Chapter Text
Enjoy
The spotlights flashed blindingly down onto the center of the massive concert stage, which was swarming with a sea of fans. Screams and cheers echoed so thunderously that the Impact Arena nearly shook. A smooth, beautifully paced love song drifted through the hall, seamlessly blending bright, sweet, and lively tones with a deep, magnetic voice. It was a grand showcase for the phenomenal sibling duo who had swept the top spot on every music chart and captured the hearts of the nation.
On stage, the brother and sister shared striking, near-identical features, healthy gray skin, and raven-black hair reminiscent of crow feathers. Grace, the cheerful and energetic younger sister, executed crisp, lively dance steps with practiced hand movements that dazzled the crowd, sending bright, sparkling smiles in every direction. Yet, equally captivating was the tall, elegant presence of Grox, the handsome elder brother carved like a statue. Every step, vocal nuance, and facial expression conveyed emotion effortlessly. He cast playful, flirtatious glances and smirked at the cameras, drawing deafening shrieks from the crowd.
In the front row of the VIP zone, one young man displayed his devotion so intensely that onlookers turned in shock. Froggy, a top-tier fan (who bordered on being a sasaeng to outsiders), stood out in the crowd. He wore a bright red headband emblazoned with large letters reading GROX , a t-shirt clearly printed with Grox's face, and a black-and-red cheer towel draped over his shoulders. In each hand, he held two lightsticks four in total vigorously waving them in rapid, powerful rhythm as if unbothered by the strain on his arms.
"Lord Grox! Look over here, please! Lady Grace, please give me a glance!"
Froggy gazed at the stage with unbridled adoration and passion, his eyes sparkling as if filled with a million stars. To him, Grace was a sweet angel bestowing joy upon people's hearts. Grox, however, was not merely an idol he was a divine being stepped out of a painting. Who else could look so regal, strikingly handsome, and flawless from every angle? He seemed sculpted with special affection by Prometheus himself. Every movement Grox made left Froggy breathless, his deep, charming voice acting like a spell that set Froggy's heart racing out of control. Every sweep of his gaze and every playful smile felt utterly intoxicating.
Ah... Is this person really human, or a divine being descended from above to bless us... A true celestial deity! You are so breathtakingly elegant I could lose my mind, Lord Grox!
Froggy screamed his beloved idol's name at the top of his lungs, waving his lightsticks until red light illuminated the area around him. He was ready to drain his bank account for the best VIP tickets, buy every piece of merch, or live-stream and photograph every second, so long as he could remain within Grox’s line of sight.
As if heaven had answered, Grace took center stage for her solo verse while Grox stepped toward the edge of the stage, turning to lock eyes directly with Froggy.
Froggy’s eyes widened. For all his desperate shouts, having that gaze actually returned paralyzed him entirely. Flushed red to his ears, his throat tightened, leaving him unable to utter a word of praise as his mouth merely gaped open and closed. Seeing a fan decked out so intensely that their bias was obvious even from afar, the idol let out a soft smile, pointed his fingers like a gun, and gave a sharp wink.
Bang—
A deadly bullet of charm was fired with precision from Grox's fingertips. That finger-gun gesture, paired with a charming smirk and a Hollywood-level wink, felt like a love bullet piercing straight through Froggy's heart.
The young fan collapsed onto the floor of the VIP section as his knees gave way. His rational mind went completely dark, leaving only the image of Grox's gorgeously divine face spinning in his head. Breathing heavily as his chest heaved, he gripped all four lightsticks so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"H-He... shot me... Lord Grox shot me!"
Froggy clutched his left chest, muttering in a daze as his eyelids fluttered, watching the young man sway his hips back toward Grace to join in the harmonized closing section of the concert.
Scrambling back to his feet, Froggy quickly grabbed a high-end camera with a massive telephoto lens hung around his neck. Crouching at an angle he had practiced hundreds of times, he fired off the shutter continuously
click-click-click-click!
With lightning speed, he captured every minute gesture of Grox. The top-tier sasaeng no longer watched the stage with the naked eye, but with fierce, unyielding focus through his lens.
As the final note faded, the sibling duo bowed amid shower of petals and roaring cheers. Grace offered bright smiles and waved warmly to everyone, while Grox leaned toward the microphone and murmured in a deep, melting voice,
"Thank you, everyone... See you next time."
With that, both vanished behind the stage curtain.
Riding a wave of absolute euphoria, Froggy barely remembered his journey home. That night, he edited Grox's photos until 4:00 AM, fine-tuning the lighting and sharpness until the winking smile looked like a masterpiece worthy of a museum exhibit. He posted the limited-edition set to his fan account boasting over a hundred thousand followers and within seconds, his feed flooded with swooning reactions.
Froggy then looked toward a large section of his room, staring at a massive Memory Board that took up almost an entire wall. Mounted on a red velvet-lined wooden board, thousands of photos were meticulously arranged without leaving a single gap for light to pass through. It held everything from official album promo shots and VIP concert tickets from every stage he had won at astronomical auction prices, to a limited-edition clear card one of only ten in the world and an exclusive collection of photos that would make anyone shudder: paparazzi-style shots he had taken himself while secretly tailing his idol.
