The staff glanced at one another, visibly confused.
"I–I didn't write that question," one of them murmured.
Minho and Seunghyun exchanged looks—half shock, half panic.
"I mean… okaaay," Minho said slowly, attempting a smile that failed miserably and turned into something closer to a wince. "But I don't think—"
Seunghyun let out a strained laugh. "Haha… that's… funny."
Kai and Diego glanced at each other, then immediately looked away, both covering their mouths.
"I mean…," Diego scratched the back of his head, barely holding it together. "I think it's a good question."
Kai snorted.
"Seriously?" Taeyang asked Jiwoo, brows furrowing.
Jiwoo's lips twitched. "See for yourself."
He quickly handed over the slip of paper.
Taeyang unfolded it and read aloud,
"Who is the messiest?"
Minho shot Jiwoo a flat seriously? look.
Kai and Diego burst into laughter.
Jiwoo smirked—then lost it.
Seunghyun sighed. "Our maknaes are crazy."
Minho shook his head, lips pursed.
Kai and Diego leaned against each other for support as Jiwoo walked over and slapped his thigh, pointing at Minho and Seunghyun. "Did you see their faces?!"
Kai nodded, his face already red.
Diego wrapped an arm around him. "Phew… hehe—" he broke into full laughter. "—that was a good one, Jiwoo."
Taeyang flicked the paper back at Jiwoo.
Jiwoo fumbled it, then returned to his spot beside Seunghyun.
"Well," Taeyang said, clearing his throat, "are we talking about who's less organized, or just… cleanliness in general?"
Minho shook his head, glancing at Kai and Diego, who were nudging each other and trying—and failing—not to laugh.
"I don't think we need to complicate it, hyung. It's definitely Kai-hyung and Diego. Even the way they laugh is messy."
Diego had his face buried in Kai's arm, clinging to him while Kai paced back and forth like a drunk man, silently shaking with laughter.
Jiwoo's shoulders started to shake again.
"Okay," Seunghyun said after exchanging a baffled look with Minho. "I don't think it was that funny."
"Yes it was! It totally was!" Diego insisted, lifting his head. "It's a very good question!"
"I think so too," Kai chuckled. "I think we should really answer it."
Diego cackled and grabbed onto Kai again.
"Oh really, hyung?" Minho raised his brows. "Then why don't you answer it?"
"Easy. ZERO!" Kai made a O-shape with his hand.
Pause.
Minho blinked. "…Huh?"
Jiwoo doubled over.
"See?!" Minho fired back. "You can't answer the question!"
"I did!" Kai protested.
"Hyung—" Minho stared at him incredulously, arms crossing. "I know for a fact you've had girlfriends. Many."
"Bro?!" Kai looked genuinely offended, glancing between Diego and Jiwoo. "Why does everyone think I've had many girlfriends?"
Diego slung an arm around him. "It's 'cause you're too hot to never have dated—oh, guys!"
His eyes lit up.
"Hot take," Diego said. "It's always the ugly guys who've dated a bunch of women and think they're hot stuff. Like—" he gestured dramatically, "—you're still ugly."
Seunghyun shot Taeyang a look that clearly said hyung, please stop him.
Taeyang bit his lower lip, eyes darting toward the staff.
Minho shook his head, lips twitching. "Diego… that's so random—"
He broke into laughter mid-sentence.
Seunghyun stepped closer to Taeyang, genuinely worried for his life.
"Facts!" Kai nodded enthusiastically.
"I agree," Jiwoo added calmly, giving Diego a knowing look. "But Diego—you really shouldn't be talking."
Diego blinked.
A beautiful girl, idol-like and unforgettable, and traumatic resurfaced in his memory.
Kai's mouth dropped open. "Jiwoo, that's crazy."
Diego shook his head, nudging Kai. "And you know what's sad, hyung?"
Diego licked his lips and leaned closer and whispered loudly "…He's right."
Kai and Jiwoo snorted before erupting. "BAHAHAHAHA—"
"-Anyways!" Diego waved it off. "How many girlfriends have you all had?" He pointed accusingly.
Seunghyun glanced at Taeyang. "We really shouldn't answer this."
"Kai-hyung already did," Diego pointed out.
Seunghyun squinted. "That was obviously a lie—and I will be using my right to remain silent."
"He's not lying," Jiwoo said, jumping in.
Seunghyun shook his head. "You're really naive if you believe that."
"He's never dated before!" Diego and Jiwoo said in perfect unison.
Pause.
Minho, Seunghyun, and Taeyang stared at Kai.
Then at each other.
Then back at Kai.
Kai sighed.
"What part do you guys not understand?" Diego said, exasperated. "He's been a trainee since he was twelve at a Big Four company. You think they'd let him date?"
