Archive of Our Own

THE HOUSE

Alpha Drive One’s six-year journey hasn’t been easy. They were hated by people who thought they were stealing what their idols were supposed to get from the debut. They were criticized for past scandals and mistakes. Haters treated every small mistake from the group as a grave crime, turning more people hate on them. Some said they were too old, some said they didn’t deserve their success, some openly admitted how they hated the group as a whole. Their songs were unnecessarily criticized. When there was nothing left to attack, they started digging into past mistakes and spreading fake allegations just to fuel the heat. Even the fans fought among themselves for silly reasons.

However, they were incredibly popular and loved by many. Even though it was exhausting, there were people who actually loved them all equally. They were the driving force that kept the members going.

It was their sixth year since their debut-the year where they were supposed to go back to their respective agencies and groups. However, for the 8 members, it wasn’t easy. Leaving behind a family they had built over six years felt impossible. But life is built that way- where we have to say our goodbyes and let people go when necessary.

The members were working hard for their final comeback. This was the last thing they could give to their fans. They will be remembered based on how their last comeback turned out. It was exhausting. But they still wanted to give their best.

On a day which was supposed to be a normal practice day, a week before the comeback, the eight members of Alpha Drive One woke up in a house that wasn’t familiar to them. They searched for cameras, thinking it was a prank, but found none. They tried to find the exit but none of the doors led outside. Everyone was scared at first, but they understood they were stuck and tried not panicking.

The calm lasted no more, when at night, the house started rearranging itself.

Leo noticed it first. Everyone panicked at first. This was not normal. But nothing about the house was.

“Okay, wait—why is the kitchen where the stairs were yesterday?” he shouted, hands on his hips like he had personally been betrayed by the architecture.

Anxin, halfway across the room, poking at a wall that definitely didn’t exist yesterday, yelled back.

“Maybe the house likes chaos. Finally, something that understands me”

“Don’t encourage it” Junseo sighed, though he was smiling softly as he adjusted Sanghyeon’s blanket, who had fallen asleep on the couch at some point during the confusion and panic.

“… Hyung” Sanghyeon mumbled, clutching the blanket like his lifeline, “..what if the house eats us?”

“It won’t” Junseo said immediately brushing Sanghyeon’s hair back. “Not while I’m here.”

Arno snorted. “Yeah, because the house is terrified of your cuteness”

“YAHHH!!!!”

“Yah what? It’s true” Arno gave Junseo a wink for which Junseo responded with a small, embarrassed smile.

“Stop flirting,” Geonwoo added quietly from the corner, which made Junseo and Arno burst into laughter.

“I wasn’t—”

“You totally were” Anxin cut in, now draped over Leo’s shoulders like a clingy cat. “Junseo hyung, you’re blushing”

“I am NOT—”

Leo clapped loudly. “FOCUS! We’re stuck in a magical house that rearranges itself like it’s running a prank channel, and you guys are flirting???”

Sangwon raised a hand from the dining table. “Technically if the house rearranges itself daily, does that mean it has commitment issues?”

There was a beat of silence.

“That was terrible,” Xinlong said flatly.

“…. I liked it” Geonwoo muttered, as always supporting Sangwon’s dad jokes.

“Rightttt??? Thank youuu” Sangwon said proudly, then looked at Leo, who ruffled his hair absentmindedly.

…………….

They figured out the rules slowly. The house changed every night at exactly 02:08 AM. No windows showed the outside- just reflections of rooms that didn’t exist. And every door led somewhere different depending on who opened it.

“Okay, so it’s personalized?” Geonwoo said, pacing back and forth. “That’s creepy.”

“It’s not creepy.” Sangwon said. “It’s romantic.”

“How is this romantic?” Geonwoo sighed.

“Think about it,” Sangwon leaned forward. “The house gives you what you need.”

“Yesterday, it gave me a closet full of rubber ducks” Xinlong added.

“Exactly, you need emotional support ducks”

“I did not….”

“No, he did. He even named some of them” Leo cut in, laughing.

Xinlong froze. “…you weren’t supposed to hear that LEOOOO…...”

Anxin gasped dramatically, “What did you name them Xinlong?” he was already choking on his laugh.

“…. DON’T ask.”

Xinlong’s embarrassed face made everyone in the room laugh.

Leo had once opened a door and found a room filled with nothing but old photos. They covered every wall—messy, like someone had tried to hold onto every moment. It included their photos from their debut. Many of them were from before debut, mostly photos of Leo and Sangwon together.

Leo didn’t remember all of the moments but as he looked, something tugged at him. A strange, quiet feeling which he couldn’t name.

Sangwon walked in behind him. Leo didn’t look surprised.

“Ohh…Hyung…this is so cute”

“Yeah,” Leo exhaled “We look really young.”

“Hyung..I think I still look young” Sangwon smiled showing his three front teeth.

“Ummm…that’s kinda debatable.” Leo adds glancing at Sangwon and then the photo.

Sangwon gave Leo a pout, which earned a laugh from him.

“Haha, don’t make that face”

“…. Hyung, I’m offended”

“You should be” Leo chuckled.

Sangwon gasped dramatically, placing a hand on his chest. “Woww…LEE LEO. After everything we’ve been through together?”

Leo laughed but his eyes drifted back to the photos.

“…we’ve really been through a lot.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

……..

Meanwhile, in a completely different hallway that had not existed a few hours ago, Geonwoo and Sanghyeon were arguing.

“You can’t just press random buttons!”

“It said ‘DO NOT PRESS’—I had to!!!”

“That’s exactly why you shouldn’t!”

A loud click echoed. The floor shifted.

“Wait—"

They were suddenly in a room full of…. PILLOWS.