Obsessively walking up to the wall, Froggy's trembling fingers gently touched the newest photo the shot of Grox winking and making a finger-gun gesture at the camera from the night before, printed on premium high-resolution paper. He carefully pinned it right at the center of the board with a red heart-shaped pushpin, treating it like a sacred ritual.
"Look at this, Lord Grox... This angle, this smirk... It's the most perfect thing in the world," Froggy whispered to the photograph, his eyes gleaming with sweet enchantment. "Whether it's the photo of you getting out of the van for that radio show last week, or the one where you snuck out to buy coffee after practice... Even though I took them from three hundred meters away with a special zoom lens, you're still effortlessly flawless."
Indeed... Froggy proudly admitted without a second thought that he was a true, indisputable sasaeng fan.
This profound love and obsession made it possible for him to secure Grox’s secret schedule every single time whether it was practice sessions, flight schedules for out-of-town commercial shoots, or even the travel routes back to the agency. Froggy would often wear discreet all-black attire, stealthily following from a distance to capture exclusive, unguarded shots that no news outlet had ever laid eyes on. Even so, he considered himself a somewhat "virtuous" sasaeng, knowing his boundaries well enough never to trespass into Grox's private residence or violate the privacy of the grand family estate. He was content simply watching from a safe distance, pressing the shutter to capture that handsomeness for his eyes only, and being the one fan who knew Grox's movements better than anyone else. Honestly, that alone made Froggy feel as though he might choke on pure bliss.
He turned away from the photo board and spun around to look at the room with a radiant expression.
The clear glass display cabinets on the side were filled with acrylic standees of Grox in every size imaginable from a life-sized standee towering proudly in the corner to mini-sized ones resting on his desk. A body pillow printed with an image of Grox sleeping peacefully sat prominently on the queen-sized bed. Limited-edition lightsticks from every single era were neatly lined up inside the display cases. And behind a carefully passcoded glass cabinet were second-hand items he had won at charity auctions: a jacket Grox had worn during a concert, a baseball cap, and even a drinking glass that Grox's lips had once touched.
Froggy knew it was weird. Okay, but who cared? It was his personal preference. Besides, as long as no one barged into his room, who would ever know about these collectibles anyway?
Froggy sank onto the bed, tightly hugging the body pillow of his beloved idol. He pressed his face into the soft fabric and took a deep breath, as if trying to absorb the very essence of Grox into his lungs.
"Ah... I really won't ever be able to pull myself out of this in this lifetime."
Froggy giggled to himself in the quiet room, murmuring happily in a deep tone, "How could I look at anyone else when a living being named Grox exists in this world...? So majestic, with a voice so sweet and deep... I give up; I willingly yield to being a slave to this love for the rest of my life!"
Froggy picked up his mobile phone and checked the notifications for retweets and likes on the latest photo set he had posted the night before. By now, the heart count had broken records, soaring past the hundreds of thousands. Thousands of fans had flooded the comments, screaming with excitement and thanking his account for sharing that "lethal-level" winking shot of Grox for them to admire.
After reveling in the likes and online praises for a moment, Froggy bounced up from the bed with renewed energy. Despite having slept for only a few hours, this overwhelming power of love refueled his body, leaving him far more refreshed than ten cups of coffee ever could.
Froggy stepped out of his bedroom to head downstairs in the luxurious penthouse. The sight that greeted him was the tall figure of Froggydoom his twin brother, who shared nearly eighty percent of his facial features, differing only in his bright red hair, slightly taller build, and the cold aura of pressure that constantly radiated from him. The elder twin stood sipping black coffee while reading financial news on an iPad with a stern expression.
"You're in a suspiciously good mood this morning, you brain-dead fanboy," Froggydoom greeted in a low, flat voice without even looking up, his dark eyes showing unhidden irritation. "Last night, I heard you screaming so loudly I thought the condo was about to collapse. If you don't stop acting so useless and wasting your time obsessing over some dancing, singing guy, I'm ordering workers to haul away all your pathetic display cabinets and throw them out."
Anyone else facing Froggydoom's harsh gaze and blunt words would have been intimidated, but this was Froggy the younger twin equipped with a thick skin and a heart shield forged from one hundred percent pure obsession with Grox.
"Mind your own business! What could someone like you possibly understand? How could a life spent staring at bank accounts and stocks ever match the joy of admiring priceless art like Lord Grox?!"
Froggy replied with a cheeky, unbothered smirk.
Truth be told, in his daily life, Froggy was normally a quiet, reserved, and somewhat reclusive young man who avoided unnecessary social interactions, looking just as indifferent as his brother. But the anomaly was that the second the name 'Grox' crossed his mind or whenever news, schedules, or new songs drifted into his line of sight that silent, sleepy face would instantly brighten up as if glowing from within. His eyes would sparkle, his cheeks would flush, and he would transform into a hyperactive fanboy streamer in a split second. The elder twin could only sigh and look at him with pity, viewing it as a hopeless mental condition long past recovery.
