Rowen was an artist who went to almost obsessive lengths to hide his personal life.
That wasn’t common. While it was possible to keep some things under wraps at the time of debut, continued activity in the entertainment industry inevitably led to public exposure of family details or school anecdotes—whether one liked it or not.
Even if the artist didn’t want it, others often revealed the information. Especially if there was a chance of it being taken in a negative light.
A quick search through online communities would turn up frequent posts from self-proclaimed former classmates of celebrities.
Most were fake, but sometimes, they brought serious issues to light.
Sometimes they were harmless anecdotes—like someone being the quiet kid in class or having a cutesy personality despite a cold image.
And yet, it was strangely true that absolutely no personal information about Rowen had ever been made public.
There weren’t even the usual “classmate confirmation” posts. When asked in interviews, he would deflect with his trademark smooth-talking style.
‘That’s probably…’
Because he was trying to hide the fact that his father had been an anti-Hunter.
If it became known that someone in his family was an anti-Hunter, it would deal a heavier blow than having a pro-Japanese collaborator in one’s ancestry.
That’s why I was also quite shocked when I learned the truth about Rowen’s father.
‘…But.’
I remembered how tightly Rowen had clenched his fist while talking about his father.
He wasn’t someone who often revealed his emotions, yet he had shown me, a mere acquaintance, pure, unfiltered rage.
That’s how much he must have hated his father.
“Hm…”
I stared at the email from Choi Sooyeon and re-read it, falling into thought.
[Separately from my feelings as a fan, I don’t trust you completely, Eunyul, so I can’t go into full detail… but there’s a reason why Rowen hides his personal background.]
‘I’m sorry, but I already know that reason.’
I scratched the back of my neck, feeling conflicted.
And it seemed that Choi Sooyeon also knew about Rowen’s father being an anti-Hunter.
Where had she gotten that information?
I felt torn—half fear that she knew something Rowen had tried so hard to keep hidden for so long, and half trust that she had never tried to expose it.
[But our goal is to find out what connection Jung Han-gyeol has to Codess, right? Eunyul, you and Rowen are senior and junior under the same agency… and of all the Codess members, Rowen is the one most likely to know something about Han-gyeol.]
[Since he’ll probably be taking some time off after his father’s passing, it might be wise to wait and find the right moment later…]
In other words, she was telling me that she revealed the news of Rowen’s father’s death so I wouldn’t recklessly approach him now that I’d caught wind of Jung Han-gyeol—regardless of her claim to be my fan, she was clearly becoming a capable and conscientious investigative source.
<What are you staring at so blankly?>
Suddenly, Saetbyeol, fully dressed and ready to go out, opened her mouth and spoke.
<We have a meeting today. Instead of exchanging emails with that creature called Choi Sooyeon, go get ready.>
“…You can see that?”
I turned to look at her.
There was more than three meters between her and the laptop screen—and my back had been blocking her view.
<You… Don’t tell me you’ve started to see me as just some ordinary road manager or roommate. I am the King of Hell.>
She muttered that she might not be a god, but she was superior to most.
<Peering through your body is easy for me. Reading text at a distance is even easier. Thinking you could hide your private affairs from me with such petty tricks… that’s an insult.>
She stomped over and turned around.
It was a sign that she wanted me to tie her hair up.
“I’m starting to feel a little bad because you actually sound offended…”
I grumbled, holding the hair tie between my teeth.
“I wasn’t trying to hide anything from you. You can read my thoughts anyway. I figured it was just a matter of time before you found out.”
As I tied up her hair, I continued.
“But… I felt like you’d try to stop me.”
<You’re not wrong.>
She let out a sigh.
<Why are you chasing Codess’s trail? It has nothing to do with our mission. That group’s disbanded. As for that Aiden guy, you can just ignore him.>
“Well, yeah…”
I finished tying her hair and gave her back a playful pat.
She turned to look at me with a grim expression.
<Look at yourself.>
She spoke in a cold tone.
<It would take me less than a second to kill you. Humans are inherently fragile. They can die from a cold, or from falling the wrong way. Are you growing arrogant because you’re my contractor? You’re still just a fragile creation.>
“…Thanks for the long-winded warning to be careful.”
<I’m telling you to know your place.>
“Didn’t realize you were so worried about my well-being.”
Tch.
She clicked her tongue.
<In any case, I’ll turn a blind eye to your little diversion. Even wriggling worms shouldn’t be crushed without reason.>
“Thanks for letting it go.”