Just pillows.

“OKAYYYY…., that’s kind of nice,” Sanghyeon admitted, immediately flopping down onto them.

Geonwoo sighed, then dropped beside him. “If we die here, I’m blaming you.”

“We won’t die. Junseo hyung said so”

“…Wahhh Sanghyeon,” he said in an exaggerated voice, “that actually made me feel better”

Sanghyeon frowned. “I’m serious.”

“I know” Geonwoo replied.

There was a pause. The room was too quiet.

Sanghyeon shifted slightly “…Do you think we will be okay?”

Geonwoo didn’t answer immediately. “Yeah....”

Then after a beat-

Sanghyeon grabbed a pillow and hit him.

Geonwoo blinked.

“…. Seriously?”

Another hit. Geonwoo grabbed a pillow.

“Oh, you’re done Sanghyeonaahh..”

Within seconds, the room was filled with muffled laughs.

It felt NORMAL.

…..

Somewhere else in the house, Junseo and Arno had somehow ended up cooking.

“How did we even find the kitchen again?” Arno asked.

“I don’t know, but everyone’s calmer when they eat”, Junseo said while stirring something that smelled suspiciously good.

Arno nodded, letting out a small laugh, watching the elder for a moment before adding, “…...you take care of everyone like it’s automatic.”

Junseo smiled.

The smile that he always gives his brothers.

The smile that assured them that they are never alone, that they had their hyung with them.

Later that night, when the house shifted again, they all woke up in the same room.

For the first time. No doors separating them. No strange hallways.

Just a big space with the eight slightly confused boys.

“…did the house glitch?” Anxin mumbled.

Leo sat up immediately, counting his members out of habit.

Junseo. Arno. Geonwoo. Sangwon. Xinlong. Anxin. Sanghyeon.
Eight including Leo. All safe.

“…or maybe,” Sangwon said in his sleepy voice, “it gave us what we needed.”

Geonwoo rolled his eyes, “Don’t start, Sangwon”

“No, think about it……,” Sangwon continued, “it gives us what we need, right? So it brought us together because we—”

“…got too dramatic?” Xinlong interrupted.

“…. needed each other” Sangwon said, ignoring him.

Pause.

“That actually makes sense” Arno said still lying down.

“Does that mean all of us needed ‘us’ today?” Junseo added.

Leo laughed, loud and bright, pulling everyone into a laugh like he always did.

“Alright...” he said, “…...if we’re stuck here, we might as well make it fun”

Anxin immediately tackled him. “I support this.”

“ANXINNN!!my back—”

Sanghyeon jumped in next.

Then Geonwoo and Xinlong joined in.

“Guys, I’m your leader. Some respect might be appreci—oh god—”

Sangwon jumped right onto the small space left on Leo’s back, cutting him off completely.

Junseo couldn’t help but smile at them.

Arno shook his head, but went to hug the members dragging Junseo with him.

At 02:08, the room shifted again. But this time—
No one noticed.

Sangwon woke up to Junseo calling him from downstairs. That alone felt wrong. He usually woke up to Geonwoo and Sanghyeon arguing or Anxin and Xinlong laughing too loudly.

Something was off.

He got up and went downstairs. Obviously, the house had shifted last night, but in addition to that, there were doors. Nine of them.

Junseo and Arno was staring at them. Sangwon went closer to his hyungs.

The doors had names.

The name of the members.

Junseo.
Arno.
Leo.
Geonwoo.
Sangwon.
Xinlong.
Anxin.
Sanghyeon.
and—

a door with no name.

“Oh god..what is this??” Leo asked while walking down the stairs, Anxin clinging to one of his arms, still sleepy.

Xinlong, Geonwoo and Sanghyeon followed.

But everyone was equally confused.

Why were there doors that never existed before?

“It looks like one of those ‘choose your destiny’ things.” Anxin said in a voice that sounded like a whisper.

“So, if I pick Leo, then do I live Leo hyung’s life?” Xinlong asked dramatically whispering an ‘I Love you Leo’ toward him.

>
“I don’t think so, Long-ah” Junseo added.

No one spoke this time. Something about the doors felt different—heavier, like they were waiting.

No one moved. Eight names. One with no name. The air felt heavier.

“Should we…open one?” Sanghyeon asked softly.

“NO” Leo said immediately. “we don’t even know what this is”

“Exactly” Geonwoo agreed.

“But we can’t just stand here either” Anxin added, quieter than usual.

“Should we try opening the door with no name?” Sangwon suggested.

“I think we should.,” Arno continued, “what if this is a chance for us to escape from here”

Everyone seemed to agree.

All the members moved carefully to the blank door. Leo and Junseo led.

Leo took a breath and tried to open the door.

It didn’t open.

“Hyung..try harder..” Sangwon said.

“It’s not opening, Wonie…”

Silence settled again.

Junseo stepped forward.

Not towards the nameless door, but his own. His name stared back at him. Junseo hesitated.

Just for a second—then opened the door.

ROOM JUNSEO:

It wasn’t the dorm. It was clearly a practice room. Bright lights and mirrors with music playing from old speakers.

And---people.

Not them.

Different, familiar faces.

His old group. His WEi hyungs.

A younger Junseo stood among them. He was small, cute and laughing.

Someone ruffled his hair. Another handed him a water bottle.

“Maknae, sit down. You’ve practiced enough.”

“Hyung, I’m fine—”

“No, you’re not. Sit”

The others laughed.

Warm.
Safe.

….

Sanghyeon blinked. “Hyunggg….”

No one in the room noticed them. Junseo didn’t move. His eyes stayed on that version of himself. The one who didn’t have to think about everything. The one who didn’t have to hold everything together.

