The weight of it pressed against her lungs.
Heavier than the thick rehearsal air.
Soorin couldn't breathe properly. Couldn't shake the image of that camera flash searing into her eyes.
Whoever that shadow was—they now held her fate in their hands.
And worse?
Haejin didn't look even half as rattled.
He stood tall. Back straight. Towel around his neck like the scene hadn't just cracked her life wide open.
His expression was the same polished blankness he wore on stage.
"We'll handle it tomorrow."
"We?!"
Soorin's voice pitched up. Sharp with disbelief.
"You might have a team to cover for you, but me? I don't have anyone. My face is out there. That photo—it was clear enough, Haejin. People will put two and two together."
"They won't," he said flatly.
Already turning away.
His dismissiveness lit a fire in her chest.
"Unbelievable. You keep saying things like that, as if your reputation is the only one at stake. Do you ever think about anyone else?"
His gaze slid back to her. Cold. Cutting.
"Not when they force themselves into my life. Not when they make me vulnerable."
Her throat closed.
He meant her. Again.
She bit her tongue until it almost bled. Swallowed every retort that burned to escape.
'Fine. If you want ice, you'll get ice.'
★☆★☆★☆
Morning came too soon.
Soorin dragged herself to the studio. Makeup kit strapped to her shoulder like armor.
Her body ached from lack of sleep. But adrenaline kept her moving.
Haejin walked ahead. His presence commanding even in silence.
The other members trailed behind. Chatter bouncing between them.
Doyun slung an arm around Minjae.
"Bet Hael bitched all night about practice, huh? Probably yelled at the mirrors when they didn't keep up."
Minjae chuckled softly.
"He doesn't yell. He… insists."
"That's just polite yelling," Doyun fired back. Grinning.
Taekyung smirked without looking up from his phone.
"More like dictatorship disguised as dedication."
Jisoo—bright as ever—spotted Soorin and bounded forward.
"Noona! You look tired. Did Hael make you practice too?"
Soorin blinked.
"What? No."
The innocence in his tone almost broke her.
"You should rest. Gleams love glowing skin," he added with a sunny smile.
She forced a weak smile.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Behind them, Haejin said nothing.
Not a word.
★☆★☆★☆
They found PA Jiwon in the studio office. Tapping rapidly on her tablet.
She looked up. Irritation already painted across her face.
"So, what's this about?" she asked curtly.
Soorin exchanged a glance with Haejin.
He gave the faintest nod. His signal for her to speak first.
"You sent me that message last night," Soorin said firmly. Pulling her phone out to show her.
"You said Hael requested an emergency touch-up. Fifteen minutes. That's why I came."
Jiwon barely glanced at the screen.
"My phone was stolen during the concert. I didn't send that."
Soorin froze.
"Stolen? Then—"
Jiwon's tone sharpened like a whip.
"Then you're incompetent. If you can't recognize a setup, you don't belong here. Any professional would have known to confirm before rushing out like some rookie." Her eyes narrowed. "Anyone could have manipulated you, and they did. Which means you're a liability."
The words hit like a slap.
Soorin's jaw clenched. Heat surged in her chest.
"Excuse me? You're the one who lost your phone. That's negligence. Don't you dare turn this on me just because you screwed up..."
Jiwon's eyes narrowed.
"... ma'am." She concluded, flinching under her glare. Recalling her place in the company.
"Negligence? I manage an entire idol group and their schedules. Losing a phone during chaos isn't negligence. It's human." She leaned forward. "Falling for a fake message without checking? That's negligence."
Soorin's voice rose.
"I didn't have time to play detective when it was marked urgent. That's what I'm here for—emergencies. Maybe, please do your job so mine doesn't get sabotaged."
The office air crackled with tension. Sharp enough to slice skin.
Haejin finally cut in. Voice like ice.
"Enough."
Both women turned to him.
"You'd better fix this before Manager Park finds out," he said coldly.
His gaze lingered on Jiwon. Then flicked briefly to Soorin.
"Both of you."
Soorin's chest heaved.
She wanted to argue more. To rip Jiwon's smug look off her face.
But Haejin's tone left no room.
It was the kind of final that ended wars before they could start.
But the war wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
As if summoned, the door slammed open.
Manager Park stormed in. Phone gripped in his fist. Face tight with fury.
His suit jacket flared behind him. His eyes locked directly on Haejin.
Then Soorin.
Every hair on Soorin's arms stood up.
He crossed the room in three sharp strides. Slammed his phone down on the table with a crack.
The screen lit up. Bright. Damning.
An article headline glared in bold:
[LUMEN's Leader HAEL Spotted With Mystery Woman.]
Soorin's blood ran cold.
Her eyes dropped to the photo.
Blurred. Grainy. But unmistakable.
Two figures. In a dim rehearsal room. A girl slumped against Haejin's shoulder. His head tipped slightly toward hers.
The glow of their phones lit their faces faintly.
Anyone who knew her could piece it together.
The hair. The shape. The outline of her face mask hanging loose.
Her.
It was her.
Her blood drained to ice.
Her hands shook where they clutched her kit.
Manager Park's eyes were on her. Sharp enough to cut.
"Explain this. Now!"
Doyun gave a low whistle. Leaning against the wall with a grin.
"Well, well, well. Our fearless leader caught red-handed. And here I thought Hael hyung only slept with his microphone."
"Ryu," Minjae said sharply. Shooting him a warning glance.
Then he turned to Soorin. Tone softer.
"Don't worry. We know how these things get twisted. It'll be okay."
Taekyung finally looked up from his phone. Smirk tugging at his lips.
"Guess you're famous now, stylist-noona. Congratulations. Not everyone makes the headlines overnight."
Jisoo blinked wide-eyed. Tilting his head.
"Noona… did you really sleep next to Hael? That's kinda…"
He trailed off. Cheeks reddening.
"Cool?"
Soorin's face burned.
"No! I mean—yes, but not like that! It wasn't what it looked like—"
Doyun snorted.
"It never is."
Haejin hadn't moved. Hadn't spoken.
His gaze stayed locked on Manager Park.
Manager Park's voice thundered again. Breaking her daze.
"I want an explanation, and I want it now. Who leaked this? And how the hell did this happen under my nose?"
Soorin's fingers trembled.
She had no words.
Only one thought screamed in her head:
'If I don't explain fast enough, I'll be the scapegoat.'
And Manager Park's eyes bored into her.
Demanding blood.