively likened this stranger to Cha Eugene, probably because of the cheerful disposition. The playful energy emanating from the young man, coupled with the mischievous spark in his eyes, was enough to trigger the similarities, as if Gunwoo was looking at a blond older version of Testar's maknae.

“Jaehyun hyung said you'd be here, he was right!” The young man gasped with a squeal, trying to contain visible excitement that was obviously failing to get restrained.

Gunwoo's eyes widened in recognition. He knew exactly who the individual was, everyone does, it was a face well-known across the industry. No, the entire country, possibly worldwide. But the question racing through Gunwoo's mind was not just who this person was, but why was this individual here at Testar's very first fan signing event in the first place.

What could possibly motivate a member of the most popular idol group to crash a rookie's event? Gunwoo furrowed his brows. Was this famous idol here to cause a scene, stir up drama, or perhaps undermine the kids' efforts?

The young man's expression had turned into a grimace. “Our leader forbid me from contacting you when you're still like this. But I can't help it. The group's in trouble!”

So what? Don't they have their own managers and staff to solve their problems for them?

“Excuse me, artist?” He harshly said, while indicating that the young man should let go of his arm, or else.

VTIC's idol member, Jin Chaeyul, had gotten the hint and immediately let his arm go, keeping the idol hands up in a show of surrender.

“I come in peace!” Jin Chaeyul said in a nervous giggle, then rapidly fired gossip-bait material to his face. “But hyu—I mean—manager-nim, I'm serious! Choi Taejun, that temp bitch is causing us trouble. His head had become so inflated after Jaehyun hyung gave in to LeTi's insistence on taking him in as a study member while you recuperate.”

Gunwoo blinked suspiciously at VTIC's center. He crossed his arms and sighed. “And what possibly could a lowly staff member working for a rival idol group as their manager do to help you?”

“I just want to hasten the waiting process! This is an emergency after all.” VTIC's center leaned in to peer closer at his face. “Hyung's listening. I know it. Even if it doesn't seem that either of you were aware, I know I'm right.” The tone then shifted into a pathetic plead. “Please, hyung, come back. We need you.”

Gunwoo tried to lean his head away. What... nonsense is this? His head started to ache again.

“Chaeyul hyung!” Someone had shouted at a distance.

Another VTIC member had arrived backstage, jogging closer to them, and stopping beside the previous one, who was smiling sheepishly like a naughty kid that was caught in the middle of setting up a prank.

If he recalled correctly, this time it was their youngest member, Jung Woodan, who promptly bowed at Gunwoo to ask for forgiveness. “I'm very sorry, manager-nim. My teammate wasn't feeling well.” The young man straightened up and offered a hand shake. “My name is Jung Woodan, I am VTIC's lead vocalist. It is a pleasure to meet you, manager-nim.”

For some reason, Gunwoo could sense that the young man who was offering the hand shake, was actually anticipating this moment of introducing himself. He could see it in the eyes, the barely concealed smile, and the stiff excited posture. Not in a self-centered kind of way, but something akin to undergoing a novel experience, like riding a carnival ride for the first time.

He internally sighed. As long as these bored idols won't interfere with Testar's event, he'll go along with their buffoonery.

He took the offered hand, shook it once, and briefly introduced himself. “I'm Ryu Gunwoo, Testar's manager.”

Then Jung Wooden muttered as if in a daze. “He really did introduce himself like what I've read in several plot points of different novels.”

Gunwoo raised an eyebrow questioningly at that.

“Pfft!” VTIC's center was stifling a laugh, his shoulders shook with mirth. “Congratulations! You can now cross that one out from your abnormal bucket list, Judan.”

What strange individuals. Gunwoo shook his head in disbelief and sighed as well. He couldn't help but wonder if the rest of the famous VTIC members shared the same eccentric quirks as these two.

VTIC's center faced him again. “Manager-nim's invited to the party later that will be happening here. Jaehyun hyung got a dog and we'll be celebrating with friends to welcome the new addition to the family!”

What... A dog?

