Chapter 117
The terminal doors at Incheon parted, letting in a sudden draft of crisp Seoul air that felt vastly different from the lingering heat of their secret getaway. Haru adjusted the brim of his bucket hat, a lingering instinct from time spent under the microscope of fame, though his mind was still miles away, remembering the quiet warmth of the penthouse bed and the heavy weight of a promise symbolized by the band on his finger.
"Over here! Haru, over here!"
Alice stood waving near the passenger pickup zone, practically vibrating with an energy that went far beyond mere managerial duty. As Haru approached, he caught the way her eyes kept darting past his shoulder, zeroing in on the tall, masked figure walking half a step behind him.
"You look well rested," Alice noted, though her voice immediately pitched higher as she looked directly at Raiven. "And hello, Raiven! I hope the trip wasn't too grueling? If... if it's not too much trouble, would you mind signing an autograph for my cousin? She's an absolute fanatic."
Raiven offered a polite, muted chuckle behind his black cotton mask . "Of course, Alice-ssi. Thank you for taking care of Haru."
Before Alice could dissolve into pudding, the heavy thud of a luxury sedan door closing cut through the airport chatter. Mr. Kim, advanced toward them with a tablet tucked firmly under his arm, his expression tight. Behind him, Assistant Manager Li followed closely, her eyes scanning the immediate perimeter for stray fans or rogue paparazzi.
"Raiven," Mr. Kim said, skipping the pleasantries as he offered a brief, respectful nod to Haru and Alice. "We need to move immediately. There's an issue with the final track for the upcoming album package. The production team is already assembling at the company, and the director needs a decision on the mix before tonight's press release."
Raiven's posture stiffened slightly, the brief vacation vanishing into the relentless gears of the entertainment industry. He turned back to Haru, his dark eyes lingering for a long, unspoken moment. It was a rapid, quiet goodbye, their fingers briefly brushing in the space between their jackets a hidden, silent acknowledgment before they parted ways.
"I'll call you when the meeting wraps up," Raiven murmured, his voice low enough only for Haru's ears.
Haru simply nodded, watching as Raiven was efficiently ushered into the waiting company car by Mr. Kim and Li. The glass tinted doors snapped shut, and the vehicle merged seamlessly into the roaring Seoul traffic.
"Alright, lover boy, into the car," Alice teased, nudging Haru's shoulder with her elbow as she unlocked her own vehicle. "You had your fun its time to work."
As she pulled onto the highway, Alice wasted no time shifting straight back into business mode. "The network officially confirmed the scheduling for your next round of project auditions. You've got three scripts to review by the end of the week. And , I've booked you on a variety slot. It's a healing-centric outdoor camping show."
Haru blinked, turning his head from the window. "Camping? When does it shoot?"
"The day after tomorrow," Alice replied cheerfully, completely unbothered by the suddenness of the schedule. "The crew is doing a two-day, one-night format in the valley area. It's high-profile, low-stress, and great for public imaging. It positions you as grounded and approachable."
Haru rubbed the back of his neck. "Do I need to pick up any gear? A tent, sleeping bag, proper boots? I haven't exactly had time to build an outdoor wardrobe."
Alice let out a proud snort, tapping the steering wheel. "Please. Who do you think your manager is? I anticipated everything. The production team provides the heavy equipment, and I've already had a curated set of technical clothing and personal gear delivered straight to your apartment. All you have to do is show up, look handsome, and pretend you know how to build a fire."
A small, genuine smile touched Haru's lips. In his past life as Sunghoon, nature had been his ultimate sanctuary. Whenever the crushing weight of industry expectations, toxic press, or his own internal perfectionism threatened to break him, he would disappear into the mountains for days at a time. The quiet rustle of leaves and the isolation of the woods had been the only things capable of grounding his restless spirit. The thought of integrating that back into his current life, even under the gaze of variety show cameras, felt like an unexpected blessing.
"Thanks, Alice," he murmured. "That actually sounds perfect."
"Don't thank me yet," Alice sighed, her tone shifting into something heavier, more hesitant. She reached into her bag and pulled out a sleek, heavy manila folder, sliding it across the center console toward him. "We need to talk about this."
