Little Pink Starfish

There is a contagious nature to people.

I had thought about that before.

Not merely as carriers of disease — I wondered if humans instinctively transmit and receive all kinds of things.

When standing next to someone sad, you become sad too. When standing next to someone cheerful, you find yourself smiling as well. The contagion of emotions. Interests. Habits.

And music.

Who was the first person to sing? It probably doesn’t matter. They must have been like a beast howling unusually among the group. And after such peculiar cries gradually formed into a system, they found their way into everyone’s mouths — but what influenced that process?

In every mythology, there are Constellations who claim to be gods of music.

Was music their invention? If so, I still couldn’t understand. Why would they bestow music upon the created beings? Unlike the sky, the wind, the sea, or the earth, music doesn’t directly impact the world itself.

‘The reason I chose music…’

It wasn’t because I was particularly talented. No one pushed me into it. At some point, I just found myself here. As if wandering through a vast field, rustling through the grass until someone started humming a work song and I naturally joined in.

And the one who likely began that hum was Rowen.

“You’re here, Eunyul.”

Rowen’s studio. As I stepped in with Star, Rowen welcomed us with his usual bright smile.

“Have you been well, Star? You must be very busy these days.”

<I’m fine. I have confidence in my stamina, after all.>

Star extended a hand with a friendly smile. A handshake followed. He really was the Devil King. To pull off such casual pretense so easily.

“Just came to visit for a bit, Rowen. What were you up to?”

Or maybe I wasn’t much different. My emotions always showed on my face, so even putting on this act was probably useless.

“I’ve been a bit busy lately.”

Despite my expression, even someone as perceptive as Rowen didn’t seem to sense anything odd. Likely because everything had already been altered.

“I’ll probably make my comeback when Laurea goes on break. You guys are pretty scary juniors.”

“No way.”

I shrugged. Strictly speaking, we had already taken something like a break ourselves. It was just that no one in the world found it strange.

“How’s your slump?”

“Slump?”

Rowen tilted his head.

“What do you mean?”

“Ah…”

I stood there with my mouth half-open.

The last time I saw Rowen, he had been deep in a slump. The demos he played for me back then weren’t great, and he knew it — the stress weighed heavily on him. Much of that inner turmoil stemmed from the passing of his father.

‘Everything…’

Was it all gone?

Had Rowen’s internal conflict vanished as his memories were reconstructed alongside Aiden’s?

“I mean… I wondered if you might’ve been struggling a bit. Your father passed away recently, after all. I was worried it might’ve put you into a slump. But I’m glad if that’s not the case.”

“That person’s death has nothing to do with me.”

Rowen shrugged.

“It’s been ages since I last saw him. We weren’t close enough for me to even attend the funeral. No ties at all.”

And with that, he continued.

“Want to listen to the song I’m working on?”

Unlike before, when he’d played his demos anxiously, this time his face brimmed with confidence.

“Ah… sure.”

All I could do was nod weakly.

Rowen’s new songs were all excellent. As I listened with headphones on, my knee bounced unconsciously. The mini-album he was preparing, consisting of five tracks, showcased diverse genres, and each one felt polished, ready for release.<That Constellation seems very displeased.>

Star’s voice echoed in my mind.

‘…Displeased?’

<Yes.>

I glanced at Star, leaning against the studio wall, arms crossed. His gaze was fixed above Rowen’s head — likely where Lightning That Whirls Like the Wind was lingering.

<Lightning That Whirls Like the Wind knows what we did. Naturally, he’s displeased. After all, his contractor’s memories were partially censored.>

‘I see…’

It was somewhat unexpected. I thought the altered memories had stabilized Rowen, which should have benefited his Constellation who sought to win the faith of the created.

‘Or maybe…’

Was I just overcomplicating things?<Of course.>

Star’s calm voice filled my mind.

<There are plenty of Constellations who care little for their contractors’ well-being. But think about the ones you’ve seen directly.>

Except for Enoch, Star added.

And he was right. Love Born with Bubbles had sincerely soothed Haniro’s burns. The Traveler from Asteroid B-612 had taken responsibility for Jeong Noeul’s entire life. The Ten Kings Who Rule the Underworld had willingly granted Min Heejae’s request.

‘And Star…’<I am not a Constellation. I am the King of Hell.>

‘…Of course you are.’

I smiled faintly. Lightning That Whirls Like the Wind had every right to resent us. Because of our interference, Rowen had lost part of his memories. Even if his mind had stabilized, a truly responsible Constellation might still be angry.

‘Struggling, suffering — those were Rowen’s rightful experiences.’

I sighed lightly.

“What’s wrong, Eunyul?”

Noticing my sigh, Rowen asked with concern.

I trailed off.

“Why? You don’t like the song?”

“Not at all.”

I waved my hands in denial.

“You’re incredible, Rowen. Most idols who lose their groups don’t maintain popularity as solo artists. Usually, they release a couple songs, then pivot to something else. Hosting, acting, that sort of thing.”

“Hmm… true.”

Rowen nodded.

“So you think I’m amazing for still being here?”

“Yes. You seem like you’re always studying and improving.”

To be honest, I felt… powerless.

I kept trying to stand tall, to find my balance, but something deep inside always whispered fatigue. As Star said, every Constellation I had witnessed prioritized their contractors’ well-being, trying to fill what they lacked.

Even Aiden’s Constellation. Ever-Burning Mother had stayed by Aiden’s side until the very end.

But not all were like that. Star told me not to dwell on it, but Enoch had created Madojin solely for his own purposes, using him like a pawn without assuming responsibility. And what of the Savior Who Is One and All?

‘When I faced him…’

I felt neither affection nor responsibility.

‘Only a swamp-like emptiness…’

Was Aiden’s punishment just? Was it right for Jeong Hangeol to vanish? Should the world really remain ignorant of what happened in Seoul? How could they forget? Seeing Rowen, who remembered nothing, filled my mind with unanswerable questions.

‘Rowen…’

Is it truly right for him to forget everything?

As I was lost in thought—

“You’re misunderstanding something, Eunyul.”

Rowen rested his chin on his hand, smiling softly.

“The only reason I’m still doing music is pure luck.”

“…Luck?”

“Yes.”

Rowen nodded.

“It’s not because I worked especially hard or studied more than others. Everyone else did, too. The friends who quit idol life to act or host or leave the industry entirely — they all worked hard.”

“That may be true but…”

Surely some tried harder than others.

“No, that’s not it.”

Rowen firmly denied my assumption.

“I’m not here because I was uniquely outstanding. Even if someone like you believes that, I must reject it. I’ve lost too many friends.”

“Ah, well…”

I nodded. It was true. Among idols who debuted with Rowen, few remained active. It’s well-known that most groups disband or lose members around their seventh year. For someone like Rowen who had lasted beyond that, the number of missing friends weighed heavy.

“I grew up with those friends.”

Rowen shrugged.

“Some fell by their own mistakes. But many left sadly, unable to continue or forced to choose another path. That’s why I can’t accept your compliment.”

“You’re right…”

I sighed.

Rowen was right.

If I ended up standing alone one day, I would likely say the same — that I was not here because of effort. If anyone claimed otherwise, I would desperately deny it.

“And, you know.”

Suddenly, Rowen leaned closer and whispered softly.

“I think… I still remember.”

My eyes widened.

“Not everything. Just fragments… faintly.”

Seeing my flustered face, Rowen gently smiled.

“That’s why I must say this even more.”

That the only reason I’m still here is because I was lucky.

Rowen murmured.