Jeong Noeul sat on the sofa, resting his chin on his hand.
Across from him, the TV was playing a documentary featuring Ryu Eunyul and Rowen.
The most successful winner of CYB’s male idol division and the most recent champion appearing in the same program—it was hard not to be excited.
On screen, Eunyul and Rowen were discussing the music they liked.
“I enjoy music with band sounds mixed in…”
“Me too, sunbae. I haven’t learned to play any instruments, though…”
“Same here. I guess it’s just this clumsy sort of admiration.”
Their conversation flowed as if perfectly scripted. Jeong Noeul scratched his neck.
“They look really close.”
At his comment, Han Iro, who was standing nearby with a glass of green juice, nodded.
“Yeah. At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if they formed a new team together.”
Iro took a sip of the juice. The taste was bad enough to make him frown.
“You said you were close with that guy too, right?”
Noeul gestured toward Rowen with his chin.
“…I guess that’s fair to say.”
Han Iro sat beside him.
“If it weren’t for that guy, I probably wouldn’t be an idol. Even if I were, I’d have gone back to acting. I wasn’t really into music.”
He murmured that, in fact, he preferred silence.
He had always been that way. Ever since he was a kid, he’d enjoyed exploring quiet places where people’s voices couldn’t reach. He’d roam through town looking for hidden corners and claim them as his secret bases. Abandoned buildings. Disused underground walkways sealed off because of crosswalk installations. He’d step into those places and think to himself: This is my hideout.
“That’s kind of an adorable hobby.”
Noeul chuckled.
“…Well, I wasn’t exactly the adorable type.”
Iro shrugged with a small sigh.
He’d always known. Even as a child, he’d been a little old for his age.
It was probably that trait that helped him gain fame as a child actor. Adults are easily moved when children behave with unexpected maturity. Thinking of that, Iro gave a faint smile tinged with self-mockery.
That guy, though…
His gaze turned toward Rowen.
He doesn’t seem entirely stable.
On camera, Rowen looked the same as always. But Iro could tell—something wasn’t right.
Was it because of his father’s death?
No, that didn’t seem like the reason.
He knew Rowen’s personality well. That guy held his head too high—he wasn’t good at looking back. His father wasn’t someone worth holding regrets over. Sure, there might be a sense of emptiness after exhausting all that hatred, but it wasn’t something that would linger long for someone like Rowen.
Did something else happen?
Just as Iro tilted his head in thought—
Beep—
The door lock disengaged with a soft chime.
Both Noeul and Iro turned their heads toward the front door.
Madojin stepped in, looking exhausted, his coat draped over one arm.
“Dojin hyung, you’re back?”
Noeul greeted him with a bright smile.
“We’re watching Eunyul hyung’s documentary. Want to join?”
“Ah, I… No, I’m… tired.”
Madojin spoke with a sigh and retreated into his room with a cold tone.
“Huh?”
Noeul tilted his head.
“Didn’t think that guy even got tired.”
1
Even as he said it offhandedly, Noeul thought something was off.
That guy shouldn’t be feeling fatigue.
After all, Madojin wasn’t human. As an apprentice angel, he had long since transcended human biology. Even if he had a schedule packed for a month straight, his stamina shouldn’t run out.
Naturally, Noeul began to wonder about the “errand” Madojin had mentioned before heading out.
He said he was going to meet a hometown friend… right?
He had said it in front of all the members, so no one had questioned it. But the idea of Madojin having a “hometown friend” was absurd.
Something’s not right.
He had no concrete theory, but a vague unease began to creep into his thoughts.
Especially back in Jeju…
The memory of the Bearer of the Cursed Grail surfaced.
According to him, the Demon God existed somewhere in this world. Why had the Savior Who Is One and All placed the Demon God here? Was it some sort of punishment?
There are countless myths where a divine being condemns a sinner to live on earth. Even folktales mention such things—a celestial official reborn as a boy with half a face, for example.
Even the Star Hated by All hadn’t known the Demon God was still in the human world. That alone spoke volumes.
Feels like something big is coming.
Noeul pouted at the thought.
