IKC C10

Chapter 10

“We were filming, and Sehan climbed up onto the stage set to pose like this. But then the set suddenly collapsed—he slid down, and his arm ripped open…”

“Why was Sehan the only one climbing onto that set! You’re the leader—how could you let him do something dangerous like that?”

“A-ah, hyung¹…! We all took turns climbing up. It just happened to collapse during Sehan’s part, that’s all.”

Maybe because Kang Robin was being so frantic, it actually made me see the situation more objectively.

From media and interviews, he’d always seemed like the picture of charisma. But here he was, panicking, stumbling about—and it gave off a completely different atmosphere.

And it also made me realize one thing: he cared about Seong Sehan far more than I had ever thought.

“…Ha. Fine.”

Looking drained, Kang Robin sank heavily into the chair I had been sitting in earlier.

“The other kids are okay? Nobody else hurt?”

“Yes, they’re fine. The shoot was canceled, and we sent them straight back to the practice studio.”

“Good. That was the right call.”

Finally calmer, he glanced at me. Our eyes met—I quickly looked away, pretending distraction.

Ding-dong.

[How to Prevent the Death of Genius Idol Seong Sehan.]

Yeah. I’d been expecting it.

[Inferiority Score +1]

…Shit. I couldn’t even deny it. I’d nearly died from jealousy when I read that stupid interview where Robin bragged about using every trick in the book just to recruit Sehan.

[Inferiority Score +1]

Fine. I admit it. Watching geniuses gather to make music, I had no place there—just resentment and envy.

[Inferiority Score +1]

Wait. What? No, this isn’t true!

A chill ran down my spine. My head whipped up. I hadn’t been feeling that much inferiority!

“You—are you Lee Taegyeong?”

My shoulder jolted. Slowly, I raised my gaze. Kang Robin was turned fully toward me, staring.

Gulp. My throat bobbed. Dressed in a black leather jacket, slouched back with eyes sharp as blades—it was impossible not to tense.

“Y-yes! Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Taegyeong.”

“Sit here.”

“Yes!”

I scrambled to drag over a round chair from the side, planting myself down.

“Closer.”

He curled a finger.

I had intentionally kept distance. But with no choice, I pulled closer, sitting right where he indicated.

Up close, he was… intimidatingly handsome. Was this man really 37? He looked like he could be in his 20s. But why was he eyeing me like that?

“Lee Taegyeong, I think today’s accident? I believe it’s your fault.”

“…W-what…?”

My heart nearly stopped. Wait—how?! Did he somehow know about the status window?

“Sehan met you yesterday. He didn’t sleep a wink through the night. Then he went straight to shooting with no rest—of course he wouldn’t be in his right state. That’s why he got hurt. Am I wrong?”

The words froze me. My mouth fell half-open, then slowly clamped shut. My eyes narrowed.

At that moment, Song Wooshin, seated nearby, raised a hand.

“Robin-hyung, Sehan was actually so happy last night he stayed up writing music till morning.”

“Quiet.”

“Yessir.”

I pressed my lips into a tight line, waiting for Robin’s next words.

Arms crossed, he glared, then jerked his chin at me.

“Sing something.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Don’t just stare. Sing.”

The unexpected order struck my mind white. Sing—in front of Kang Robin?

“Quit blinking. Sing already.”

“I-it’s just too sudden, I’m not sure which song—”

My mind was empty from panic. I stammered, and he sighed, shaking his head.

“What’s this? After years of trainee life, and you can’t sing even a single song on demand? A hundred songs should be ready to spill out at a moment’s nudge.”

His words landed hard because he wasn’t wrong. My head lowered in shame.

“I… I’m sorry—”

“So what makes you think you’re good enough to torment Sehan all this time?”

…Why did he have to put it like that.

“…Then… I’ll sing something I like.”

I glanced once at Sehan’s sleeping figure, loosened my body, let out a quiet breath.

Easing into the song with a soft hum—it was enough to pin Robin’s attention on me.

The song I chose: By Your Side by Sade.²

Gentle, quiet, so as not to disturb Sehan’s sleep. And even more—it was one of his favorite songs.