"Useless."
Froggydoom set his coffee cup down on the table with a clink before turning sharply and walking back into his private study. Froggy merely rolled his eyes at his brother's back, completely unbothered.
A few days later, on a hot afternoon...
Froggy decided to dress in casual black and gray tones and drove to a famous commercial hub in the heart of the city. His sole purpose today was to grab a limited-edition copy of a special fashion magazine featuring Grox on the cover, which was officially hitting the shelves on its first day.
Of course, as a heavy-spending sasaeng fan, he didn't intend to buy just one copy to read. He planned to sweep up at least ten copies to keep, cut out pictures for his memory board, and giveaway the rest to lucky followers on Twitter. However, Grox's popularity was overwhelmingly beyond expectation. The moment he walked up to the main bookstore in the middle of the mall, the magazine rack was completely bare, save for a notice stating that stock was temporarily sold out.
"What?! All gone?!"
Froggy clutched his head lightly, a look of utter despair washing over his face.
He quickly picked up his pace, searching smaller bookstores on other floors until he reached a vintage-style shop tucked away in a quiet corner on the top floor. Froggy's eyes widened with hope as his gaze hit the fashion magazine rack, and right there standing out proudly was the magazine featuring the magnificent image of Grox: the very last copy in the store
"Heaven has blessed me!"
Froggy whispered, tears nearly falling as a radiant smile broke across his face. He rushed toward the display, extending his slender hand to snatch the precious magazine into his possession.
Yet, at that exact same fraction of a second, another hand clad in an elegant black leather glove reached out from the side and touched the edge of the exact same magazine cover.
Grab!
Their fingers brushed lightly against each other over the magazine cover. Froggy froze in his tracks. He whipped his head around to face the newcomer, his eyes filled with intense desperation.
Standing before him was a tall, strikingly proportioned young man wearing a long, cream-colored coat, a wide-brimmed hat, and a black face mask that concealed over half his face, leaving only sharp, dark, captivatingly deep eyes visible. The man turned to look at Froggy, who looked as if his world were collapsing simply over missing out on an idol magazine.
"Ah... It seems we have the same taste."
A deep, smooth, uniquely resonant voice drifted out from beneath the black mask. "Do you want this copy?"
Gasp...
It was as if time itself had hit a pause button. Froggy's breath hitched in mid-air. The young sasaeng's entire body froze rock-solid, as if flash-frozen by polar ice. Blood surged to his face, turning it burning hot, and his pupils dilated in utter shock.
That voice... that rhythm of speech... that faint scent of niche-brand vanilla and wood bark, which was his signature cologne...
N-No way...
"Heh..."
The mysterious man beneath the mask chuckled softly in his throat upon seeing Froggy's stunned expression. His sharp eyes curved slightly into a playful, teasing arc. "Do you really look that devastated? Then... I'd better let you have this magazine. Consider it sharing."
The tall figure smiled with his eyes before pulling his hand back from the magazine and handing it directly to Froggy.
Froggy tense up so hard his knuckles trembled, a chill running through his body from head to toe as the analytical half of his brain completely shut down. The young man’s mouth moved silently, opening and closing without making a sound. His usually calm, stoic face was now flushed deep red, extending all the way to his ears and neck, while his eyes trembled intensely as he stared at the elegant hand holding the magazine out to him.
L... Lord Grox!! This is undeniably the real Lord Grox!!
The person bundled up in discreet clothes shopping incognito... wasn't a tourist or a regular civilian, but the number-one divine idol he was utterly obsessed with! And he was standing less than a foot away from him!
Oh no, no, don't get too excited! Damn it, this is the very first time I've gotten this close to Lord Grox! What do I do? I'm freaking out!
"T-Thank... you... sir..."
Froggy squeezed out the words in a trembling, raspy voice. His shaking hand slowly reached out to take the magazine like a half-broken robot.
Grox gave a light shrug, his every gesture impeccably graceful befitting someone from a prominent family. The young man sent a teasing, playful wink through his black mask, just as he loved to do on stage, before spinning around and strolling away down the mall corridor in high spirits.
He left Froggy frozen in place, hugging the magazine tightly against his chest. The heart in his left chest beat like a frantic alarm so hard he feared it might burst right out of his ribs, while his face felt hot enough to explode.
"J-Just now..."
Froggy murmured faintly, his eyes spinning deliriously as he lost his mind to embarrassment and euphoria. "Lord Grox talked to me... smiled at me... and even handed me the magazine... AGHHHHH!"
me complete collapse of sanity continued for hours. Froggy cradled the magazine all the way back to his car as if carrying an invaluable ancient artifact. Holding it tight against his chest, he could still catch the subtle scent of niche-brand vanilla and wood bark lingering along the edges of the cover paper... Grox's signature cologne!