The music stopped suddently. The scene shifted. Somewhere else. Was it their old dorm?

Empty and cold.

A phone screen lit up on the floor. Too many notifications. Junseo stepped closer. He didn’t want to. But he did. The screen showed comments.

| “He doesn’t deserve it.”
| “Why him?”
| “There were better trainees.”

Junseo turned away.

“We don’t need to see this.” But the voices didn’t stop. They layered. Louder.

| “He’s not good enough.”
| “He replaced XXXX”
| “He stole my pick’s position”

Sangwon clenched his fist. “That’s not true”

The room didn’t respond. It never did.

The mirror at the from of the room changed. Junseo looked up. Not him but him. Smaller. Younger. The old him. And behind that reflection—shadows of others, his current members. Blurry like they were’nt really there.

Then a voice echoed. His own.

“If I don’t prove them wrong…”

Another—

“.. if I’m not good enough”

“Why am I here?”

Junseo’s jaw tightened. He got reminded of the times when he actually took the hate seriously. The times when he tried too hard.

Silence.

……

Leo stepped forward first—not in a dramatic way. He just stood next to Junseo.

“You are here because we needed you...” Leo continued, “ALD1 is never ALD1 without you hyung”

Arno added, “you are the best hyung we could ever have”

Behind him, Sanghyeon spoke, almost hesistant—

“Hyung… you take care of us all the time…” he paused, “but we don’t think you don’t deserve to be here.”

Geonwoo clicked his tongue lightly, “…That sentence was messy...”

“You get what I mean...’ Sanghyeon muttered.

Junseo let out a breath. Nor shaky. Just…heavy.

“I know,” he said. This time, the voice sounded like his own.

……

The voices faded and the mirror returned to normal. And then the door behind them opened. They stepped out.

…….

The air felt different.

Xinlong and Anxin immediately ran to hold each of Junseo’s hands.

“You okay hyung?” Sangwon eyes were already watery.

Junseo nodded. “Yeah…...”

“We should probably keep going. Right?” Arno sighed.

The truth was everyone was scared—of their scary thoughts and hidden trauma being revealed. No one knew what awaited behind the door that read their names.

Across from them, another door clicked open slightly.

Xinlong’s name.

No one spoke this time. He stared at it for a second and scoffed lightly.

“Alright, let’s see what you’ve got”

He pushed the door open.

ROOM XINLONG:

A stage. Bright. Too big. The sound of cheering filled the space. Xinlong stepped in.

At the center of the stage—

A kid. In an oversized hoodie. Trying to keep up with choreography that seemed too difficult for a kid.

“…. that’s….” Sanghyeon whispered.

“Yeah...” Geonwoo replied quietly.

Xinlong didn’t say anything.

The kid smiled—bright and professional. The music stopped. The cheers continued. But…...

Something felt off.

Too loud. It felt like noise instead of support. The kid stepped back. He looked around. For someone. Anyone.

But no one came.

The scene shifted to a room. Backstage room?

Dim and quiet.

The kid sat on a chair, feet not even touching the ground. His hair was messy and makeup was half removed. A phone in his hand. The screen showed messages—schedules, instructions, corrections…

Xinlong walked closer.

“I don’t remember this one,” he muttered.

The kid looked up. Not at them. To a door. Like he was expecting someone to walk in and take him out. To play. To enjoy.

He waited for a time that felt a little long. Then he straightened up. Fixed his expression. Smiled again.

Even though no one was there.

A voice echoed.

“If I do well…. I will be happy later, right?” His own voice.

Another voice:

If I don’t mess up…no one will leave, right?”

Xinlong’s jaw tightened. “That’s stupid,” But he didn’t move.

The mirror seemed to change again. Or maybe it didn’t.

Anyway, now they saw older Xinlong, still younger than now.

Making mistakes on purpose for his hyungs to notice and tease him. He loved when people teased him. He was a little bit shy though. He thought teasing meant being noticed.

“It’s quieter when I’m alone…. but I think I hate it” he talked to himself.

Xinlong looked away.

“…. Okay. I get it. I was lonely. Wowwww…Very creative.”

“…...you’re not alone though.” Sanghyeon’s voice was small and clear.

Xinlong didn’t turn.

“…. you’re actually kind of loud, so being alone wouldn’t suit you anyway.”

“…YAHHHH!!” Xinlong snapped automatically.

Anxin stepped closer, nudging him lightly.

“You complain when we don’t include you.”

“I—do not”

“You literally sulk.”

“I DO NOT—”

“You do,” Leo cut in.

A small pause.

“We thought you liked acting like a hyung even though you are our baby” Sangwon added softly.

Arno let out a small laugh. “…you always try to keep up with us.”

Junseo nodded. “.... So, we treat you like you’re the same age.”

Xinlong looked at them. He made a sound that felt like a laugh.

Sanghyeon grinned, “You can be annoying properly... and we will be teasing you for everything.”

Geonwoo scoffed. “He already is annoying”

Anxin threw an arm around Xinlong’s shoulder. “Congratulations. You’re officially my kid now.”

“WHATT—YaHH” Xinlong protested. “Not YOU!!”

But this time, he was laughing.

The room shifted. The stage, practice room, the lonely backstage—all faded.

The younger version of Xinlong appeared again. This time, he wasn’t alone. He noticed some shapes besides him- voices and laughter.

The door behind them creaked open. They stepped out. Xinlong let out a heavy sigh. There was a beat of silence.

Anxin immediately flicked Xinlong’s forehead.

“YAHHH…” Xinlong winced.

“This stupid Xinlong” Anxin muttered.

Just like that, the tension eased. Not completely. But a little.

Behind them, another door clicked—waiting for them.

ARNO—the door read.

