“Change the World” by Girls Edition.
The song carried significant symbolic meaning within the Korean music scene.
Girls Edition themselves were role models to many junior artists.
Though they had since ceased group activities and were now pursuing solo careers—either as individual artists or actors—their legacy remained intact.
Just as male idol trainees revered Codess, female trainees idolized Girls Edition.
“Change the World” was one of their biggest hits.
When the teaser for the music video dropped on a portal site, so many users flooded in that the server crashed.
And now, that very song—
― If the night feels unbearably dark
We’ll step out the window frame and go far away
Holding moonlight between our hands
We’ll arrive at a nameless town
It was too bright and hopeful to be called a dirge.
Min Heejae was at the center of the stage, playing a grand piano and singing.
A drummer and bassist performed beside him.
Change the World had a fairy tale-like tone.
To capture that, the performance used a real-sound instrumental and dreamy choreography.
To highlight the authenticity of the sound, Heejae had recruited live musicians instead of relying on pre-recorded tracks.
He chose not to dance like a girl idol might, but instead performed through live instrumental play.
― I’m gonna give you my heart
I’ll leave moonlight by your sleeping side
Let’s meet on the moon tomorrow
You are the universe
When I look up, I feel like I’ll see your shadow
“…This is fascinating,” Jeong Noeul murmured.
“Usually, bands have a guitarist, don’t they?”
“Yeah. But it’s not always required.”
Heejae had deliberately not recruited a guitarist.
The sound of electric guitar would’ve been too sharp.
It didn’t suit the tone of Change the World.
Instead, he rearranged the track into a piano rock style.
While piano might seem at odds with rock music, international rock culture has plenty of examples to prove otherwise.
Still, few musicians dare attempt a full band sound without a guitar.
“…Impressive,” I whispered, mesmerized.
In band music, the electric guitar usually plays a massive role.
Yet Heejae filled that void with piano.
― (Ah….)
Tomorrow
(Change of Seasons)
When the day begins
(Change the World)
Gentle footsteps, sorrowful handwriting
(Change Your Mind)
All of it will be reborn
“Wait, isn’t that your voice, hyung?”
Noeul noticed during the chorus.
“Yeah… He used it really well.”
Heejae’s brilliance lay in his almost frightening skill at transforming genres.
The original’s grand melody had been restructured into a minimalistic band arrangement—resulting in a completely new emotional texture.
Much of that was thanks to the piano.
Its lyrical touch filled the gaps between tight drum beats.
And my chorus vocals…
He’d subtly raised the pitch to sound like a female voice.
Anyone unfamiliar with my voice—like Noeul—wouldn’t recognize it easily.
Ludwig Shock Beethoven indeed…
Even in his arrangements, he left playful touches.
― If the morning is unbearably bright
Let’s dance wrapped in curtains
Let sunlight coat our bodies
And fall asleep with our eyes closed
The Ten Kings of the Underworld was quietly watching Heejae’s performance.
What was she feeling?
― If I could become your window frame
I’d hide all your footsteps
If I could become your curtain
I’d be happy every time you doodled on me
I’d become a universe
And always find the perfect world for you
I didn’t know how the Ten Kings perceived this performance…
“Hyung, doesn’t Heejae look kind of… odd?”
“…Huh? No, not really. Looks like he’s just very focused.”
Through the Burning Devil’s Eye, I noticed something odd on stage.
Min Heejae wasn’t moving awkwardly—but he was shrinking.
He was becoming… smaller.
Like when we’d seen his childhood self during Halloween.
― I’m gonna give you my heart
I’ll leave sunlight by your sleeping side
Let’s meet on the moon tomorrow
You are the universe
When I look up, I feel like I’ll see your shadow
As the performance neared its climax, the band music began to fade.
The song, once lively, now quieted down, and the spotlight centered on Heejae.
He now looked like his childhood self.
Was the Ten Kings seeing this too?
<…I know this is wrong.>
Suddenly, her voice echoed in my mind.
<But I know you’ll forgive me for throwing this tantrum.>
Shhhh—
The Ten Kings of the Underworld floated toward Heejae.
Noeul and I both watched in silence.
Tuk.
She arrived beside him.
At the same time, a popup appeared in my vision:
[STATUS EFFECT ACTIVATED]
[[May I Stay in Your Memory? LV.EX]]
…A status effect.
The Ten Kings was technically just borrowing the title of a Constellation—she was still a ghost.
