Sometimes I asked myself how lucky I was to have a house when I was little. But the truth was—I lived there alone. Maybe that's why I decided to move out and share a cramped room with friends. Still, sometimes I wonder... if I'd kept that house, would my life have turned out different? Or what if I could've chosen both—home and freedom?
I woke up submerged in the warm water of a white jacuzzi inside a private spa suite. My muscles ached as I lifted my wrist to check the time—past two in the morning.
My phone showed a few missed calls from Mr. K. "Guess I passed out for hours," I muttered to myself, climbing out of the tub. Just as I reached for my clothes, a knock echoed through the door.
Knock, knock.
"Seokjin? Hey, anyone in there? I'm coming in," came Sanghye's voice, right as the door creaked open.
"W-wait!" I lunged for the towel, missed, and sent it splashing into the tub. "Damn it!"
"Whoa!" He froze in place, eyes wide. "Uh… sorry!" Five steps back and the door shut again, leaving me my privacy. Once I was dressed, we stepped out into the quiet city night together. Pink and blue neon lights shimmered along the street, and the trees glowed white like winter snow.
"How was it there?" Sanghye asked, grinning. "Fun?"
"More than I could describe. I stayed at the top—literally. A penthouse suite like something out of a dream. Felt like being reborn as an emperor. The new contract's insane too. If I can keep the group's standards, I get to stay—and the bonuses are huge."
"So basically… endless renewal, huh?" He whistled. "You're damn talented, man. Trained day and night until you made it. You know how many kids dream of joining D\8/? You're one in a million. If I were your brother, I'd be proud as hell."
"You sure you never wanted to try joining?" I asked.
He chuckled. "Nah. I'm good where I am. Jin Kang Yoo, Baek Giyul, Kang Juwon—they're family to me. Besides, I'm the leader of my own band and have stuff to take care of. Oh, and guess what—I'm almost done saving for two houses. Twelve-hundred-fifty million won total. One for my parents—they've had enough of that moldy old flat—and one for… the future." He tossed an empty beer can into a bin.
"Strike!"
"Wow, planning for wife and kids already, huh?" I laughed. "Anyway, you didn't think about taking a loan? You're so close to the goal already. Honestly, I've been thinking of switching to Rubic digital currency. The won's getting too weak these days."
He shook his head. "No way. Too many scams. One mistake and you're done. These days it's hard to trust anything. "We shared a quiet laugh as we walked the empty street, the city humming around us.At the crosswalk, Sanghye stopped and turned to me with a soft smile.
"So, Seokjin—what about you? What are you saving for?"
"..."I fell silent and looked up. The sky was clear—but not a single star shone. The neon from the buildings had swallowed them all.
A pink butterfly drifted through the night sky, brushing past the moon.
Time bent around its wings, the night folding into morning.
It flew across Seoul as the sun rose, gliding over old rooftops where an ancient radio hummed to life.
"Good morning, Seoul! DJ Bezboy here on this bright March 12th of '69! We're heading into the rainy season soon—ah, how I miss those grey skies. Now for some hot news—our superstar is making a comeback! OPP4 just leaked the new album title from D|8: Moon River! And folks, be ready—meteorologists say this year's storm, the Inun Typhoon, will hit harder than ever. Keep those umbrellas close, gentlemen—time to shield your sweethearts from the rain! Let's start the morning with Tanny Tan Jae-hoon's solo hit—Loving Your Sweetness!"
The beat pulsed like a heartbeat, faster and faster.
The pink butterfly spread its wings wide across the sky, darkening the world below.
A spotlight flared, revealing a blonde young man, naked, hugging his knees on the stage floor.
♪ To taste your lips, to feel your gentle touch— ♪
He lifted his head toward the camera, cracked glasses framing a bitter smile.
♪ That scent will fade when time arrives… Will I ever be loved by you again? ♪
Thick pink fluid dripped onto his face.
He rubbed it slowly across his cheeks.