He stared at it longer than the others had. Junseo placed a hand on Arno’s shoulder in a way that made Arno a little braver. Arno nodded at the members and opened the door.

ROOM ARNO:

It was quiet. Not empty but silent.

It was a stage. A familiar one. But something was missing. Arno stepped forward slowly. The lights turned on and the music started.

Seven members stood in formation. They started dancing, perfectly in sync.

Arno stopped.

“…...Right.” His voice was flat.

It was some show during debut—without him.

Sanghyeon shifted slightly. “…. Hyung…”

Arno didn’t respond. His eyes stayed on the stage. Watching them dancing.

The scene changed. Backstage. The same day.

A chair in the corner. A pair of crutches leaning against it. And-

Arno sitting. He was watching the performance on a screen. He smiled at his members and clapped softly at the end. Like a fan, not a member. He watched and shifted his gaze slightly to the side of the screen. There was space. It was not too obvious, but it was there. Where he was supposed to be.

His voice echoed.

“I waited so long for this…” he paused. “….and I still couldn’t stand there”

Then another version appeared. Arno. But not injured. Just not stepping in. Watching his members.

The voice came again. It was barely above a whisper.

“If I talk less, it’s easier ….”

“If I stay back… I don’t get in the way.”

Silence filled the room.

“…. You do get in the way.” Geonwoo cut in, blunt.

Arno blinked.

Geonwoo stepped forward to him. “…. When you don’t say anything…...” …. “It’s annoying.”

Anxin nodded immediately. “yeah. We have to guess what you’re thinking.”

“Which is impossible” Xinlong complained.

Sanghyeon spoke carefully.

“Hyung, when you weren’t there, it felt empty.”

“Still, you guys performed well” Arno said

“Yeah,” Leo replied. “But it wasn’t the same”

Arno looked at him. Leo held his gaze.

No extra explanation.

Arno’s expression didn’t change much. But his shoulders relaxed slightly.

The stage flickered. The seven-member formation blurred and shifted.

Eight. There was space that was not forced- that didn’t feel adjusted. Then, the version of Arno in the backstage disappeared. He was in the stage with his members.

The voices disappeared. The silence felt different now. The door opened behind them.

……

Arno didn’t say anything immediately. Anxin hugged him. “Say something.”

Arno glanced at him. “You talk too much,”

Anxin gasped dramatically. “WOW.”

“But it’s better than silence.” Arno added.

For a second, no one reacted.

Then Xinlong made a face. “That was deep. I didn’t like it.”

Sangwon snorted. Leo and Anxin laughed in the annoying way they always did.

Junseo looked at Arno and didn’t say anything. But it was enough.

Another door clicked open.

SANGHYEON.

He froze. “ME?...…” he said, almost like he expected someone to say no. No one did. Leo nodded once. That was enough. He stepped forward and opened the door.

ROOM SANGHYEON:

Inside was a place very familiar to the members—Boys 2 Planet. There were cameras everywhere, voices overlapped. In a room was Sanghyeon, with some people. Not his members. A different unit that fans loved a lot. The one group, his Familyz. He looked comfortable. They were laughing and close.

“I remember this” Sanghyeon’s voice was quiet.

The scene shifted to 25 September 2025. The final lineup announcement. Everyone looked tensed and… hopeful

The first name was announced.

“CHUNG SANGHYEON.”

The younger version of him froze, then smiled. He was shocked, relieved and happy.

But the scene moved fast. The other members of that unit were not called. The smiles on their faces faded. Sanghyeon could see them trying to stay strong. Sanghyeon’s smile faltered.

The comments on the social media made it worse

| “Why him?”
| “He doesn’t fit in the lineup.”
| “The other unit was better.”
| “He should’ve debuted with them instead”

Sanghyeon shook his head slightly. “…stop.”

More comments flooded in.

| “He looks distant.”
| “I think he doesn’t like the members.”
| “He misses the others.”
| “He is not close with them… I think the members doesn’t make him comfortable enough.”

Sanghyeon frowned. “That’s not true.” But his voice sounded small.

The younger Sanghyeon was still in front of them. Now, they could hear some voices. His own.

“Did I take someone else’s place?”

“Do they even want me here?”

“Why do my own fans hate my group?”

Sanghyeon looked down. He didn’t say anything.

“We wanted you here... Always….” Junseo voiced.

Sanghyeon didn’t look up. Geonwoo added, a bit awkwardly, “You talk a lot. It would be quieter without you.”

“Hyung...”

“…. That’s a compliment”

Sangwon stepped closer. “You literally jumped on Leo few minutes ago.”

“That’s different,”

“It’s not.” Xinlong replied.

Anxin tilted his head, “Do you think we’d let someone we don’t like do that?”

Leo spoke last. “You didn’t take someone’s place.” …… “you filled yours.”

Inside shifted again. The voices faded and it went dark. Then was a sound of a door opening.

…….

Sanghyeon stepped out slowly. He looked the same…But not the same.

Geonwoo glanced at him.

“…You gonna cry?”

“I’m not crying.”

“You look like you’re about to cry.”

“I’m not”

Then Sanghyeon mumbled, “You guys actually like me, right?”

Silence.

Anxin immediately threw an arm around him. “Unfortunately, yes Xiaozhuu”

“YAHHH…”

Xinlong laughed. Leo shook his head. Sangwon smiled.

Junseo ruffled his youngest one’s hair lightly, “Of course.’

Sanghyeon laughed but said nothing.

They waited for the next door to open. But the remaining ones stayed still. Leo, Sangwon, Anxin, Geonwoo and the nameless one.

“That’s new,” Sangwon muttered.

Leo crossed his arms, “So it just stops now?”

