I needed space. Not from the members, but from the weight of being watched. Every glance at the dorm carried unspoken questions now, and I wasn't ready to answer all of them.
So, when Park Hyung Sik texted me—"Dinner tonight? Everyone's free."—I didn't hesitate.
By evening, I was sliding into a private restaurant room, where the familiar voices of the Wooga Squad greeted me. Seojoon hyung stood first, pulling me into a hug that nearly cracked my back. Woo-shik laughed in the corner, raising his glass. Hyung Sik grinned wide, and Peakboy was already halfway through a plate of food, pretending not to be starving.
"Taehyung-ah!" Seojoon's voice carried warmth. "You finally came without an excuse."
I laughed, slipping into the seat between Woo-shik and Hyung Sik. "Schedules are still crazy. You're lucky tonight was free."
They didn't press more. That's why I loved this circle. With them, I wasn't V, the idol. I was Taehyung, the friend.
The food came quickly, plates filling the table with meat, rice, kimchi, and steaming bowls of soup. We ate first, letting silence be comfortable, before conversation found its rhythm.
Woo-shik teased Seojoon about a new drama role. Hyung Sik complained about his workout routine. Peakboy cracked jokes in between bites, earning loud laughter.
At one point, Woo-shik leaned closer to me. "You've been quieter than usual. Everything okay?"
I hesitated, chopsticks hovering over my bowl. The easy answer was "Yes, I'm fine." But the truth was heavier. So I gave a half-smile. "I'm okay. Just… a lot on my mind."
Seojoon's sharp eyes caught it immediately. He leaned his elbows on the table, voice softer. "Work or personal?"
"Both," I admitted.
They didn't push, but the question hung there. Hyung Sik nudged my shoulder. "You don't have to explain, but… if it's personal, you know we won't judge."
I looked around at them—this squad who had been through years with me. They knew me beyond cameras and fan expectations. For a moment, I considered saying Jungkook's name out loud. Confessing the truth here. But the thought tangled in my throat.
Instead, I said, "It feels like I'm balancing two lives. One where I'm an idol, and one where I'm… just myself. And sometimes the lines blur too much."
Peakboy gave a small hum, nodding. "Sounds like you're in love."
The table erupted in laughter, but my heart skipped. I laughed too, but too quickly, and Woo-shik's eyes narrowed at me with curiosity.
"Who is she?" Woo-shik pressed, half-teasing.
"Or he," Hyung Sik added casually, not missing a beat.
The room went quiet for a second, not uncomfortable but sharp with awareness. My chopsticks froze, and I knew my silence had spoken louder than any answer.
Seojoon, ever the protective hyung, broke it with a chuckle. "Whoever it is, they must be important. That's all that matters."
I exhaled, relief mixing with gratitude. The subject shifted after that, back to dramas, concerts, and silly jokes. But underneath, I knew my friends had read more than I said. And I knew they would keep it safe.
By the time we spilled out of the restaurant, laughter still in our voices, I felt lighter. Seojoon slung an arm over my shoulder as we walked to the cars.
"Taehyung-ah," he said quietly, "love is rare. Don't waste it worrying about the world. Protect it, but don't bury it."
His words stayed with me all night. When I finally returned to the dorm and saw Jungkook's shoes by the door, something warm bloomed in my chest.
I didn't say anything. I didn't need to. But I knew tomorrow, I'd wake up braver.