<No need to thank me.>
She turned her gaze.
<You won’t be able to change anything anyway.>
Her tone was unusually serious—unlike her usual self. But it was easy to sense that this too was a clue she was deliberately letting slip.
‘…Jung Han-gyeol.’
I still didn’t know who he was. No matter how much I searched online, I couldn’t find any connection between him and Codess.
‘But maybe that’s…’
The very proof that Constellations are involved in this.
Did Han Iro also know that Rowen’s father had passed?
On our way to YN Entertainment HQ for a meeting, I glanced back to check his expression.
He sat in the backseat with earbuds in, staring blankly out the window.
Same tired look as always.
I wasn’t great at reading people’s emotions just from their faces.
“Eunyul, it’s all over your face.”
But Iro was exceptionally good at that.
“What are you so curious about?”
He hugged the back of the passenger seat and whispered.
“Oh, uh… Nothing special. I was just wondering how you’re feeling today…”
“Same as usual.”
“Oh, okay…”
Though he seemed a bit sharper than usual.
But pointing that out might complicate things, so I kept quiet.
Seeing my expression, Iro let out a deep sigh and said,
“I haven’t been able to reach Seol-ie hyung since a few days ago.”
He revealed that Rowen had gone silent.
“He usually turns off his phone when working on a new track, but he used to at least reply once every six hours. Now it’s just… completely cut off.”
What do you think? he asked in a small voice.
“Well…”
I trailed off.
I’d tried to read him, but ended up being the one interrogated.
“Let’s talk after the meeting. Just the two of us.”
Iro looked around cautiously.
“There’s something I need to tell you in private.”
He clearly had figured something out. That’s why he asked to meet alone.
There was no way Han Iro didn’t know about Rowen’s father. Iro was probably the closest person to Rowen in the entertainment world. After Codess disbanded, Rowen had focused solely on being a solo artist, and didn’t care for personal relationships.
“…Got it.”
I nodded to Iro.
I wasn’t sure where this was going yet, but if Rowen and Iro weren’t in contact, then—
‘I’m worried about him too…’
I needed to hear the full story from Iro.
And so.
We arrived at YN Entertainment and attended the meeting.
<The reason I’ve called everyone today is because we’ve received several individual appearance requests—not as a team.>
Mika addressed us in a businesslike tone.
“Oh… I’ve been wanting to do some solo variety shows.”
Jeong Noeul smiled brightly.
<Unfortunately, only three members received offers. Noeul, you’re not on the list.>
“Ah….”
His cheerful expression wilted instantly.
<Iro.>
Mika turned to Han Iro.
<After you shared your story during the CYB Final Stage, several programs focusing on social issues reached out to you.>
“Because of the burn scars?”
Iro asked, resting his chin in his hand.
<Yes. The fact that you’ve continued your career despite those scars, and the fact that you revealed such a personal wound to the public—it resonated.>
Mika suggested a show where Iro could interact with disabled youths his age.
“I’d love to. That kind of opportunity doesn’t come often.”
Iro looked genuinely happy.
Back in the domestic CYB competition, he had desperately tried to hide his scars. Now, he could proudly share them with the world.
Having seen him struggle, I couldn’t help but feel proud.
<And Heejae.>
“Yes?”
<Are you familiar with the show where celebrities form one-day bands and perform?>
“You mean Today’s Band?”
<That’s the one.>
Mika nodded with a smile.
<They’ve invited you to appear. Would you like to participate as a keyboardist?>
“I’d love to…”
Min Heejae glanced at the members.
“You guys won’t get jealous if I leave you for a bit, right?”
“Absolutely not. Just go already.”
I grumbled.
<Lastly, Eunyul.>
“…Me?”
Everyone turned their eyes to me.
Appearing on a show alone? It was a good thing, of course—but after being with the team so long, the thought of going solo made me a little nervous.
<We got a sudden call yesterday…>
Mika looked down at the papers in her hand.
<Rowen is preparing an EP, and they’re planning to document the process in a two-part documentary.>
“…And?”
That was unexpected. I didn’t expect to hear Rowen’s name now.
And this was yesterday?
<He didn’t just want to document the production—he wanted to highlight his senior-junior relationship with you.>
In short—
<He specifically requested to work with you.>
His father had just passed.
He wasn’t even responding to Han Iro’s messages.
And yet—
Rowen had personally asked me yesterday to appear in his documentary.
It was the kind of offer I couldn’t possibly refuse.
Little Pink Starfish 
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