“What’s got you frowning so hard?”
Iro looked at him.
“Your lips are gonna fall off.”
“Iro hyung.”
Instead of answering, Noeul posed another question.
“Don’t you think things have been weird lately?”
“Weird how?”
“Just… everyone looks so rushed.”
“Isn’t that normal? You and I are just now getting some downtime after days of being swamped.”
“That’s not what I mean. I mean their hearts look busy.”
Busy hearts…
Iro narrowed his eyes and looked at Noeul. And yes—he agreed.
Everyone did seem emotionally preoccupied.
There was Madojin, returning with a weary face. And Ryu Eunyul, who seemed noticeably restless after shooting the documentary with Rowen.
Still holed up in his room…
Iro glanced toward Eunyul’s tightly shut door.
It was odd that he wasn’t watching the broadcast—especially one where he appeared alongside someone he admired.
Just then—
<Jeong Noeul.>
The door slammed open. The Star Hated by All entered.
Iro quickly turned his gaze.
The Star stared at Iro briefly, then walked straight toward Noeul.
<Can I speak with you for a moment?>
“Uh, I was watching this…”
Noeul pointed at the TV.
“I’ve really been looking forward to it…”
<Ah, that program?>
The Star gave the TV a sly smile.
<That’s unfortunate. You’ll have to catch the rerun.>
“Figured you’d say that.”
Noeul muttered with a sigh, rising to his feet.
<Iro, feel free to keep watching.>
“Yeah… sure…”
Iro responded with a small shrug.
The Star led Noeul toward Ryu Eunyul’s room.
What the heck is going on?
Iro furrowed his brow.
Are they plotting some secret operation or something?
In such a small dorm, all these hushed meetings and closed doors were hard to ignore.
Are they just leaving me out?
He bit his lower lip and turned up the TV volume.
<Let’s skip the small talk.>
Arms crossed, the Star said,
<I need you to stick closely to my contractor for the next few days and handle his schedule with him.>
“Stick closely…?”
Noeul tilted his head in confusion.
There were a lot of strange things.
But one stood out the most.
“What’s up with Eunyul hyung?”
Noeul pointed at Ryu Eunyul, who was lying on the bed.
He wasn’t asleep—his eyes were open.
But they were unfocused.
His blank stare remained fixed on the ceiling, like a broken doll.
That wasn’t all. Noeul could sense faint traces of magic coming from his body.
He already knew Eunyul had been born with some magical affinity. If he had to assign a number, maybe around 666. As someone who wielded magic through Abrilah’s Crown, Noeul had noticed long ago.
Some rare people are born with magic. They often become shamans or priests.
But ever since the Savior Who Is One and All banned magic in the human world, magic usage had all but disappeared.
Still…
What was strange was how little magic he was sensing from Eunyul.
No, that’s not it.
It wasn’t little.
Examining the flow of power, Noeul understood.
It only seemed faint—because it was so massive that it exceeded his perception.
<I’ve lent him a bit of my power.>
The Star spoke nonchalantly.
<Just a speck, really—but from a mortal’s perspective, it’s like absorbing the power of a lower-ranked constellation. His body couldn’t handle it and he passed out. He’ll wake in a few hours, none the worse for wear.>
“…You gave him power?”
<Yes.>
The Star stepped closer to Eunyul.
<Now listen carefully. From today onward, you’ll be teaching my contractor.>
“Teaching…? What do you mean?”
<Exactly that. You’ve already learned how to use magic through Abrilah’s Crown. Teach my contractor the same.>
“No, wait—hold on, Star-nim!”
Noeul waved his hands in panic.
<Keep your voice down. The others must not hear.>
“Ah… right.”
Noeul leaned in to whisper.
“What’s going on?”
<Don’t whisper into my ear like that. It tickles.>
The Star grimaced.
<I’ll explain everything later. For now, you only need to remember one thing.>
Just one thing.
He raised one finger.
<Something big is going to happen soon.>
And that something…
<…will require the power of a constellation.>
With that, the Star smiled faintly.
<Because you’ll be going up against someone… who might become one themselves.>
Little Pink Starfish 
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