Little Pink Starfish

Yesterday, I received the finals schedule through Neobus.

[Contestant Ryu Eunyul, we are contacting you regarding the finals for the male idol division.]

[The Count Your Blessings finals training camp will be held at the “Central Headquarters of the Bichang Guild” in Gangnam District, Seoul.]

[Contestant Ryu Eunyul will be staying in Building A, Room 406. Please specify this address when sending any personal packages.]

[Please complete check-in and registration by the designated date. Failure to do so will result in automatic disqualification.]

Bichang (悲愴) Guild.

They’re holding the finals there again this season.

The Bichang Guild was a Hunter guild with its central headquarters in Cheongdam-dong.
It was one of the largest Hunter guilds in the country, big enough to build an entire office complex with two buildings in the heart of Cheongdam-dong.

Of course, the guild had disbanded long ago.

The headquarters building, having lost its owner, was nationalized and now served as a landmark.

For some reason, the CYB male idol division finals had always been held there.

They would convert part of Building A into a temporary studio for the finals season.

And now, I was looking at the Bichang Guild’s building from Rowen’s studio.

‘Every time I see it…’

It really was overwhelmingly massive.

<Humans sure do love building towers like the Tower of Babel.>

From inside the metal case, The Star Hated by All commented.

<I don’t get it. It’s shaped so perfectly for collapse.>

‘You’re not wrong…’

Even among the already towering structures in Cheongdam-dong, the Bichang Guild’s central headquarters stood out.

Rowen’s studio was located at the top of a fairly tall building too, but it couldn’t compare to the height of the Bichang Guild’s headquarters.

‘I could never live in a place like that with my fear of heights…’

I couldn’t even think about looking down.

“Hyung Seol, what’s all this?”

Suddenly, I heard Han Iro’s voice.

“You didn’t water the flower bed properly, did you? I told you if you don’t water them right, they’ll all die!”

“Haha… I did forget for a few days, but look, they’ve grown quite well, haven’t they?”

Turning around, I sipped the green juice Han Iro had made and saw him and Rowen bickering over the flower bed.

“Haha…? You’re laughing right now?”

Han Iro, arms crossed, looked furious.

“Grown quite well, you say?”

Then, mimicking Rowen’s languid expression and tone with eerie accuracy…

“Can’t you see they’re all dying?”

He pointed at the flower bed in the studio’s lobby, growling.

“Iro, how about thinking more positively?” Rowen said, unfazed and serene.

“All plants eventually wither. They become nutrients for new ones. If you think of it that way, maybe you’ll feel less angry.”

“No! They’re withering because you neglected them, and you’re spouting philosophy?”

Han Iro’s face twisted in rage as he yelled.

“And I’m not angry! Don’t just assume my emotions!”

…No matter how you look at it, he seemed very angry.

Rowen just smiled as if he found the fuming Han Iro absolutely adorable.

I walked over to them.

“What’s wrong with the flower bed?”

I asked.

“Eunyul! Look at that shameless face!”

Han Iro shouted, pointing at Rowen.

I looked at Rowen.

Rowen shrugged casually.

…He’s shamelessly handsome.

“You’re thinking, ‘Wow, my favorite is so cool’ right now, aren’t you?”

Han Iro narrowed his eyes, somehow magically reading my mind.

“Ahem!”

I cleared my throat awkwardly.

“What’s the name of this flower?”

Trying to change the subject, I pointed at the flower bed and asked Han Iro.

“That’s lisianthus. It’s also called prairie gentian.”

Han Iro beamed and started listing off the flowers without being asked:
Lilac, edelweiss, lily…

With a joyful expression, Han Iro began explaining the characteristics of each flower, their medicinal benefits, and the myths associated with them.

This guy really couldn’t resist plants.

Maybe it was because he grew up in the mountains of Gangwon-do? I quietly listened to Han Iro’s stories.

“And this one—”

He pointed at a white flower.

“I know that one. It’s a chrysanthemum.”

“Correct!”

Han Iro smiled brightly at me.

“But Eunyul, you…”

Then, his cheerful expression suddenly turned serious.

…Why?

“Alright, let’s stop with the flower talk here.”

Rowen placed a hand on Han Iro’s shoulder.

“The flowers must be sad because they’re sick. But you can revive them, right?”

Rowen said slyly, causing Han Iro to grit his teeth visibly trying to suppress his anger.

“…Yeah. I can save them.”

“That’s such a relief. The flowers must be thrilled.”

“I hate you so much…”

“Oh dear. But I really like you.”

Han Iro glared at Rowen as if he would eat him alive, then threw on his bomber jacket and mask.

“I’m going to buy fertilizer for my babies. Seol hyung, keep your hands up.”

“Alright. I’ll keep them up until you’re back.”

“As if!”

Han Iro sighed heavily and left Rowen’s studio.

“Eunyul.”

Once Han Iro was gone, Rowen lowered his arms and looked at me.

“The finals are starting soon, huh? How do you feel?”

“Not sure…”

With the start of the finals, I would be moving into Building A of the Bichang Guild.

Before that, we would practice the opening group song.

…Looks like my break is over.

“You’re making that defeated face again? I never taught you to look like a dehorned stag beetle.”

“Sorry.”

I rubbed my face dryly.

“Don’t apologize. It’s actually good.”

Rowen said unexpectedly, patting my head.

“I’m glad you and Iro seem to be getting along.”

“Really…?”

I scratched my temple.

Somehow, I had learned Han Iro’s biggest secret, been invited to his home, and now we were hanging out at Rowen’s studio together.

But it still felt like something was missing to say we were close.

