Aiven regretted everything.
Regretted opening his door.
Regretted letting Raze walk in.
Regretted breathing in the same air as an idol.
Because now—
he was sitting in the backseat of a black van, hood over his head, scarf covering half his face, Raze beside him like this was normal.
"This is kidnapping," Aiven muttered.
Raze didn't look away from his phone. "Kidnapping is when you fight back."
"I did fight back."
"You lost."
Aiven glared. "Because you're stronger!"
"That's not my fault," Raze said, finally glancing up with an annoying little smirk.
Aiven clenched his jaw.
Why was this man like this?
The van stopped.
Aiven peeked outside.
Eterna Entertainment.
The company building of ECLYPSE.
Tall. Black. Intimidating.
With huge posters of the members everywhere—Raze in the center of each one.
Fans crowded near the gate, filming, waiting.
Aiven's heart dropped.
"R-Raze… I can't go in there."
"You can. You will."
Raze grabbed Aiven's wrist. "Stick close."
The side door slid open.
Security created a wall around them.
Even then—the screams cut through the air like thunder:
"RAZE!!!"
"KYOSHI!!!"
"IS THAT THE BOY?!"
"WHO IS HE??"
"SHOW HIS FACE!!"
Aiven squeezed Raze's arm without realizing.
Raze's voice lowered.
"Don't let go of me."
Aiven didn't.
They rushed inside the building, and the moment the glass doors shut, the noise disappeared—replaced by silence and cold air conditioning.
Aiven was shaking.
Raze tugged his hood off gently.
"You okay?"
Aiven opened his mouth—but Zenith's voice cut in.
---
"RAZE."
Zenith—real name Haruto Zephyr, ECLYPSE's leader—stood in the hallway with crossed arms. He was tall, elegant, expression unreadable.
His eyes moved from Raze… to Aiven.
"So this is the reason half the internet thinks we're disbanding."
Aiven's stomach flipped.
Zenith walked forward, slow and controlled.
Raze stepped protectively in front of Aiven.
"Don't start," Raze warned.
Zenith raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't going to hurt him."
"Your eyes hurt enough," Raze muttered.
A soft laugh echoed behind them.
Kaze—Minato Ryven—popped out of a nearby room, holding a sandwich.
"OH MY GOD IT'S THE MYSTERY BOY," he shouted.
Aiven flinched.
Kaze pointed dramatically. "He's cute."
Aiven wished the ground would swallow him.
Then another head peeked out.
Astryx—Seo Aster—the group visual, perfect hair, perfect skin, perfect attitude.
He looked Aiven up and down, slowly… then clicked his tongue.
"So this is who caused the scandal?"
His voice was soft but sharp.
"I thought he'd be taller."
Raze glared. "Astryx, don't start."
Nova, the maknae, ran up next—eyes bright, smile wide.
"Hi!" Nova bowed. "I'm Nova! Are you really dating Raze?"
Aiven choked.
Raze groaned.
Zenith facepalmed.
Kaze laughed so hard he dropped his sandwich.
Astryx rolled his eyes. "He can't be Raze's type."
Aiven looked down, embarrassed.
But Raze said quietly:
"He is."
Every member fell silent.
Aiven's heart stopped.
Raze brushed past all of them, pulling Aiven along.
"We're going to Velric's office," he said.
Zenith grabbed his arm. "Be careful. The CEO is furious."
"When isn't he?" Raze replied dryly.
---
CEO Velric Kane's office felt like a courtroom.
Cold.
Sharp.
Expensive.
Velric sat behind a desk, expression unreadable—dark suit, slicked hair, a man who saw idols as assets, not humans.
His gaze landed on Aiven like a knife.
"So."
His voice was smooth, dangerous.
"You're the boy causing all this trouble."
Aiven froze.
Raze stepped in front of him instantly.
"Don't talk to him like that."
Velric laughed once—low and humorless.
"I talk however I want, Raiden."
Raze's jaw tightened at the use of his real name.
Velric leaned back.
"This scandal is a problem. A big problem. Christmas comeback, New Year concert, brand deals… All at risk."
Raze didn't blink. "I'll fix it."
"You'll fix it by staying away from him," Velric said coldly.
"Immediately."
Aiven felt his chest ache—not sure why.
Raze's voice dropped, dangerously soft.
"No."
Velric's eyes narrowed. "No?"
"No," Raze repeated, stepping closer.
"You're not dragging him into this. He's done nothing wrong."
Velric slammed his palm on the desk.
The sound echoed like a gunshot.
"You think you can protect him?" Velric hissed.
"You can't even protect yourself."
Aiven pulled Raze's sleeve gently.
"It's okay," he whispered. "I'll go. I don't want to make things worse—"
Raze turned sharply, grabbing Aiven's wrist.
"You're not going anywhere," he said fiercely.
His eyes were burning.
"Not unless I say so."
Aiven's breath caught.
Velric leaned back with a cruel smile.
"Fine," he said.
"If you want him involved…"
He tapped his desk.
"Then he will be."
Raze stiffened. "What does that mean?"
Velric smirked.
"Aiven Hale."
His voice slid across the room like cold metal.
"Welcome to the world of ECLYPSE."
Aiven shivered.
Velric's final words sealed his fate:
"You will stay by Raze's side—"
A pause.
"—under my control."
Raze grabbed Aiven protectively.
"Over my dead body."
Velric smiled wider.
"We'll see."