Soorin's phone buzzed at 2 AM.
She grabbed it groggily.
Her dad's name lit up the screen.
[All photos scrubbed from circulation. Found the IP address—apartment in Itaewon. Suspect fled before we arrived, but seized all equipment and files. Whoever it was, they're gone now. You're safe.]
Her chest loosened.
Just slightly.
Another text followed.
[Play along with the label's directives. Stay under the radar. This is your ticket out of the spotlight—the one you always wanted. Trust me.]
She stared at the messages.
Relief and disappointment tangled in her gut.
'So that's it. I'm safe. But I'm also... erased.'
She opened Instagram.
Had deleted it weeks ago.
But curiosity gnawed at her.
She reinstalled it.
Typed in Yura's handle.
Her stomach dropped.
Follower count: 2.8 million.
Up from 400k before the "reveal."
The recent posts were sickening.
Yura and Haejin at a café. Her feeding him cake.
Yura and Haejin at a fashion event. Hands intertwined.
Yura and Haejin at an award show. Her whispering in his ear.
Comments flooded every post.
[They're perfect together!]
[HaelRa couple goals forever!]
[Forget the mystery woman, THIS is real love]
Soorin's thumb hovered over the screen.
She wanted to throw her phone.
But she just closed the app.
Set it facedown on the nightstand.
'She stole my identity. And everyone believes her.'
Sleep didn't come.
★☆★☆★☆
The next morning, Manager Park cornered her.
"You're assigned to Yura's styling team. All PR events. Starting today."
Soorin blinked.
"What?"
"You heard me. Fashion shows. Award ceremonies. Date shoots. You'll make her camera-ready."
Her jaw clenched.
"Can't someone else—"
"No. This is your assignment."
He walked away before she could argue.
Daehyun appeared beside her.
"Did he just—"
"Yeah."
"That's cruel."
"That's this job."
She grabbed her kit with more force than necessary.
★☆★☆★☆
The first event was a brand launch.
Luxury skincare. High-profile guests.
Soorin arrived early to set up.
Yura showed up thirty minutes late.
Wearing designer everything.
Her smile was excessively sweet.
"Oh, Soorin! So glad you're here. I specifically requested you."
'Bullshit.'
Soorin forced a smile.
"Let's get started."
Yura settled into the chair.
Examined her reflection critically.
"Make me look flawless. Haejin will be here soon and I want him speechless."
Soorin said nothing.
Just started blending primer.
Yura's eyes flicked to Soorin's hair.
"You know, if you dyed your hair my exact shade of blonde, maybe you'd finally fit in."
Soorin's hand paused.
Yura continued sweetly.
"Natural doesn't always mean better in Korea. Sometimes you need professional intervention."
The other stylists pretended not to hear.
Complicit in their silence.
Except Daehyun.
He was styling Jisoo's hair across the room.
His jaw tightened.
But he stayed quiet.
Soorin's grip on the brush turned white-knuckled.
'Breathe. Just breathe.'
She finished the base.
Moved to eyeshadow.
Yura tilted her head.
"You're actually pretty good at this. For a staff member."
"Thanks."
"I mean, it's not like you could ever be talent yourself. But you have a skill."
Soorin's brush pressed harder than necessary.
Yura winced.
"Careful!"
"Sorry."
But her tone said otherwise.
★☆★☆★☆
The event was torture.
Haejin arrived in a tailored suit.
Yura immediately latched onto his arm.
Cameras flashed.
She posed. Smiled. Played the perfect girlfriend.
Haejin's expression was polite.
But his eyes were dead.
Soorin stood backstage.
Watching through the monitors.
Every touch made her stomach twist.
Yura's hand on his chest.
Her lips near his ear.
The way she looked at him like he belonged to her.
Daehyun appeared with coffee.
"You look like you're plotting murder."
"Maybe I am."
"Need an alibi?"
She almost smiled.
"You're a good friend, Dae."
"I know."
They watched in silence.
Then Yura said something.
Haejin's jaw tightened.
He pulled away slightly.
But she followed.
Pressing closer.
"God, she's relentless," Daehyun muttered.
"She thinks it's real."
"That's the scary part."
★☆★☆★☆
After the event, Soorin escaped.
Found the building's rooftop access.
Shoved the door open.
Cold air hit her face.
She sucked in breath after breath.
The city sprawled below.
Lights everywhere.
But she felt hollow.
Footsteps behind her.
She didn't turn.
"You shouldn't be up here alone."
Minjae's voice.
Soft. Concerned.
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
He stepped beside her.
Shrugged off his jacket.
Draped it over her shoulders.
She hadn't realized she was shaking.
"Thanks."
They stood in silence.
Minjae didn't ask what was wrong.
Didn't push.
Just... existed beside her.
Warm. Steady.
Finally, she spoke.
"Do you ever feel like you're drowning? But everyone around you is breathing fine?"
"Yeah."
His answer was immediate.
"All the time."
She glanced at him.
His profile was soft in the dim light.
"How do you deal with it?"
"I find someone who understands. Even if they can't fix it."
His hand found hers.
Fingers intertwining.
Warm against the cold.
Soorin's breath caught.
She should pull away.
This was dangerous.
Complicated.
But she didn't.
His thumb traced circles on her palm.
Gentle. Soothing.
"You're not alone, Soorin."
Her throat tightened.
"Feels like it."
"I know. But you're not."
They stayed like that.
Minutes stretching.
His presence was comfortable.
Safe.
Different from Haejin's intensity.
This was... gentle.
Soorin leaned slightly closer.
Not thinking.
Just feeling.
Minjae's shoulder was solid against hers.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Anytime."
His hand squeezed hers.
The moment stretched.
Neither moved.
The city noise faded.
Just them.
Breathing.
Existing.
Together.
★☆★☆★☆
Neither noticed the stairwell door.
Cracked open.
Just slightly.
Or the shadow behind it.
Or the phone camera.
Pointed directly at them.
Capturing their intertwined hands.
Bathed in moonlight.
The shutter sound was silent.
But deadly.
Yura's smile was invisible in the darkness.
But it was there.
Sharp.
Victorious.
She took three more photos.
Different angles.
Then slipped away.
Soundless.
Her heels didn't click.
Her breathing didn't echo.
She was a ghost.
With ammunition.
★☆★☆★☆
Back on the rooftop, Soorin finally pulled away.
"We should go back."
Minjae nodded.
But his eyes lingered on her face.
"You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah. Just needed air."
"Soorin—"
"Really. I'm fine."
She handed back his jacket.
He took it.
But his expression said he didn't believe her.
They walked back inside.
Down the stairs.
The building was quieter now.
Most staff had left.
At the bottom, they paused.
"Thanks again," Soorin said.
"Stop thanking me."
"Can't help it."
He smiled.
Soft. Genuine.
"Goodnight, Soorin."
"Goodnight, Jay."
He walked toward the members' area.
She headed to her station.
But her chest felt lighter.
Just slightly.