Little Pink Starfish

‘They’ve arrived.’

I moved my mouse cursor and thought.

On the laptop screen was the image of Vanessa Bernstein. The media was abuzz about her arrival in Korea. Of course they were. She was the only daughter of Matteo Bernstein, the winner of the CYB solo artist division in the U.S., and had entered Korea just a few days ago.

On top of that, she was scheduled to perform on a stage backed by CYB, so naturally it was causing a stir.

I rested my chin on my hand and let out a hollow chuckle. Listed on one side of the online article filled with thick text were the names of the artists who would appear alongside Vanessa Bernstein on stage. Naturally, Laurea’s group name was among them. We were merely invited guests meant to brighten up her stage.

‘Well… honestly, I don’t really care about that.’

Had I not known the true purpose behind this concert, I would have been quite excited to stand close to Vanessa Bernstein’s stage and perform with her in the same event. In fact, a faint sense of exhilaration still lingered in my mind.

‘But…’

I pursed my lips and focused on the photo displayed on the screen.

I examined the staff accompanying Vanessa Bernstein as she arrived. Dressed simply, Vanessa smiled like a young girl, while numerous men and women followed behind her.

‘One of them must be…’

The Demon God.

According to Geahrzimen, the Demon God had been completely stripped of her demonic powers by the Savior Who Is One and All, and now lived as nothing more than a human, serving as Vanessa Bernstein’s manager. No wings, no horns—just a human body circling around Vanessa.

That made it difficult to distinguish. I couldn’t tell who in the picture was the Demon God.

‘They all look like ordinary people.’

I sighed. I thought I might at least catch a glimpse of her face, but it was impossible to tell.

“What are you staring at the monitor so seriously for?”

Just then, Han Iro’s voice reached me.

“Ah…”

I quickly closed the laptop.

“I was just reading some online articles.”

“You know that’s not why I’m asking.”

Han Iro shrugged.

“Are you nervous? Because you’re performing with Vanessa Bernstein?”

“Yeah, that’s part of it. We’ll be performing together this time, but… she’ll be a competitor in the world tournament next year…”

As I trailed off, Han Iro let out a sigh.

“Yunyul, I’ve told you many times—you’re terrible at lying.”

He mumbled.

“You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”

“Well…”

Of course, there was no way I could answer that honestly. I just shifted my gaze and stammered. After watching me for a moment, Han Iro seemed to give up, grumbling with a frustrated look.

“Get ready. We need to head to practice.”

“…Got it.”

I muttered weakly to his retreating back. The door closed with a creak, and I sat absentmindedly on the bed.

‘How can he tell?’

I touched my face, trying to figure it out—rubbing my eyes, poking my nose, pinching my lips—wondering what expression I was making. But I couldn’t discern anything. It only made me more anxious.

‘I can’t tell the members about this.’

That the real reason Vanessa Bernstein was invited to Korea was to lure the Demon God beside her.

And that behind this entire plan were Star and Mika.

‘Their goal is…’

Not to kill the Demon God.

Her existence held enormous historical weight for humanity. Some names alone could trigger collective trauma. Before the Gates opened, Hitler might have been that name. The Nazis, as a collective term, remained a symbol of absolute evil in human history for a long time.

That name had been replaced entirely because of the Demon God. The existence of demons that invaded through the Gates threatened humanity far beyond the scale of a world war. And the label attached to the name Demon God hardly needed further explanation.

‘This isn’t a plan humans can interfere with…’

I grabbed my jacket draped over the chair and thought.

‘This is a plan of the gods.’

Therefore, I could never truly understand it. Nor should I try.

‘What is my role?’

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and found my answer.

‘…A clown, perhaps.’

A cheerful clown dancing and singing on a stage orchestrated by the Star Hated by All and the Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell—a stage where all the true planning happens behind the scenes.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

I smiled bitterly.

If it’s something I can’t understand, then there’s no need to try.

After meeting Rowen, my mind had cleared a bit. Both Rowen and I knew our stage wasn’t beautiful. But we kept stepping onto it because we knew all of this wasn’t simply suffering.

‘Let’s go.’

I took a step forward.

There was something I needed to confirm.

‘Vanessa Bernstein…’

Why did she keep the Demon God by her side?

Her name surely carried the weight of faith for many. She was the only blood descendant of the man who saved humanity. Yet Vanessa Bernstein remained human. Even with the Demon God at her side, she was still undeniably human.

‘As one human to another…’

I was curious.

Why she kept close the one her father had killed.

I had to find out.

---

YN Entertainment headquarters.

The Archangel Who Cast Down the King of Hell gazed out the window, holding a mug of coffee. After the Star Hated by All had left, it was rare quiet time alone.

‘Everything in the human world is so stimulating.’

Sipping the bitter brew made from cheap beans, the Archangel thought. The liquid’s sharp aroma slid down his throat. He didn’t know how to distinguish between expensive and cheap beans, or roasting techniques. Such knowledge was meaningless to him.

‘Still…’

The Archangel smiled faintly.

Unlike the timeless, spaceless Heaven, the chaotic human world allowed him to savor the meaning of rest. Its disorder amplified the value of wasted time spent alone.

Knock, knock.

A knock came at the door.

“Come in.”

The Archangel called toward the sound.

The door opened and Madojin appeared. Ah, it was already that time. The Archangel checked his wristwatch. He was supposed to brief Laurea’s members about Vanessa Bernstein’s concert. He thought he’d have more time.

“I just arrived.”

Madojin spoke calmly.

“The members are waiting in the conference room.”

“Very good.”

The Archangel smiled.

Madojin stood silently by the door, waiting for him to finish organizing the documents.

“Master.”

Suddenly, Madojin spoke in a detached tone.

“Yes, Mr. Madojin? What is it?”

The Archangel asked lightly, continuing to gather his files.

“Master, are you the type whose face gives away lies?”

“Not at all.”

The Archangel shrugged.

“Our true bodies are more like stars—massive light. Facial expressions are mere projections we craft depending on the situation. It’s not like we have real eyes, noses, or mouths. So emotions not showing on our faces makes sense.”

“You should understand this too, shouldn’t you?”

The Archangel asked.

Unlike normal beings, Madojin, with the knowledge implanted by Enoch, displayed emotions differently. His smiles and frowns always seemed slightly delayed.

“…I see.”

Madojin nodded.

“You’re right. Your expressions wouldn’t give anything away.”

But even so… hmm.

Madojin crossed his arms, deep in thought.

“Is something troubling you? Or are you curious about something?”

The Archangel asked after gathering his documents.

“I do have a question.”

Madojin opened his eyes wide.

“According to what you said, unlike Yunyul, you don’t show anything on your face when you lie. The same goes for me.”

“Exactly. So what feels odd?”

“That’s just it…”

Madojin tilted his head thoughtfully.

“It still feels strange.”

At last, he spoke.

“Even though your face reveals nothing, I can sense very clearly that you’re lying to me.”

“…What?”

The Archangel’s eyes narrowed in surprise.

“You are hiding something from me, Master.”

Madojin stated clearly.

“And you are maintaining your lies to conceal it.”

He nodded as if affirming his own deduction.

“I don’t know why I can tell. That’s what feels strange.”

Madojin muttered.