The room fell still, silent enough to hear a pin drop. My voice floated lightly, filling the air as naturally as breath.

When I sang like this—free, unshackled, alive in the song—that was when I felt most at peace.

“Wow.”

A clap echoed right before me. It was Robin. Even Song Wooshin gave me a thumbs up. Me? I still sat, stunned in the afterglow, mouth slightly open.

“Not bad. A rare pop-style voice.”

Then his long arm reached out—suddenly ruffling my hair.

“Really good. An inspiring voice.”

Smack. A noise cracked across the room. Everyone’s head whipped. Sehan—propped loose against the headboard, awake.

“Sehan!”

“You’re awake? Are you okay? Nothing hurts?”

Both Robin and Wooshin jumped up, fussing to check him. But Sehan’s gaze was locked to me only.

I started toward him, then halted. Something in his eyes looked… off.

“Robin-hyung.”

Supporting his pillow, Robin hurried to respond.

“Yeah? What is it? Are you thirsty?”

“Why’d you make Lee Taegyeong sing?”

The whites of his eyes flashed. My gut clenched.

“His singing is mine. How dare you listen and take inspiration from what’s mine.”

What…?

I had been about to scold him for spewing nonsense again—but my lips sealed. He wasn’t joking. He was furious. Truly furious.

Robin blinked, glancing at his face in disbelief.

“…Sehan. Are you seriously yelling at me right now? For real?”

He mussed Sehan’s hair with a laugh. I swallowed stiffly. No—don’t. Don’t tease him when he’s like this. That’s a mistake—

Whip. Sehan smacked his hand away.

“Get out.”

Shoving back his hair, his glare cut sharp as a knife—right at me.

“Go outside if you want to sing and laugh and play around.”

Good god. Why in the world was he like this?!

I scrubbed at my forehead, frustration boiling, but instinct pulled my eyes to Robin and Wooshin. They looked utterly unsettled. Why did I feel so embarrassed, when it was this childishly petty idiot causing the scene?

“Come on, Sehan—”

“Sehan, I don’t even get why you’re mad. Unless… don’t tell me Lee Taegyeong—”

Not waiting one more second, I acted fast.

“Seong Sehan.”

I slipped past Robin, cupped his cheeks tight between both my hands.

“What’s this attitude, huh? Did you wake because of me—are you just cranky?”

I squished his cheeks, tugging playfully. It was a signal: let’s not fight.

I clamped firm, just in case he shoved me off. But despite the scowling frown, he didn’t.

Whatever it was, clearly I had done something wrong. But Sehan—he might act insane, true, but he never got angry at nothing.

So all I wanted now was to make him ease up.

“You dumbass. I even chose a song you’d sleep well to. I sang it for you. How can you be mad about that?”

His eyes softened. The fight bled out of his glare.

“I was in a meeting when I heard about your accident. I ran here terrified. So now don’t be mad—rest more. I’ll stay till you wake.”

Picking only the sweetest words, offering them like balm—and it worked. His mouth curved up.

“It wasn’t even an accident. Just a scratch.”

His sulky mutter made me sigh. But I swallowed it down. No point going after him when he was already hurt.

“…What exactly are you two doing.”

I flinched. Robin was staring at me oddly.

But why stare only at me, when Sehan was the rude one? I nudged Sehan’s shoulder lightly—“Apologize properly.”

“Lee Taegyeong. You don’t even know, do you?”

Damn. Sehan’s eyes widened, sparking.

“You’ve no clue how much Robin-hyung covets great vocals. Look—now he’s eyeing you, thanks to your singing. If he tries getting close to you behind my back, I’ll—”

“Y-you… cut it out!”

The only reason I didn’t grab him by the collar then and there was because Robin kept observing us, unblinking. I couldn’t disgrace myself further before his gaze.

“So that’s it? Sehan, you’re mad… because of Taegyeong? Unbelievable.”

Thankfully, Robin didn’t sound displeased. But Sehan—he continued spewing nonsense to the end.

“I’m not joking. If you so much as talk to Taegyeong without me—”

Footnotes:

1. Sade – By Your Side: A real-life popular R&B/soul track, known for its soft, emotional tone; chosen here as a diegetic reference.