Little Pink Starfish

“Did you cast a spell on me too?”

At Min Heejae’s question, Madojin, who was preparing to go out, shook his head.

“Why didn’t you?”

“I didn’t think there was any need to.”

“I thought we agreed you wouldn’t use honorifics?”

Min Heejae smiled slyly as he looked at Madojin. Moonlight pouring through the window illuminated Madojin’s figure. Min Heejae thought it felt surreal. He had always thought of him as an unusual person, but then again, so was he. But to think he was an angel… no, even beyond that—

‘…A being that should have already died long ago.’

He had never imagined that was Madojin’s true nature.

“…I thought it would be better if everyone knew eventually.”

Madojin lowered his gaze as he spoke.

“And preferably sooner rather than later.”

“Why did you think that?”

Madojin stood in silence for a moment, then raised his head to look at Min Heejae. The glow of the laptop screen accentuated Min Heejae’s expression, making it look somewhat eerie. His calm face betrayed no trace of confusion. Min Heejae knew how to hide his emotions with ease, and Madojin, still inexperienced at dealing with humans, struggled with people like him whose intentions were hard to read.

“I heard from Eunyul.”

Madojin tugged at his collar as he spoke.

“You entered CYB to fulfill your childhood friend’s wish, right?”

“So what?”

“Do you really think you could’ve done it alone?”

“Of course.”

Min Heejae answered without hesitation. He had never once doubted his talent. Even though he entered CYB with little knowledge of idol culture, when it came to music, Min Heejae always trusted himself.

Thinking back, it was true. He had never once panicked on stage at CYB. He might have been unlucky with the draws, but he had never once thought his performances were poor. If there was one moment of emotional turmoil, it was when he sent his childhood friend off.

It felt strange, in a way.

“…That certainty feels odd.”

Min Heejae smiled faintly.

He wondered what thoughts Madojin had during CYB. Without even knowing what it was, swept along by the knowledge an angel had implanted, somehow reaching the final stage. Judging by the results, it was impressive, but the journey to get there must have been filled with struggles.

‘The others must’ve been the same.’

Ryu Eunyul’s past had been laid bare. Han Iro stood on stage, hiding his burn scars. Jeong Noeul wrestled endlessly with the memories of his past life.

“I guess I’ve been pretty blessed.”

Min Heejae shrugged.

“Because I was always happy. I had a friend I missed but always felt close by, and I achieved everything I wanted.”

“You called me your friend.”

Madojin spoke suddenly.

“That’s why you told me not to use honorifics, right? Your friend was able to move on peacefully not just because your performance was excellent. I never met them, but… seeing you living well must have allowed them to let go without regret.”

“…That’s…”

Min Heejae’s expression darkened.

Madojin was right.

“Performances are completed by the audience, and one’s life continues thanks to countless others.”

That was true as well. Min Heejae let out a helpless laugh. He hadn’t expected Madojin to say something like this. He had thought of him as someone who just calmly observed everything with a blank expression.

“I heard they also connected with Eunyul and Noeul. That probably helped them move on too.”

“…Probably.”

Min Heejae readily admitted it. In his childhood, he had found fulfillment from wrestling with piano keys alone. But when he recalled his younger self from a third-person perspective, he just looked lonely. Even as an adult, he had lived that way, and he was finally ready to admit that he had grown tired of it.

“I always thought they helped me. But I didn’t realize they helped me in that way.”

“No one can solve everything alone. The world doesn’t work like that.”

Madojin spoke in a calm tone.

“People can’t even face their own reflection without the help of others.”

“You’re right.”

Min Heejae closed his laptop. The bright light in front of him disappeared, and he stepped closer toward Madojin’s faint silhouette.

“You figured I’d need as much help as possible to get through this, didn’t you.”

“Yeah. And from what I know, you’re someone I can trust.”

“I think so too.”

Min Heejae placed a hand on Madojin’s shoulder.

“When I first heard your story, I had no idea what you were talking about. You… you look like an adult and you’re bigger than me, but in truth, you’re barely one year old, right?”

Madojin nodded.

“…You’re a genius.”

Min Heejae smiled sincerely.

“That’s not quite right.”

Madojin murmured, averting his gaze.

