The media doesn’t let up on their senseless reports, as if they don’t have more important things to report on. They publish news that really shouldn’t be considered news, like all of Iseul’s interactions and Kuro’s updates on Instagram, making it seem like Iseul's relationship with him is something more. That’s what he sees online when all he wants to do is check the weather for the day.

He’s supposed to formally meet Kuro today to finalize the conditions of their collaboration, but he can’t get himself out of bed. His eyes still bleary from lack of sleep, he navigates to Kuro’s unrequited conversation on the app and types out a message.

haniseul

Are you just going to ignore the rumors?

Iseul's about to put his phone away when the screen lights up with a response.

leekuro

Noh Media already released an official statement, no? I have nothing to add to that.

It's lazy, but undeniably fitting, for Kuro to act this way. Without a moment's deliberation, Iseul sends a response before rereading it.

haniseul

Have you even read the news? I think you’re being too complacent.

leekuro

Are you worried about me?

haniseul

What? No way.

leekuro

I’ve read funnier things about myself.

One time, Hwang Sua bribed the reporters to release articles that I was dating her. Another time, they thought I had connections to the mafia since my family background wasn’t known to the public. But when the media found out I was related to the Hwang family by marriage, there were all sorts of rumors, like the Hwang Empire CEO manipulating the music charts in Phantom’s favor. The rumors died down over time.

We finished our tour a few days ago, and we don’t have any activities at the moment, so I’m not too worried. But if this is because of how our fans are treating you...

I’m sorry about that.

The rumors aren't going to die over the course of the week. Iseul's sure of that. Even when rumors are proven to be false, they follow him for years. He won't be able to do anything without someone discussing or, posting or connecting it back to Kuro.

Iseul has witnessed this for others firsthand. When idols are meant to embody ideals of perfection, imperfections remain forever throughout the course of their careers, lingering in the shadows of public discourse. And when rumors were buried, they would resurface again to condemn them during unfavorable situations.

haniseul

I couldn’t care less about what they say to me, but you should at least set them straight.

They deserve to know the truth directly from you.

leekuro

You’re so thoughtful, caring for the hearts of people slandering you over the internet.

haniseul

I’m convinced that most of them are kids. They should know better, but they obviously don’t.

leekuro

You’re right.

I’ll consider addressing the issue if you follow me back.

haniseul

What?

leekuro

You followed Lee Aera but not me?

haniseul

How do you even know that? I thought it was a joke that you were stalking me on social media...

leekuro

For one, she messaged me at 2 AM to tell me. She really likes you, so this was a big deal for her.

What does that make me?

haniseul

Maybe I don’t want your pictures on my feed.

leekuro

That’s harsh.

You’re not even active on here. It’s not as though I’m asking you to date me for real.

haniseul

Fine.

Iseul reluctantly navigates to Kuro’s profile and presses the follow button, watching the word Following appear in confirmation. His own following count goes from one to two, given that he doesn’t follow anyone else on the app. He’s already anticipating the scrutiny of questionable journalists and fans when they notice this change.

leekuro

Thanks ^^

I'll see you later today to sign the contract.

True to his promise, Kuro does make a post with a blank black photo. It’s not a formal statement like what Noh Media wrote; rather, it’s terse and reaches more people than he could ever imagine.

♥ 92,108 likes

leekuro, Don’t bother with the articles. @haniseul and I are working on a collaboration. Look forward to it.

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* * *

Iseul wonders if he made things worse. That’s the thing with social media—even if he avoids it on all accounts, what people say about him still manages to reach his eyes and ears. They're on their way to Meteor Entertainment when Leo gives him updates about the public’s perception of him.

Leo slows to a stop when the traffic light flashes red. “You know those stories that fans write about you?”

“Yes?” Iseul uncaps his water bottle and drinks from it. One of his most memorable fans came to his autograph signing and gave him a printed copy of her story, with him featuring as the main character. He couldn’t bring himself to read it, but he remembers Leo talking about it for days after going through it.

“I came across some really elaborate ones with you and Lee Kuro—”

Iseul chokes on his water. “Stop there, please. I don’t want to hear it. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that you’re really into this kind of thing.”

“Yeah,” Leo answers with a suspicious laugh. “Your fans are really interesting. This morning, someone photoshopped that picture of you and baby Sarang to look like you were holding Kuro’s lovechild.”

“I really didn’t need to know that, but now I have that image ingrained in my mind.” Iseul groans. “Is this all you’ve been doing?”

He wonders how involved Leo is with the fanbase anyway. Does he partake in all the discourse and theories, too? His manager thinks all the relationship speculation is a good thing because it keeps the fans invested and interested. But it feels like lying to the growing population of fans who want him and Kuro together because they're expecting some kind of public reveal from them where they're truly in love.

There won't be.

“I looked into what you asked me to. No luck so far,” Leo says. “I haven’t been able to trace the paparazzo who sold those photos to the media. I’ll keep on looking, but I can’t make any promises.”

“Thank you,” Iseul says, relieved that Leo actually isn't wasting all of his time reading gossip articles and fan posts. “I’ll update you on how this meeting with Kuro goes.”

Leo quickly glances at him, giving him a reassuring smile. “You’ll be fine! You're getting the opportunity of a lifetime here.”

At the end of the shopping boulevard, Meteor Entertainment's glass facade rises into view. It doesn't rise as high as Noh Media's building when theirs used to function as an administrative office before it was remodeled, but it's clearly an entertainment agency by the look of its modern architecture. The building stands out from its surroundings with its display of blown-up album covers and posters of Phantom on its windows. It's difficult to miss.

“I’m not sure about that,” Iseul admits, “but I’ll do my best.”

The gates prevent fans from lingering too close or entering the building, but that doesn't mean they can't still wait outside. They always do. Sometimes they're here to catch a glimpse of their favorite idols, other times they're here to demand feedback when there's a controversy as big as their dating controversy. These are the kinds of fans who Iseul does not want to cross paths with.

The windows of their van are tinted, so even as a few fans turn their heads toward them as Leo drives past, they can't see who's inside. Thankfully, Leo drops him off in the back of the building, away from any unnecessary attention.

* * *

The first time Iseul wore a mask of false bravado, he made his first steps into the spotlight, a newcomer in the music scene, sharing his songs with the world.

The second time, he shares his songs with only one person.

Iseul always carries himself with conviction, but the fact that he’s giving such an intimate aspect of himself to Kuro—his thoughts, his words, his songs—makes him vulnerable before judgment.

He arrives at Kuro's office on time without any problems, where Kuro looks more like a businessman than a singer, nestled in a black leather chair behind a wooden desk. After handing his portfolio over, Kuro spends a great deal of time reading through the papers without saying a word.

Silence descends upon them, stretching endlessly and making his heart beat an unsteady rhythm in his chest.

He’s nervous.

God, he’s so nervous.

Iseul's never had the opportunity to share his works like this before. The industry has judged him as a singer, dancer, idol, but never ever for his abilities as a creator.

Kuro, on the other hand, has every right to call himself an artist when he plays God with the way he weaves words together with such poignance that they could belong in novels. He’s the perfect embodiment of who and what an idol should be capable of.

When Kuro finally looks up, his expression is blank in an unnerving way. His eyes have taken on the sharpness of a blade, cutting right through where Iseul's most soft and vulnerable.

The answer Kuro has for him is not what he expects, not what he wants to hear.

“I can’t work with this.”