After all, I hadn’t told Han Iro anything about The Star Hated by All yet.

There were many other things I kept secret too.

As I fell silent in thought, Rowen smiled warmly and said,

“You’re surprisingly insensitive when it comes to relationships, huh? You and Iro are friends. Even if you deny it, I’ll make sure you are.”

“Senpai…”

I stared intently at Rowen.

“How much of all this was planned?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s just… everything feels too perfectly orchestrated.”

Did Rowen know that I had noticed Han Iro’s scars during the second preliminary round?

Probably. But for now, I decided to assume he didn’t.

“You told me about Han Iro, and then we got entangled during the third round… It feels like you set things up for us to get closer.”

Rowen raised his eyebrows in interest.

“Who knows? I thought it’d be nice if you two got along, but I didn’t do anything to force it.”

“Really?”

“Really. Oh, but I did make the group chat, didn’t I? Watching the auditions with narration, I thought you two were getting pretty close—exchanging glances and all. So, I set up the chat.”

“What about you and Han Iro…”

Maybe I could ask now.

“How did you meet?”

“Wouldn’t it be more fun if I didn’t tell you?”

“It would only be fun for you, senpai.”

“True.”

Rowen chuckled and briefly explained.

Rowen’s constellation was Lightning That Whirls Like the Wind—Zeus.
Han Iro’s constellation had been The Usurper of Tarnhelm, but he later re-contracted with Love Born with Bubbles—Aphrodite.

“Kind of embarrassing, but my constellation likes pretty girls. And he’s quite a rowdy personality, just like Zeus from myth.”

Apparently, Rowen’s constellation had sensed Aphrodite’s presence and suggested they go visit.

“If not, he threatened to go on strike…”

The scent of Aphrodite, he called it.
It sounded way too crude for a divine being…

Since they were both from Greek mythology, Lightning That Whirls Like the Wind could easily pinpoint Love Born with Bubbles‘ location.

Coincidentally, Rowen was planning a trip to the mountains of Gangwon-do after Codess disbanded.

And that’s how he met Han Iro.

“So Han Iro’s dream of becoming an idol… is thanks to you?”

“I encouraged him, but that’s all. Iro chose his own path.”

“I don’t think so. Because…”

Even if Love Born with Bubbles had hidden his scars, Han Iro’s trauma would still have been immense.

Han Iro hadn’t been healed, only decorated.

There wasn’t even a mirror in his house. Not even in the bathroom.

Clearly, he entrusted all his “appearance” to his constellation.

For someone like that to choose to join CYB must have been greatly influenced by Rowen.

“You’re overestimating me, Eunyul.”

Rowen said suddenly.

“I’m not that deep of a person. I don’t truly devote myself to others.
The reason I avoid hurting others is because I’m just not that interested.”

Then, Rowen murmured as if to himself,

“I only act for my own amusement.”

---

A few days later, the day the CYB male idol division finals were set to begin.

The park in front of the Bichang Guild Central Headquarters was packed with people.

Tonight, there would be an official ceremony to mark the start of the finals, along with a group song performance on the set built inside the park.

Choi Suyeon was squeezing through the crowd, holding her camera.

‘It’s been a while… this kind of feeling.’

There were so many people — almost too many.

Following the release of the PR videos, the fans for each contestant had solidified.

The randomly selected audience members had already formed groups through open chatrooms, recognizing each other with slogans and other signs.

Of course, Choi Suyeon wasn’t here to watch as a fan. She was here to cover the event as a YouTuber.

She had personally failed to win the ticket lottery, but fortunately, one of her team members had been selected, allowing her to come as part of the media team.

In other words, she was here for work.

‘Still…’

Today, she decided she’d film with a bit of personal bias.

‘Ryu Eunyul’s PR video… it was better than I expected.’

She had already been planning to film a fancam of Ryu Eunyul’s stage once.

‘To make up for the Paris photo incident…’

But after seeing Ryu Eunyul’s PR video, her resolve had strengthened even more.

‘Singing live inside an aquarium…’

It was an incredibly charming concept.

‘And his singing skills were impressive too…’

Although he had shown solid skills during the third round, Ryu Eunyul seemed to shine even brighter when he stood alone.

‘He’s definitely going to get good results and debut. It would be smart to invest in him early.’

Choi Suyeon nodded to herself.

‘Let’s get a head start on this.’

More than anything, there was something about Ryu Eunyul that she couldn’t ignore.

She recalled the dream she had had the night before.

She had seen a man.

Golden hair as if ground from pure gold.
Eyes shining yellow like the moon.
Dewy lips, flushed cheeks, and a sculpted jawline, along with a strong, athletic body.

A shirt opened wide enough to expose his nipples.

…It was the same man she had seen in her dreams before.

“Creature of the earth, carve my words into your heart.”

“Wait a second! You appeared in my dreams before and said that exact thing, didn’t you?!”

When she questioned him in the dream,

“I did no such thing!”

“Really?”

“Of course!”

“You’re sure?”

“Ugh, quiet already! I mean it!”

The man insisted stubbornly.

“And remember my words well! Focus on Ryu Eunyul! Focus on Ryu Eunyul! Focus on Ryu Eunyul! Ryu! Eunyul! LOVE! FOREVER!”

‘…What even was that guy? Some others said they had a similar dream before the second preliminaries, too.’

Could he be Ryu Eunyul’s constellation?

‘If so, what an extremely clingy constellation…’

Choi Suyeon smirked bitterly.

Just then—

“Everyone with audience tickets, please enter over here!”

A voice called out.

‘Alright, it’s starting!’

Choi Suyeon swallowed hard and pressed into the crowd.