As The final chord rings out. "This song," he said, resting his guitar against the rock,
"I wrote it for the most important person in my life."
He pulled back his hood, revealing silver-white hair that shimmered under the sunlight—just like the one I remembered—and a small butterfly tattoo inked on the left arm.
"Strange, isn't it?" he added softly. "What could've brought you… back to us again?"
I said nothing. Silence hung between us like mist.
He chuckled quietly, scratching his cheek. "You know, I used to think we were a pretty messed-up family. Guess you turned out better than I did, huh, little brother? Even if you don't want to call me your big bro anymore, I'm proud of you, kid. You've become… a star."
Woo Seokjae stood and brushed off his hands before stepping toward the tree, his back turned to me. "Come home once in a while, alright? We miss you, little bro."
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The sound of a phone ringing cut through the haze. I jolted awake. Morning sunlight poured across my face. Next to me, Jun Ho lay half-naked, sleeping soundly. I grabbed the holophone buzzing on the nightstand and answered. Sanghye's face appeared in a faint blue hologram.
"Bro! Mr. Bons's been calling you like twenty times already! You've got a meeting at OPP4 building at ten!"
"Alright, alright," I groaned, rubbing my temples. "What time is it now?"
"Nine-fifteen!"
"Crap..." Before I could reply, Sanghye's image flickered—and Juwon's grinning face replaced him.
"Hey, bro! Try not to make us chase you around again, alright? Good luck with your new group. And if you ever feel lonely, Wolves will always be your home."
"Yeah, yeah. Got it. Many thanks," I said while hanging up.
As I sat on the edge of the bed, Jun Ho stirred beside me and placed a hand gently on my shoulder.
"How was last night?" he murmured.
"Pretty great,"
"Knew you would say that. Anyway, How's your love life been lately? Just asking. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."
"Nah, i don't really care about love." I rubbed the back of my neck, sighing.
"Anything you want to get out of your chest?" he asked.
"Well… I used to date this girl. Quiet type, thoughtful, religious. She liked reading, praying, and go to church. We broke up over something… which's bullshit and I've stopped thinking about it."
Jun Ho walked to the window and pulled the curtains open.
"Let me guess. She left you for someone else?"
I forced a small laugh. "Yeah. We'd slept together. One night, i was drunk—too far gone to think straight. Then she got pregnant. I thought she didn't want to keep the baby, so i asked her to had..... an...." I could not say the word. "After that, we drifted apart until she finally confessed she'd found someone new. Story of my life, huh?"
"Oh damn~" Jun Ho leaned against the wall, sunlight catching his tired smile.
"Even though I'm not a woman, I understand that kind of pain. My parents almost aborted me too, you know. Lucky for me, they changed their minds. Otherwise…" He smirked. "I wouldn't have been the first guy to take your virginity."
"Hahaha," I laughed quietly, shaking my head. "Let me ask you something. What makes a good song, to you, any advice?"
He paused for a moment, thinking. "A good song isn't about numbers—views, sales, or charts. It's about what it makes people feel. Generations have come and gone in this country's music scene. Legends passed the torch down to us. Don't tarnish our legacy—especially not with your own hands."
"What about you?" I asked quietly. "What does success mean to you?" He smiled faintly. "It's simple. Seeing your fans smile back at you. That's all that matters."
"I'm sorry about… what happened with your career," I said.
He snorted. "Don't be. Five years was enough. I'm exhausted. You, Woojin—you broke my chains.
I'm finally free from babysitting spoiled kids."
"Wait, what's that supposed to mean—?"
"Forget it." He waved me off. "Kids these days overthink everything."
I grinned. "Just kidding. Anyway, I should get ready for the meeting."
I slipped into a white shirt and jeans, brushing my hair before heading toward the door.
"Take it easy, Woojin," Jun Ho said behind me.
"Things are only going to get tougher from here—harder, messier. Some of your new bandmates aren't exactly happy people. TT, Mikki, Sunny, and Moon—they're the easiest to get along with. Give it five minutes and it'll feel like you've known them for five days straight. The rest… well, figure them out yourself. Goodluck, Mr.White"
I nodded and shot him a confident grin. "I'm not that convenience store kid anymore."
Jun Ho smirked after i said so.
Next stop, OPP4 entertainment meeting.