Seunghyun looked stunned. "…Actually?"
Minho asked incredulously. "You've never dated anyone?"
"Yeah," Kai snapped. "Now it's your turn."
Behind the cameras, the staff looked nervous.
"Executive… should we stop?" one whispered.
The young executive watched with interest. "No. This is entertaining. Keep rolling. If anything it makes Kai look better,"
"Yes, sir. Umm-but do you believe he has never dated–if a photo of him appears holding hands–"
"He's never dated," the young executive said firmly. "Let's focus,"
"Yes sir," the staff said.
Taeyang exhaled. "Let's go back to the question. Who is the messiest?"
"No!" Diego protested. "We're not moving on until everyone answers. I'll go next."
He raised one finger to the camera.
"One girlfriend," Minho guessed.
Diego nodded. "Your turn, hyung."
Minho glanced at Taeyang.
Taeyang glanced at the staff.
They weren't stopping them.
"…One," Taeyang said finally.
Minho and Seunghyun exchanged surprised looks as if saying 'Did he just answer the question?'
"Zero," Jiwoo followed immediately.
Minho felt the stares and sighed. "…Three."
"Nice," Jiwoo nodded.
Everyone turned to Seunghyun.
He looked deeply uncomfortable. "I—I plead the right to remain silent."
"Just answer," Jiwoo sighed. "It's not that deep."
Seunghyun rubbed his face. "I can't believe we're doing this…"
Silence.
"…Two," he muttered.
Diego smirked. "Wasn't so hard, was it?"
Seunghyun said nothing.
Taeyang cleared his throat. "Back to the original question?"
"Yes," Seunghyun said quickly. "Who's the messiest–easy:" with newfound passion. "Diego and Kai-hyung. The staff always ends up cleaning after them."
"Ayyy!" Diego and Kai protested in unison.
"That's not true—" Kai rubbed the back of his neck, quieter. "…Okay. It is."
Minho laughed and held out his hand.
Kai immediately grabbed and shook it.
Jiwoo grabbed the bowl and handed it to Diego.
Diego reached in and pulled out a slip.
"If you were a fan, who would be your bias?" he read. "Oh—this one's easy."
He folded the paper. "Kai-hyung."
"Wait," Minho interrupted. "Based on what? Skill? Personality? Looks?"
Diego shrugged.
"Anything—whatever you value most," Diego replied.
"Hmmm I feel like it should be specific," Minho said, glancing at Taeyang.
Taeyang shrugged. "Whatever you want,"
Minho nodded. "Okay."
"Then for me, it's Taeyang-hyung," Minho said. "because he's talented, good-looking and he's got color,"
Taeyang blinked, "color?"
"Like…" Minho grabbed his chin and looked up in the ceiling," like-like you have a charm that attracts people,"
"Oooo I agree," Diego nodded enthusiastically.
"I think it's cause you're really calm and cool down, you don't really show a lot of emotions–" Kai explained.
"--yeah–you have a lot of patience and you don't go out of your way to impress others," Jiwoo finished.
Taeyang looked doubtful. "I don't think so,"
"Yea you are, you literally could have debuted in another company way sooner but left because you didn't want to compromise on what makes you happy,"
"You're my bias too," Kai said. "You're a talented producer and an understanding and caring leader and friend–and you're good at dancing."
"Thanks," Taeyang nodded, "I think if I were a stranger and I saw you guys–I think my bias would be Kai,"
Kai smiled sheepishly. "Thanks,"
"You have a strong presence and you're really down to earth and…humble" Taeyang finished.
"I'd choose Seunghyun because his reactions give me life," Diego said.
Everyone burst out laughing.
"Okay cool," Seunghyun said, shrugging his shoulders.
"And since you're all laughing, I'll answer the question, my bias is Kai-hyung because he'e really good looking and just so you know Minho and Diego–yall look like ugly creatures standing beside him.." Seunghyun said smugly.
Minho stopped laughing, "excuse me?!"
Jiwoo laughed harder.
"I already know that–no one is better looking than my hyung," Diego wrapped his arms around Kai and gave him a big kiss on the cheek.
"Just so you know, you standing beside Taeyang and Jiwoo makes you look like a fish," Minho fired.
"Thank you," Seunghyun said unbothered. " at least I look like something from this world, on the other hand you look like a creature from out of this world,"
"OOOOOOOOOOO," Kai, Taeyang, Diego and Jiwoo said in unison.
Minho scoffed. "I'm sorry but how tall are you?"
"OOOOOOOOOOO,"
Height was sensitive topic to Seunghyun and Diego.
Minho grinned.
"Keep on smiling, I like the color yellow–you know," Seunghyun shrugged.
Minho's jaw dropped in shock.
"Seunghyun won this one!" Jiwoo laughed.