All the way back to the penthouse, Froggy grinned so wide his cheeks nearly split. That world-engulfing smile caused his elder twin, Froggydoom, to freeze in his tracks as they crossed paths in the main hall. He glared at his younger brother with a mixture of disgust and horror, but Froggy couldn't care less. He sprinted straight into his bedroom, placing the magazine onto the shelf inside the locked glass cabinet with the utmost care as if it were a national treasure. Then, he squirmed around, letting out muffled screams into his Grox body pillow until late into the night.
And then... another milestone day every fan had been waiting for finally arrived.
It was a medium-sized charity stage show and fan meeting for the sibling duo, held in a luxurious hall. Naturally, Froggy who never missed a single schedule managed to secure a front-row ticket right at the edge of the stage once again. On the day of the event, Froggy arrived at the Impact Hall in the late morning. The tall young man, sporting his signature bright green hair, was decked out to the absolute maximum. On his head sat a red light-up headband reading "GROX," paired with a t-shirt printed with the latest version of Grox's face. Two cheer towels were draped across his shoulders, and he had even brought along dozens of keychains, mini acrylic standees, and button badges featuring Grox's face, pinning them neatly across his backpack until no fabric was visible.
He happily posed for photos next to the life-sized standee of Grox outside the venue, hugging it with a look of pure bliss while asking other fans to take pictures for him. Afterward, he headed straight to the merch booth to sweep up blind box pins by the entire case, before floating on air into the venue to claim his place in the front-row VIP zone right by the stage barrier.
When the venue lights dimmed, the music boomed loud, accompanied by the appearance of Grace and Grox as the short concert kicked off with grand fanfare! Froggy waved the four lightsticks in his hands in a frantic rhythm, jumping up and down while screaming "Lord Grox!" at the top of his lungs until his throat was parched, his eyes filled with the highest level of obsession and adoration.
Right up until the end of the event... the casual talk show and Q&A segment on stage.
The siblings stood holding microphones, scanning the fans throughout the hall. Grace brightly teased the fans on the left side, while Grox dressed in an elegant cream suit slowly stepped over to stop right at the edge of the stage on the right... precisely where Froggy was standing out like a beacon.
Grox's striking beauty and magnetic charm at such close range took Froggy's breath away. The green-haired youth hastily raised his red lightsticks as high as his arms could reach, sending desperate, love-crazed glances toward the stage.
Grox swept his gaze down toward the VIP zone, his sharp eyes sparkling under the spotlights. The young idol let out a smirk when he spotted the top-tier green-haired fan decked out so intensely that anyone could spot his main bias from Mars Plus, the flustered smile and desperate look in the bookstore that day were still fresh in his memory.
Grox raised the microphone to his lips, his deep, charming voice echoing smoothly through the speakers across the hall.
"Is everyone having fun today?"
The fans shrieked in response, their voices roaring in unison, "Yes! / We love it!"
Grox accepted the response with a smile before tilting his head slightly, his gaze locking directly onto Froggy as he continued in a playful, good-humored tone. "Thank you so much for coming to see us... especially that fan right in front of the stage."
Grox pointed a long finger straight at Froggy, causing all the surrounding fans to whip their heads around to look at him instantly!
"The one with the green hair... wearing and pinning so many collectibles of me all over himself..."
Grox sent a charming wink his way before letting out a soft chuckle in his throat.
"...You're pretty cute. Thank you for supporting me so passionately."
BOOM!
It was as if a massive, powerful cannonball had slammed straight into the left side of Froggy's chest.
The words "The one with green hair is pretty cute" from the mouth of the number-one idol repeated slowly inside Froggy's head... that winking smile... that gaze locked straight on him... and that smooth, deep voice speaking about him live in front of thousands of fans.
"C-C... Cute..."
Froggy's mouth opened and closed blankly as his entire body melted onto the floor right by the barrier
His stoic mask shattered completely. Froggy's face flushed a deep, violent red extending down to his neck and ears, his blood pumping so wildly his heart pounded out of control
thump-thump!
The four lightsticks in his hands nearly slipped from his grip. He brought both hands up to clutch his burning, fiery cheeks, his dark eyes trembling wildly in absolute, peak euphoria.
He said I'm cute! Lord Grox called me cute on the mic! Oh God! Almighty Lord! My divine deity praised me in public!
Froggy squirmed around on the VIP floor, clutching his heart tightly while muffling his squeals in his throat, ready to dedicate his entire life to him right then and there! The sheer joy, satisfaction, and intense adoration were packed so tight his chest felt like it might burst. If he hadn't been mindful of the venue, he would have collapsed into full-on convulsions on the floor right in the middle of the hall. But if he did that, Lord Grox might get scared of him and he certainly didn't want Grox to be afraid of him.
For the remainder of the show, Froggy barely registered a single note of the music. His brain had locked into a singular loop: that exact sentence and Grox's charming wink. Raising his camera, the young man snapped photo after photo with trembling hands, his face practically melting into an expression of unadulterated bliss.
The life of this fanatically devoted sasaeng... was officially complete. He could die happy.
