My Idol

Chapter 9

Hyejin set her phone down and headed back to the kitchen, already mentally running through what she’d make for dinner — only to open the fridge and find it empty, save for bottled water and a half‑empty carton of milk. She hadn’t done a single grocery shop since arriving.

She pulled out her phone and searched: closest convenience store was only a five‑minute walk away — perfect for picking up enough to get her through the next day, then she’d do a proper big run tomorrow evening after work.

Quickly, she changed out of her work attire — swapping the blazer and tailored skirt for an oversized soft cream sweater and loose jeans, her feet into comfortable white trainers. She gathered her hair up into a messy, loose bun, a few golden strands escaping around her face — simple, comfortable, completely unrecognisable as the poised coordinator from the meeting room. She grabbed her purse, her umbrella, and slipped out the door.

The map app guided her easily — left out the building gates, first right, straight ahead — until she reached the bright, well‑lit convenience store. She picked up what she needed: milk, eggs, fresh bread, fruit, a few ready meals and snacks, enough to tide her over.

At the checkout, she placed her items on the counter, not paying any mind to the two figures standing behind her — both in hoods pulled up high, face masks covering everything but their eyes, heads down, quiet. It was common enough in Busan, especially in places where idols might be recognised. She paid, took her bag, and stepped back out into the evening air.

The walk back felt different, though. The streetlights were spaced further apart, the shadows longer than they’d seemed on the way there. She followed the blue dot on her screen, turning where it told her to — until suddenly the screen went black. She tapped the power button — nothing. Dead.

Hyejin stood still, looking around. The road looked familiar, but without the map’s clear arrows, everything felt just slightly off. She turned one way, then the other, pulling her umbrella a little tighter against the light drizzle, her steps slowing. Left at the gate… or was it right?

She was just about to turn back the way she came when two voices called out, friendly and familiar:

“Anna? Wait — is that you?”

She turned, startled. The two hooded figures from the store were walking toward her, pulling their masks down as they drew close. It was Sun — Choi Ha‑sun and Tae — Kang Tae‑jin. They smiled, bright and easy, no longer hidden.

Hyejin blinked, surprised. “You… you live here too?”

Sun grinned, nodding toward the tower rising ahead. “Whole group does! It’s way easier — practice, schedules, everything. Ace — Woo‑jin — he didn’t tell you?”

It hadn’t crossed her mind for even a second. She’d known Ace lived there, yes — but all of them?

Tae stepped closer, gentle and concerned. “Are you lost? You look a little unsure of where you’re going.”

“And your phone died, didn’t it?” Sun added, noticing the dark screen in her hand. “Don’t worry — we know every path back. Come on — we’ll walk you home.”

Hyejin smiled warmly, relieved. “Thank you both so much — honestly, I’d have been wandering in circles otherwise.”

As they walked, Sun fell into easy stride beside her, Tae a quiet, steady presence on her other. “Woo‑jin told us you were here, y’know,” Sun said casually. “Said you’d moved into the building and to keep an eye out, say hi if we saw you. Didn’t go into details — didn’t need to. We were happy to.”

Hyejin’s heart gave a soft, quiet lurch. He’d thought of her. Mentioned her. Look out for her. It felt gentle, protective — and entirely unexpected.

They glanced her way now and then, taking in the loose cream sweater, the messy bun, the scuffed white trainers — so different from the poised, sharp‑suited woman from the meeting room. “It’s funny,” Sun said, “we don’t really get… regular people moving in here, y’know? This complex — it’s mostly people in the industry, high‑profile, folks who need the extra security. It’s nice, though. Fresh face.”

Tae nodded, his smile soft. “It feels… lighter somehow. Having someone new.”

They chatted easily as they walked — about the area, the convenience store, how she was settling in — and soon they were back inside the warm, bright lobby. The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped in together. Hyejin reached out and pressed 28.

Sun’s eyebrows lifted, and Tae’s eyes widened just a little. “Top floor?” Sun said, glancing between the button and her. “Woo‑jin’s the only one up there — well, was.” He grinned. “Guess you’re neighbours for real then.”

“We’re heading up there too,” Tae explained, lifting the paper bag he was holding — crinkling with packets of snacks and drinks. “Everyone else — Minho, Dex — they’re already at Ace’s place. Movie night, basically. Grabbed extra on the way back.”

Hyejin’s breath caught softly. “Oh — that’s lovely. I won’t keep you then.”

“Not at all!” Sun beamed. “You could even pop in and say hi if you wanted? Everyone would be so happy to see you — properly, not in meeting mode.”

The elevator hummed upward, and Hyejin’s heart beat just a little faster as the numbers climbed — past 20, past 25, all the way up.