"Yea Minho, you lost this one," Kai laughed.
"That was a good one," Taeyang chuckled.
Minho rolled his eyes, "Whatever, Seunghyun would for sure be least bias member,"
Jiwoo and Diego giggled.
"Thank you," Seunghun said pettily. "You're also last on my list,"
"Okay okay," Taeyang intervened.
"My bias is Song Kai," Minho said. "I remember when he first joined. He performed 'Moove' by Jaemin, and it was just—his—"
"—Stage presence, facial expressions, the way he moves so smoothly, even his voice," Jiwoo jumped in. "Oh my gosh, it was so good. You really should do a cover performance someday, hyung!"
Kai chuckled, slightly embarrassed. "Thanks."
"It's a really hard song to cover," Minho added. "The choreography looks easy, but it's way more complicated than it seems."
"You think all you have to do is move your hips slowly," Seunghyun said, "but the control, the expressions, the smoothness—it all has to stay consistent. That's why you don't see many idols covering it."
"And it's not just about the dance," Jiwoo added carefully, glancing at the camera. "No offense, but… you kind of have to be handsome to pull it off."
"I was just about to say that," Diego laughed. "But Kai's really handsome, so he does it justice."
"He really does," Jiwoo agreed.
Diego and Jiwoo shook hands, sealing their point.
"I guess, I answer the question now: Mine is also Kai but I don't want to have the same answer as Minho so I'll say Jiwoo since he's good-looking and nice," Seunghyun said.
Kai chuckled.
"Thanks," Jiwoo said happily, "I'd choose between Taeyang-hyung and Kai-hyung."
Minho and Seunghyun nodded in agreement.
"They're both really skilled," Jiwoo continued. "Taeyang makes unique, addictive beats—and Kai is an amazing performer."
"I'm still impressed by the way he performs," Taeyang admitted.
Kai reached into the bowl next.
"What's something you're tired of explaining about yourself?" he read.
"Ooooooo."
Kai folded the paper, staring off into space.
"That's… a good question," he said slowly. "Hmm… I don't know."
"I do," Jiwoo said knowingly.
"Yourself or…." Diego asked.
"Kai-hyung,"
Kai turned to him. "What is it?"
"People constantly ask if you've had plastic surgery," Jiwoo said, laughing. "You say no, and then they tell you it looks 'natural'."
"Oh," Kai nodded immediately. "Yeah. That."
"They ask him over and over," Seunghyun added. "Even after he already says no."
"No, but it happens so often that I'm honestly getting annoyed too," Kai said.
"Every time they ask," Diego laughed, mimicking him, "he's like—'Touch my face.'" He leaned forward dramatically, offering his face.
Minho and Jiwoo cracked up.
"Yes!" Seunghyun laughed.
"But honestly, what can he do?" Minho shrugged. "We thought the same at first."
"Minus Jiwoo and me," Diego pointed out.
"Whatever!" Minho shot back.
"But I do agree," Kai continued. "I never really got those comments before, so for—"
"—Don't lie," Seunghyun interrupted immediately. "You definitely got them before."
"Nah," Kai deadpanned.
Diego and Taeyang chuckled.
"I definitely don't believe you," Seunghyun said, squinting at him.
"But yeah," Kai finished, "I never really got those comments before. Didn't the same thing happen to you, Taeyang?"
The members' expressions brightened.
"That's so true," Jiwoo said.
"When Taeyang joined, the staff were like, 'We have a handsome trainee with amazing talent,'" Minho said. "And then Taeyang just walked in like—" He gestured dramatically. "—with a halo."
"Taeyang has really refined, handsome features," Seunghyun added. "And he's all natural."
"It was my first time seeing someone that handsome in real life," Diego laughed. "I admired him so much that hyung had to tell me my staring was making him uncomfortable."
Minho, Seunghyun, and Kai burst out laughing as they all turned to look at Taeyang.
–
Byoungho exited the building and pulled out his phone.
He dialed.
Buzzz.
Beep.
"I'm here—where are you?" a voice said.
Byoungho scanned the street. "I'm right in front of the building—"
"—Ah. I see you."
The call cut.
A white car pulled up to the curb.
Byoungho opened the passenger door and slid inside.
"Dude, where were you?" Gunwook complained, gripping the steering wheel. "I've been driving in circles for a while now."
"Sorry," Byoungho muttered, buckling in.
"You don't sound sorry." Gunwook glanced at him. "When are you finally getting your driver's license?"
Byoungho rolled his eyes. "I didn't ask you to pick me up. I was perfectly fine taking the bus."
Gunwook grinned. "Anyways—how was it?"
"It was… good."
"And?" Gunwook pressed, eyes lighting up. "What else?"
"It was uncomfortable."
