Behind the spotlight

Chapter 2 : Staged Hearts, Real Consequences

His eyes reflected a storm of emotions—sadness, anger, and anxiety. Nothing good ever follows that look. Jiwon was already searching for a way out of this situation when Kian finally spoke.

"I'm in a relationship with Jiwon..."

Jiwon turned to him instantly, eyes wide in disbelief. His heart started racing, panic surging through his chest. What have I gotten myself into? In that moment, he wanted to disappear into the ground.

No, I must have heard wrong. I'm probably imagining things.

"STOP LYING! Do you think I'm stupid enough to believe this nonsense? Let go of his hand and sit down. You're drawing attention to us," Kian's father shouted furiously.

"What do you want me to do to make you believe me!?" Kian snapped back.

Jiwon had had enough. This was ridiculous. While Kian was busy arguing with his father, Jiwon yanked his hands free and bolted up the stairs toward the restroom. He splashed cold water on his face, trying to calm his racing heart, then stepped out and leaned against the wall beside the door.

A few moments later, Kian appeared, walking up the stairs and stopping next to him. Jiwon couldn't even bring himself to look at him. Kian turned to face him, his voice pleading.

"Please... Just go along with it."

But that was the problem. First, Kian had blurted out their "relationship" in front of a girl who clearly knew who Jiwon was. He didn't even want to imagine what she might do with that information. Second, if the press got wind of this, it could spiral into a massive scandal. His agency would be furious. The fans—HORIANS—might judge him harshly. But above all... he wasn't even gay.

Jiwon was about to walk away when he spotted Kian's father and the girl coming up the stairs. Before they could see them, Kian grabbed Jiwon by the wrist and pulled him into a corner, pressing him up against the wall.

As the pair approached, Kian leaned in dangerously close, his voice a whisper.

"Don't worry. We'll just stay like this so they think we're kissing."

Jiwon could feel Kian's breath on his lips. One of Kian's hands rested on his waist, the other gently cupping his cheek. It felt like a real kiss. The seconds stretched painfully long, heat rising in Jiwon's face.

What is this strange feeling...?

Then came a familiar gasp. The girl. She'd seen them.

Jiwon quickly turned his head, embarrassed, avoiding Kian's gaze. Kian immediately understood they'd been caught. And just a second later, his father's hand struck across his cheek.

Jiwon tried to intervene, pushing between them, but it was no use. The tension crackled between the older man and his son. The girl just stared, wide-eyed.

"You really think I'm going to let you get away with this?"

"And what are you going to do? Hit me again?" Kian retorted.

"Oh, I wonder what this young man's agency would say if I told them all about this 'relationship' of yours."

Jiwon turned pale. His stomach dropped. He looked to Kian, fear in his eyes. He turned to Kian's father, practically begging him not to say anything. But the man simply walked away, expression cold and determined.

Later, outside the restaurant, Jiwon stormed out, furious and on the verge of tears. Kian chased after him, calling his name.

"Jiwon, wait—"

"I don't want to hear it!" Jiwon snapped.

Kian caught his wrist and spun him around.

"Listen to me. I'm truly sorry. I didn't expect things to go this far."

"Well, congratulations. You may have just gotten me kicked out of my agency!"

"I don't think my father would actually go that far. He's just trying to scare me. He knows if this gets out, it would ruin his reputation too."

"Regardless, pretending to be in a relationship with you? It's not a good idea. Especially because... of me being an idol."

"Please. We won't do anything you don't want. We'll barely see each other anyway—my dad's going to bury me in work at the office."

Kian's mother approached then, and Kian quickly grabbed both of Jiwon's hands. Jiwon didn't know where to look. He hadn't had much interaction with her, so he had no idea what to expect.

She turned to her son and started hitting him with her handbag.

"How dare you! We didn't raise you like this! And more importantly, you should never have brought this up in public. We could've discussed it calmly at home! This entire situation could've been avoided!"

Then she turned to Jiwon and gently took his hand.

"I would've liked to get to know you properly, maybe learn how you two met, in a more peaceful setting. But I suppose that will have to wait for another time."

She smiled sweetly before leaving in her luxury car. Jiwon was stunned—she didn't seem against the idea of Kian being with a man. That was surprising, especially in Korea.

Kian pulled him into a hug. Jiwon was still shaken by the exhausting day, but after everything, he agreed to go along with the plan—on one condition: it couldn't affect his professional life. They'd need rules to keep this from spiraling out of control.

Kian dropped Jiwon off at his dorm and waited until he was safely inside. As Jiwon entered, he found Raemin standing by the door, arms crossed.

"Oh, hyung! I called but no one answered."

"That's not the issue. What were you doing with Kian, dressed like that?"

Raemin's eyebrow arched in suspicion. Jiwon glanced around and only saw Jinwoo nearby.

"Well, since no one was home, I went to dinner with him. And you? Just you and Jinwoo-hyung here?"

"The others went grocery shopping... and Jinwoo and I... we were just resting. " Raemin mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

Suspicious... He's hiding something, Jiwon thought. But it wasn't his business. With a shrug, he headed to his room, flopping onto the bed.

His thoughts returned to Kian. Aaaah! I need to stop thinking about him. A few minutes later, his phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

He hesitated, then answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me, Kian."

"How did you get my number?"

"Secret! I just wanted you to have mine, in case we need to call or text."

"Oh... okay."

"If I send weird messages, just go with it."

"...Alright. What should I call you?"

"Just Kian. Anyway, it's not that I don't like you, but I have a mountain of paperwork waiting for me—thanks to my dear father."

After hanging up, Jiwon headed to the kitchen. On his way, he noticed Jin's door was slightly ajar. Curious, he peeked in silently.

Raemin and Jin were snuggled up together, watching a movie. Huh. I didn't know they were that close. They'd been acting weird lately. Well, whatever. Not my business.

He turned and went for a glass of water. After a day like this, he desperately needed it.

The next morning, Jiwon woke up groggy. Ever since Kian entered his life, mornings had gotten heavier. The events from the day before still weighed on him. I just need to focus on our choreography practice.

A week of intense training passed. The day of the concert finally arrived. Jiwon hadn't heard from Kian since, which gave him time to focus. They'd been up since 5 a.m., preparing.

Now, at 5 p.m., they were getting final touch-ups backstage, waiting in standby. Jiwon's heart pounded with excitement and nerves. Stepping onto the stage, he was struck again by the sea of faces—even if it wasn't his first time, the feeling never got old.

After the show ended late, the group walked to the parking lot, exhausted. A sleek black car pulled up. Kian stepped out, smiling.

"You guys were incredible. Especially that finale."

"Hey bro," Raemin called. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I would've brought you backstage!"

"Nah, I wanted it to be a surprise. And actually, I'm here to borrow Jiwon for a couple days."

Everyone turned to stare.

Why now? We've got fan signs and practice this week.

"Since when are you two close?" Jaesun (main dancer) asked, suspicious.

"Uh—"

"Oh, we got to know each other that day no one was home at the dorm," Kian cut in. "I just wanted to spend time with him—no offense, Rae."

"Ahaha, don't worry about me," Raemin said with a smirk. Too calm. What is he planning?

Kian took Jiwon by the wrist and led him to the car. Jiwon kept asking where they were going, but Kian wouldn't say. After forty minutes, they pulled up to a luxurious house.

Jiwon sighed. He knew what this was.

Kian was about to officially introduce him to his family—as his boyfriend.

They had to convince them.