"Thank you, kha~!"
Hanu smiled sweetly as he handed over the signed album to the fan who had just said goodbye.
The fansign event in Bangkok was buzzing—filled with excited screams and flashes of camera lights.
"Hyung, aren't you tired of smiling non-stop?" Axel teased from beside him.
Hanu chuckled softly. "I'm used to it."
The next fan stepped forward. A man—probably in his twenties—wearing a dark hoodie and a mask that covered half his face. His gaze was sharp… unsettling.
"Hello~!" Hanu greeted cheerfully. "What's your name?"
The man didn't answer. He placed the album on the table. Hanu quickly signed it. But just as he was about to hand it back—
The man grabbed his hand.
"W-Why are you—"
The grip was strong. Hanu instinctively tried to pull away.
"Your skin's really pale…" the man murmured, pulling Hanu closer—so close their bodies nearly touched. "Kinda plump too… for such a cute little idol."
"Let go!" Hanu shouted.
But the man's hand slid down his waist—lower, to his backside.
It all happened so fast.
"HEY!!" Zio shot up, chair flipping over. "WHAT THE HELL?!"
"SECURITY!!" Leo shouted, pointing furiously.
Axel bolted toward Hanu, who had collapsed to the floor, face pale. Rei grabbed the mic and shouted in English, "Clear the area! Now!!"
Security rushed in, dragging the man away as the crowd broke into screams and chaos.
Hanu trembled. His eyes glistened. "He… he touched me…" he whispered.
Leo wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "It's okay. You're safe now."
Zio continued shouting from behind, "What kind of fan does that?! Freaking psycho!"
Axel gently held Hanu's trembling hand. "Hyung, breathe… slowly."
Rei stood nearby, silent—but his eyes were fixed on the exit.
Cold. Dangerous.
---
Backstage
"Hanu, sit down. Drink this."
Leo handed him a water bottle, but Hanu's hands were still trembling, barely able to hold it.
"I can't get his face out of my head…" Hanu whispered shakily. "It was like… he didn't even see me as human."
The backstage room turned heavy with tension. Their manager, Mr. Ardy, was pacing while speaking angrily on the phone.
Axel sat on the floor close to Hanu, glancing nervously at the door. Zio was pacing in frustration, while Rei stood leaning against the wall, face dark with rage.
"Where the hell was our bodyguard?!" Zio suddenly snapped. "Grabbing coffee or what?!"
Mr. Ardy ended his call and turned around. "He was guarding the front gate."
"You're kidding me! Hanu just got assaulted in public and he wasn't even around?!"
"Enough!" Leo raised a hand, trying to calm them. "Let's focus on Hanu."
Hanu said nothing. His shoulders were still shaking, eyes blank. The trauma was coming back. He had gone through something similar back in his trainee days—groped by a fan in secret. And now, it was all happening again.
---
A Few Hours Later
The media exploded.
Footage from fans who had recorded the incident went viral on Twitter and TikTok. The hashtag #ProtectHanu trended in three countries within hours.
> "Indonesian Idol Assaulted During Fansign in Thailand!"
> "Hanu from Oblivion Harassed—Where Was His Agency's Security?"
> "Male Fan Gropes Hanu in Public—This Video Will Make You Furious!"
NEO Entertainment immediately released an official statement that night:
> "We deeply regret today's incident and have taken legal action against the perpetrator. To ensure the safety of Hanu Kyle and all Oblivion members, we will be overhauling our security system and appointing professionally certified personnel with international experience."
---
The Next Day – NEO Entertainment HQ
Hanu sat quietly on the practice room sofa, wearing a hoodie and a mask. He hadn't said much all morning. Even his usual bright smile for the staff was barely there.
The door opened.
A tall man walked in. Towering close to two meters, muscular and athletic, dressed in a plain black t-shirt under a bomber jacket.
Faint tattoos peeked out from his neck and hands. His face was unreadable, jaw sharp, and his gaze—intense. Too intense for an ordinary bodyguard.
"This is the new bodyguard we brought in from Singapore," said Mr. Ardy. "His name is Robin De Jordan. He's trained elite units and has worked with top Asian celebrities."
Robin bowed respectfully. "I will protect Mr. Hanu properly, sir."
Hanu looked up, eyes meeting the stranger. And for some reason… something stirred in his chest. A strange familiarity. Even though he was sure they'd never met.
Robin turned his gaze to Hanu, locking eyes. Cold—but there was something beneath the surface. Something unspoken. Felt, but not seen.
"Pleasure to work with you, Mr. Hanu," Robin said calmly, his deep voice steady.
"Just call me Hanu," Hanu replied, slightly nervous.
Axel leaned toward Zio and whispered, "Damn. He looks more like a mafia boss than a bodyguard."
Zio snorted. "As long as he doesn't vanish when Hanu needs him, I won't complain."
Rei stayed quiet. But his eyes scanned Robin from head to toe, assessing.
Hanu stood slowly, stepping a little closer to the man.
"Have we… met before?" he asked softly.
Robin looked at him. A faint, nearly invisible smile appeared on his lips.
"We have. But I don't think… you remember."