By Zephyria “Auntie!”
It was even more welcoming to meet Sung Se-han’s Auntie in a place like this. We ran towards each other and held hands in the center of the living room.
“Tae-kyung. You must be really busy with your debut coming up, how did you make time?”
Auntie, wearing a black one-shoulder mini dress, was more beautiful than ever.
“Ah… I came to congratulate Se-han. But Auntie, you look like a real actress today. I was surprised.”
“Oh my, really? Hohoho!”
My body was pushed back as Auntie laughed, patting my shoulder hard. Auntie was always full of energy whenever I met her.
At that moment, I suddenly remembered Auntie wailing at the funeral. I held Auntie’s hand even tighter, trying not to fall into a scary feeling.
“I’m really happy to see Auntie after a long time.”
“Thank you, Tae-kyung.”
Auntie suddenly had a serious face, and my smile faded.
“Auntie…”
“I was so worried that you and Se-han would continue to be at odds… But I don’t know how relieved I am that you’ve let go. Thank you so much, Tae-kyung.”
I shook Auntie’s hand, trying not to make it awkward.
“I’ve decided to just forget about the past. I hope Auntie forgets everything too.”
“Okay, let’s do that.”
Auntie, who had been patting my hand for a while, pointed to the duplex.
“Se-han is upstairs, so bring him down. I want to have a drink with you guys.”
“Yes, I’ll go get him.”
As I climbed the elegant duplex stairs, I felt people on the lower floor looking at me. What had been bothering me since earlier was the fact that the tracksuit I was wearing was completely out of place for the party.
“Ha… I should have dressed properly.”
Too bad. I’m a whole different story when I dress up properly. The moment I frowned in regret, a familiar face greeted me.
“Tae-kyung?”
It was Jae-yi Sunbae, whom I had met at the club last time.
“Ah… Hello, Sunbae.”
I was surprised that the first person I met on the second floor was Jae-yi. I reflexively bowed my head, but I was also wondering.
Did Sung Se-han have a separate friendship with Jae-yi Sunbae?
“But what’s with the clothes? Doesn’t Tae-kyung know about TPO?”
Jae-yi, wearing a white suit, scanned me up and down. Since a handsome person who doesn’t need to dress up was perfectly dressed and looking at me, I felt like I had to check my outfit again.
Two servers passing by the stairs glanced this way. It seemed like I was too out of place in this kind of setting.
“TPO… I know about it. But I had to come suddenly…”
“Ask Se-han to get you a suit. He’ll bring it to you right away, wouldn’t he?”
I couldn’t see Sung Se-han even when I looked around. The second floor had a more complicated structure than the first floor.
“Sunbae, where is Se-han…”
“Se-han is playing king in the main living room right now, so go take a look. You’ll probably find him annoying too.”
Playing king. The smile I had been putting on out of courtesy faded at Jae-yi Sunbae’s words.
“I made time because Breeze was coming too. Everyone’s just looking at Se-han…”
Jae-yi Sunbae, who had been smiling slyly, frowned.
“Tae-kyung, you’re giving Sunbae a very rude look. Is it because you trust Sung Se-han?”
“No. It’s just that Sunbae was saying bad things about my friend in front of me, so my expression must have hardened without me realizing it.”
“Tae-kyung.”
Jae-yi Sunbae put his hand on my shoulder.
“I’ve known Se-han since he was young too. You’re not his only friend. Got it?”
I was so taken aback by the fact that I didn’t know at all that my mouth dropped open. Jae-yi Sunbae smiled, as if he liked my reaction.
“I thought Se-han’s taste was very picky.”
Jae-yi Sunbae’s hand, which had been on my shoulder, moved up my face and tapped my cheek.
“It was all because of Tae-kyung.”
Jae-yi Sunbae left those absurd words behind and went down the stairs. I hesitated for a moment and then headed to the living room that Jae-yi Sunbae had told me about. All the people seemed to be gathered in the main living room out of the two living rooms, and the closer I got, the more I could hear the voices of many people mixed together.
“I first saw Se-han at the joint performance in Vancouver last year.”
“That’s right! Se-han, do you remember? We lent you bottled water.”
My feet stopped at the entrance to the living room. My legs wouldn’t move.
Sung Se-han, surrounded by industry seniors, was leaning back on a long sofa in the center of the living room.
