A luxury officetel in Yeongdeungpo.
Amid the darkness, only the large TV mounted on the wall flickered with light.
“…Contestant Ryu Eunyul and contestant Han Iro.”
A voice rang out from the TV.
It was the moment when the CYB male idol division rankings were being announced.
Choi Suyeon sat leaning against the armrest of the sofa, staring at the screen with a rigid expression.
Aiden, the head mentor of this season’s CYB male idol division, stood between Ryu Eunyul and Han Iro.
Ryu Eunyul and Han Iro were facing each other.
‘It wouldn’t be strange if either of them took first place.’
That was what Choi Suyeon thought.
Han Iro had maintained first place until just before the final stage.
His team performance had been a success, and his solo stage had also been a hit, highlighting unexpected aspects.
‘What I saw then…’
Choi Suyeon recalled the emotions she felt while watching Han Iro’s solo performance.
Complex emotions… That’s the only way to describe it. It was hard to put her state of mind into words at the time.
But now that her heart had somewhat calmed, if she listed the facts—
‘…It felt like he was forcibly stuffing his memories into my head.’
Choi Suyeon didn’t know for sure, but the “Kaleidoscope of the Heart” passed on from Ryu Eunyul to Han Iro had the power to transmit Han Iro’s emotions to everyone at the venue, including those watching the live broadcast.
Emotions are triggered through memory.
As Han Iro’s feelings were processed through the “Kaleidoscope of the Heart,” his memories began to imprint faintly on everyone’s minds.
‘Burn injuries as a child…’
Through the compassion of the “Usurper of Tarnhelm,” Han Iro had made a renewed pact with “Love Born with Bubbles,” gaining the authority to hide his scars.
‘…And now, everyone knows.’
Indeed, communities everywhere were ablaze with talk about the strange phenomenon caused by the “Kaleidoscope of the Heart.”
‘The reason all this was possible…’
Was perhaps due to the power of the “Goddess of Love.”
Choi Suyeon and others who didn’t know the full truth could only guess as much.
“Since we’re down to the final two, I’d like to ask a bit more personal question.”
Aiden spoke into the mic.
“Contestant Han Iro.”
“Yes.”
Han Iro nodded at Aiden’s call.
“…Could you explain the authority you activated during your solo performance? If I may speak candidly, I think you entered CYB while hiding a secret.”
“I wouldn’t really call it a secret.”
Han Iro lowered his head and smiled.
Then he took a deep breath and raised his head again.
“I suffered burn injuries as a child. My face now is only unscarred thanks to the Goddess’s authority… What you saw on stage is my true face.”
Han Iro began speaking with a calm expression.
He had been burned while trying to save his younger sibling from a fire.
He had gone into seclusion, fearing his sibling would feel guilty if they saw his burned face.
But he couldn’t hide away in the mountains forever….
“…So that my sibling wouldn’t feel guilt, I wanted everyone to see my true face as something beautiful. That’s why I prepared this performance.”
As he spoke, Han Iro looked out toward the audience.
He couldn’t possibly see, but it was as if he were searching for the faces of his family somewhere in the crowd.
“Haha.”
Aiden chuckled warmly.
“If we lived in a time without the sponsorship of the constellations, something like this miraculous performance would never have been possible. I believe contestant Han Iro’s performance was a beautiful miracle—possible only in this era.”
With that, Aiden turned his gaze to Ryu Eunyul.
“Contestant Ryu Eunyul.”
“…Yes.”
Choi Suyeon straightened up and bit her thumbnail.
‘Eunyul…’
Though either contestant winning wouldn’t be surprising, Choi Suyeon’s heart leaned toward Ryu Eunyul.
And understandably so—she had been supporting him from the shadows all along.
‘Even revived the Sugarbomb account…’
She had even uploaded solo fancams of Ryu Eunyul.
What first drew her attention to him was the beautiful man in her dreams, who endlessly urged her to watch Ryu Eunyul….
‘…He really was Eunyul’s constellation.’
After seeing the final stage solo performance, she was certain.
Though the constellation hadn’t revealed its sacred name, its identity was unmistakable….
‘…So beautiful, in a completely different way than Eunyul.’
Constellations rarely revealed themselves, so the appearance of Ryu Eunyul’s own was a shock.
Indeed, communities were split between discussions of Ryu Eunyul and his constellation, and Han Iro’s past.
‘But…’
More than that, Choi Suyeon thought about the narrative Ryu Eunyul had built throughout CYB.
“I’d like to ask contestant Ryu Eunyul how he feels standing here. But not as a member of YN Entertainment—rather, as Boy A.”
“What the hell kind of question is that?!”
Choi Suyeon jumped to her feet.
“You’re asking that right now?!”
Regardless of her fury, Ryu Eunyul’s expression remained calm.
“…As Boy A, I can’t say anything.”
He spoke into the microphone.
“Because that name doesn’t belong to me. I believe there are countless Boy A’s besides myself. I was just lucky enough, among many Boy A’s, to make it here….”
Choi Suyeon listened intently, hands on her hips.
“…Boy A isn’t a single person. It represents many. So rather than speak as Boy A, I’d rather listen to the voices of all the Boy A’s.”
“Hm….”
Aiden smiled at Ryu Eunyul’s words.
“Very well. May contestant Ryu Eunyul’s resolve become another miracle of this era. CYB continues its seasons with the hope of peaceful days ahead.”
Without pause, Aiden suddenly whispered into the mic.
“Now, I will announce the winner.”
….
Silence hung in the air.
“Oh, just announce it already….”