“You... booked this place just for a dog?” He can't help the clenching of his fist and jaw at hearing this unbelievable story. Fucking rich self-centered celebrities. They almost jeopardized Testar's event just for a nonsense get-together.

VTIC's maknae asked in a genuine confusion. “Don't you like dogs, manager-nim?”

He does but that's not the point.

“No. I don't,” Gunwoo said, his tone was icy and low, simmering with hate. “Get out. Leave. Now!” He gestured towards the exit.

“Aww, can't we at least greet the kids?” VTIC's center said while being pulled by his maknae. “I want to offer the rookies my well-wishes!”

“Stop making a fuss, hyung.” The maknae hissed in a whisper. “Jaehyun hyung would get mad.”

“Fine! Fine.”

At last, the two troublemakers bowed their heads in a polite farewell. As they turned and made their way out of the venue, Gunwoo watched them go, eyes following their every step until they disappeared from view. Only then did he feel the tension in his shoulders begin to release. He let out a quiet breath.

Time to go back to work and see how his kids were doing.

As Gunwoo moved to step out of the backstage to watch Testar from the sidelines, a wave of dizziness suddenly hit him. Instinctively, he reached out to steady himself, his hand finding the nearest surface to lean on. It took only a moment, but as his vision cleared, a sharp realization struck. He wasn't leaning on a solid wall at all.

His heart skipped a beat as he quickly pulled his hand away, fearing that he might knock loose the carefully arranged large temporary panels that had been assembled as the event's backdrop. Thankfully, everything stayed in place. Gunwoo closed his eyes and sighed in relief, angling his head up, shaking off the lingering dizziness.

When he opened his eyes, the world seemed to move in slow motion. Above him, steel pipes, wooden planks, and a cascade of metallic materials were plummeting toward the ground. He was frozen in shock. The clatter of falling debris filled the air, but all he could hear was the rush of his own heartbeat.

He threw his arms over his head, crouching low in a desperate attempt to shield himself from the impending danger. His muscles tensed as he braced for impact, wishing that he could see his brother's smile one last time before he die.

“Gun—um, manager-nim, are you okay?”

He heard a concerned voice above him. It was the newly hired manager.

Gunwoo shakily rose to his feet, his legs unsteady beneath him as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. His eyes darted around, scanning the scene for any signs of the falling debris he had braced himself for... but there was nothing. No steel pipes crashing to the ground, no wooden planks scattered around him. The chaotic sound and sight he had feared were nowhere to be found.

His breath came in uneven bursts, but with each passing second, the tight grip of panic loosened. His heart, which had been hammering in his chest moments before, slowly began to settle, its frantic pace calming as the realization washed over him, he was safe. Everyone was safe. He released a soft but hysterical laugh at the sudden paranoia. Being a manager was so stressful that he was starting to hallucinate.

“I'm alright,” he told the new manager who was worriedly eyeing him. “You should get back to work.”

The manager nodded hesitantly before obeying to move back to his position in guiding the fans around. Gunwoo did the same and went back to work.

Nothing seemed amiss at the event. The atmosphere was light and cheerful, with fans buzzing in excitement. Almost everywhere he looked, people were smiling, enjoying themselves to the fullest, even the staff. At Testar's table, a growing pile of gifts from adoring fans began to form.

Meanwhile, the seated fans who had already completed their meet-and-greet lingered in their chairs, excitedly watched the rest of the proceedings with anticipation. Yet, among the eager faces, Gunwoo noticed a few fans staring wistfully at the large lollipops in their hands. Their eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Gunwoo furrowed his brow. Why were they sad? Did they not like it? Did the fans notice the cracks that everyone tried to hide with added decorations of snacks? It had been a rush job, but the candies held together, perhaps the imperfections displeased them.

Concerned on how this would affect his sensitive brother, Gunwoo scanned the stage for Moondae... and he wasn't able to stop himself from unexpectedly laughing. His brother was sitting there at the last row, utterly adorable, with various fan gifts precariously balanced on his shoulders and head. Gunwoo couldn't resist capturing the moment and snapped several photos with his phone. There must be another reason for those fans to have those kinds of expression.