“I don’t think it stops,” Junseo said.

“…then what?” Geonwoo asked

Xinlong glanced around. “Maybe it’s broken.”

“Yeah, the magical shifting house finally crashed.” Anxin said dryly.

“You never know.” Arno added.

Sangwon stepped closer to the doors. He didn’t touch them. He just stood there. “…It feels like it wants us to do something.”

“What, like knock?” Anxin asked.

“…Don’t,” Leo said immediately. “Let’s wait.”

Pause.

“We didn’t really talk about it” Sanghyeon said suddenly. Everyone looked at him. “…..About what we saw.”

“I thought we already knew each other very well.” Sangwon said.

“…Just not like this,” Arno added quietly.

Xinlong tried to lift up the mood. “I think I was annoying as a kid.”

“You still are,” Anxin replied instantly.

“YAHHH---”

A faint smile passed through the group.

“…I thought… it didn’t matter if I wasn’t there” Arno spoke.

Sanghyeon looked down slightly. “I thought… maybe… I wasn’t supposed to be here.”

“NO!” Junseo said firmly. He didn’t need to say anything more.

Leo exhaled slowly. “We are all stupid.”

“Excuse me?” Anxin asked dramatically.

“I mean it,” Leo said, settling to the floor. “We keep thinking we are alone in this…. when we are literally not”

“Took us six years to realize that.” Sangwon smiled faintly.

All of them sat down. Sanghyeon on the sofa leaned slightly into Junseo. Xinlong sat on the floor resting his head on Sangwon’s lap who tried laying on the sofa but stopped to make Xinlong comfortable. Arno and Leo sat on the floor. Anxin sprawled halfway on Leo again.

“ANXIN---”

“Shhh, bonding time hyung.”

The silence wasn’t uncomfortable as always.

And then- a soft click. They all looked up. The nameless door remained still. The one that opened was Geonwoo’s. They walked towards the door. Everyone knew that Geonwoo had gone through a lot. But still, seeing it from Geonwoo’s perspective would be different. No one spoke. Even Sanghyeon didn’t joke.

Geonwoo looked at the door and scoffed lightly. “Finally,…...” But his voice didn’t match.

“We don’t have to—” Sangwon started.

“I know,” Geonwoo cut in. He drew in a deep breath. “but we will.” He reached for the handle and opened it.

ROOM GEONWOO:

It wasn’t completely dark, but dim. A screen lit up. Clips, tweets, posts, Comments.

Geonwoo frowned. “…Seriously?”

The first clip played. Geonwoo—on stage, smiling, confident and the crowd cheering. Then it glitched.

The same clip, but comments flooded over it.

| “Bully.”
| “I knew something was off about him”
| “Kick him out.’’
| “He doesn’t deserve to debut.”

The next screen—more voices. They felt too loud.

| “How can people support him?”
| “The group would be better without him.”
| “Why is he still here?”

Sanghyeon took a step forward. “Hyunggg……”

“Don’t” Geonwoo said, not harsh, just flat.

Another screen with comments flooding.

| “Really?’’
| “He swore??”
| “So disrespectful”
| “Did he actually swear at the staff?”

“That’s not what happened.” Geonwoo clenched his jaw. The room didn’t respond.

Another screen lit up. A stage where seven members were performing. Geonwoo stared. “Right.”

The young Geonwoo was in the dorm, alone, phone on the table. There were notifications-thousands. He picked it up.

| “Leave the group.”
| “You’re ruining them”
| “They are better as seven’’

The screen shifted. It showed him standing outside—not with them, just watching them. He watched seven members standing together. They were laughing, talking and filming content.

His voice echoed. It sounded very tired.

“If I go back…, will it start again?”

…..

“Or did it ever stop?”

No one moved. Geonwoo let out a breath. “I didn’t even do anything.” It didn’t sound angry, just true.

“We know” Leo was immediate to say it out loud. Geonwoo didn’t look at him.

Junseo came closer to Geonwoo. “You never deserved those bad things that happened to you…”

“You didn’t have to stay away to prove it.” Arno added.

Geonwoo laughed.” …Yeah?’’ It was dark room, but everyone could tell Geonwoo was crying.

“And it’s not your fault that no one spoke up for you.” Sangwon said carefully.

A long silence followed. Xinlong stepped forward. “We’ll say it for you hyung…always”

Geonwoo finally looked at them. Anxin added, “Loudly…...”

“We’ll keep speaking up for you” Sanghyeon said, quickly wiping his eyes.

“…Until it’s louder than them.” Leo said quietly.

Geonwoo’s expressions softened.

The room showed Geonwoo with the seven other members. 8 Alpha Drive One members.

The noise didn’t disappear, but it lowered.

The door opened and they got out. No one spoke immediately. Geonwoo ran a hand through his hair. “…that was annoying.”

…..

“You okay???” Sanghyeon asked.

“Same as before.” Geonwoo shrugged. “…. maybe a little less”

Anxin bumped his shoulder. “Hyung, if you disappear again, I’m actually dragging you back.”

Geonwoo scoffed. Everyone laughed and stayed a little closer than earlier.

…….

The remaining four doors were watching them.

“So,” Anxin started and couldn’t continue. For once, he didn’t have anything to say.

Sanghyeon shifted closer to Geonwoo. “Do we have to keep going?’’

Leo exhaled slowly, “Probably.” But he didn’t sound sure.

Xinlong frowned. “That was worse.”

Geonwoo let out a quiet scoff. “Thanks…”

“I didn’t mean—”

“I know”

“What if it gets worse?” Sanghyeon asked.

“It will,” Geonwoo said certain. No one argued.

Anxin let out a small breath. “I don’t like this version of the house.”

