Star Planet I - Boys Planet / Zerobaseone Added Members (COMPLETED)

Chapter Forty-Four: The Break-Up

Keita, Matthew, and I had decided to take a break from our rigorous training schedule and explore Seoul together on our day off. We had heard so much about the city, and we were excited to see everything it had to offer. As we walked down the crowded streets, we couldn't help but notice the paparazzi following us. It was a strange feeling to be constantly watched, but we had gotten used to it.

"Man, I wish we could just walk around without being followed," Keita muttered under his breath. "It's like we're zoo animals or something."

"I know, right?" I agreed, looking over my shoulder to see if we were still being trailed. "It's exhausting being in the public eye all the time."

Matthew, on the other hand, seemed to be taking it all in stride. He was always the calmest of us three, with a confidence that was almost unnerving at times. "Just ignore them," he said, flashing us a reassuring smile. "We're here to have fun, remember?"

And fun we did have. We explored street markets, tried out new foods, and even took a few touristy photos together. It was a nice break from the constant pressure of training and competition. But as the day wore on, our conversation turned to the upcoming performances and the pressure we were all feeling.

"I'm so nervous about our next performance," Keita admitted, his voice tinged with anxiety. "I feel like I haven't been practicing enough."

"I know what you mean," I said, nodding in agreement. "I keep thinking about all the mistakes I've made during our previous performances. It's hard not to let it get to you."

Matthew was quiet for a moment, and I wondered if he was thinking about his own worries. But then he spoke up. "You guys are amazing performers. Don't let your nerves get the best of you. Just focus on the music and let everything else fall away."

We walked some more through the bustling streets of Seoul, with Keita leading the way. He had suggested we explore some of the lesser-known areas of the city next, and I was excited to see what he had in store for us.

As we walked, I noticed a few fans and paparazzi lurking in the background. It was no surprise, given our status as trainees on a popular competition show, but it still made me uneasy. The last thing I wanted was for our day off to be ruined by nosy photographers.

Matthew must have noticed my discomfort because he put a reassuring arm around my shoulder. "Don't worry, Billie," he said. "We'll lose them soon enough."

I smiled at him gratefully, feeling a flutter in my stomach at his touch. Matthew had always been charming, but lately, I found myself drawn to him in a way that went beyond friendship.

Keita led us down a narrow alleyway, and we emerged in a quaint courtyard filled with small shops and cafes. The atmosphere was relaxed, and I felt my anxiety melting away.

"This place is amazing!" I exclaimed, taking in the sights and sounds around us.

Keita grinned at me. "I knew you'd love it. There's a great coffee shop down the street that we have to check out."

We made our way to the cafe, and as we sipped our drinks and chatted, I couldn't help but feel grateful for these two boys who had become such important parts of my life. We had bonded over our shared experiences as trainees, and I knew that no matter what happened in the competition, we would always have each other's backs.

But as we talked, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something unspoken between Matthew and me. I caught him looking at me more than once, and my heart skipped a beat each time.

It wasn't until we were wandering through a park later that afternoon that Matthew finally addressed the elephant in the room.

"Hey, Billie," he said, taking my hand in his. "I need to tell you something."

I felt a jolt of electricity at his touch, but I tried to remain composed as he continued.

"I broke up with my girlfriend," he said, his eyes meeting mine.

I felt my heart sink. I had suspected as much, given the way he had been acting around me lately, but it still hurt to hear it confirmed.

"Why?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"It just wasn't working," he said, shrugging. "The distance was too much, and we both knew it wasn't going anywhere."

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. I had never wanted to be the reason for someone's breakup, but the thought of Matthew being single was both exciting and terrifying.

Keita's eyes widened in surprise as he had heard our conversation, but I could feel my own heart sink. Matthew had been in a long-distance relationship for months, and I had always admired how dedicated he was to making it work. But now that it was over... what did that mean for us?

"Oh, wow," Keita said, breaking the awkward silence that had descended upon us. "I'm sorry, man. That must be tough."

Before I could say anything else, or Matthew could respond, Keita interrupted us, pointing out something in the distance.

"Look, there's a group of fans over there," he said, pointing to a cluster of people gathered by a fountain, snapping us all out of the weird funk.

Sure enough, a small crowd had formed, and they were all staring in our direction. My heart rate picked up as I realized that they were recognizing us from the show.

"What do we do?" I asked, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over me.

Keita shrugged. "We could go say hi, take some photos."

Matthew nodded in agreement, but I hung back. The thought of interacting with fans, of having to be "on" when I was already so exhausted, made me want to crawl into a hole and hide.

But as I watched Matthew and Keita posing for photos and laughing with the fans, I realized that this was part of the job. Whether I liked it or not, we were public figures now.