As an excuse to contain his amusement, he then continued on to document the whole event. The rest of the boys were just as photogenic and Testar's interaction with the fans were charming. He ended up taking too much, probably, while he laughed quietly to himself as he archived the lively and heartwarming moments of the kid's first fan signing event. He cannot say this enough, he was so proud of these kids.

“Please, hyung. You're already running a fever,” Moondae pleaded, worry evident in his brother's eyes, and voice laced with concern as he tugged Gunwoo's arm, trying to pull him away from the driver's seat.

“I don't have a fever,” Manager Gunwoo replied, exhaling a tired sigh. He remained rooted in place, stubbornly gripping the steering wheel. It was only a slight fatigue, nothing but a minor inconvenience. He also had already taken some medicine, so there's no need to be this concerned. His brother's such a worrywart.

“Hyung, seriously,” his brother muttered under his breath shakily, refusing to let go.

“I'm fine,” he said, running out of patience.

Moondae wasn't convinced and glanced over at the other members for backup.

“Be reasonable, manager-nim~” Keun Sejin said with a teasing grin. The jokester had borrowed his phone and was currently browsing the photos that Gunwoo took in the event. “If you really think our safety should be your number one priority, then you wouldn't even dream of driving while feeling under the weather. You'd hand over the keys like the responsible adult you always claim to be, and let the other managers do the heavy lifting.”

“Besides, we're not in a rush.” Testar's leader added, still outside the van with the managers on standby behind Chungwoo. “We don't have any other scheduled activities for today. You're free to take a breather and rest with us.”

He massaged his forehead, eventually yielding on their request. “Fine.”

Everyone visibly relaxed with a collective sigh of relief once he finally stepped away from the driver's seat. It stung a little to be unceremoniously ousted from his position behind the wheel, but he had to admit that they had a point. Though it wasn't exactly a nice feeling, he guessed they were just being overly cautious about road safety. He couldn't blame them for that. It made sense to be a little bit paranoid. After all, a single mistake could lead to consequences no one wanted to think about.

The jokester member patted the free space next to him, inviting Gunwoo to take a seat. His brother on the other hand had taken a seat beside Seon Ahyeon, who engaged Moondae in a conversation about the event and the gifts they received from the fans.

“Manager-nim, I wanted to show you something,” Keun Sejin called out to him when Gunwoo started to look for another seat.

Still shaking off the lingering fatigue, he raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “Alright,” he replied as he moved to join the taller idol.

The van began to roll forward, the engine humming softly as the rest of the team settled into their seats.

Then Keun Sejin leaned in with a peculiar gleam in his eyes. “What's your opinion about this?” The taller idol asked in a hushed conspiratorial tone before showing him the screen.

Gunwoo was a bit irritated to find that Keun Sejin wasn't just swiping through the photo gallery on his phone, but was browsing the SNS using Gunwoo's account. Without a word, he snatched his phone back, giving the nosy idol a sharp glare. The young man merely grinned innocently at him.

Ignoring Keun Sejin's antics, Gunwoo scrolled through the open threads. The posts were about Moondae and the stack of piled gifts on top of him, which much to Gunwoo's amusement, they also thought it was just as adorable as he had. The comments he read about his brother filled him with a sense of pride. Moondae was very gracious and considerate about his fans. Even if his brother was still a rookie, Moondae's action clearly left a lasting impression. Park Moondae probably captured so many hearts today.

But then the topic about the lollipops came up. At first, the posts were innocent enough. Gunwoo even thought it was funny that no one wanted to eat them, choosing instead to preserve the sweets as keepsakes. And then there were toxic shifts in tone. Some had likened it to a cheap gimmick, saying that it was not enough to match the level of support Park Moondae had received, especially after winning Idol Inc.

Gunwoo scoffed at the ridiculousness of it. What a stupid take. Do they want a car or a house instead? Moondae's fans were there for Moondae. Anyone could see that the lollipops were meant to represent Moondae's appreciation for the fans. It was evident enough to the previous posts who wanted to cherish the sweets for however long it would last. If the candies were branded with Testar's logo or the members' faces, then sure, its a blatant cheap promotional ploy. But pair the sweets to how Moondae interacted with the fans in their first fan signing event? It was clearly a sentimental gesture, pure and simple.

