TMMIB!

7

I vividly remember the day my last Top Seed Home closed.

It was just like any other day—drinking, going up on stage, and busting out the dance breaks.

And it happened to be my birthday.

[Shooting_REX @Shooting_REX

201×0710~202×0406: Close]

When I saw those words, I thought, “Finally, it’s happening.”

However, beneath that, there was a long letter addressed to me.

[⎿Shooting_REX @Shooting_REX

Rex, I’ve liked you for a really long time. Do you remember when you got selected as the last member of <Targeting Star>, and you promised to work really hard, crying and all? You didn’t seem to be working hard at all today.]

Was each sentence meant to strike at my core?

[⎿Shooting_REX @Shooting_REX

You don’t seem to be the same as you were back then. Tough times for you? Of course, I know. That’s why I won’t blame you. But I don’t think I can cheer for you anymore. It’s the last bit of self-respect this fool can maintain.]

Even as I read that, I found myself opening a beer can with a cloudy mind. Looking back, it was probably a form of self-defense, done because I was confident enough to do it sober.

…There’s no one else.

[⎿Shooting_REX @Shooting_REX

Honestly, I’m worried even as I write this. What if no one is left by your side? What if no one understands your heart?]

The long letter ended like this.

[⌎Shooting_REX @Shooting_REX

I hope the day comes when we can start everything anew. For both me and you.]

After that day, I thought I would never be loved by anyone again. And, to some extent, I was right.

The video titled ‘Trash Top Seed Home: Blunt Criticism and Birthday Celebration DD’ with nearly 2 million views had comments like ‘Lime is killing it, lol’ ‘Isn’t that intentional?’ or ‘This is his karma,’ mocking me.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“Oh? Yes, yes! I’m fine. Should I sign it for you?”

Two part-time workers who had gone outside returned without me noticing.

I smiled brightly and signed the paper they had brought, after erasing all the gloom that filled my thoughts just moments ago.

A cute dragon exhaling spring flames over the Chinese characters of Chun (春)— that was my signature.

“Wow, you already prepared signatures? So cute… This is a dragon!”

“Oh, yes. Well, I’m a trainee, so I’m going to participate in a survival show soon. It’s called <Targeting Star>…”

“Oh, that AG Entertainment idol survival show, right? I read an article about it!”