Wearing the same suit he had shown at the showcase today, Sung Se-han was crossing his legs and wearing a relaxed smile.
The pleasant conversations of the people gradually faded away from my ears.
I couldn’t get closer to the distant Sung Se-han. I couldn’t shake off the feeling of being soaked in an inexplicable unpleasantness.
Only the impulse to pull Sung Se-han out of the center of the people surged.
Ding-dong.
[How to prevent the death of the genius idol Sung Se-han.]
Ah.
[Inferiority Score has increased by +1.]
[Inferiority Score has increased by +1].
…
…
I hurriedly backed away and left the spot. Sung Se-han had to be out of my sight. Only then would this ugly feeling subside.
[Here is Lee Tae-kyung’s current Inferiority Score.]
[Congratulations! 11 points!]
I guess it was a problem that I was relieved that I had entered single digits.
No. I had never been relieved. I was actually never comfortable, fearing that I would see his portrait again even in my dreams.
But why do I feel like this…?
The strength gradually drained from my legs as I headed towards the stairs. I slumped down on the stairs like an exhausted person and leaned my head against the marble wall.
I was worried about Sung Se-han, but I was also constantly jealous and feeling inferior. Was I only this much of a person?
“Am I really trash…”
As I was muttering weakly, a shadow fell over my head.
“Why trash?”
“Ugh.”
I was so surprised that I thought my heart would jump out of my mouth. The other person squatted down next to me, who was frozen stiff.
“Sorry for startling you, Tae-kyung.”
The person who came was the famous Hanna Sunbae. I was frozen to the wall and couldn’t say a word.
“I was wondering if it was you when I saw you sitting there, but it really was Lee Tae-kyung?”
What’s going on? Is this a dream?
That can’t be. When I got up from the stairs and straightened my posture, Hanna Sunbae also got up from her seat.
“Nice to meet you for the first time, Hanna Sunbae. But how do you know me…”
“From a lot of pictures… Hoho. I also watched Tae-kyung’s video with interest. As expected, Lee Tae-kyung. I understood that comment.”
Pictures? Don’t tell me she saw the sasaeng photos…?
“Ah…! You saw my content videos. I’m really honored.”
My face gradually hardened due to the disharmony between my confused head and my throbbing heart.
“Tae-kyung, you really have a cold aura when you don’t smile. Do you know that fans call you the Ice Prince?”
How can her voice be so beautiful? How can a person’s eyes be so clear…?
Even though Hanna Sunbae was talking and moving in front of me, it didn’t feel real.
“I’ve seen fans call me that a few times in the fan cafe.”
“Ah, so the fans in the fan cafe came up with that nickname first.”
The way she nodded her head, shaking her long hair, was like a real fairy. The pinkish mini dress further maximized Hanna Sunbae’s mysteriousness.
“But why are you here so late, Tae-kyung? It was really fun when Robin Oppa popped the champagne and Se-han cut the cake earlier…”
I was grateful for Sunbae’s kindness in pretending not to see my tracksuit, so a smile naturally came out.
“I wasn’t planning to come originally, but I suddenly had to come.”
“I see. Then to Se-han…”
“Lee Tae-kyung.”
My head reflexively turned at Sung Se-han’s voice. The moment I saw Sung Se-han walking from the left side of the stairs, I snapped to my senses.
I seemed to have been so engrossed in Hanna Sunbae that I had forgotten the purpose of being here.
“Se-han, I…”
“Where’s your mind at?”
My feet, which had been about to approach Sung Se-han, stopped abruptly. Sung Se-han tapped the phone he was holding to his ear with his finger.
“Ah…!”
My phone was vibrating in my hoodie pocket. The signal was cut off the moment I hurriedly took out my phone.
Hanna Sunbae, who had been watching the process, smiled at Sung Se-han.
“Tae-kyung must not have known that Se-han called because he was talking to me.”
“I guess so.”
The corners of Sung Se-han’s mouth turned up in a refreshing smile. But his brown eyes towards me were still cold.
“I didn’t even know Lee Tae-kyung was here because I was late checking my phone.”
“Ah… um. I thought you were talking to people, so I was going to call you again later.”
I don’t know why I can’t say that I went to the living room. Is this also a type of inferiority complex? It seems that inferiority complex is wider than I thought.
“Our Breeze members are also curious about Tae-kyung? Let’s go together. I’ll introduce you.”