Are You Hiding As Well?

Just thinking of that made his face hot. His blue eyes caught emerald ones and he waved, hoping to get Jin to join in on the hug, but man with sunglasses and a goatee was speaking to the idol prince. The pinkette offered a smile before the idol was gone.

‘Ah… Of course…’

Then, he was pulled away from his loved ones and to where the reporters were lined up and waiting. He smiled as best he could and tried to keep his eyes open beyond the bright lights.

“Congratulations!” They shouted out.

“Who is the leader of the group?” “Who is the visual?” “What type of songs will you be singing?” “When will the song be dropped?” “Where will you be living?” “Do you all get along or is it just for show?” “Anyone have a girlfriend?” “Lots of fans are shipping you all. Which is true?”

So, so many questions and so many people.

Shun was able to handle one last time, but there was a barrage, like a damn sea of serpents attacking his boat! That was what the reporters were like to him and it scared the crap out of him. How the hell did his big brother handle this?!

“Hi everyone,” Kaiden smiled, “My name is Kaiden, this is…” the popular trainee… now idol introduced them all, “We are very happy we made it as a team. We work well together and hope to produce great music with Senior Wang for everyone to hear. Please be patient as we go through this journey together. Thank you.”

Shun relaxed.

Kaiden sure was like his big brother. Thank the lord the man was part of the group. He surely must be the leader.

“Excuse me, everyone,” Donny Wang entered the space, “All I can tell you is that I will be working closely with Symmony and will produce great music for everyone. My plan is for us to go global! So, continue to support them! As of now, I can answer a few of your questions. They would move into an apartment I will provide. They’re fans are their girlfriends, am I right?” The seasoned idol laughed, “And, the leader is Xiong Shun.”

“…”

“…”

Shun could hear chatters from the reporters and felt pats on his back, but he was internally dying. Why the hell did… Why was he the leader?! He was terrible at it! He doesn’t want the responsibility again!

‘Big brother!’

“My little brother,” he could imagine the smile on the eldest, “I am proud of you. Be good.”

‘But… but… save me…’

“Shun!” The reminder of his brother’s shout shook him from his thoughts and he blinked wide eyed around him. It was like he just relived that moment again.

He turned to everyone watching him, he saw concerns on their faces and he laughed against his palm.

“I thank you, Senior Wang. I will do my best.”

After a few more questioning, they were maneuvered to speak with their fans. There, he saw the pinkette smiling and taking pictures with his fans. He watched the way the idol prince held himself and he would rather be there than here.

‘Get ahold of yourself,’ He mentally slapped his face, ‘Ah Jin will be at his home. You can see him there. Right now, focus! Remember, you still need lots of fans!’

Nodding to himself, he smiled and did his best to mimic the handsome idol.

Over on the other side were the female idols. They were also taking pictures with their fans. Security was everywhere and were on high alert, especially since earlier when a fan broke through to cling onto the pink haired idol. For the female idol Gina, they had extra security for her. Why was her security different than the others?

Gina was the one who dated Suu Jin. She was the one who left the idol prince. There were many rumors, all negative toward the female, so for the safety of the idol, they had to give her extra protection.

Gina, sadly, had only a few fans that came to speak with her. She looked to the other females and felt envy crawled up her skin, seeing their youth, their beauty, their laughter with their abundance of fans.

That used to be her so many years ago.

She looked over at Suu Jin and she squeezed her wrist. She missed him. He had grown more handsome, more caring of those around him. She watched as that pretty face turned to the side. She followed those green eyes to see them aimed at the silver haired boy. That boy, Xiong Shun, smiled and the smile on Suu Jin’s face…

Gina gritted her teeth.

‘No. That cannot be true.’

“Gina,” a man a decade older touched her arm, “Let us go. I got you an interview with Kookee magazine.”

“That magazine is full of gossip,” Gina pasted a smile at those who glanced her way.

“It is something!” The man whispered harshly, “After they publish, let’s see what opportunities you are given.”

Gina sighed and glanced back at Suu Jin then at the silver haired boy, Xiong Shun. The hole in her chest grew and she thinned her lips. She would have to work hard to be on top again. She would get to the top. One way or another, she would get there. Then, Suu Jin would be hers again.

Nodding to her manager, she walked out quietly and no one even noticed.

An hour later...

Shun had barely spoken a word to Suu Jin after being pulled and pushed around to one reporter to the next, one fan to the next. He was getting dizzy and he did his best to continue smiling and interacting. Excusing himself, he went to the restroom as a security guard escorted him.

‘Yup… just like home,’ he said blandly and watched as the security guard checked the stalls and found them empty.

The man nodded to him and left the restroom to wait at the door. Alone in the restroom, he sighed and went to relieve himself. Once done, he washed his hands and stared at the running water for a moment. If this was how it was going to be… He wasn’t sure he could go through with reaching Xiong Shun’s dream.

He felt itchy and in need to leave this place full of people, so he could hide away and-

‘Wait. Maybe I could stay here!’

He splashed his face with water and when he leaned back to look at himself in the mirror, he gasped. The person in the mirror was only a foot from his back, with eyes staring intently at him. Shun glanced at the door to find it closed and he looked back to stare at the man in the mirror.

Pink locks. Green eyes.

“Are you hiding in here as well?”