A ghost’s proximity could cause rejection in a living person.
That’s what I thought at first, but—
“Heejae hyung probably always knew.”
Arms crossed, Noeul spoke.
“He can’t see her like I can. He can’t touch her. But I’m sure… he could feel her. Her presence.”
Ah…
At his words, I was sure of it.
If that’s true…
(Change of Seasons)
When the day begins
[May I Place My Hand Over Yours? LV.EX]
The Ten Kings gently placed her hand on top of Heejae’s, resting on the keyboard.
These status effects…
(Change the World)
Gentle footsteps, sorrowful handwriting
[May I Drift Beside You Forever? LV.EX]
Her body floated while clinging to Heejae.
These are the emotions of a childhood friend, felt through the senses of a living boy.
Min Heejae’s control was starting to falter.
He hid it well, but I had performed with him. I could tell.
And also…
As someone who had once witnessed the death of someone precious, I could see it:
He’s in so much pain.
There is no beautiful way to remember someone who has died.
It will only ever be painful.
Only when the memories fade can we pretend to be okay.
And if forgetting is the only way to become okay, then Heejae probably didn’t want to be okay.
If suffering was the only way to not forget her, then maybe suffering was what he preferred.
Because it was pain that was dear to him.
(Change of Seasons)
(Change Your Mind)
(Change the World)
Now, everything will be reborn
The piano accompaniment stopped.
Min Heejae’s performance ended.
Waaaahhh!!
The audience erupted in cheers, but Heejae simply sat at the piano in silence.
“…The underworld noona is passing on,” Noeul murmured.
The Ten Kings‘ form began to scatter into light.<You really are such a foolish boy.>
Her voice reached my mind, distant yet clear.
<Coming all the way here just to fulfill a childhood dream? Ridiculous.>
Heejae wouldn’t hear it. But that didn’t matter.<Thank you.>
Even if he couldn’t hear.<For cherishing my life.>
Min Heejae smiled.
<…It’s time for me to go.>
He looked back and smiled.
Staring at what was now just a fading trace of the Ten Kings.
He couldn’t see her—but he knew.
Because he sang for her.
“Thank you. Goodbye,” he seemed to murmur.
Clap, clap.
I applauded softly.
While the audience was wild with cheers, only Noeul and I had somber expressions.
“Do you think he was satisfied? Giving his best performance to his childhood friend’s ghost?”
“No. Not even close.”
I answered.
“But it feels like a miracle. That he could make a dead friend into a Constellation… and fulfill her dream like this.”
“…A miracle.”
I repeated Noeul’s words.
It was miraculous.
There was a time when the concept of Constellations—or sponsorship—didn’t even exist. None of this would have been possible back then.
“Well, anyway…”
I took a cautious step.
“Thanks for watching with me…”
My footing slipped, and I stumbled.
Thud!
I collapsed.
“What are you doing, Eunyul hyung…?”
Noeul stared at me in disbelief.
“Uh, nothing… Just trying to climb down…”
I struggled to stand again.
<Haah…>
Suddenly, I heard a sigh.
Paf!
A flash of light—and Star appeared in his true form.
“Absolutely disgraceful.”
He helped me up.
“Oh! Star-nim, long time no see!”
“I am not Star-nim. I am The Star Hated by All.”
After glaring at the cheerful Noeul, he helped me walk.
“Plant your feet properly. Ugh! Can’t even walk right, can you?”
“Noeul, I’ll see you after the show…”
Embarrassed, I tried to smile and wave casually.
“Are you sure you don’t need my help?”
“I-I’m fine. I have Star, so…”
“Silence. Just walk, mortal.”
I felt like a toddler learning to walk…
After saying goodbye to Noeul, Star and I made our way down the steps.
“Phew. I feel alive again.”
I sighed and massaged my thigh, which still throbbed from the cramp earlier.
“Did you enjoy the ghost-possessed mortal’s performance?”
Star asked.
I nodded.
“It was amazing.”
“Hmph. Mortals die. It’s the law of the world. Death is nothing special. No need to weep or rejoice over it.”
“Must be nice to be so unkillable.”
I shot a glare at him and checked our surroundings.
No one was around to see us.
“Alright. Actually, I needed to talk to you.”
“To me?”
“Yeah. I need a favor.”
I leaned in close and whispered.
“…Can you find out where Han Iro is right now?”
Little Pink Starfish 
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