Haru flipped the folder open. Inside were high-resolution photographs of high-rise complexes, floor plans, and security briefs for various residential buildings across Seoul.
"Alice, I told you before," Haru said, his voice dropping an octave. "I'm fine where I am. I don't need to change apartments."
"This isn't just coming from me, Haru. Director Mae-rin specifically requested that we look into a new space for you," Alice countered, her voice firm but lacking its usual biting humor. "You're a hot topic. Your trajectory is massive, and the security at your current place is practically non-existent. If sasaengs or aggressive reporters find your address, it's a nightmare."
Haru frowned, his jaw tightening. "I can handle the press."
"It's not just about you," Alice said quietly, casting a brief glance at him before focusing back on the road. "Think about Se-hee. If you want to stay in this limelight, if you want to keep climbing without burning everything around you down, you need to protect her. A high-security building keeps the everythingat bay. You love her like family, don't you? Then do this for her."
The words hit him like a cold hand to the chest. He did view Se-hee as family. In a world where he had woken up stranded in a stranger's body, isolated from his own history, Se-hee's loud, chaotic, and fiercely protective presence had been his anchor. The very thought of moving out, of packing his things and creating a physical distance between them, stung his heart with an aching familiarity.
Instinctively, his hand tightened over his lap. He had already begun putting strict boundaries and restrictions on his interactions with Raiven out of sheer terror of a public scandal. Now, he was being forced to alter his living situation, to compartmentalize his life, and to build walls around the people he cared about. It brought back a rush of bitter, suffocating memories from his first life as Sunghoon,the isolated penthouses, the NDAs, the crushing loneliness of a career built on hiding everything real.
The entertainment industry truly hasn't changed at all, he thought bitterly.
When he finally unlocked the door to the apartment, the heavy mood vanished the instant he stepped across the threshold. Se-hee and Hae-rin were practically waiting on top of the entryway mat, their faces flushed with anxious anticipation.
"You're finally back!" Se-hee squealed, lunging forward. She didn't grab him for a hug; instead, her hands went straight for the handles of his luggage, dragging the heavy bags into the living room with an aggressive level of strength.
"Wow, not even a 'welcome home, did you have a good trip?'" Haru laughed, kicking off his shoes as he followed them inside.
"We know you're tired, Haru-ya, which is exactly why we are relieving you of the heavy burden of your suitcases," Hae-rin said with a shameless, dimpled grin. "Specifically the suitcase containing whatever souvenirs you promised us from the trip."
Haru shook his head, a genuine bubble of laughter escaping him as he knelt by the larger bag. He had spent an entire afternoon specifically separating their gifts, ensuring he picked out things that matched their personalities. He unzipped the luggage, pulling out beautifully wrapped packages of designer accessories he knew Se-hee had been eyeing online.
"Here," he said, handing them over.
The living room descended into a flurry of ripping paper and high-pitched giggles. Se-hee immediately began swatching a lip tint on the back of her hand, while Hae-rin held up a silk scarf with an expression of pure, unadulterated awe.
While they were in a daze of absolute happiness, Hae-rin's eyes accidentally caught a glint of light reflecting off Haru's hand. He was leaning back against the sofa, his fingers resting casually on his knee.
Hae-rin froze, her eyes widening. She reached out, slapping Se-hee's arm repeatedly without looking away. "Se-hee. Look. Look at his hand."
"What? Did he bring more—" Se-hee paused, her gaze following Hae-rin's pointed finger.
Resting on Haru's finger was a beautifully crafted, black jade ring, its polished surface catching the warm light of the living room. It was elegant, distinct, and undeniably part of a set.
"Oh my god," Se-hee gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Haru. What is that? Since when do you wear rings? And jade?!"
Haru's breath hitched. He instinctively tried to curl his fingers inward, but it was far too late. He could feel a sudden, intense heat rising from his neck, his ears turning a vivid, telling shade of red under their synchronized, predatory stares.
"It's... just a ring," he muttered, his usual sharp eloquence completely failing him.
"Don't give us that!" Hae-rin squealed, leaning in closer. "That is not a fashion accessory. Look at how flustered he is! Haru-ya, is that... is it a couple ring?"
