22
The air in the conference room at Vision Dayag Arena had a nervous energy that vibrated beneath the hum of fluorescent lights and the hushed whispers of the assembled press. Tae Hyun–dressed in a plum velvet blazer paired with a crisp white button-down shirt with a slightly open collar and skinny black trousers–took his seat behind the long, polished table. The room was a sea of faces, some curious, some skeptical, but all hungry for the next juicy tidbit of gossip.
Tae Hyun glanced at Mina as she sat beside him, her face calm and composed. But her eyes conveyed a silent question. Are you ready for this? He offered the barest nod. Despite tossing and turning all night, the repercussions of his decision pressing down on him like a suffocating blanket, there was no avoiding what had to happen. He absently massaged his knuckles under the table until he made himself stop.
“Thank you for joining us, everyone,” Mina’s voice rang out, clear and confident. “I hope you’ve all read the statement we sent out. But, to summarize, due to a sudden health issue, Yoshida Ren has decided to leave the tour and return to Japan.” She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room, a silent challenge to anyone who dared to question her authority. “As such, we’ve had to replace Sweet Beast on the bill for the foreseeable future. Now–” She took a deep breath, readying herself for the inevitable onslaught before continuing. “Now,” she repeated, “that’s all the information we have to share at this time. But we’ll do our best to answer any questions you may have.”
A forest of hands shot up in a desperate clamor for attention. Tae Hyun was grateful for Mina’s presence, and her obvious ease with the media. It was one thing to field a few questions on a red carpet. But press conferences were another matter entirely.
No, Mina reiterated, she couldn’t say more about Ren’s health issue. No, Ren was already on his way back to Japan. No, she had no idea if he or his company would do a press conference of their own. Yes, they had every confidence in their new opening act. Then, the reporters shifted their focus.
“A question for Mr. Woo,” a reporter called out in English. Mina gestured for Tae Hyun to take control, and he nodded toward the reporter.
“Go ahead.”
“Kang Young Jae, K-Star Daily ,” the reporter responded. “Did Jason Park have anything to do with Ren leaving the tour after the alleged affair between you and Ren?”
Mina tensed as she prepared to stand, but Tae Hyun shook his head. He’d expected the question.
“There was no affair,” Tae Hyun replied, clear and unwavering. “As Ms. Kim already stated, Ren is unwell and has decided to leave the tour to focus on his health.” That was false, but it was the story everyone, including Ren’s company, had agreed on.
“But Mr. Park is your manager,” the reporter boldly continued. “And, well, more than that, isn’t he? Surely, he– ”
Tae Hyun briefly frowned, more from judgment than anything else, remembering the morning sun as it streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of his Manila hotel suite, shining a harsh light on the remnants of the previous night’s emotional battle. He’d been sitting on the edge of the unmade bed, the luxurious linens twisted and tangled around his legs, a reflection of his own tangled emotions. He tightly clutched his phone as he dialed Jason’s number, anxiety tightening his chest. He was exhausted, physically and emotionally, but his need to hear Jason’s voice, to share the burden of last night’s revelations, was overwhelming.
The phone rang twice, then three times, each a painful reminder of the distance between them. Finally, Jason’s voice filled his ear. “Tae Hyun?”
Tae Hyun’s shoulders relaxed as sweet relief soothed his anxiety. “Hyung,” he breathed, his voice hoarse. “Can you talk?”
“Yeah, of course.” Jason paused, grunting as he shuffled or moved. “I’m sorry I haven’t called yet. You wouldn’t believe what’s been happening here.”
Tae Hyun’s stomach clenched. Jason’s exhaustion was unmistakable, but there was an underlying tension, a hint of something else he couldn’t quite decipher. “It’s alright, hyung. Naomi. How is she?”
“She’s better now than she was last night,” Jason gruffly admitted. “She’s a real fighter. But–” He trailed off.
“But, what?” Tae Hyun’s worry spiked. “Did something happen?”
“It’s–” Jason’s breath hitched. “It’s a lot, Tae Hyun. I don’t know if–”
“Just tell me.” Tae Hyun firmly insisted .
