Little Pink Starfish

Inside the hotel banquet hall.

As Madojin, the members, and I stood on the photo line, camera flashes exploded.

“Mr. Ryu Eunyul, could we get a comment, please?”

The reporters’ questions quickly followed.

“As one of the winners of CYB’s domestic competition this season, Vanessa Bernstein must hold special significance for you. You might even face her in the world finals soon. How do you feel?”

“Ah, well…”

I forced a smile as I opened my mouth.

“Vanessa Bernstein is, as you said, a very special artist. Rather than thinking ahead to the world finals, I simply feel honored to have been invited to her performance.”

“You’re being very modest. As a fellow artist, do you feel any sense of rivalry?”

Did they really think I’d give them the answer they wanted?

I struggled to keep smiling even as my brows twitched.

“While CYB may take the form of a competition, at the core, we are all fellow artists. I want to focus on the meaning of standing on stage and singing together.”

“Really?”

Come on now!

Please let me go already.

“Yes, really.”

Suddenly, standing beside me, Madojin spoke up.

“Mr. Eunyul means what he says. Laurea holds no sense of rivalry toward Vanessa Bernstein. She is a fellow artist and the daughter of Mateo Bernstein, humanity’s savior. The feelings we should have first and foremost for such a global artist and the child of a hero are solidarity and respect.”

Smooth, eloquent words poured from Madojin’s mouth. I stared at him blankly. The reporters seemed momentarily overwhelmed by his calm and polished answers. Knowing Madojin’s true personality, I could tell he was reciting a pre-rehearsed response like reading from a textbook. What Madojin truly felt toward Vanessa was neither solidarity nor respect — it was pure curiosity.

“Then, if you’ll excuse us.”

With a gentle smile, Madojin nodded toward the reporters.

“Let’s go, Eunyul.”

He whispered quietly to me.

The banquet hall, unsurprisingly, was extravagant. As one of the top hotels in Yeouido, even with reporters lurking discreetly around, the place carried a certain aristocratic air.

‘And just look at me…’

I awkwardly adjusted my tie.

“Vanessa hasn’t shown up yet.”

Madojin leaned in and whispered. I nodded and glanced around. The winners of CYB’s domestic music division from previous seasons were scattered around, chatting and answering reporters’ questions.

‘It’s not easy to gather everyone like this…’

Everyone must be busy with their own schedules.

That alone showed how powerful the name “Vanessa Bernstein” was.

Madojin and I casually roamed the banquet hall, waiting for Vanessa Bernstein to appear. We repeated dull greetings, answered the reporters with a mixture of sincerity and white lies, and by the time quite some time had passed into the event without Vanessa appearing, we started to grow suspicious.

“Ah, excuse me!”

An employee, apparently from CYB Korea, stepped onto the stage holding a microphone.

“Sorry, everyone. Ms. Vanessa Bernstein has informed us that she won’t be able to attend today’s banquet due to health reasons.”

Of course. As if things would go smoothly.

I sighed.

“Doesn’t this seem a bit suspicious?”

I nudged Madojin and whispered.

“Does it?”

Madojin tilted his head.

“She just said she’s sick, didn’t she?”

“No, that’s not what I mean…”

What am I supposed to do with this man — no, this angel?

“By now, The Star and Mika are either searching for or already facing the Demon God. And yet, Vanessa’s absence feels odd in this context.”

“Couldn’t she simply be sick?”

“Isn’t the timing a bit too convenient?”

“Yes.”

If some random guy offered him candy, I’m pretty sure he’d happily follow him. I shook my head. There was no point debating this. There was no reason to waste time here without Vanessa. Regardless of whether she was truly ill, The Star and Mika’s plan was likely proceeding as intended.

‘We should slip out and head to Vanessa Bernstein’s room…’

I was just turning around to act on that thought when—

“Are you looking for me?”

A small voice called out.

Standing before me was a woman with her hoodie pulled low over a cap, her body puffed up in heavy clothing. To a stranger, she’d probably look like an overworked entertainment journalist. But I easily guessed her identity.

“Vanessa…”

…Bernstein.

