* * *
Perhaps reassured by this, YYijeong, who had momentarily paused, finally stepped closer.
Still mindful of manners, he removed his cap and quickly tidied his hair.
His face, with its strong brow bones and a sharp nose bridge, was so striking that even Seunghyun, who rarely batted an eye, couldn’t help blinking in astonishment.
YYijeong carefully held Seunghyun’s hand, his long, veined fingers exuding strength.
“I’m relieved. I was worried about you.”
YYijeong’s eyes were filled with concern and relief.
In fact, everyone’s gazes seemed to reflect the same sentiment, as if Seunghyun were a fragile paper doll in need of constant protection.
Well, it made sense. Omegas who survived delayed awakening were exceedingly rare.
Still, understanding and accepting were two different things.
Having lived his whole life with a strong body, Seunghyun struggled to adapt to this treatment.
Embarrassment flushed his ears red, and awkward, clumsy words escaped his mouth.
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
“But hyung—!”
Whatever Eunwoo was about to say, Yujoo quickly slapped a hand over his mouth.
“Haha, he’s been up all night and must be losing it. Don’t mind him,” Yujoo said, nudging Eunwoo sharply in the ribs.
Though Eunwoo doubled over in pain, Yujoo didn’t spare him a glance, keeping her gaze locked on Seunghyun with a bright smile.
Seunghyun eyed Eunwoo, wondering if he was okay, but Eunwoo clamped his mouth shut, seemingly realizing something.
That looked like it hurt. Is he fine?
Despite the awkwardness, Seunghyun felt compelled to ask.
“…Are you okay?”
“Ah, hyung! I’m fine! I’m practically indestructible!”
Eunwoo’s voice took on a playful tone, as if to brush off the situation.
After a brief hesitation, Seunghyun added, “I vaguely remember being an idol.”
He didn’t, really—not even the songs Halo, their group, had released.
But leaving the people genuinely worried about him without any acknowledgment felt wrong.
Just that one comment visibly brightened the group’s faces.
Yujoo even threw her arms around Seunghyun in a tight hug.
He couldn’t remember the last time he felt such warmth, yet it made him even more uncomfortable.
Perhaps because he knew it wasn’t truly directed at him.
“Um…”
Seunghyun awkwardly opened his mouth. His usual blunt tone wasn’t suited for comforting others.
“I’m fine, so…”
He meant to reassure them, but for some reason, Yujoo, who had remained composed until now, burst into tears.
Watching a grown man cry aloud, even with such a pretty face, was thoroughly unsettling.
Feeling his shoulder grow damp, Seunghyun stiffly raised his hand to pat Yujoo’s back.
“I said I’m fine.”
It was one awkward situation after another.
Come to think of it, he hadn’t yet taken a good look at himself.
He’d seen photos online and glimpses in windows, but that wasn’t the same as looking in a mirror.
Surveying his surroundings, Seunghyun straightened from his reclined position.
As time passed, strength was steadily returning to his body.
“Do you need anything?” Chiyoon asked almost immediately.
“I need to use the bathroom.”
Seunghyun swung his legs out from under the blanket, but the moment his feet touched the ground, everyone reached out in alarm.
Eunwoo, the closest, quickly steadied him.
“What?”
“Be careful…”
While YYijeong bent down to slip slippers onto Seunghyun’s feet, Eunwoo wrapped an arm around his shoulders and held his hand tightly, supporting him firmly.
It seemed such assistance was a matter of routine.
Seunghyun glanced at his borrowed body.
Three months of lying in bed had taken their toll, but his physique still had remnants of careful upkeep.
“I’m fine. Let go,” Seunghyun said firmly, shaking his hand free.
But Eunwoo only tightened his grip, his strength making escape impossible.
His raw power stood out even among alphas.
“No. If you fall again…”
Eunwoo trailed off, lowering his head to press his face against Seunghyun’s nape.
His affectionate gesture was laced with concern.
Seunghyun sighed.
This was exhausting.
Being in someone else’s body was trouble enough, but this body seemed to come with a mountain of complications.
After a moment of resignation, Seunghyun leaned into Eunwoo’s larger frame.
It was undeniably more comfortable.
Eunwoo beamed, practically lifting Seunghyun as he helped him to the bathroom.
“Hyung, call if you need anything!”
Eunwoo insisted before stepping back, his tone full of sincerity.
It seemed like people were worried because he claimed to have no memory and tried to move recklessly.
Feeling increasingly annoyed, Seunghyun gave a perfunctory nod and closed the door.
Standing upright, Seunghyun walked straight to the mirror.
As his face reflected in the spotless glass, he instinctively reached out toward it.
This was the first time he’d looked at it up close.
No, this was the first time he’d truly seen the face of “Joo Seunghyun.”
The cool touch of the glass met his fingertips, and the fleeting sense of reality slipped away again.
“…”
The face he finally got a proper look at—
“What kind of person’s face is this…?”
This time, it really was a face that could capture the world’s attention no matter what it did, staring back at him from the mirror.
[REAL-TIME HOT!] Stop trying to cover it up, lol. Joo Seunghyun really is terminally ill; (+999)
Honestly, everyone already knows why they paused activities…
The sasaengs are going wild, and there’s no need to even go that far.
[A man wearing a hat and mask disappears in a wheelchair—photo from last week’s article.]
It’s already obvious that’s Joo Seunghyun. There’s overwhelming evidence. And the person pushing him?
[A close-up of a wrist taken in front of the dorm on the same day. Wearing the same bracelet as the person in the article photo.]
It’s Cheon Yijeong, lol.
No idea if Ditop didn’t block the article or couldn’t, but it’s still up.
Fans are in chaos, trying to hush it up, but seriously, at this point…
Come on, who doesn’t know by now that all the members except Joo Seunghyun are commuting to the hospital every day?
Even Ditop’s staff are constantly going in and out of that hospital. It’s so obvious he’s hospitalized there that even non-fans know.
They’re practically screaming, “Joo Seunghyun is terminally ill,” at this point, lol.
How many photos from the underground parking lot are there by now?
They’re trying to hide it, but after three months of this daily routine, it doesn’t even look like they’re trying anymore.
Either they’ve given up, or they’re so mentally wrecked they can’t care anymore.
And it’s not just Joo Seunghyun who’s suffering. Look at the others—they’re all pale and haggard, can’t even touch up their roots.
[Photos]
[Photos]
[Photos]
Hundreds of photos like this are uploaded daily.
Why is Ditop staying silent?
They’re usually obsessed with PR stunts, so why aren’t they saying anything now?
It’s not like people are mad because the members are unwell.
They’re angry because there’s zero transparency.
At the very least, they should give us some kind of explanation: whose health issue is it, how long the break will last, or if activities are on hold indefinitely.
The last we heard was the cancellation of the world tour.
After that, all scheduled events were canceled one by one…
Ditop acts like a big company, but they’re no better than a mid-tier agency. It’s so frustrating.
Get it together, Ditop, please.
* * *