…
After the charity stage show wrapped up, Froggy practically floated all the way back to the penthouse. The euphoria of having his ultimate idol point a finger directly at him and compliment him live in front of thousands of fans with "You're pretty cute" echoed endlessly in his head like an enchanting spell. Rolling around on his bed, he clutched his Grox body pillow while replaying that sentence over and over until dark circles formed under his eyes. Yet, that was nothing compared to the off-the-charts happiness surging through him.
However... the absolute peak of his fanboy life was far from over.
Just a few weeks later, the sibling duo's agency dropped a thunderous surprise announcement that sent shockwaves through the entire fandom It was a legendary, ultra-exclusive event: A private, one-on-one video call with the idol in an exclusive digital room, with only a handful of slots available nationwide. The entry requirement was to sweep up special collaboration merchandise ranging from cosmetic sets and magazines to health drinks and enter the serial codes found under caps and inside boxes into the registration portal. The more codes submitted, the higher the odds of winning
For a high-spending, lord-tier sasaeng like Froggy, there was zero chance he would let this golden opportunity slip through his fingers!
He ordered every piece of collaboration merch the system would physically allow. The order volume skyrocketed to astronomical levels, piling boxes high in his living room until it resembled a massive warehouse. Froggy crouched on the floor, unboxing products tirelessly and meticulously typing in over a hundred serial codes. The slender fingers usually reserved for pressing a camera shutter were now flying across the keyboard at light speed, nearly catching fire
"Please... god, my divine deity, grant your humble servant this blessing!"
Froggy clasped his hands together in front of the registration screen, his expression dead serious.
And then, the night of judgment arrived... the live-streamed draw hosted by the sibling duo
At exactly midnight, the giant TV screen in the living room broadcast the live stream. Grox, wearing a soft, charmingly cozy sweater, sat beside Grace, who wore a bright, cheerful dress, positioned behind a large transparent raffle box. Froggy sat cross-legged on the sofa, dark eyes wide, hands tightly clasped against his chest. His heart pounded harder than a drum kit at a rock concert, his breath hitching to the point of suffocation.
Grace drew the winner for her side first with a radiant smile amidst a river of hyper-fast live comments. Then came Grox's turn...
"Alright, everyone... next up is the entry for a one-on-one talk in my exclusive room," Grox murmured with a smirk, his eyes glittering playfully. The young man dipped his long hand into the clear box, stirring the paper slips back and forth to tease the fans before pulling one out.
Froggy froze entirely, shaking violently from intense suspense, sweat beading along his cheeks.
Grox slowly unfolded the paper slip, his sharp eyes scanning the name written on it. A soft, amused chuckle escaped his throat before he held the slip up to the camera.
"The lucky winner for my private room is..." His deep, captivating voice drifted smoothly through the speakers, "...Mr. 'Froggy'! Congratulations, and see you in the room!"
Freeze…
Froggy's brain completely stopped functioning for three whole seconds. The name displayed prominently on the TV screen was indeed his registered account name his real name, real surname, and VIP membership ID.
"I... I actually... got it..."
Three seconds later... the sasaeng's sanity shattered into a million pieces
"AGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I WON! I GET TO TALK ONE-ON-ONE! LORD GROX DREW MY NAME! AGGGHHHHHHHHHH!"
Froggy launched himself off the sofa, jumping up and down so violently the condo floor trembled! Screaming at the top of his lungs with unbridled joy, he squealed and dashed around the room, grabbing his Grox body pillow, hugging it fiercely, and tossing it around like a madman. The overwhelming happiness overflowed past the point of restraint as he cackled and shrieked hysterically
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Heavy, thunderous fists slammed against the bedroom door, shattering the moment
The study door flew open violently, revealing the tall figure of Froggydoom, his twin brother. Sporting vibrant red hair and sharp, dark eyes radiating pure murderous intent, his handsome face was twisted into supreme irritation at being woken up in the middle of the night.
"You damn frog!!"
Froggydoom slammed the door frame again, his stern, powerful voice slicing through the chaos. "Shut your mouth right now! It's past midnight! What in the absolute hell are you screaming about, you brain-dead fanboy?!"
Froggy, whose face was bright red from the sheer intensity of his euphoria, whipped around to face his elder twin, his eyes shining like a lunatic's. He rushed over, grabbed Froggydoom's shoulders, and shook him violently.
"Doom! Look at the TV! I won! I got a one-on-one chat with Lord Grox in the private room! Lord Grox said my name live on stream! I'm gonna die,Doom! I'm gonna die of pure bliss right here!"
Froggydoom shoved his younger twin's face away in utter disgust, his sharp eyes flicking between his brother and the TV screen with a mix of pity and sheer annoyance.
"I don't give a damn! Go talk to him, get engaged to him, or marry him for all I care! But if you don't stop shrieking and disturbing my rest within the next three seconds... I will beat you senseless right now!"
The fierce threat instantly forced Froggy to slap both hands tightly over his own mouth! His dark eyes trembled, nodding reluctantly in submission. Even so, his face remained flushed red, and his ridiculous, cheek-splitting grin refused to fade.
"Fine... I'll be quiet..."
Froggy muffled through his hands, eyes sparkling brightly. "But just you wait... on the day of the private chat, I'm going to dress up as the most handsome guy in the world to meet Lord Grox!"