Choi Suyeon grumbled.
“…First place goes to—contestant Ryu Eunyul!”
Declared Aiden.
Choi Suyeon stared blankly at the close-up of Ryu Eunyul on the TV.
Ryu Eunyul, too, was staring straight ahead with a dazed expression.
Moments later, both their expressions began to split dramatically.
Ryu Eunyul’s frozen face crumpled, and tears began to stream down.
“Yes—!!”
Choi Suyeon cheered and flipped on the lights.
“The first place prize includes divine authority and cash rewards, provided by the constellations sponsoring CYB….”
Ignoring Aiden’s explanation of the prize, Choi Suyeon turned to the scrap-covered wall above her sofa.
At the center was a photo of Ryu Eunyul.
Photos of Aiden and Rowen surrounded Eunyul’s, each with arrows pointing toward him.
Beside Rowen’s photo were articles admitting failure to dig into his private life. The arrow pointing from Rowen to Eunyul bore the words: “More than just agency juniors.”
Beside Aiden’s were clippings of swirling rumors. The arrow read: “The foundation pointing to Ryu Eunyul is anything but ordinary.”
Photos of former Codess members were scattered elsewhere, marked with: “Cause of disbandment unclear.”
“This is the best….”
Choi Suyeon murmured with a beaming smile.
Truly, the best.
As a fan—
‘…And as a journalist.’
The fact that Ryu Eunyul had won first place was clearly the best outcome for her.
“Now I can finally start the real investigation.”
Into Codess’s disbandment…,
And the relationship between Aiden, Rowen, and Ryu Eunyul….
There are heights and depths in the world.
Not in a geographical sense. A mountain peak can collapse at any moment, and tall buildings can rise even on flat land.
Nor is it about status, like a caste system. History is filled with the fall of social hierarchies.
The true height and depth that runs through the world is fixed.
The lowest place is called Hell. Its deepest pit is thought to be the palace of “The Star Hated by All.”
The highest place is called the Celestial Realm. Its highest spire is known as the tower of “The Savior Who Is One and All.”
Hell and Heaven are the poles of the world. Thus, “The Star Hated by All” could never stand before “The Savior Who Is One and All.”
This had long been accepted as truth among the constellations.
Yet now, “The Star Hated by All” stood before “The Savior Who Is One and All.”
[Welcome to the pinnacle of the Celestial Realm—the tower of ‘The Savior Who Is One and All.’]
A white space.
At its center, a floating blue orb greeted “The Star Hated by All.”
[The Constellation of Constellations, ‘The Savior Who Is One and All,’ welcomes you.]
[Hoh hoh! My son, dear Star—it’s been far too long!]
<Haah….>
“The Star Hated by All” smirked with one side of his lips.
Then looked around. No archangels or high-ranking beings could enter the spire—not even his younger brother, “The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell.”
Only “The Star Hated by All” and “The Savior Who Is One and All” were present in this sealed chamber.
<Papa, don’t be so cold.>
Wearing a childlike smile, “The Star Hated by All” said:
<It’s just us here. No need to play the grand creator. If you won’t talk to me properly, I’ll pout.>
[…]
Silence followed his words.
Then a flat, mechanical voice echoed.
[This unit welcomes your visit, ‘Star Hated by All.’]
<There, that’s more like Papa.>
Without a hint of caution, “The Star Hated by All” sat down.
<It’s been a while, Papa. I really missed you.>
[This unit does not understand the emotion known as longing.]
<Hmm… yeah. Of course Papa didn’t miss me. I was right after all.>
He gazed quietly at the blue orb.
No constellation could imagine that the all-powerful creator of this world was nothing more than a mechanical system incapable of understanding emotion.
<Can I ask one question?>
<Are you still afraid of this world?>
“The Savior Who Is One and All” replied without hesitation.
[This unit…]
[Since the rebellion of the ‘Star Hated by All,’ this unit’s perspective on the world has shifted from passive observation to fear. Fear—this is the only emotion this unit has successfully identified….]
[Yet emotions cannot be understood. Thus, they are terrifying. This unit fears a world filled with not objects, but subjects.]
<I see.>
A creator trembling in fear at his own world—what a poor excuse for a joke.
[This unit asks the ‘Star Hated by All’: why did you rebel against this unit?]
<Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand, Papa.>
Because “The Savior Who Is One and All” has no curiosity.
<Still, I’ll say this much—I’m also very afraid of you, Papa.>
He never expected his rebellion to be crushed so easily. At the very least, he thought he could scratch the surface.
But the moment he saw the one leading the charge—
His younger brother, “The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell”—he was overwhelmed.
He could never raise a blade against his brother.
Using that fact, “The Savior Who Is One and All” defeated him in the most rational way possible.
<Anyway….>
“The Star Hated by All” grinned.
<You can be honest with me about why you summoned me here, right? Taking me to Heaven to assess whether I’m hostile? Don’t make me laugh. You know I don’t oppose you anymore.>
If anything, he pitied him—
This all-powerful yet delicate system.
“The Savior Who Is One and All” also knew the truth in his heart.
[After long calculation, this unit has decided to reveal one fact to the ‘Star Hated by All.’ You were summoned here for that purpose.]
<Oh…?>
“The Star Hated by All” smiled mischievously.
<And what is it?>
His question was casual, but the answer from “The Savior Who Is One and All” wiped the smile from his face.
[The reason you’re trying to reclaim your authority as a constellation….]
[The Demon God….]
[This unit, filled with terror, declares—]
[She is now, in the human world.]
Little Pink Starfish 
Leave a comment