“Well, I’m still dealing with the fallout from everything. But, the short version is that David, Brightstar’s Chief Counsel, was behind Naomi’s accident.”
Tae Hyun’s breath caught in his throat. “What? Are you serious?”
“Yeah.” Jason’s voice suddenly grew hushed. “And, I should say Brightstar’s former Chief Counsel. Once he knew we were onto him, he killed himself last night.”
Tae Hyun was speechless, his mind reeling. The news was a punch to the gut, leaving him breathless and disoriented. “Are you sure?”
“Completely,” Jason confirmed, his exhaustion unmistakable in his heavy tone. “So, you can imagine the fucking mess I’m dealing with right now.”
“I’m sorry, hyung. I wish I was there to help.” Tae Hyun’s heart swelled with instinctive protectiveness. “Are you okay?”
The call went quiet except for Jason’s gentle breathing. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
“You don’t sound okay.”
Jason chuckled, hollow and a little forlorn. “Alright, maybe I’m just telling myself that to get through this shit. But I’ve got a plan.” He snorted. “Hopefully a better plan than my last one. What about you? How’s Manila? How was last night’s show?”
“It was amazing,” Tae Hyun replied, forcing himself to focus on the positive. “Our biggest crowd yet. But–” It was his turn to hesitate, the guilt twisting in his gut. “I need to tell you something,” he finally admitted, suddenly unsteady. “About Ren.”
The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. Tae Hyun took a deep breath before the words poured out in a rush. “I confronted him last night,” he confessed. “About the paint attack. And he admitted it. He planned the whole thing.”
A low growl rumbled through the phone. “He fucking what? Why the fuck would he do that?” Jason demanded, fiery with rage, his instinctive protectiveness flaring through the miles separating them.
Tae Hyun quickly explained the rest, recounting Ren’s twisted motivations, jealousy, and desperation for fame. Jason’s anger simmered over the line, his breathing heavy and uneven.
“But I recorded the whole conversation,” Tae Hyun finished. “I have proof. Seong Min has it.” He paused, the words he’d been dreading finally forcing their way out. “I’m so sorry, hyung. I should have listened to you. I should have trusted you.”
“Well, yeah, but–” Jason paused, sharply inhaling before a long exhale. “No, no. I don’t blame you. It’s my fault. You wouldn’t have gotten so defensive if I hadn’t jumped down his fucking throat.”
Tae Hyun’s heart ached at the remorse in Jason’s voice. “No, hyung,” he firmly countered. “Ren was very charming, and I was desperate for a friend. Too desperate. I should’ve seen through his act the way you did.”
Jason wearily sighed. “So, what are you gonna do about him?”
“He’s off the tour,” Tae Hyun firmly replied. “We haven’t announced it yet, but there’s no way I can trust him.” He huffed. “I hate to make the rest of his band suffer for his mistakes, but–”
“But they either knew about what he was up to,” Jason cut in with a matter-of-fact tone, “or were too clueless to notice.”
Tae Hyun bitterly snorted, recalling how sure he was that he and Chang Min had hidden their affair from Xiang, only to learn after the fact how wrong he was. “I suppose you’re right,” he conceded. “I’m meeting with Mina and Seong Min in a little while to discuss our options. Tonight might be a solo show.”
“I know you’ll still be great.” Jason’s loving warmth was enough to make Tae Hyun melt. “And I trust that you’ll handle things fine. Just know that I got your back, no matter what.”
“Thank you, hyung.” Tae Hyun smiled, refilling his dangerously low emotional fuel tank on Jason’s enduring love.
“–has some influence over your tour decisions?” the reporter finished as Tae Hyun snapped back to the present.
Tae Hyun clenched his jaw, not bothering to hide the annoyance flashing across his face. “The strength of my relationship with Jason is based on mutual trust, Mr. Kang.” He wickedly smiled. “Surely you have someone you trust like that?”
The room fell silent, the reporter’s face flushing a deep red as the other journalists exchanged knowing glances. Tae Hyun leaned back in his chair, satisfied to have turned the tables on the intrusive reporter. For a moment, the weight of the scandal seemed to lift, and he was back in his element and in control. He was Woo Tae Hyun, the superstar, and the show must go on.