Froggydoom offered his brother a look of utter exhaustion before turning sharply back into his room and slamming the door shut with a heavy BANG!, leaving Froggy to collapse onto the living room carpet, clutching his body pillow and squirming around in silent, delirious victory.
And then, the most important day of Froggy's life finally arrived.
The atmosphere outside the private one-on-one fan sign venue was charged with excitement and tension. The few dozen lucky fans who had won this legendary, exclusive pass sat waiting for their turns in the VIP lounge. Froggy who would normally play the role of a hyperactive sasaeng fan, screaming at the top of his lungs by the stage edge or walking past his twin brother Froggydoom with an unbothered smirk looked completely different today.
The tall young man was dressed in a soft-toned dress shirt that contrasted with his signature bright green hair. He had deliberately skipped the intense gear he usually wore to concerts; meeting Grox one-on-one, Froggy wanted to be seen as neat, polished, and handsome in his idol's eyes. He sat frozen stiff on the sofa, both hands clutching the handles of a pastel-colored luxury brand paper bag so tightly his knuckles were stark white. Inside the bag was a handmade gift a piece he had painstakingly crafted overnight without a wink of sleep, just to hand it over to the idol of his heart in person.
"H-Hoo... Take a deep breath...F Froggy... You can do this..."
Froggy whispered to himself in a trembling voice. His usually calm, stoic face was now flushed a deep pink all the way to the tips of his ears. A shy, uncontrollable smile slowly crept onto his lips as his heart beat thunderously in his chest thump-thump! like an engine piston ready to burst out of his ribs. His thoughts were a chaotic blur: he desperately wanted to see him, make eye contact, and talk to him, yet he was so overwhelmed by nervous excitement and fear that he didn't even know how to function.
"Mr. Froggy, you're up next, please."
The staff member's voice calling out the VIP attendee shattered Froggy's focus. His tall frame jolted up from the sofa so fast he almost dropped the gift bag. He sucked in a deep breath, trying to summon every ounce of composure, before dragging his heavy feet as if anchored by lead weights behind the staff toward the door of the exclusive room.
Click...
The instant the heavy door swung open, the warm, distinct scent of niche-brand vanilla and subtle wood bark hit Froggy's senses immediately the signature cologne of Grox!
Inside the elegantly furnished, private room, the tall, majestic figure of Grox sat waiting on a long sofa in a crisp black suit. Grox looked up from the documents on the table to face the newcomer, his sharp, captivating eyes glittering playfully as a warm smile broke across his flawless face.
"Hello, Mr. Froggy... Congratulations on winning the entry today. Come on in, please."
His deep, smooth, and magnetistically resonant voice echoed warmly in greeting.
Freeze!
Just three steps into the room, Froggy's whole system came to a grinding halt. His brain ceased processing in a split second, his body freezing rigid as a statue. His eyes instantly dropped to the floor, not daring to make direct eye contact with those captivating eyes for even a fraction of a second.
Oh God... Lord above... Lord Grox up close! His real-life aura is ten times brighter than on stage! His face shape is pure perfection, his skin is flawless, and what is with that gaze?! If I look him straight in the eyes, I'll definitely pass out from sheer euphoria right here! Froggy shrieked internally, his dark eyes spinning in utter embarrassment.
Froggy walked over and took a seat on the chair opposite Grox as invited by the staff. Sitting ramrod straight, he clutched the paper bag containing his handmade gift tightly against his chest, slightly crinkling the handles. His cheeks burned hot with a bright crimson blush, and he couldn't stop biting his lip to suppress his shy, goofy smiles.
Grox leaned back against the cushions, tilting his head slightly as he watched his top-tier, green-haired fan struggle with peak nervousness. The young idol let out a soft, fond chuckle.
"Is something wrong? Why aren't you looking at me?" Grox asked in a gentle, teasing tone.
"At the concert the other day, I saw you waving lightsticks and locking eyes with me. I thought we'd get to talk up a storm today."
"N-No... It's not like that!"
Froggy squeezed out a response immediately, though his voice came out stammering and trembling out of control. Raising his head just a tiny bit, he quickly averted his gaze away from those handsome eyes, staring at the edge of the table instead out of sheer shyness.
"It's... It's just... I'm extremely nervous, Lord Grox... I'm so excited... my heart feels like it's about to explode..."
Grox's smile widened, his eyes reflecting warmth and satisfaction. "You don't need to be so nervous. Just think of it as a casual chat between friends... And what's that you brought with you?" Grox pointed toward the paper bag in Froggy's hands.
"Ah... T-This!"
Froggy flinched slightly before hastily holding out the paper bag with hands that shook so violently the bag trembled with them. Keeping his chin tucked against his chest, he stammered out softly with great effort, "I... I made... made this for you... It might not look super pretty... but I put my absolute best into making it for you, Lord Grox!"
Grox extended a slender hand adorned with stylish rings to take the paper bag. The idol's fingers brushed past the back of Froggy's hand for just a fraction of a second, causing Froggy's entire frame to stiffen as he nearly jumped out of his seat, his cheeks flushing to an absolute maximum.
