The schedule change went through at 9:17 a.m.
Kang-Joon found out when his phone vibrated during makeup.
[Do-Hyun schedule adjusted. Reduced appearances. Limited exposure for the next two weeks.]
It should have been relief.
Instead, the room went quiet in a way Kang-Joon had learned to fear.
The stylist froze mid-adjustment.
The coordinator glanced up from her tablet.
Jae-hyun stopped scrolling.
"What does that mean?" Gun-woo asked.
No one answered.
Do-Hyun sat perfectly still.
He hadn't checked his phone yet.
Kang-Joon watched him carefully, waiting for confusion, for questions.
Instead, Do-Hyun slowly looked up.
His gaze didn't go to Kang-Joon.
It went to the staff.
"To clarify," Do-Hyun said calmly, "am I being pulled back?"
The coordinator forced a smile. "It's temporary. Just until things settle."
"Because of the articles?"
"Because of timing."
Do-Hyun nodded once.
"I understand."
Kang-Joon's chest tightened.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
---