♪ My heart belongs to all the love I have left— ♪
His yellow eyes snapped open, glinting in the dark.
♪ And for you… I'd double it tenfold. ♪
A grin spread across his face, followed by eerie, bubbling laughter.
I sat on the floor, playing with the cat Sanghye had given me, while the rest of the group huddled on the couches, tossing around ideas for the new album.
"Damn it! I can't think of anything for the last track!" Moon groaned, slamming his pen onto the table.
"There's no way we'll finish the MV in time," Minjun sighed. "Might need higher-ups to step in again."
"No, no, no! Don't call them down here," Jinam barked. "Last time they tried to help, it was a disaster. Animation's lame anyway. Look, instead of wasting money on new instruments, why not hire pros to handle the sound design? Those deliveries take weeks! And that dumbass—" he jabbed a finger at Moon, "—is always the one messing it up!"
"Sorry, boss," Moon mumbled.
Tom nodded in support. "He's right though. Last time they interfered, hell broke loose."
"What if we skip live filming and make an animated MV instead?" Tanny suggested. "We've never done one before—it could be fresh, you know?"
"Alright, as the senior here, I'll—" Mikki inhaled deeply. "—White, what do you think?"
Everyone turned toward me as I stared out the window.
"I think Tanny's right," I said. "Animation saves costs and gives us a new hook. If we use motion capture and model ourselves digitally, we could skip studio rentals entirely—and that could become our signature concept."
Their eyes widened. Lucky tilted his head curiously.
"Ah~ Good choice!" Tanny squealed.
"Huh?!" Jinam blinked, visibly unimpressed. "You must be joking, right?"
"Ooh, a fresh idea from the rookie," Mikki grinned. "Alright, anyone wanna go with White and Tanny's proposal—raise your hand."
"Whoa, whoa, shush! I'm the freaking leader here," Jinam snapped. "You guys are seriously trusting this new kid?"
Mikki leaned in to whisper something to him. I couldn't hear what.
Then Jinam's voice exploded.
"You're putting the band's future on him?!" His fist slammed the glass table hard enough to crack it.
"Enough, asshole!" Tanny rushed forward, grabbing his wrist.
"Mind your damn business, fatty!" Jinam snarled, glaring down at him.
"What the hell did you just say?" Tanny's grip tightened, but Jinam didn't even flinch.
"Oh, did I say something wrong?" he sneered. "Every night you gorge on candy smiles till you puke them up because you have bulimia. Pathetic!"
Tanny's eyes welled up as he let go, trembling.
"Okay, okay, so what's your idea then, boss?" Moon asked, trying to defuse the tension.
"Simple," Jinam said. "We're not some cheap band that needs to save money. We go all the fuck in. We push it big, not like some washed-up group with a fame-hungry noob trying to steal the spotlight."
That last line hit me like a slap.
"Why the attitude, man?" I shot back. "You trying to be funny or just an ass?"
"Oh, the grizzled one's got his own opinion." Jinam smirked. "No wonder that blue-haired dick pushed your name to the execs. Bet you let him screw you for it."
"Li Hong—cut it out!" Minjun warned.
"Shut up, you womanizer!" Jinam snapped. "Don't you fucking dare... call me that name."
"I earned my spot fair and square," I said sharply. "This has nothing to do with Jun Ho."
"Tut-tut," Jinam taunted. "A newbie like you shouldn't talk. I've been here four years. I've seen how things really work. Iris handpicked you for the SHIFT audition. The rest of us were just pawns—set pieces to make it look fair. You were the king from the start. I know everything about you, Woo Seok Jin. Your parents buried young, your brother vanished, your life written like a sad movie script—and you still think you climbed here on your own? You should thank the dead for paving your way to the stars."
When I heard his words, I grabbed him by the collar and yanked him forward.
"Keep talking, and your life's about to turn real dark."