“Let’s move on,” Mina firmly suggested, selecting a different reporter from the crowd of raised hands. “Yes? Go ahead.”
“Daniel Wang, Crash Boom Bang Taipei,” the reporter said. “There’s a rumor gaining traction among netizens that you and Ren had a falling out, Mr. Woo. Any comment?”
Mina quietly huffed, ready to shift them to a different line of questioning, but Tae Hyun was ready for that question, too.
“Those rumors couldn’t be more wrong,” Tae Hyun replied, boldly lying. “Not only is Yoshida Ren immensely talented, but I find him to be charming and fun to be around.” Partly true. “And I wish him a speedy recovery in the hopes that we can continue performing together.” Partly false. While he definitely hoped Ren would work out the issues he’d been having, he didn’t plan on working with him ever again.
Mina stood. “I’m afraid that’s all the time we have,” she announced. “If anyone needs a copy of our official statement, please leave your email with my assistants at the door.”
Tae Hyun also stood, offering a polite bow to the assembled reporters before retreating behind the temporary wall that divided the room. He immediately shrugged off his jacket. The velvet looked great in the meeting room’s harsh lighting, but it was heavy enough that he’d already sweat through his shirt. One of his stylists took it from him as he walked to his makeshift dressing area, where he unbuttoned his sweat-dampened shirt.
Yun Seo materialized at his side, helping him peel the shirt off his back. “I love how you took that reporter down, oppa.” She gave the shirt to another stylist and handed Tae Hyun a towel. “I’m pretty sure he’s the same one who published the original rumor leak.”
“He is,” Tae Hyun confirmed. He’d read the story enough times to remember the reporter’s name. “And I probably shouldn’t have said that last part. Who knows what he’ll write about me now?”
Yun Seo shrugged. “He’d write whatever he wanted, anyway. They always do. So, take your victories when you can.” She frowned as she took in Tae Hyun’s bare torso. “You’re looking so skinny, oppa. Have you eaten today?”
His sister sounded so much like their mother Tae Hyun nearly laughed. “I have, yes. But I could eat more.”
“Good.” Yun Seo smiled. “Let’s have lunch.”
After Tae Hyun finished dressing, the pair found the room’s rear exit leading to the arena’s maze of back passages. Tae Hyun followed his sister, who seemed to know where she was going. She led him up several flights of stairs until they eventually emerged in one of the corridors that led to the luxury boxes. Seong Min patiently waited outside one of the suite doors, not quite standing at attention as he held it open.
Tae Hyun couldn’t help feeling like he was being set up. “What’s going on, Yun Seo?”
“Relax, oppa. Seong Min is just joining us for lunch.” Yun Seo chuckled. “I mean, he needs to eat, too, right?”
Seong Min gently patted his stomach. “If you don’t mind, sir.”
“Of course not,” Tae Hyun replied, following Yun Seo inside.
The lavishly appointed space boasted plush seating, a well-stocked bar, and a breathtaking view of the empty arena below, where stagehands were already setting up for the night’s performance. A table adorned with crisp white linens and gleaming silverware had been set for three.
A waiter impeccably dressed in a black suit and bow tie approached them with a menu. Tae Hyun wanted to go light on lunch, so he chose the black cod kinilaw, marinated in verjus, and the hand-cut miki noodles tossed with crab and a delicate tomato-bacon marmalade.
“This is nice,” Tae Hyun commented as he sipped his sparkling water. “Thank you. ”
Yun Seo beamed. “You deserve a little treat after everything that happened with Ren.”
Tae Hyun chuckled. “For a moment, I thought you were going to tell me you and Seong Min got engaged.”
Seong Min sputtered, nearly choking on his water. Yun Seo jumped in with a napkin, dabbing at the spilled water on his shirt and tie.
“That’s not funny, oppa,” Yun Seo scolded.
Tae Hyun quietly laughed. “I thought it was funny. But I appreciate the chance to sit and relax for a bit before tonight’s show. Even if I can’t stay long. I still have to meet with my new opening act.”