Something about this post rubbed him the wrong way. The more he read, the more it felt off, manufactured, almost. Gunwoo furrowed his eyes and dug deeper into it.

Hah. He found the nest of antis throwing shit at Park Moondae.

They were posting unwarranted criticisms just for the sake of finding faults, twisting innocent deeds into ugly sentiments, that anyone with half a brain could see it only reflects how jealous and bitter they were. While its true that it would be impossible to please everyone, these group of people were polluting the water. They were spoiling a beautiful experience for those who really care about it, and inciting public opinion against his brother by spreading their own distorted logic in different communities.

“What are you gonna do about it~”

He blinked at Keun Sejin. For a moment, he forgot that the tall idol was watching him browse.

Gunwoo gave him a flat look. “Some of these morons are from your fanbase, you know.”

Keun Sejin clapped a hand over his mouth, desperately trying to suppress the giggles that were threatening to spill out. His shoulder shook as he struggled to keep it together. Every now and then, a tiny snort would escape. He then waved a finger at Gunwoo, asking for a moment to regain his composure.

After what felt like an eternity, the jokester managed to take a deep breath and calm down, though the occasional chuckle still slipped through as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

What's so damn funny about what Gunwoo had said?

“Sorry, hyung. I just... I couldn't help it!” Keun Sejin said between breaths. “Manager-nim~ do you want me to dictate to my fans how they should think then?” The idol's grin was wide and unapologetic.

Gunwoo crossed his arms with a huff. “No, of course not. But you can do something about it.”

He heard a whisper of, “Your brotherly complex is something else~” which was shut off with a glare.

The other Testar members got involved with the plan as well. Taking pictures in a moving vehicle wasn't ideal, his head pulsed with every flash, but at least the pictures turned out fine. Gunwoo snapped photos of each members with the gifts they received, capturing each item in different poses as the boys happily showed off their appreciation. He let them include what messages they want and post it themselves.

Next, pictures that were taken by the other members and staff when they were working on the lollipops were mixed in. They selected photos that did not seem like they were actually repairing the cracks or attaching broken pieces. The set ended with the group celebrating a cheer after finishing several batches of lollipops which could be seen on the pictures. Gunwoo was glad that someone had thought of documenting that moment, even though they were almost running late during that time.

And it all led to Keun Sejin's playful selfie holding the next batch of lollipops. His message indicated that he'll be the next Testar to hand out the sweets, followed by a blatant hint that the other members will be doing so as well.

Gunwoo slumped on his seat when it was all done. The whole narrative unfolded naturally to show that it was a group effort and not something that his brother had selfishly concocted.

They were still on the road. Traffic's such a bitch.

“Are you alright~ genius hyung?”

He heard someone asked but he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore. He was just so tired.

“—burning up.”

“Should... to the hospital then?”

“No, this is...”

“—should call sunbaenim...”

“What?! No!”

“—e lasted... days with us...”

“—not enough—“

“—ut the fact of the matter is that, when he wakes up, he'll not be our... anymore.”

“C-call sunbaenim...”

“But what if hyung never comes back?”

“—e'll come back. I'm his family. We're his family. Hyung will come back.”

VTIC's main vocalist, Ryu Gunwoo, woke to his alarm ringing in the dark quiet of early morning. The sun wasn't up yet, so it was illogical to have an alarm set up so early. Though he probably set it up due to a recommendation from his therapist to keep up with his normal routine even on a forced vacation. He could barely recall anything that came from the doctors these days. Days that seemed to melt and blur all together in the crevices of his ruined and depressed mind.

His fingers brushed over the cool surface of his phone, silencing the gentle tune that filled the room—a dreamy music box loop spliced from his older solo single called 'Sorcerer.' He had a soft spot for this particular piece, not because it's his song, but because it was his sister's favorite. His breath hitched. Gunwoo pressed a trembling hand to his mouth, trying to suppress a sob.

