IKC C14

Chapter 14

I clenched my teeth, afraid something harsh might spill out. My heated breath hissed between them.

Bastard.

“Hey, Seong Sehan! You—”

Ding-dong.

The alarm sound from the status window cut me off, making me flinch. I’d nearly forgotten it again.

[‘How to Prevent the Death of Genius Idol Seong Sehan’!]

[358 days remain until Seong Sehan’s fatal accident. Reduce Lee Taegyeong’s inferiority to 0 (zero) to remove the risk of death.]

358 days! Seeing the time left made my heart plummet straight down.

[Sudden Event!]

A sudden event—!

[You can immediately reduce Inferiority to 80 points!]

Eighty!? If my current inferiority was 93, that would drop it by 13 points!

[Console Seong Sehan. Hold his hand, look into his eyes, and promise ‘I’ll make up for the 1 year, 5 months, and 13 days.’]

My blood boiled over—I could barely stand it. Why did I always have to console him?

And who the hell consoles me? Why was it always only Seong Sehan…

[Time limit: 3 hours!]

Cold washed down my body. The phone slipped heavier in my hand as my brain went blank.

―“Taegyeong?”

Sehan kept calling my name, but I couldn’t respond.

Last time I failed a sudden event, his arm was…

“Sehan! Where are you?”

―“Me? Didn’t I tell you this morning? Photoshoot and interview—”

“Where exactly?!”

By the time I realized, I was already running down the hall. No time to wait for an elevator. I swung down the emergency stairs.

“Tell me quick! Where are you? Which stop is closest by taxi?”

My insides burned alive, but Sehan stayed silent.

―“Taegyeong, what’s with you.”

“Sehan! Let’s talk face-to-face. I have to!”

Even his sighing pause felt endless.

―“Fine. Studio Dawn. Come here.”

Was traffic always this brutal at 3 p.m.?

“Haaah…!”

Two hours wasted in the cab, I was going insane. My legs bounced, my butt refused the seat.

Ding-dong.

[Sudden Event!]

[43 minutes, 37 seconds remain!]

No need to even look—the cursed system gave me the countdown itself.

Oddly, a strange calm hit me. The event must have accounted for this. There’d be enough time… right?

“…But wait. Did it account for traffic?”

No… it had to. I forced the thoughts down, leaning back. Only, my legs still trembled without stop.

Checking the time every thirty seconds, I was drained to wreckage by the crawling taxi.

Finally, 23 minutes left—the studio building appeared.

“Ah—this is it! Let me out here!”

I leapt from the taxi. Now all I had to do was run. If I sprinted, I could grab his hand in ten minutes flat. Enough.

The area was supposed to be off-limits, but there were still fans hovering near the studio front.

“Lee Taegyeong-ssi.”

Someone stopped me at the steps—it was the assistant manager.

“Ah—huff… hello!”

I bowed hastily, recognizing his familiar face now. He was stationed near a coffee truck outside.

“Grab a drink.”

“No! Sir—I’m fine!”

My feet itched, dancing where I stood, but of course he had no idea of my urgency.

“What do you like? Latte? If not, yuzu tea, or a yogurt—”

“Anything’s fine—the fastest one!”

He handed me an Americano but scanned me with suspicion. In desperation, I grabbed his arm.

“Sir, where is Sehan! I need to find him!”

“…We’re walking there right now. He’s in the waiting room.”

“Which floor!?”

“Second—why—”

“Thank you!!”

8 minutes left! I bolted the stairs, lungs on fire, crashing into 2nd-floor halls. Staff gaped as they blocked me.

“Sir! You can’t just barge in here—”

“It’s fine.”

An arm slipped around my shoulder from behind—Song Wooshin.

“He’s my friend. Just here to watch.”

“Oh—friend? Didn’t realize. Sorry!”

They smiled now, apologetic. But I barreled forward.

“Leader-hyung! Where’s the waiting room?”

“Right there—”

I slammed the door wide open.

And froze.

I’d pictured a tiny greenroom. Instead—huge, glaring bright. My eyes squinted, nearly blinded against the sharp lights.

Why had I thought he’d be alone?

At least 20 staff turned simultaneously, staring. My steps faltered under the collective weight.

[3 minutes remain!]

No time left for cowardice.

I stepped in—scanning frantically.

There. By the wall-length mirror—Sehan, mid-makeup, head lifting.

“You came?”

He caught my gaze through the mirror, smiling faint.

The room quieted, like they too wanted to see what happened. Sehan didn’t flinch—just watched me confidently.

[2 minutes remain!]

“Seong Sehan.”

I marched straight up. Still—he didn’t stand.

Dressed in a beige work jacket and cargo pants for today’s shoot.

“Lee Taegyeong, you seriously came dressed like that?”

He tilted his face, watching me wryly through the mirror.

[1 minute remains.]

“Sehan.”

He wheeled his chair around with a flick. The soft swivel brought him to face me neat.

I grabbed both his hands—shaking with tremors like illness. His gaze lifted, locked mine steady.

The harsh lights reflected his brown pupils—inside them, the frail shadow of me.

“Sehan, I…”

The words scorched my throat raw.

“…I’m sorry I ignored you for 1 year, 5 months, and 13 days. I’ll make it right.”

I hated him. God, I hated him so much.

And yet, to save him, I would do anything, debase myself in any way.

And this bastard—getting the comfort I deserved—still smirked. Couldn’t he at least show some fucking gratitude?

“…Why.”

“Huh?”

He stared cold, lips curling:

“Why would you do that.”

“…?” My eyes fluttered—lost for reply.

His lips twitched half-up. A sneer.

The fucker was mocking me.

[Ba-bam! Sudden Event successfully cleared!]

[Congratulations!]

[Lee Taegyeong’s inferiority has fallen to 80!]

The confetti burst, text flaring. I couldn’t even move.

I’d planned to brush his arrogance aside with joking words—but no. He snapped angry instead, pinning me helpless.

Why the hell was he mad?

Suddenly, laughter burst all around. Staff who’d been holding in chuckles finally cracked, clapping even.

It was a ridiculous sight—an intruder storming in to grab Seong Sehan’s hands, spouting melodrama.

I spun—Perfect Puzzle members, each in styled workwear, lounged on the sofas. All eyes on me.

“…Well then, Sehan…”

I let go his hands and stepped back. He rose from the chair.

“Taegyeong, why are you walking around in just a T-shirt in this cold?”

He brushed past me, striding to the sofa and rummaging clothes.

Only then did I notice. Crap. Training pants and short sleeves. Damn embarrassing. I rubbed my neck when suddenly—

A pink-haired boy stuck his hand out.

“Hello! Nice to meet you!”

Perfect Puzzle’s maknae³, Moon Siyun. I grabbed his hand respectfully, bent deep.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Lee Taegyeong.”

“Why are you talking so stiff?”

Then Sehan returned, swinging a jacket around my shoulders.

Even when I thanked him, he didn’t meet my eyes.

What the hell was wrong with him today?