Jinam just laughed. "Ha! A bunch of wannabes with your cringey 'we'll chase our dreams!' crap—so damn childish. This is D\8/! We do what the investors and higher-ups want. Love from fans? Please. That's nothing but a fairytale. Wake up, pretty boy—this world runs on stocks, fame, ratings, and money. Ask anyone in this room if they don't want that—hell, ask your bespectacled agent, your precious producer, even that sweet-tongued woman you call boss!"
He licked his lips with a wet smack. "I'm just speaking facts."
"Jinam, drop the ego!" Mikki's voice cracked through the tension.
"Ego? Even he can be bought by my old man's money. That's why he treats me like his own son—maybe even more than that!" Jinam's tone suddenly softened. He stepped closer and patted my shoulder. "Think of this as an office, Mr. Grizzled Hair. Now tell me—after your little 'interview,' what position do you think you deserve? Hmm?"
Thud!
My fist slammed straight into his jaw, dropping him flat onto the floor.
"Aaagh! He punched me! That fucker hit me!" Jinam screamed at the top of his lungs. "GAAA!"
"Wha—oh my god!" Mikki yelped, nearly choking on his own voice.
"Drama queen," Tom muttered, shaking his head.
"You fucking rich boy, *spit" I spat, my chest heaving. "I should've done more—you've got money for a new face anyway! right?" I raised my leg, ready to kick him, but before I could, someone rushed between us—Tanny. He almost caught the blow, but I stopped just in time. Minjun, once Jinam's close friend, ran over and helped him up.
"I'll remember that jab! You'll regret this—I'll sue your ass! Do you even know who my father is?!" Jinam barked, pointing at me.
"I don't give a fuck, man i don't even give two fucks." I shot back.
Minjun dragged him toward the door. Jinam twisted around to glare at me one last time.
"You'll pay for this!"
Mikki hurried to my side. "You okay? Did you hurt your hand?"
"I'm fine. Just... not sure I'll ever be able to look at his face again." I sighed. "Sorry about that, Mikki."
"Call me Ye-jin," he said softly. "I hate that other name. And don't worry—Jinam's like that. He'll stab you with words, but you'll get used to it. Deep down, he hates lies and injustice, that's all." He brushed my wrist gently, smiling as if to transfer a bit of calm.
"So… about what he said. Was the contest rigged?" I asked.
Moon stepped in, clapping my shoulder. "Don't overthink it. What's done is done. The judges saw your passion—that's what really mattered."
"Thanks," I nodded.
Moon glanced at his watch. "Ugh. Time for my shot."
He pulled out a small violet vial, injected it into his arm, and sighed in relief. "Ahh~ that's better."
"What's that?" I asked.
"Clears my head. Keeps me from overthinking. Like an anti-stress dose."
"How often do you take it?"
"All the time. Been hiding it from the higher-ups. I started after one of their little 'discipline talks.' Since then, silence. The stuff really calms you down."
"No side effects?"
"...Well, maybe some dizziness. And addiction, I guess. But please—don't tell anyone."
"Of course not. Friends don't ruin each other's careers."
I excused myself and climbed the stairs to the dorm room. Inside, eight capsule beds lined the walls in two rows, each with a glass door to block out noise. As I walked toward mine, I noticed one slightly ajar—and a soft sob echoed from within.
I peered inside.
Tanny was sitting there, wiping his tears with tissue, muttering to himself. "I'm not perfect…"
I stayed silent.
"Everyone's happy doing what they love. I just want the same. Is that wrong?"
He was the youngest in the group—maybe too young to understand. I swallowed, turned away, grabbed what I needed from my capsule, and headed out.
As I walked down the hall, someone brushed past me—a man with shining blue hair. He stopped, turned, and looked straight at me. Under his mask, I could barely hear his breath. After a long pause, he bowed slightly, as if in apology. Then he touched the choker around his neck—a black band with a glowing white ring and a bone-shaped tag that read: "Lucky Yoo Siwon."