Grox opened the bag and pulled out a large, beautifully arranged bouquet of black satin-ribbon tulips. Grox examined it with genuine attention, his sharp eyes shining with deep impression.
"Wow... You put so much effort into this. The detail is incredibly refined. Thank you so much, Mr. Froggy. I really love it."
The compliment from Grox, paired with another charming wink, completely shattered Froggy's mental defenses. The young sasaeng clapped both hands over his burning cheeks, his eyes trembling as he let out a breathless, dry chuckle, his mind floating off into space.
"T-Thank you... Lord Grox..."
That was all the raspy, trembling voice Froggy could muster before he went back to staring down with a shy grin for the rest of their private chat a precious moment of pure happiness packed with adoration, even as his nervousness spiked off the charts.
"By the way... black tulips?"
Grox lifted the large bouquet of handcrafted black satin-ribbon tulips to look closer, appreciating the meticulous detail in every fold, the arrangement, and the classic, flawless color choice. "This is very unique and intricate... Normally, fans give me bright or red flowers. Why did you choose to make black tulips for me, Mr. Froggy?"
That question snapped Froggy out of his flustered daze for a moment. His deep obsession with the young idol instantly reawakened his expert knowledge about Grox. Though still nervous and unable to look him straight in the eyes, Froggy took a deep breath, summoned every drop of courage he possessed, and murmured his reply in a trembling yet determined voice.
"W-Well..."
Froggy toyed nervously with the hem of his pants using his slender fingers. "In the language of flowers, black tulips represent mystery... or 'an eternal, unwavering love'..."
Grox raised an eyebrow slightly, his sharp eyes betraying clear interest. He slowly rotated the bouquet in his hand, quietly listening to what his green-haired fan was saying.
"Also... when black tulips catch the sunlight, they aren't completely pitch black; they radiate deep purple and rich crimson undertones..." Froggy gradually lifted his head a little, his eyes glowing with genuine intensity as he looked at the bouquet in Grox's hands. "It's just like you, Lord Grox... On the outside, you might seem regal, distant, or hard to reach, but in truth, through every song and at your core, there is always warmth, profound charm, and deep care hidden within... So I... I made this black tulip bouquet specifically because I believed no other flower in the world could suit you better, Lord Grox!"
The long, fluent explanation poured straight from Froggy's heart without a single stumble. Even though his face remained flushed deep red all the way down his neck, the profound love and understanding he expressed through flower language left the room quiet for a brief moment. Grox looked between Froggy's face and the black tulip bouquet in his hands, his sharp eyes shifting from playful charm to pure surprise and deep fascination.
The staff member's signal sounded, announcing that time was up...
"It looks like our time is up, Mr. Froggy," the staff said.
Realizing the moment had come, Froggy hastily stood up, bowing so low to his ultimate idol that his head nearly touched his knees. "T-Thank you so much for today, Lord Grox! I... I will support you forever!"
Before Froggy could actually float out the door, Grox's deep, magnetic voice called out from behind him.
"Wait a moment, Mr. Froggy..."
Froggy froze in his tracks and turned around stiffly, his beautiful green eyes wide with curiosity.
Grox smirked, his sharp, charming eyes locking onto the young sasaeng whose face was still burning deep crimson. Slipping one hand into the pocket of his black suit trousers, the idol tilted his head slightly. "I just realized... After going through all the trouble to win a one-on-one session, you haven’t taken a polaroid photo with me yet. Wouldn't that be a shame?"
Freeze!
Froggy’s brain short-circuited for the hundredth time that day! Overwhelmed by sheer nervousness, he had completely forgotten that this VIP pass included an exclusive polaroid photo.
"I-I completely forgot!" Froggy answered in a shaky, stammering voice. "I-I want to! Of course I want to take a photo, Lord Grox!"
The staff in the room quickly prepped the special event polaroid camera. Taking a deep breath, Froggy tried to compose himself and took a step toward Grox. Out of bashfulness and sheer tension, however, he kept a distance of nearly half a meter, standing ramrod straight like a soldier at attention.
Grox let out a soft, fond chuckle. Without hesitation, the idol closed the distance in a few graceful strides. The space between them vanished in a fraction of a second until their arms and shoulders brushed against each other. The warm scent of niche-brand vanilla and subtle wood bark hit Froggy's nose at point-blank range.
"It's better if we stand this close~"
Grox whispered softly right by his ear.
Before Froggy could even draw a breath, Grox raised his arm and possessively draped it over Froggy's shoulders! His large hand, adorned with stylish rings, rested firmly on Froggy's broad shoulder, pulling the young fan even closer to his side. Grox tilted his head down until his temple and dark hair nearly touched Froggy's bright green locks, flashing his signature, lethal winking smile straight into the camera lens.
Snap!
Froggy had turned entirely to stone. The heart in his left chest pounded like a raging storm, sending blood rushing to his face until the deep flush reached all the way down his neck. The warm touch of Grox's hand around his shoulders was the closest physical intimacy a fan could ever dream of.