After all these years, guilt still gnawed at him, relentless and unforgiving. He failed her. He failed to save her. Minha deserve the world and so much more. He was right there. What was he doing? He should have died beneath the fallen scaffolding, not her.

With a heavy shaky sigh, Gunwoo rubbed the remnants of sleep and unshed tears from his eyes. He cannot recall where the music box rendition came from. It was probably made by a fan.

He deliberated for a bit if he should wear contacts, or glasses, or none at all. The world didn't need to be clear for his workout and practice routine. But then again, seeing clearly helped him stay present, rooted in his body. Though not really feeling motivated to do so, Gunwoo had been warned before about using his blurry vision as a crutch to detach himself from the world.

He let out a sigh. Aside from the usual, what was the agenda for today anyway?

Then he halfheartedly chuckled at the stupidity of his indecision and grabbed his glasses from the bedside. Gunwoo needed to see to be able to read. Sliding them on, he opened an encrypted calendar app, checked the date, and scrolled through to take note if there's anything that demanded his urgent attention.

He froze. His eyes widened at the glaring event he had overlooked. 'Kongi's welcoming party.' Oh no. Gunwoo slumped, dropping his face into his palm with a groan. The notification for it probably got buried along with the rest of annoying reminders. Poor boy. He's such a bad dad.

The app synced with the other VTIC members, and sure enough, his teammates had filled the notes section with playful jabs about his absence. He could practically hear their teasing voices in his head. Gunwoo bit his lip, trying not to let the weight of disappointment crush him. It was hard though, because this wasn't just any event, he had painstakingly planned Kongi's welcoming party with Jaehyun after finalizing the adoption papers for their dog. He cannot believe that he missed it! He could only imagine how Jaehyun must be feeling right now. Angry? Hurt? Gunwoo wouldn't blame him if this incident caused for them to break up.

Shower. Shower would help clear his thoughts.

Before he went into shower, however, Gunwoo hurriedly dialed one of the managers, instructing them to arrange a last-minute apology. It had to be perfect, an extravagant bouquet of flowers, a selection of Jaehyun's favorite liquor-filled bonbons, and a cute but pathetic puppy plushie, all to be delivered under the guise of a fan gift. He even sent the link to the shops he preferred and had used before.

And of course, Jaehyun would know it was from him. They had used this playful method of sending 'fan gifts' in the past, teasing each other publicly, even while live on screen, while keeping their relationship hidden from the world. It was their little amorous but torturous way to show affection without anyone being the wiser.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Gunwoo stepped into the shower, determined to make up for his mistakes. To make most of his time, he began singing VTIC's latest songs, turning his shower into a vocal exercise. It not only warmed up his vocal chords but also helped him chip away at the creative block that had been lingering lately.

After toweling off, Gunwoo stood in front of the mirror in his bedroom. He recalled when Jaehyun mentioned long ago how much he liked seeing Gunwoo's eyes without the reflective barrier of his lenses, but much more importantly, there won't be a hindrance whenever they wanted to share a kiss. Then they proceeded to make out after that. He blushed and couldn't help but smile as he carefully placed the contacts in his eyes.

Mind preoccupied with a whirlwind of fragmented melodic motifs, while trying to figure out how to diffuse an emotional bomb ticking away inside his partner, Gunwoo nearly missed the tension in the air. He froze at the harsh sounds that spilled out the hallway leading to the dining area of the specialized hospice dormitory.

"—cannot blame Moondae, sunbaenim. Hyung was clearly happy being with us!"

"Yeah! He's doing great!"

"—kept him distracted."

"And-and kept him busy. Which was what's important for his rehabilitation!"

"Rehab?" There was a familiar sarcastic huff. "Don't make me laugh. You're just using him to solve your petty little problems."

Was that Jaehyun? What's he doing here?

Gunwoo had initially planned to slip out unnoticed, heading for the peaceful solitude of the back garden to exercise. It wasn't his habit to get involved in the personal matters of the other residents in the hospice. Everyone had their own burdens to carry, and being a celebrity, he preferred for them to also give him the space and privacy he needed.

But... Was that really Jaehyun?

With a deep breath, Gunwoo squared his shoulders and straightened his posture. He walked purposefully into the dining room, and felt a little bit disappointed to find his boyfriend arguing with the others.