Just as I called her name—

“That’s right. You’re so smart.”

Vanessa Bernstein lifted the brim of her cap slightly, revealing one blue eye as she smiled.

---

Outside the banquet hall.

Madojin and I followed Vanessa Bernstein as she led us. Pretending to head to the restroom, she crossed the lobby, then suddenly changed direction and boarded the elevator. As if it were the most natural thing, she pressed the button for the top floor. The elevator began to ascend with a faint sense of rising.

A brief silence.

“Korean… not very good. Studied a little. First time visiting here.”

She looked back at us and spoke. Despite her slightly awkward pronunciation, her voice somehow carried a mysterious charm.

“You… wanted to meet me?”

“That’s correct.”

Madojin answered readily.

“We wished to speak with you. We heard you weren’t feeling well. You must’ve overexerted yourself preparing for the upcoming performance. Thank you for meeting with us despite your condition.”

That’s not it — I told you she’s faking it.

Vanessa glanced at me, sensing my frustration, and extended her finger toward me.

“What?”

She seemed to be asking for interpretation. She must not have fully caught Madojin’s rapid Korean.

“Well…”

I looked at Madojin.

“He thinks you’re sick.”

“Oh, I see!”

Vanessa clapped her hands, paused with her finger on her lips, then burst into laughter.

“Ahahahaha!”

“Why is she laughing?”

Madojin turned to me, baffled.

“Because she lied about being sick to skip the banquet.”

“Why lie? Wouldn’t it be simpler to just say you didn’t want to attend?”

“It’s not that simple.”

“I see. It’s not easy.”

Madojin nodded, as if learning something new.

“I… wanted to meet you.”

Vanessa finally raised her head, still holding her stomach from laughter.

“That’s fortunate. We wanted to meet you as well.”

“D-Do Jin!”

I urgently called out. Madojin looked at me with wide eyes, not understanding the problem. All I could do was gesture for him to hush with a finger to my lips.

The fact that Vanessa wanted to meet us carried a heavy implication. It meant she already knew of our presence. Declaring herself a random K-pop fan now would only make things more awkward. There was only one conclusion I could draw.

‘Vanessa Bernstein…’

She likely already knew our true intentions.

Furthermore, if she knew our intentions, that likely meant she also knew which constellations were backing us.

“How much do you know?”

I asked Vanessa softly.

“…Hmm?”

She smiled and tilted her head.

“No need… to be so cautious.”

Her Korean, though clumsy, had an almost childlike tone, making it feel even more unnerving. She was announcing her awareness of our purpose with such innocent phrasing.

“Right now, um…”

Vanessa fumbled, clearly thinking over how to express herself in Korean.

“You know.”

Pointing at me, she continued.

“Where we… are going.”

“Well, to the top floor of the hotel, obviously.”

“No. Not that.”

She shook her head.

“We are going… to the Demon God.”

“…Huh?”

“We will see. Hear. Speak.”

“Ah…”

I bit my lip.

It didn’t take me long to grasp her intent. Vanessa knew not only our objective but also that The Star and Mika were approaching the Demon God. Moreover, she was inviting us to join them in that encounter.

“Are we hostages?”

I asked. Vanessa shook her head.

“I… will not harm you.”

“Then what—”

Ding.

The elevator arrived at the top floor. As the door smoothly slid open, the corridor beyond was revealed. The wind blowing from the hallway felt strangely sharp.

“On the rooftop… they’re waiting.”

Vanessa said as she turned around and strode forward.

“Let’s go.”

Her light, confident steps led the way.

“Eunyul, do you understand what she’s saying?”

Madojin tilted his head toward me.

“You don’t?”

“…No.”

Unbelievable.

Grabbing Madojin’s arm, I dragged him out of the elevator. Helplessly following me, Madojin trailed after Vanessa. As I watched Vanessa casually walk ahead, I pressed my hand against my forehead.

‘What is even happening right now?’

I couldn’t predict anything.

Had the Demon God figured out The Star and Mika’s plan and prepared Vanessa in advance? Just as I nervously swallowed—

“Don’t be afraid.”

Vanessa turned back and whispered.

“The die is cast.”