"Mr. Froggy... give me a smile," Grox murmured playfully to the flustered fan in his arm.
Froggy squeezed out an intensely shy smile, his hands clutched tightly at his sides, his green eyes glowing with absolute euphoria as his mind drifted into space
Flash!
The camera flash flared brightly, and a polaroid film slowly slid out. The staff gave it a gentle shake before handing it to Froggy. The emerging image captured the number-one idol closely embracing his green-haired fan in an intimate gesture. Froggy received the photo, his eyes brimming with unmistakable, overwhelming happiness.
Grox smiled back at his reaction, stepping closer until only a few inches separated them. He gently rested his hand on Froggy's shoulder, the warm touch sending a shiver through the young fan's body.
"I had a lot of fun today..."
Grox stood on tiptoe just enough to reach the taller fan's ear, whispering into his burning red ear in a deep, enchanting voice,
"...See you at the next event, my favorite fan."
Those final words, paired with the touch on his shoulder, felt like a golden stake driven straight through Froggy's heart. The young fan floated out of the exclusive room like a completely glitched robot. He brought both hands up to cover his burning cheeks, his green eyes shimmering with a level of bliss that transcended the galaxy. Collapsing onto a chair in the waiting lounge, he wrapped his arms around himself and murmured in a faint, delirious whisper.
"My favorite fan... Lord Grox called me his favorite fan... and he's going to put my flowers in his bedroom..."
Froggy grinned until his cheeks nearly split, his eyes radiating peak devotion and joy.
"I can truly die happy now... AGGGHHHHHH!"
Meanwhile, inside the exclusive room...
Grox twirled the black tulip bouquet in his hand with a smirk, his sharp eyes reflecting a deep, unprecedented fascination he had never felt toward any other fan.
"Froggy... turns out you're far more interesting than I expected."
The green-haired fanboy had officially carved an unforgettable impression into Grox's heart
.
Click—
The instant the door closed and Froggy floated away, the quiet atmosphere shattered as the door to the artist's waiting area swung open violently.
"Grox~! Are you done yet?!"
A bright, cheerful voice preceded her arrival as Grace, the female half of the duo, bounced into the room with a playful smile. Still in her vibrant stage dress, she rushed straight toward Grox without missing a beat and wrapped her arms around her twin brother from behind, leaning her weight onto him until he stumbled forward slightly.
"Take it easy, Grace, you're not that light anymore," Grox chuckled softly, his deep voice carrying fond affection. Turning around, he tapped her head playfully out of habit.
"Oh, stop complaining! My queue just finished and I'm exhausted can't I get a hug to recharge?"
Grace pouted playfully before her eyes caught sight of something sitting on the side table: a remarkably unique, exquisitely crafted black tulip bouquet.
Her eyes widened. Releasing Grox, she leaned in close to examine it.
"Wow! What's this, Grox? Flowers... Wait, no, this is handmade craftwork, isn't it?! It's gorgeous! Look at the detail on the petals and ribbons this is designer-level work!"
Grace reached out to pick it up, but Grox quickly snatched the stem and pulled it out of reach. The smirking, magnetic look in his eyes made Grace narrow her eyes in suspicion.
"It's mine," Grox said smoothly, though his smile betrayed him. "A fan made it for me during the last queue."
"Oho~ What's with that reaction?"
Grace tilted her head playfully. Siblings raised together knew each other too well. She placed her hands on her hips and stared at him. "Usually, when fans give you gifts, you hand them all over to the staff to pack away. You've never pulled something away from me like this. Wait, that fan... Ah! Was it the green-haired guy decked out in merch in the front row the other day?!"
Grox didn't deny it. He slowly rotated the black tulip bouquet in his hands, his sharp eyes shining with a deep glow as he recalled Froggy's flustered face, flushed all the way to his ears, and how he had stammered nervously yet spoken so charmingly about color theory and art.
"Yeah... that's the one," Grox replied with a soft laugh. "At first, I thought he was just another hyperactive, big-spending fan. But meeting him one-on-one... he's really interesting. Polite, refined, and his handiwork and photography are top-tier."
"Really?! The guy wearing so many badges his bag was bursting?" Grace gasped in surprise before giving a knowing grin. Hooking her arm through Grox's, she stood on tiptoe to whisper mockingly,
"Well, well, well... Someone actually managed to impress Mr. Perfect Idol himself? Now I'm curious! Come on, spill what's his name?"
"His name is Froggy..." Grox murmured softly, as if savoring the endearing memory. Looking down at the black tulip bouquet with a gentle gaze, he added, "And this bouquet... I'm actually going to put it on the desk in my personal bedroom."
Grace's mouth dropped open slightly before she burst into loud laughter, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Whoa! Right in your private bedroom?! If this Froggy guy finds out, he's going to pass out for a whole day! Fine, fine, I won't steal your gift. But change your clothes and let's head back to the condo I'm starving!"
Grace yanked Grox's arm toward the back exit while Grox carefully cradled the black tulip bouquet in his arms like a prized treasure.
To be continued