“Please, don't terrorize the other residents, Jaehyun.” Gunwoo placed himself between his partner and the rest of the people in the room. He could feel the weight of his boyfriend's frustration simmering, but he wasn't going to let it spill over onto anyone else. “If you're upset because I missed the party, then be mad at me, not them.”

With care, Gunwoo took Jaehyun's hands in his own, slowly prying apart the tense fists. His fingers threaded through his partner's, a gesture meant to soothe the hurt he had caused. “I'm sorry,” he whispered as he brought Jaehyun's knuckles to his lips for a soft heartfelt kiss. The tension between them seemed to ease a bit, the sharp edge of Jaehyun's anger dulling with each brush of his lips.

From what he could recall, the residents living with him in this place had witnessed moments like this before. In spite of that, no news or gossip about his relationship with VTIC's leader had made it out to the press. And he doesn't want to destroy this mutual understanding of respect and privacy among them, with Jaehyun's hissy fit. Someone might blab to someone if his boyfriend offended them enough. It could damage their careers. He'll need to talk to them after Jaehyun leaves, maybe even cook for them a little.

“I've sent you flowers,” Gunwoo murmured, leaning in to kiss Jaehyun's cheek, the tender gesture melting away the icy expression his boyfriend wore. “It was supposed to be a surprise—an apology—but also a surprise, which is useless now because you're the one who surprised me.”

Jaehyun let out an amused snort, giving Gunwoo a half-lidded look that seemed to say, 'What am I going to do with you?' There was a playful edge to it, but Gunwoo could still sense the lingering frustration behind his partner's eyes.

Not one to be easily deterred, Gunwoo leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to the tip of Jaehyun's nose. The small, unexpected gesture worked its magic, drawing a soft blush to his boyfriend's cheeks, coaxing out the tender expression Gunwoo was always so fond of seeing.

“How's our good boy?” Gunwoo asked with a smile, voice laced with warmth and affection. Hopefully, his boyfriend had either forgotten or was willing to let go of whatever he had been arguing with the residents about.

After a dramatic eye roll, Jaehyun leaned in and gave him a quick but firm peck on the lips. “Kongi's in the van with Sinoh, keeping him company. And just so you know,” his boyfriend added, voice softening, “I wasn't mad because of the party.”

Gunwoo raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Really?”

Jaehyun sighed, shoulders slightly drooping. “Alright, fine.” His boyfriend glanced away for a brief second. “I was mad about you missing the party. I... I had plans. I was really hoping, praying for you to be there. It was supposed to be perfect.”

As if he needed to ground himself, Jaehyun's gaze momentarily flickered behind Gunwoo before reaching into his coat pocket. With a hint of hesitation, he produced a small velvet box and placed it in Gunwoo's hands. His touch lingered just a bit too long, as though it was hard to let go.

“What's this?” Gunwoo asked, his curiosity piqued as he felt the sharp gasps and murmurs of the onlookers behind him. A flicker of regret crossed his mind, perhaps he should have pulled Jaehyun into the privacy of his room for this moment instead of letting it unfold in front of an audience.

His partner gestured for him to open the box, a look of anticipation dancing in his eyes. Gunwoo braced himself, expecting another piece of gaudy expensive jewelry from abroad, something he would never willingly wear on his own, probably something to commemorate Kongi being a part of their family. But as he lifted the lid, his breath caught in his throat. Inside lay a simple band, crafted in white gold, exuding a quiet elegance.

“What is this, Jaehyun?” He whispered, shock mingling with rising sense of hope at the implication.

Taking a deep breath, Jaehyun met Gunwoo's gaze, his boyfriend's eyes had a tinge of fear and vulnerability. A look that made Gunwoo's heart race.

“I realized that I cannot wait any longer, nor can I create a perfect moment for us to be together,” Jaehyun confessed, his voice steady yet laced with emotion. “So please, Ryu Gunwoo, will you marry me?”

Before Gunwoo could utter a word, a voice cut through the air with an ear-piercing yell of, “NO!”

