At the same time, two people sat in a tofu stew restaurant on the outskirts of an alley.

After the broadcast aired, many people recognized me, which was why I chose this remote place, but regardless, this was my favorite restaurant.

Should I say that it feels warm, like home-cooked food?

When I slurped down a sip of the soup, I somehow felt comforted.

Even after failing in the final debut group, I came here in tears...

I opened my mouth while looking at Seo Ian,

"It's delicious."

"Uh... mhm."

He's a person with a soft tofu mentality.

It was obvious that if I left him alone, he would be blaming himself, thinking that it was because of him that the problem had escalated or that he had caused damage to the program.

Whether it was then or now, it's not your fault at all.

It was my choice.

He said I was cut from KJ's debut group because of him.

That's why I wasn't able to make the debut I wanted.

He blamed himself so much.

"That... Seohan."

Seo Ian's lips twitched as if he had something to say.

I felt like I knew what he was about to say next without having to hear it.

I hit the mark.

"I'm telling you in advance if you're going to say you're sorry, don't do it."

"Cough—"

"... How did you know?"

My Hyung cleared his throat and took out a spoon from the container.

I know because I felt it from the look in your eyes.

Anyway, he's also the type of person whose thoughts can be read to the point where it's transparent.

Seo Ian opened his mouth with an embarrassed expression.

"Actually, Lee Junhyuk came to me about it. I think I gave you away... If I had just managed my facial expressions better, you wouldn't have gotten into this situation... That's what I'm sorry about."

It was Lee Junhyuk who raised the matter to this point.

He got caught in the trap he foolishly set.

My Hyung didn't do anything wrong.

But seeing you blaming yourself like that...

"Hmm."

I'm craving alcohol.

Spicy soup and a glass of soju are perfect.

Since I can only drink half a bottle, I crave soju today.

Since the broadcast is tomorrow, I shouldn't get drunk, so I'll drink lightly.

I reflexively raised my hand and opened my mouth.

"Ma'am, here..."

Ah.

Right.

I was a minor now.

Also seventeen.

"Give me a bottle of cider!"

"Yes-! I'll be out soon!"

I was almost in big trouble.

"What's going on?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

While Seo Ian looked up at me with incomprehensible eyes, I smiled awkwardly, calming my panicked heart.

The lady who checked a bottle of cider on the chart went in and soon after, she put down the bottle of cider.

I hadn't thought about it until now, but I'll have to be more careful in the future.

The day I accidentally buy a can of beer at a convenience store and come out, my broadcasting career is over.

"Three years... three years..."

No, it's a bit too much to ask someone to endure without chicken and beer for three years.

Even though I didn't particularly like alcohol, I became depressed for some reason because I didn't have the option.

Huh.

A bottle of soju is not important right now. I cleared my throat lightly and changed the subject.

I opened my mouth, stirring the hot, soft tofu stew that had just arrived.

"Well it's a bit... are you okay?"

White steam obscured my vision.

For a moment, I couldn't be sure because my Hyung's face was covered by the smoke, but a fairly calm voice came back.

"Uh, more than I thought."

"I don't know much, but it looks like someone will be put on trial."

KJ Entertainment Director.

As testimonies from trainees at the time continued, things became more complicated than expected.

Public opinion has become so bad that he cannot just ignore it. Even if my Hyung doesn't come forward, that guy will take responsibility by cutting off his tail.

My Hyung nodded

"Thank god. I escaped, but as long as that person remained, I was always worried about the trainees there..."

"..."

"But now I want to live my life."

For my Hyung, it was only two years ago.

Although he may not have recovered from the wounds he received back then, it seemed like he had already gathered his thoughts.

The past is the past.

You have to find your own way.

I was worried that he had a soft tofu mentality.

Maybe this guy was quite mentally strong.

"This is your last chance, but you can't do anything if you're stuck in the past."

Ian grinned and slurped down the soup.

Just up to here.

I'll just try this far, and if it doesn't work out, I'll quit.

The sight of my Hyung saying that felt like I was looking at him from 8 years ago.

'Admit that you have no talent, Do Seohan.'

There are people in the world who shine even when they are still,

There are also people who don't.

It reminded me of the time I was repeating to myself.

Why?

Words that didn't really need to be said came out.

"You're right."

"Huh?"

"I'm living my life. No matter what reporters say or how it is edited and broadcast. I emerged as an issue and rose in the rankings due to sympathy votes. I completely ignore all the people who criticize me like that. Just like you just said."

I took a mouthful of soft tofu stew soup that had not yet cooled down and swallowed it with rice. soup so hot that it made my heart tingle down my throat.

Originally, Seo Ian could not debut in the Stardust Project.

As for life after that, I have no way of knowing for sure since I didn't have time to worry about others.

For the past eight years, I haven't seen that face again on TV.

I didn't want to do something like torture the hopes of someone who had already given up.

Even though I knew it wouldn't work.

Because I think it's really meaningless to offer comfort that doesn't work.

I put down my spoon and opened my mouth.

"You will debut."

So this is not hope torture or anything like that.

Yes, promise.

It's a promise.

I looked straight at Seo Ian.

"My Hyung will definitely debut."

At that one word, Seo Ian smiled.

"... It's nice to hear, even if it's just words."

* * *

After a short dinner, I went straight back to the practice room.

For the past week, I've been practicing dance and vocals. I didn't even have time to focus on preparing for the team lecture, but I still didn't have enough practice.