Suddenly, the glowing ring shifted—forming the holographic face of Director Daejung from OPP4. "Hello, Seok Jin. Met Siwon yet?" Daejung's voice came through the projection.
"Y-yeah, he's… nice," I said, straightening Siwon's head when he tilted it almost ninety degrees. The boy blinked in quiet confusion.
"Si-won doesn't talk much," Daejung continued. "He expresses better through action. That choker's basically a mobile surveillance camera—lets us see what's happening in the dorm. Just finished dinner, so I'm catching up now."
"Oh, everything's fine here," I replied smoothly. "Everyone's planning ideas for the new MV."
"I'm sure you'll figure it out. Oh, by the way—are you free this afternoon? There's something I want to show you. Just you."
"Uh… yes, I was about to grab lunch anyway."
"Good. Meet me in Donghae this afternoon. If you see a man in a blue suit holding a black umbrella—approach him."
And then, the butterfly perched on my sleeve took off, fluttering out the balcony door just as Moon was closing it. It soared between white buildings, past windows lined with idol posters, until it reached Donghae Street.
It looped around a green leaf, spiraling downward to rest on a silver-haired man in a brown coat.
I adjusted my sunglasses and hid my face behind a magazine. Too many people around. The last thing I needed was to get recognized. "Great… left my disguise glasses with Sanghye," I muttered, glancing around at the maze of alleys, restaurants, and souvenir shops. D\8/ merchandise was everywhere—this was, after all, where it all began.
A statue of Kang Yong-gi, the original leader from 2055, towered proudly in the plaza.
Across the canal bridge, a man in a sky-blue suit was breathing in the afternoon air.
I blended in with a group of hoverboarders and trailed behind them—good cover for someone trying not to get noticed. When I reached him, he turned around, smiling.
"Well, if it isn't our rising star! The new group suits you well, doesn't it?" Daejung said warmly.
"Everything's going smoothly, sir. Plenty to work on, too," I replied.
"That condom commercial we shot—it's under board review today. Looks promising."
"So it'll air overseas?"
"Of course. Especially in the U.S. and China—though we'll tweak a few scenes for China. No big deal." He looked around, eyes glinting. "Do you know why this place matters?"
"Because it's where it all started."
"Exactly. Donghae—the birthplace of D\8/. Two generations since Yong-gi's team. He was a bright soul, everyone loved him. Then, one day, silence. Shame, really."
"Let me guess—he pissed off the wrong people?"
"That's one way to put it. Fulfilling everyone's desires isn't easy, my boy. There are two kinds of idols: those who crave fame and those who chase money. You can be both—it's fine. But what truly matters…" He took my hands, smiling faintly. "Is power. It shapes who rises and who falls."
"I understand," I said quietly.
He nodded. "Back when Yong-gi's D\8/ debuted, I was just a young marketing rep. My boss was a control freak who never respected my ideas. I almost quit." He chuckled. "But I didn't. Their condescension drove me here—to wear this suit, to be in this position."
"Quite the rise," I said. "You've earned it."
"Indeed. And now…" he spread his arms, showing off his expensive suit, "I decide the future."
"What's the plan for us, then? Things feel quiet lately."
"A brief pause before the storm," he said. "We're planning a collaboration next month."
"With who?"
He grinned. "Japan. A crossover with a ghost."
"A ghost?"
"Real one! It'll be legendary!"
He laughed—loud enough for people nearby to notice. Phones started lifting, cameras pointing our way. "Mr. White," Daejung said calmly.
"Y-yes?"
He leapt onto the bridge rail. "The most important skill for an idol should have..... is survival! From them fans!" He raised his watch, grinning. "On three, we jump. One….. three!"
"Wait, what happened to two—?!" Before I could finish, he shoved me.
"Whaaa—!" I screamed as I fell—just before a hovercraft swooped in, catching me mid-air and carrying us both up into the blazing afternoon sky.
"Holy Shit, Holy Shit, hahaha" i laughed.