The silence that followed was confirmation enough. Se-hee let out a sound that was half-shriek, half-sob of pure delight, grabbing Hae-rin's hands as they both began to jump up and down on the living room rug.
"I knew it! " Se-hee yelled, her eyes shining with genuine, deep-seated happiness for him. "Oh, I'm so incredibly happy for you both. You deserve this, Haru. You really, really do."
Seeing their unvarnished, fiercely supportive joy softened the lingering anxiety in Haru's chest. Even if the world outside was a minefield, inside these walls, he was safe.
They ordered a massive spread of comfort food, laughing and talking late into the night until the exhaustion of travel finally caught up to him, and they all retired to bed.
The next day went by in a frantic blur. Apart from a simple, sweet check-in message from Raiven, who was still trapped in a grueling marathon of studio meetings, Haru was entirely preoccupied. He spent the morning reviewing the auditing scripts Alice had left him, his analytical mind breaking down the characters with precise focus.
By the afternoon, the dreaded task could no longer be delayed. True to her word, Se-hee insisted on accompanying him to check out the apartments from Alice's list. Despite her being visibly sulky about the reality of him moving out, occasionally dragging her feet or letting out dramatic sighs, she remained fiercely determined to help him find the absolute best place.
The first apartment was an upscale one-bedroom unit in a pristine corporate tower. It had a massive, minimalist sitting room and state-of-the-art security, but as Haru walked through the hollow, sterile rooms, he felt absolutely nothing. The energy didn't resolute with him; it felt like a gilded cage.
The second apartment, located slightly closer to the river, was a bit better. It featured an expansive balcony overlooking the city skyline and a large, open-concept living area that he could easily divide into a private study or a workout space.
"The view is nice," Se-hee admitted, leaning against the balcony railing, her tone a mix of pride and lingering sadness. "If you're going to leave me behind, I guess you might as well look out at something pretty."
Haru walked up beside her, gently bumping his shoulder against hers. "I'm not leaving you behind, Se-hee. You'll have the access codes. You'll probably be over here raiding my fridge half the week anyway."
She offered a small, watery smile, throwing her arm around his waist. "Damn right I will."
Earlier in the day, when Haru had casually mentioned to Raiven via text that he was out looking at residential listings, Raiven had immediately offered to call some of his real estate contacts to secure a private, unlisted luxury penthouse under a corporate proxy. Haru had firmly refused. He loved Raiven, but the independent streak of Sunghoon ran too deep; he refused to become financially or logistically dependent on anyone, let alone his boyfriend.
By the time they wrapped up the viewings, the sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the Seoul sky in shades of bruised purple. Exhausted and hungry, Haru and Se-hee ducked into a quiet, mid-tier restaurant nearby, tucking themselves into a semi-private booth near the back.
The food arrived, hot and savory, and the heavy atmosphere of the move dissolved into easy banter. Se-hee was in the middle of a hilarious, animated rant about a terrible client she had dealt with, her hands waving wildly over her plate. Haru chuckled, leaning back as he took a sip of his water, the genuine warmth of the moment completely relaxing his guard.
Then, the bell above the restaurant's front door chimed.
Haru's eyes casually drifted toward the entrance and immediately froze.
Walking into the establishment, shaking the evening chill from his coat, was Min-hyuk. He wasn't alone; a young boy, no older than seven or eight, was clutching his hand, looking around the restaurant with wide, curious eyes. His nephew.
Haru felt the air leave his lungs, his posture instantly locking into a rigid, defensive line. The ghost of the original Haru's past seemed to slam violently into the present. He let out a long, slow sigh, his fingers tightening around his water glass as he deliberately looked down at his plate, trying to shrink into the shadows of the booth. He just wanted to eat his dinner. He wanted to ignore him.
But the universe, it seemed, was entirely done being kind.
Min-hyuk's eyes scanned the room for a table, sweeping past the booths until they locked directly onto the unmistakable profile of the boy he had once pleaded with on a dark, drunken night. Min-hyuk's expression shifted from casual warmth to utter, stunned disbelief.
Without hesitation, still holding his nephew's small hand, Min-hyuk began walking straight toward their table.