Gunwook blinked. "Uncomfortable? You should be excited. Or—wait—were you nervous?"
Byoungho exhaled sharply and turned toward the window. "That too. But mostly I just felt… uncomfortable." His reflection slid across the glass as the car moved. "I hope we can finish the MV quickly so I can focus on the movie production."
Gunwook suddenly slapped Byoungho's private part—hard.
"OW!" Byoungho jolted, curling inward.
"You're unbelievable," Gunwook snapped. "You're filming with an A-list celebrity and the best-selling singer in the country, and you're moping because you're uncomfortable? You're ridiculous!"
Byoungho groaned, sinking into his seat.
"She's the Haerin, the one and only. I don't know if you're naturally pessimistic," Gunwook went on, then hesitated, lips pressing together, "or if it's because you got dropped from HY-PE—"
Byoungho turned sharply. His voice dropped.
"What?"
Gunwook swallowed. "S-Sorry."
Silence filled the car.
One minute passed.
Three minutes.
Ten minutes.
Twenty minutes
.
The city lights blurred past the windows.
Eventually, they arrived home. Gunwook parked and turned off the engine, the soft click of the keys echoing in the quiet.
Gunwook wanted nothing more than to get out of the car.
Byoungho was intimidating on a normal day. When he was angry—Gunwook didn't want to be anywhere near him.
"I was never dropped," Byoungho said suddenly.
Gunwook froze. "Huh?"
"I said—I was never dropped." Byoungho stared straight ahead.
"O-oh… uh—yeah. Sorry about—"
"I was in the final debut lineup." Byoungho turned to him. "Five spots. Final lineup. At the number one company. Do you know how that feels?"
Gunwook stayed still, then slowly shook his head.
"I'm not bragging," Byoungho continued evenly, "but I was good. Main rapper. The others were insanely talented too. We all had our strengths." His jaw tightened. "The staff said we could possibly reach the same fandom size as VTS."
Gunwook whistled softly. "That's… a huge compliment."
"Yeah," Byoungho said quietly.
Gunwook hesitated. "You never talk about your time at HY-PE, so… can I ask?" He glanced at him. "If you weren't dropped—what happened?"
Byoungho leaned his head back and licked his lips, eyes distant.
"The four of us were talented," he said slowly. "But one of us was different. A prodigy. Overflowing with talent—like he was blessed with everything."
Gunwook frowned. "And?"
"HY-PE favored him," Byoungho continued. "He got special treatment-as if he were an idol-Heck! he was treated like one" His voice hardened. "Then he quit."
Gunwook stiffened. "What?"
"The most talented one," Byoungho said quietly, "quit."
Gunwook stared at him, brows furrowing.
"He terminated his contract. Cut off contact with everyone." Byoungho finally turned, eyes dark. "After that, it was just four of us. They never replaced him."
Silence.
"We trained harder. Longer. Our debut kept getting pushed back. The company grew harsher—too critical. Their expectations became impossible." His jaw clenched. "And eventually… they canceled our debut."
Byoungho looked directly at Gunwook.
His eyes churned with something raw and unresolved.
"If that one guy hadn't abandoned us," he said flatly, "we would have debuted."
"Just because of one trainee?" Gunwook whispered. "I—I thought you were dropped."
Byoungho let out a dry, humorless smirk. "No."
Gunwook shook his head in disbelief. "How good was this guy that HY-PE would cancel an entire debut? I mean—you're good-looking, your voice is great, and you said the others were insanely talented. I thought HY-PE was smarter than that."
Byoungho leaned his head back against the seat.
"And what kind of idiot refuses to debut under HY-PE?" Gunwook shook his shoulder lightly.
"They lost millions—no, billions because of that." Byoungho corrected.
Gunwook scoffed. "Was he a chaebol or something? Who was he?"
Byoungho turned to him.
"What are the most popular groups on your social media?"
Gunwook blinked. "W-why are you switching top—"
"Answer the question."
Gunwook leaned back with a sigh. "Fine. 2Y2, ARCADE, and recently LoverBoyz. But mostly…" He hesitated. "VTS,"
Silence.
"Why?" Gunwook asked slowly.
Byoungho didn't answer.
Gunwook waited.
And waited.
"Tell me," Gunwook urged, irritation creeping in. "Who are you talking about?"
"Rowan Park."
"What?" Gunwook frowned. "What about him? I mean—yeah, everyone's obsessed with him. I'm jealous too. He keeps popping up on my feed, he's ridiculously handsome—anyway, what about him?"
Byoungho reached down and unbuckled his seatbelt.
"Rowan Park," he said quietly, "is the reason my debut was canceled."
Gunwook didn't move.
Shock rippled across his face—disbelief, confusion, dawning horror—every emotion flashing at once as the name settled in.
His mouth opened.
No sound came out.