The next morning, Soorin woke to her phone exploding with notifications.
News alerts. Messages from Daehyun. Missed calls from her mom.
She grabbed her phone groggily.
Rubbed her eyes.
The screen was full of headlines.
[BREAKING: AUREYA Stalker Found Dead in Hospital]
[Heart Failure Claims Life of Attack Suspect]
[Medical Examiners Rule Out Foul Play]
Her stomach dropped.
She sat up. Scrolled through article after article.
All saying the same thing.
Sudden heart failure. History of drug abuse. The poison he'd ingested weakened his system. Natural causes.
No foul play suspected.
'Bullshit.'
Soorin's hands shook.
She remembered the figure in the shadows. The man's terrified expression before he swallowed that pill. His last words.
"Just a pawn."
This wasn't natural.
Someone killed him.
Someone cleaned up their mess.
Her phone rang.
Her mom.
She answered.
"Soorin-ah, are you watching the news?"
"Yeah. I just saw."
"Come downstairs. Your father and I need to talk to you."
The line went dead.
Soorin dragged herself out of bed. Threw on a hoodie. Padded downstairs.
Her parents were already at the kitchen table. The TV on in the background. News anchors discussing the case with concerned expressions.
Her mom had dark circles under her eyes. Like she hadn't slept.
Her dad looked grim. Coffee untouched in front of him.
"Sit," he said.
She sat.
The TV continued droning.
[Netizens are expressing concern over the dangers of sasaeng culture...]
[Fan communities are calling for increased security measures at entertainment companies...]
[AUREYA Entertainment has not yet released an official statement...]
Her mom pushed a plate of toast toward her.
"Eat something."
"I'm not hungry."
"Eat anyway."
Soorin picked at the bread. Took a small bite. It tasted like cardboard.
Her dad finally spoke.
"I've deployed four additional bodyguards inside AUREYA."
She looked up.
"What?"
"Disguised as new recruit technicians and maintenance staff. They'll be inside the building. Watching."
"Appa—"
"Non-negotiable."
His voice was steel.
She wanted to argue. But the look on his face stopped her.
Her mom's voice was shaky.
"Soorin... is this career worth your life?"
The question hit like a punch.
Soorin set down the toast.
"Mom—"
"I'm serious. That man attacked you. Grabbed you. And now he's dead." Her mom's eyes filled with tears. "What if next time it's worse? What if someone actually hurts you?"
"I can protect myself."
"Can you?" Her dad's tone was sharp. "You froze during that attack."
"I was shocked. I didn't expect—"
"Exactly. You were caught off guard. That's when people get hurt."
Soorin's jaw clenched.
"I know judo. You made me learn for years."
"Knowing it and using it are different things."
"I know that."
Her dad leaned forward. Elbows on the table.
"You're not helpless, Soorin. But you're also not invincible. You're just a crew member. An insignificant staff member in the eyes of most people. That's your advantage. Stay under the radar. Stay alert."
She nodded.
"I will."
"Promise me you'll train regularly. Don't let your skills get rusty."
"I promise."
Her mom wiped her eyes.
"And the bodyguards will stay?"
"They'll shadow her movements without revealing themselves," her dad confirmed. "She won't even know who they are most of the time."
Soorin felt the walls closing in.
Protection. Safety. Surveillance.
Necessary. But suffocating.
Her mom reached across the table. Grabbed her hand.
"Soorin-ah... are you sure this is worth the risk?"
The question hung in the air.
Heavy. Unanswered.
Because honestly?
Soorin didn't know anymore.
★☆★☆★☆
At AUREYA, the atmosphere was tense.
Staff whispered in clusters. Security was everywhere. ID checks at every entrance.
Soorin showed her badge three times before reaching her station.
Daehyun was already there. Setting up hair products.
He looked up when she arrived.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
"Lying again, huh?"
She almost smiled.
"I'm fine, Dae. Really."
He didn't look convinced. But dropped it.
The morning passed in a blur. Routine work. Touch-ups. Styling.
But everyone was on edge.
Glances over shoulders. Hushed conversations.
Manager Park called another meeting at noon.
Everyone crammed into the conference room again.
He stood at the front. Expression severe.
"As you all know, the suspect died last night."
Murmurs rippled through the room.
"Medical examiners have ruled it natural causes. The investigation is closed."
More murmurs. Skeptical. Uneasy.
"But," Park continued, "that doesn't mean we're letting our guard down. Security protocols remain in effect. ID verification. Bag checks. No exceptions."
He paused.
"If anyone sees anything suspicious. Anyone acting strange. Report it immediately."
His gaze swept the room.
Landing on faces one by one.
Soorin. Daehyun. Jiwon. Other staff.
"We're all being watched now. By the press. By fans. By the police. So stay sharp. Stay professional."
The meeting dispersed.
Soorin headed back to her station.
Jiwon appeared beside her.
Bright smile. Clipboard in hand.
"Crazy week, huh?"
Soorin nodded.
"Yeah."
"How are you holding up?"
"Fine."
Jiwon tilted her head.
"You look tired. Are you sleeping okay?"
"Not really."
"Understandable. If you need anything, let me know."
"Thanks, Miss Jiwon."
The PA walked away. Sweet. Helpful.
Just like always.
Soorin watched her go.
Something about Jiwon felt off today.
But she couldn't place it.
★☆★☆★☆
The LUMEN members arrived for afternoon practice.
Haejin looked like he hadn't slept in days. Dark circles. Tense shoulders.
He barely acknowledged anyone. Just went straight to his spot.
Minjae approached Soorin during setup.
"How are you?"
She forced a smile.
"I'm okay."
"You don't have to pretend with me."
Her smile faltered.
"I'm just... processing. You know?"
He nodded.
"If you need to talk—"
"I know. Thanks, Jay."
He squeezed her shoulder gently. Then rejoined the group.
Practice started. Music blasted. Choreography sharp as always.
But the energy was different.
Subdued. Careful.
During a water break, Doyun collapsed on the floor dramatically.
"This week can end any time now."
Taekyung snorted.
"Agreed."
Jisoo sat beside Soorin.
"Noona, do you think things will go back to normal?"
She ruffled his pink hair.
"Eventually."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
But she didn't believe her own words.
★☆★☆★☆
That evening, Soorin stayed late again.
Cleaning. Organizing. Avoiding going home.
Because home meant questions she couldn't answer.
Her phone buzzed.
Her dad.
[Training session tomorrow morning. 7 AM. Don't be late.]
She groaned.
But texted back.
[Okay.]
Another buzz.
Daehyun.
[You still here?]
[Yeah. Finishing up.]
[Want company?]
[I'm good. Go home.]
[You sure?]
[Yeah. Thanks though.]
[Call if you need anything.]
[Will do.]
She set her phone down. Continued packing her kit.
Footsteps approached from behind her. Casting a shadow over her.
Her skin crawled, and she whipped her head back as quickly as she could.
She looked up.
Eyes wide.