“Yeah,” Xinlong agreed, “bring back the duck room.’’

A faint smile passed through a few of them. Unfortunately, it didn’t last.

“We don’t have to do it all at once” Junseo said.

“Yeah…let’s not open the next door until we are ready.” Sangwon said glancing at Leo.

“And when is that?” Leo looked at him.

“Let’s see” Sangwon said giving a small, tired smile.

A soft clicked echoed. One of the doors shifted slightly. Not opening but waiting. And, this time, no one moved towards it.

Not yet.

……

“I’m hungry” Xinlong said suddenly.

Everyone turned to him. “Now?” Geonwoo asked.

“Yes, now” Xinlong replied offended by Geonwoo. “Trauma burns energy.”

“That’s not how that works.”

“It IS”

Junseo let out a small sigh. “Let’s find the kitchen.”

Surprisingly, they found the kitchen. The house didn’t fight them this time. The kitchen was there—almost like before.

Junseo cooked. Geonwoo helped quietly. Leo tried to “supervise” and got pushed away.
“Stop touching things.”

“I’m the leader.”

“You are going to burn the kitchen.”

Anxin leaned against the counter, stealing food.

“HEY……”

“Quality check”

“It’s not cooked yet”

“I’ll survive”

Junseo held his hand on head pretending to be tired of his younger brothers but enjoying it.

Sanghyeon laughed, Xinlong complained about portion sizes, Sangwon sat on the counter and Arno just observed like he was memorizing it.

They sat together on the floor with plates in hand. They were too tired to find the dining room.

“We could just not go back,” Anxin said suddenly, mouth half full. Everyone looked at him.

“…What?” he shrugged. “Think about it.” A small grin appeared on his face showing his dimples.

“…No schedules. No hate comments. No doors if we don’t open them.”

“You think the house will just let us chill?” Geonwoo asked.

“I mean, it gave Xinlong ducks.” Sanghyeon interrupted.

“Don’t bring them into this.’

Sangwon tilted his head. “It’s kinda nice here.”

Leo snorted. “Yeah. Magical prison. Very nice.”

“Better than outside sometimes,” Xinlong muttered.

That landed. No one joked for a second. Junseo spoke. ‘We can’t stay.”

“Why not?” Anxin asked not joking this time.

Junseo looked at them. “Because this isn’t real and we still have things waiting for us.”

Arno smiled faintly. “Still…...wouldn’t be the worst thing.”

“We’ll get bored in a week,” Geonwoo said.

“Not Me” Xinlong said dramatically making everyone laugh.

For a moment, everything felt okay. At least, they were together.

When they looked back at the doors, the slightly opened door read ‘ANXIN’

No one pushed him. Anxin scratched the back of his neck. “Guess it’s my turn.” He was still smiling but his fingers tightened slightly. He pushed the door open.

ROOM ANXIN:

It was bright inside…too bright.

A stage—fans cheering, cameras and lights.

Clips played. Edits, moments and interactions.

Anxin laughing, leaning to a member, hugging, holding onto someone’s arm, close. Then comments flooded in.

| “Why is he always with him?”
| “He should stick to his ship.”
| “Stop forcing interactions.”
| “He’s doing fanservice.”
| “I like him with other member more…. Stay away Anxin…”

The clips changed. Now he was speaking. Or trying to. The camera cut away quickly to someone else. His solo schedules became less.

The camera cut happened again. And again.

The screen flooded with comments.

| “He’s better when he’s with -----”
| “Why does the company push others more?”
| “He doesn’t stand out.”

Anxin’s smile faded slightly. “Okay…”

The mirror showed two versions of him.

One—loud, clingy, laughing and always next to someone.

The other—standing alone, quiet, still.

His voice echoed.

“If I stay close…...people complain.”

….

“If I don’t… they still compare.” … “So, what do I do?’’ No answer came.

“You do whatever you want to.” Leo said. Anxin glanced at him.

Geonwoo added, “…you’re annoying either way.’

“That’s not helpful.”

“It is. You’re smiling now.”

Xinlong stepped forward. “You literally hug people every five minutes.”

“Not five” Anxin protested.

“Okay four.” Sanghyeon nodded seriously.

“We never told you to stop” Junseo spoke gently.

Arno added- “and we won’t.”

“If people have a problem,” Sangwon continued, “that’s their problem.”

“What if everyone ignores me?” Anxin asked carefully

“We won’t.” Sangwon answered.

Leo smiled slightly. “You’re not that easy to ignore.”

Anxin let out a breath. It almost sounded like a laugh. He turned and looked at the room again. The two version of him blurred. The comments faded and the screens went black.

……..

Anxin stepped out but he was quieter than usual. Everyone watched him for a second. Then—he suddenly threw himself onto Leo again.

“I’m back.”

“ANXIN!!!……”

Sanghyeon laughed. He joined in along with Xinlong. Junseo shook his head but was smiling a little extra.

Only two names remained. Leo. Sangwon. And the nameless door.

The door opened slowly.

SANGWON. He didn’t move immediately.

“…Hyung,” Sanghyeon called, his voice soft.

Sangwon blinked, like he had forgotten they were there. “…. Yeah.” He stepped forward and pushed the door open.

ROOM SANGWON:

Warm light spilled out—soft and comforting.

An old, familiar, practice room. Music was playing faintly. At the center—young Sangwon. He was laughing and looked free. And beside him was Leo and some other people.

Leo and Sangwon were messing around-arguing over lyrics and pushing each other while laughing like nothing else mattered. The younger Leo said something that made Sangwon laugh again and the sound echoed.

Sangwon’s lips curved slightly. “…We were happy.”