Yun Seo nodded. “Right. That’s next up on your schedule.” She pulled out her phone, briefly scrolling before nodding again. “It says their group is called Liniwag ? Am I saying that right?”
“ Liwanag ,” Tae Hyun corrected. “I think it means light in Tagalog.”
“Ah. What made you go with them?”
“Honestly? It’s mainly because they’re available,” Tae Hyun admitted with an anxious grin. “But I also like their sound a lot.” He’d listened to Liwanag ’s energetic blend of P-pop, hip-hop, and R&B for weeks when he was still deciding who to approach to join his tour. But he was most drawn to the five-member P-Pop boy band’s positive message and infectious energy. “We almost went with them instead of Sweet Beast , but they wouldn’t have been available for the Seoul, Los Angeles, and Taipei shows.”
Seong Min quietly snorted. “Too bad. That would’ve saved us a lot of hassle, sir.”
Tae Hyun could hardly disagree. “Did you talk to Ren’s management?”
Seong Min nodded, grim satisfaction in his eyes. “They initially made a fuss, but I played back the recording we made. That made them change their tune.”
Yun Seo reached over to lay her hand on Tae Hyun’s. “How are you? Seong Min told me about what happened, but–” She shrugged, uncharacteristically struggling to find the right words.
Tae Hyun’s carefully constructed composure wavered, the hurt and anger threatening to bubble up from the depths where he’d tried to bury them. His conversation with Jason–and the reminder of his love and unwavering support–had soothed his wounded soul. But the pain of Ren’s betrayal still lingered–a raw ache that refused to fade.
“I don’t know,” Tae Hyun admitted. Then he shook his head. “No, that’s not true. I do know. But I’m not sure how to describe it.” He took a deep breath, searching for the right words. “It’s like–I have you both, who I care about very much. And I have Jason, who means the world to me. And Yoo Mi.” He wanted to stop, but the words kept spilling out before he could stop them. “But none of you are idols. And I don’t have Chang Min or Xiang anymore. They were my closest friends, but Chang Min changed all that.” His lingering sadness over Chang Min was bittersweet, but it was dull and well-worn by that point.
“So, when I met Ren?” Tae Hyun continued. “Another gay idol? Someone who understood my world? I thought I’d finally found my ideal friend. Someone who truly got it. Who got me.” He bitterly chuckled. “And, I maybe overlooked some red flags in the hopes that we could be friends.”
Tae Hyun met his sister’s gaze, searching for understanding. The truth was out there now, laid bare on the table. It was time to move on, to focus on the future. But the pain of betrayal and the sting of disappointment wouldn’t be so easily erased.
Yun Seo’s hand tightened around Tae Hyun’s, and her fiercely protective gaze softened with empathy. “I get it,” she offered. “It’s hard to find your people in this world. People who truly understand what you’re going through.” She squeezed his hand in reassurance. “But you have to remember, oppa,” she continued, her voice gaining strength, “you’re not alone. You have us. You have Jason. And you have millions of fans who love you for who you are, not for who the media tries to paint you as.”
A warm smile spread across Yun Seo’s face. “Ren’s loss is their gain,” she defiantly added. “Besides, who needs a fake friend like that asshole when you have a real sister who’s always got your back?” She leaned over, playfully bumping her shoulder against his. “Not to mention a badass bodyguard who happens to be my boyfriend,” she added with a wink, glancing at Seong Min.
Seong Min, who had been silently listening, cleared his throat. “She’s right, sir,” he said with genuine care. “Remember everything that you and I have been through together. I hope you know by now that I’ll always have your back, no matter what.”
Tae Hyun’s heart swelled with gratitude. He was surrounded by love, loyalty, and people who genuinely cared for him. He took a deep breath, the lingering bitterness of Ren’s betrayal slowly fading. “Thank you,” he said, an ache in his throat from the tears he held back. “Both of you.” He looked at Yun Seo, a newfound determination in his eyes. “I’m going to focus on the tour, my music, and the people who truly matter.” He paused, showing his first genuine smile of the day. “And who knows? Maybe I’ll find some new friends along the way.”