At least I could take a breather after the team lecture the day before yesterday, but I couldn't just have fun today.

Even if the other Hyungs had already left, I planned to catch up with them a few more times before returning to the dorm.

Jumble-jump-

I climbed the stairs and headed to the practice room.

Although I wasted time outside, it was only 9 o'clock.

"But I think I'll still practice."

I don't know if it's Lee Junhyuk, but there's no way that person would have already gone by this time.

There is no guarantee that we will be on the same team for the next contest, but we even talked about practicing together last time today.

However.

Why is it so quiet?

Hmm?

"... Is anyone here?"

A dark, unlit practice room.

It looks like they only practiced until dinner and then got off work.

"I guess everyone had a hard time last week..."

It's unfortunate, but it can't be helped.

Everyone needs to rest today.

I muttered softly and grabbed the doorknob.

I put down my bag in the dark and took a step without thinking.

"Mmmm."

I hummed a meaningless song while fumbling the wall to find the light switch.

A figure was visible in the pitch-black darkness.

What is that?

My legs instinctively froze.

Did I see wrong?

"...?"

When I furrowed my brow and took a step toward

My eyes met the black figure.

'Do Seohan, can you handle scary things?'

'Ah? I'm not afraid of scary stuff anymore...'

'Is that so? There has been a rumor that a ghost has been wandering around our practice room for a long time...'

Comments from the interview that overlap with good timing.

'I hope I don't run into the ghost.'

"Uh... uh... uh... ."

Wait a minute.

"AHHHHHHHHH!"

I slammed the door with a single scream.

* * *

Ha Junseo ran to catch Do Seohan, who was running away scared.

He bounced so fast that it really felt like a hamster falling into a hole.

"Hey!"

Click!

How can you instinctively lock a door like this?!

The reflex speed that acted as if this was life-threatening.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Ha Junseo shouted in an urgent voice.

"Seohan, open the door!"

"Why is he doing this?"

"I don't know. As soon as he saw my face, he ran away."

"Your face would scare me too."

Of course, now was not the time for such pointless arguing.

Jin Sehyun frowned and knocked on the door.

"Please open it."

"Oh my... Seohan..."

"No, he locked the door."

Are you sure he can't hear from outside?

I was worried that he would run away with the door locked like this, but fortunately, it wasn't that level of thorough soundproofing.

Bang! Bang!

"Hey, Do Seohan!"

"...?"

Seohan, whose expression looked like he was about to black out at any moment, belatedly opened his eyes round.

A dark practice room.

Familiar faces suddenly knocking on the door from beyond.

When he came to his senses, he looked horrified.

"Do Seohan!"

"Ahh... ugh... huh?"

"No, it's us!"

His face was completely white, as if he had really seen a ghost.

Ha Junseo, who knew he was scared but didn't expect it to be this bad, burst into laughter.

"What on earth did you see us as"

"......."

"Hic"

Instead of answering, the door opened quietly.

Seohan's head popped out from the door observing skeptically.

I was able to read a lot of meaning in those eyes.

"... I'm going in."

Click-

Thanks to Jin Sehyun turning on the switch at the right time, the inside of the practice room became brightly lit.

Behind it, there was a chocolate pie cake that had the appearance of being made hastily.

Originally, I was planning to put a candle up there and welcome Seohan at the same time.

I had missed the time because he was later than expected.

Even though...

"I thought you weren't afraid of ghosts anymore."

"If I were him, I would be like that."

Jin Sehyun shrugged his shoulders and accepted Ha Junseo's words.

Judging by the subtle tone in their voices, they seemed like they were holding back the teasing.

"..."

Serene silence.

"Hehehehehehe."

Only Seo Haim couldn't hold back his laughter and started giggling.

"You were shocked... It's true that I wanted to throw a surprise party, but not one in this sense."

Although it's a surprise party,

There was no intention to make people faint.

"Isn't it too much to collapse?"

"Someone would think we showed up dressed up."

"That's right."

Huh.

Seohan cleared his throat and averted his gaze.

"Well, I was a little surprised."

To be honest, I was surprised by how well it was packaged, and everyone here saw me lock the door as if I was about to pass out.

I tried to answer with a calm voice, but the emotion buried in my voice was embarrassment.

'Oh, I'm so embarrassed.'

Ears don't lie.

His face and ears are so red that it looks like it was about to explode.

'Sometimes he speaks like an adult, but at times like this, he's a no-brainer.'

If I tease him anymore, he'll cry.

Ha Junseo smiled and gestured with his chin.

"Seohan, please sit down first."

"...Okay."

After calming down the surprised child, the birthday party begins in earnest.

It's a small party with only chocolate pie cake, but the main meal is something else.

"Happy birthday gift."

It's a gift-giving ceremony.

The single word 'gift' had the power to brighten up even a pale face. It felt like offering a stray animal food to get it to warm up to you.

In the midst of this busy schedule, they prepared this much for a team member who only worked with them for a week.

Seohan's eyes sparkled, and he let out a light whine.

"Wow, how did you do this..."

Seohan's eyes turned to Haim, who was the first to step forward.

I don't know if I'm feeling skittish.

But I have been hearing some weird sand like noises.

Fufufu

"What..."

A question mark spread across Seohan's face as he checked the gift in Haim's hand.

Hmm.

"Sunflower seeds?"

Is this correct?