Startled, he turned to confront the source of interruption. Standing there rigidly was a young man, face streaked with tears, and eyes wide with distress. The anguish etched on his soft features struck a chord in Gunwoo's heart, briefly reminding him of his sister, Minha, who was about the same age as this young man.

The resemblance was almost haunting, especially during her moments of sorrow. Gunwoo felt compelled to reach out and comfort the young man, to assure him that everything would be okay. But before he could take a step forward, Jaehyun tightened his grip on Gunwoo's arm, anchoring him in place.

The young man turned to another familiar figure, tugging desperately at the person's sleeve, pleading for assistance. Gunwoo squinted, realization dawning on him—wasn't that the former Olympic gold medalist? He struggled to recall the athlete's name, feeling a pang of embarrassment for not remembering someone so notable.

“I'm sorry, hyung, sunbaenim, but um, same-sex marriage is still not legalized in our country,” the gold medalist blurted out in a hurry. Most likely due to blind panic when the younger man had asked for help, judging from the expression on his face.

Those words, however, sent the room into an uncomfortable silence, the tension nearly suffocating. The other occupants even seemed to be embarrassed about it.

Though, it was Jaehyun who broke the stillness with a sharp retort. “So what? We're not getting married here, of course! We'd even change citizenship if we had to. Use that brain of yours from time to time!”

Gunwoo's heart raced at his boyfriend's outburst, instinctively reaching out to hush his agitated partner, before a fight could break out.

Although it appeared that the insult had ignited a spark within the former athlete, who quickly regained his composure and said, “I apologize again, hyung, sunbaenim. But marriage is a joint decision made by the couple and their families.”

Gunwoo's jaw dropped in incredulity at the audacity of the statement. He could hardly fathom that such old fashioned sentiments were coming from someone younger than himself. “I'm sorry. But who are you again?” Disbelief had colored his tone red as he focused on this unexpected interloper. They were all adults here, for crying out loud.

The former Olympic medalist rubbed his face in a portrayal of frustration, before releasing a long drawn out sigh, as if he was the one who had the gull to lose patience from the ridiculousness of this situation. “Hyung, how can you possibly show that you're consenting to this, in your full mental capacity, if you cannot even remember who I am?”

What?

Gunwoo looked back questioningly at his boyfriend. Wasn't he admitted here just because of alcohol poisoning?

“Who is he, Jaehyun?”

His partner grimaced at the broken sound of his voice. A pained expression settled like stormy clouds across Jaehyun's face as he aimlessly avoided Gunwoo's gaze. The weight of this simple question hung heavily in the air between them.

“WHY WON'T YOU ANSWER ME, JAEHYUN?!”

Instead of giving him what he asked for, his boyfriend enveloped him in a warm embrace, wrapping his arms tightly around him, cocooning Gunwoo's arms inside, as if trying to shield him from the harshness of the world.

“I'm your cousin, hyung.” Soft spoken words were accompanied by somebody else's crying. No. Make that several weeping individuals in the room.

The former athlete gently continued, “I'm also one of your conservators appointed by the court... as... as a representative of the Ryu clan.”

Bullshit! That fucking family abandoned him ages ago when he needed them the most. Did this happen because he was famous now, as a member of VTIC? Where were they when he was homeless? When he almost starved to death with Minha and... and...

His head was about to burst.

Gunwoo squirmed from Jaehyun's grasp, but his boyfriend won't let him go, only shushing him like he was an upset child.

His knees lost its strength, pulling Jaehyun down in his descent. The others panicked. Some had surrounded him while the others ran out of the room.

He felt someone hugging him from the back, murmuring or perhaps chanting, something akin to a curse, thick with guilt ridden madness that did not make any lick of sense to him.

“—m sorry, hy—sorry. Th—s all my fault. If on—died w—twin s—ter. Th—n yo—rushed to save me. I'm so—”

The world was spinning. They were moving him somewhere. He could hear a whining dog. Something jumped on top of him.

Kongi?

The soft fur and licks were a comforting balm. Hm. Good boy.

“It's fine. He—ne. In a f—w days. He won't e—n remem—this anym—”