The scene glitched. Leo disappeared. The music stopped. Everything felt too silent. Sangwon stood there—alone. The lights dimmed slightly. “…. Right.” he whispered.

The scene shifted again. Boys 2 Planet. LEE SANGWON. P01. Cheers, Claps and Cries. For a moment, it was real-and warm.

Then the sound twisted.

| “Selfish.”
| “Pretty privilege”
| “Overrated”
| “He always takes the spotlight.”

Sangwon flinched. “….I—”

Another scene. Interviews, schedules and performances. People were praising him. They called him ‘perfect’. “The best.”

The words overlapped until they felt heavy. Sangwon was shown again. He was smiling while performing. But closer, his hands were shaking.

The voice broke,

“If I mess up once…” …. “… will they leave?”

Silence. His breathing grew uneven. “I tried to be everything… for everyone” he said, “and I still wasn’t enough.”

“YOU WERE.” Leo stepped forward.

Sangwon shook his head. “That’s not what they said.”

Junseo moved closed, “That’s not what matters.’’

Sangwon laughed softly. “It always mattered.’

Pause.

Arno spoke quietly “You were amazing anyway” he continued, “Even when it hurt.’’

“Even when you didn’t have to” Anxin added.

“We didn’t love you because you were perfect.” Xinlong said.

Geonwoo exhaled. “We love you because you are you”

Sangwon looked at the mirror again—at the versions of him. Everything seemed to merge and for a moment, he stood there—smiling. The lights softened, the stages dimmed and a click behind them.

……

All of them were now in the hall. Sangwon’s eyes were red. But he didn’t wipe them. Anxin leaned against him lightly. “….. Still dramatic.”

Sangwon let out a small laugh. “Shut up…...” But he didn’t move.

Leo moved and pulled Sangwon into a hug. It was not loose and casual. Leo was holding Sangwon so tight like he was afraid Sangwon would fall apart if he let go. Sangwon froze but his shoulders relaxed slowly.

“You stayed” Leo said, his voice low, “You stayed through all of it.” For a second, it felt like everything else disappeared. Then Sangwon smiled.

A click.

'LEO'

The hallway felt heavier again. Because they knew. This one would hurt the most.

Leo walked towards the door. He didn’t turn back, nodded at himself and opened it.

ROOM LEO:

It was dark inside. The air felt thick, heavy and hard to breathe. A single light flickered. Then, screens turned on. One by one.

It showed Leo—performing, smiling and leading. Then it cracked. Comments flooded in. They showed no mercy.

| “Misogynist.”
| “Disgusting.”
| “He should disappear.”
| “Why is he still alive?”

Leo didn’t reach much. Another screen showed Trainee A. Music, smiles, late nights and dreams. Him smiling with few people. Then, it glitched. Or gone? Like it never existed.

| “It’s his fault.”
| “He ruined everything.”
| “They disbanded because of him.”

Leo’s breathing slowed. “I apologized.” No answer.

Another screen. Leo alone in a studio. He was writing, then deleting and writing again. It showed him—alone.

A voice came. “If I stay quiet, they still talk” …. “If I speak, they twist it.” …… “….. so, what am I supposed to do?”

The comments grew louder.

| “Die.”
| “Leave.”
| “No one wants you here.”

Leo closed his eyes. His hands clenched.

“… If I disappear….” His voice whispered, “…. will it finally stop?’’

“…. will it be easier for them?’’

Behind him, the others stilled. Because this wasn’t just a doubt. It was something else.

Leo stepped closer to the mirror. His reflection didn’t move. It just stood there. Like it had already given up. The voices felt louder….

“You are the problem.” ….. “Everything got worse because of you.” ….. “They’d be fine without you.’’

Leo’s shoulders dropped.

“Maybe they’re right.” His younger self spoke. No one spoke. Because that was the truth he believed.

The reflection in the mirror took a step back. Walking away—leaving. For a second, it felt like Leo disappeared.

“LEOOOO!!!” Junseo’s voice was sharp.

Leo stopped but he didn’t turn.

“…They didn’t stop when you left before,” Geonwoo spoke, “…They won’t stop now.”

“It was never about you being wrong.” Sangwon stepped closer. “… they just needed someone to blame.”

“Still you stayed, even when it hurt, even when you were alone.” Sanghyeon stated.

Leo let out a shaky breath. “I was alone.’

Sangwon shook his head. “You weren’t.” He paused. “You just didn’t look back.’

Xinlong spoke, quieter than usual, “We were still there.”

Junseo nodded, “We’re still here.”

“… and we are not going anywhere.” Anxin added.

“You don’t have to carry everything alone Leo.” Arno voiced.

Leo closed his eyes. For a moment, everything stilled. The world felt paused. He turned slowly and looked at the members. His seven people. His family. Maybe not perfect, but still there, waiting for Leo.

The mirror shifted. Everything faded. The voices didn’t disappear, but they softened. They were not louder than Alpha Drive One anymore. He stepped back away from the mirror and the darkness eased. The door opened behind them.

They stepped out. For a second, everything felt fragile. Then…...

Anxin hugged him. Hard.

“YAHHHH----“

Sanghyeon joined. Xinlong and Sangwon followed. Geonwoo stayed close. Junseo placed a steady hand on his shoulder and Arno stood beside them. And this time, Leo didn’t feel alone.

NOW—only one door remained.

The nameless one. And this time, they knew—none of them were alone.

……………..

Eight of them stood in front of the nameless door for a long time.

“.. So, this is it.” Xinlong muttered.

Sanghyeon looked at the door and then at his hyungs. “Do you think this is the exit?”

“… Probably.” Geonwoo replied. “….. or something worse.”

“… That’s comforting,” Anxin snarked.