“No, you’re definitely a genius. When I was young, I thought I was the only genius. But as I grew older, I realized every child is born with a spark of genius. People are all born geniuses but gradually lose it as they age. That’s how I see it.”

So you’re definitely a genius.

And I think your purity is beautiful.

Min Heejae muttered softly.

“Thank you for trusting me, Dojin.”

Hearing those words, Madojin’s expression softened.

Why was that? Madojin thought carefully. Was it because his trust had been affirmed? Or because someone thanked him?

‘…Or maybe it was the first time I realized something.’

The joy of being called by name.

He didn’t know. Madojin thought he really didn’t know.

There was still much to learn.

And yet, Madojin hadn’t noticed that he was already feeling joy from that very possibility.

---

<So? What are you doing out on the rooftop?>

‘The Star Hated by All’ asked as he rustled through a bag of snacks.

‘The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell’ turned from staring into the distance to glance at him. ‘The Star Hated by All’ quietly gazed at the wings on his brother’s back. Once, he too had such full wings. But now they felt like a barren winter tree, stripped of its leaves.

<I was observing Heaven’s movements. They seem quite busy. While monitoring our plans, they’re also keeping an eye on the birth of a new constellation.>

Hearing this, ‘The Star Hated by All’ lifted his chin.

<It must be quite exciting.>

He looked up at the night sky.

<I used to watch the whole world from that high place too. It was terribly boring. The lives of creatures weren’t that special. So I waited for problems to arise, and sometimes, out of boredom, I played a few tricks.>

<The ones in Greece were especially troublesome. Honestly, I’m seriously concerned about ‘Love Born with Bubbles’ getting involved in this situation. She’ll surely plant love into this affair somehow. Love is full of variables. It’s terribly chaotic.>

<Are you really afraid of something like that?>

‘The Star Hated by All’ chuckled.

<She won’t cause any problems.>

<How can you be sure?>

<Because there’s already enough love in this to satisfy her.>

<What do you mean?>

So stubborn, really.

Thinking this, ‘The Star Hated by All’ smiled.

<Why do you think ‘The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell’ is involved in all this?>

<That’s what I don’t understand. She shouldn’t be involved in something like this. Even though she once acted out of hatred for humans, her essence has always been pure.>

<You’ve lived long enough, brother. Perhaps it’s time you loved something too.>

<What are you suddenly talking about?>

‘The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell’ frowned.

<Or maybe you’ve loved too many things and lost sight of what love even is.>

<Enough. Get to the point before I pierce your stomach again.>

<I let you pierce me that time on purpose. Let’s be clear.>

‘The Star Hated by All’ cleared his throat.

<‘The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell’ loves her contractor.>

<Phffft!>

The archangel covered his mouth, laughing.

<What nonsense is that? Speak properly.>

<A constellation is nonsense itself, brother.>

‘The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell’ quietly stared at his brother. Indeed, constellations were beings beyond the realm of language. Being called a constellation was simply to say they flicker faintly like stars scattered across the night sky. From a human’s eye, it’s impossible to know how those stars were formed or what they consist of.

<…Is that true?>

Crossing his arms, the archangel asked.

<I have much to learn, it seems.>

<You’ve always been lacking, brother.>

‘The Star Hated by All’ smiled faintly.

<‘The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell’ probably doesn’t believe this plan will succeed. Even if it does, she likely doubts it will bring about the beautiful ending her contractor hopes for. She simply wishes to fall into ruin alongside her contractor—unlike her consort, she willingly walks into the underworld together.>

The archangel nodded slowly.

Now that he and his brother had decided to directly intervene, she wouldn’t be able to handle everything alone. In truth, even if only ‘The Star Hated by All’ acted, this entire situation could have been resolved already.

‘If all this is driven by love…’

How ironic.

Thinking so, the archangel let out a bitter smile.

<By the way, brother… how do you know all this?>

Barely managing to suppress his expression, he asked.

<…Because I too have someone I love.>

‘The Star Hated by All’ muttered, shaking his head as if he could hardly believe it himself.

‘Ah, I see.’

The archangel thought.

‘Brother… you truly intend…’

To save the Demon God.

Even if it means sinking into the abyss together.