Leo didn’t speak. He just stared at the door and then he stepped forward. He didn’t open it—yet.

“So, we are not splitting up,” he said. It wasn’t a question.

Sangwon let out a small breath. “We never did.”

Leo didn’t hesitate and reached for the handle. He looked back.

Eight. Always Eight.

Anxin grabbed Leo’s arm. Xinlong grabbed Anxin. Sangwon moved closer beside Leo. Sanghyeon held onto Junseo and Arno stood close. Geonwoo exhaled and stepped in.

THE FINAL DOOR- ALD1

There was light. It was not blinding, but soft—and warm. They stepped in, still holding onto each other. For a second nothing happened. Then the space shifted. Not into a room, but moments. Flashes and memories.

Debut day. Their first stage. Their first win. ROTY. Late night practices. Arguments. Laughter. Silence.

The house showed them everything-not just the pain. But the reason they stayed.

Sanghyeon tightened his grip slightly. “We really went through all that.”

“And survived” Xinlong added.

“Barely.” Geonwoo added which made everyone laugh.

Junseo looked at all of them. “We did well.’ It was simple but it meant everything.

Sangwon said quietly. “We’re really going to leave, huh…”

“Yeah…but not like before.” Leo spoke.

Then the light grew brighter and everything began to fade. The house finally let them go. The door behind them opened. For the first time after they were stuck in the house, they could see outside.

The morning light. Fresh air. Freedom.

They didn’t rush. They stood there, silent. Then Anxin broke it. “If we go out there, no take-backs.”

“You want to stay?” Sangwon asked.

“Tempting.” …. “But no.”

Sanghyeon smiled. “We’ll just visit each other.”

Xinlong nodded, “and annoy each other”

“Constantly,” Geonwoo added.

“Like always” Arno stated.

Junseo looked at Leo. “Ready?” Leo nodded.

They stepped forward—together. Not because they had to, but because they chose to.

………

The house stood behind them. For a moment, it felt like the house was watching. Then it shifted. And disappeared. Like it was never there before.

But they knew. It gave them exactly what they needed. Not answers or solutions. Just each other.

BONUS:

February 8 2032.

The lights were blinding. The stage felt the same but they didn’t.

“ONE DESTINY” Leo started
“DRIVE TO THE TOP”
“HELLO WE ARE ALPHADRIVEONE”

The members greeted the audience.

The crowd roared louder than ever. Leo stood on position- mic in hand, breathing steady but his fingers trembled a little. He glanced to the center. Sangwon- focused and calm, maybe a bit nervous? Junseo smiled softly at the members. Arno adjusted his in-ear quickly. Geonwoo stretched his shoulders. Xinlong whispered something to Sanghyeon who immediately tried not to laugh. Anxin, near Leo whispered. “Last one,”

Leo let out a breath. “Yeah…...”

The music started. And just like that, everything disappeared—the house, fears and doors. It was just them and Allyz.

None of them were thinking about the past. They were enjoying what they were doing—laughing in between, teasing each other during the ment. They performed the last song. There was silence for a second when it ended. Then cheers erupted. The voice sounded sad and loud. Were Allyz crying? However, ALD1 members were.

The members held hands and bowed.

“THANK YOU……WE WERE ALPHADRIVEONE”

“…and we still are”

The crowd roared again. But the members looked at each other and smiled.

Time didn’t stop. It never does. The stage and schedules ended. Alphadriveone as a group ended. Not really.

..............

LEO & SANGWON

The studio was not big or fancy, but it was theirs. Lyrics were scattered everywhere-half written songs.

Leo sat at the desk with his headphones on adjusting something for the third time. The coffee on the desk had already gone cold.

Sangwon lay on the sofa nearby staring at the ceiling.

“It still sounds off,” Sangwon muttered.

“You said that ten minutes ago.”

“Because it is off.”

“NO.”

“No?” Sangwon frowned.

“It sounds like…. Us”

“Yeah.”

They performed together as ‘Bound as one”. They made and released songs. They fought sometimes. But they were together. And this time, neither of them felt alone.

JUNSEO

Junseo was back in WEi. He had the same warmth and same soft smiles. His hyungs adored him. The sudden change from the eldest to youngest was confusing at first—his hyungs teased him when he said something like taking care of them and when he told them to lean on him. But he didn’t stop. Because that’s just who he was.

XINLONG

Xinlong was back with Boystory members. They were loud and brighter, maybe a little softer too. He laughed the same…. Just…. Holds onto people a bit longer now.

ARNO & ANXIN

They went back to China. Still in the idol industry respected by many. They even mentored some trainees. Anxin, the vocal master and Arno, the dance master. Anxin still talked too much, loud and still clingy. Arno still listened, but now he answered more. And somehow, they balanced each other perfectly.

SANGHYEON

Sanghyeon debuted in a new group—new stages, new beginning. He looked more handsome (according to himself) and more confident. Still the sunshine wherever he goes—bright and warm.

GEONWOO

A different stage. Geonwoo is now a solo artist—just him, mic and silence. For a moment, he looked out at the crowd. He was thankful for the love he received, for the people who stayed. The music started and he didn’t look back.

…………………….

Sometimes, they met. Not always all together. But enough. They ate and laughed a lot at their shared memories.

One day, everyone’s schedules aligned and they met up.

“Remember the house?” Xinlong said.

“…We don’t talk about that,” Geonwoo replied.

“…. It had ducks”

“Stop bringing that up.”

Sanghyeon laughed. Anxin leaned on Sangwon. Junseo watched quietly. Arno listened to them. Sangwon smiled. And Leo looked around and counted.

One.
Two.
Three
Four.
Five.
Six.
Seven.
Eight.

Always Eight.

---end------