Open Doors

Chapter 1 - Unseen Threats

The sun rose over Seoul, casting a warm glow across the city's skyline. Min-Ho stirred awake, the soft rays of light filtering through the sheer curtains of his room. He blinked a few times, shaking off the remnants of sleep, and turned to see Tae-Sun still peacefully asleep beside him. A content smile spread across Min-Ho's face as he admired the serene expression on Tae-Sun's face, his dark hair tousled and slightly covering his eyes.

Gently, Min-Ho reached out, brushing a strand of hair away. Tae-Sun stirred, a soft smile forming as he opened his eyes. "Good morning," he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.

"Good morning," Min-Ho replied, his heart swelling with affection. "How did you sleep?"

"Like a rock," Tae-Sun chuckled, stretching his arms above his head. "I can't believe the tour is finally over. It feels surreal."

Min-Ho nodded, recalling the whirlwind of emotions that had enveloped them in the past few weeks. The final concert had been electric, but the aftermath was even sweeter. They had a rare day off, a chance to relax and enjoy each other's company without the pressures of fame looming over them.

"How about we make breakfast?" Min-Ho suggested, slipping out of bed and padding toward the kitchen.

Tae-Sun sat up, his curiosity piqued. "Are you actually going to cook?"

Min-Ho turned, feigning offense. "I can cook! Just... maybe not very well."

Tae-Sun laughed, the sound warm and infectious. He joined Min-Ho in the kitchen, both of them rummaging through the pantry and fridge to find what they could whip up. As they moved about, their shoulders brushed occasionally, sending small sparks of electricity between them.

Just as they were about to start, Min-Ho's phone buzzed on the counter. He picked it up, glancing at the notifications. His heart sank as he saw the flood of messages from their manager.

"What's wrong?" Tae-Sun asked, noticing the change in Min-Ho's expression.

"I... I think we might have a problem," Min-Ho said, his voice tight. "Our manager is asking us to meet him later. Something about an urgent situation."

Tae-Sun's brow furrowed. "Do you think it's about the tour? Maybe some unfinished business?"

"I don't know," Min-Ho replied, anxiety creeping in. "But it feels serious."

As they prepared breakfast, the atmosphere shifted from lighthearted to tense. Min-Ho couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. After breakfast, they decided to head out for a walk, hoping that some fresh air would help clear their minds. They called in their security team, as they often did when stepping out, to ensure their safety amidst the chaos of their fame.

As they exited the apartment, Echo and Moon were already waiting in the lobby, chatting and laughing as they flipped through their phones. Dae-Hyun joined them a moment later, his expression serious as he caught Min-Ho's eye. "Heard from the manager?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

"Yeah, we're meeting him later," Min-Ho replied, unable to hide the worry in his voice.

With their bodyguards flanking them, the group stepped out into the bustling streets of Seoul. The atmosphere was vibrant and alive, filled with the sounds of chatter, honking cars, and the occasional street performer. They wandered through the markets, laughter spilling from nearby cafes, but despite the lively surroundings, a shadow hung over Min-Ho's thoughts.

"What's on your mind?" Tae-Sun asked, sensing the tension.

"I'm just worried," Min-Ho admitted. "What if something happened that we don't know about? We've been through a lot, and I don't want anything to jeopardize what we've built."

Tae-Sun stopped walking, turning to face Min-Ho. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together. We've overcome challenges before, and we can do it again."

As they walked, the group chatted and joked, but Min-Ho's mind was elsewhere. Just as he was about to reply, his phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from their manager with a link. Hesitantly, Min-Ho clicked on it.

As the page loaded, his stomach dropped. There it was—grainy footage of them from behind the scenes, captured moments of intimacy and affection that had never been meant for anyone else's eyes. A chill ran down his spine as he realized the implications.

"What is it?" Tae-Sun asked, alarmed by Min-Ho's expression.

"They... they've leaked our private moments," Min-Ho said, his voice barely a whisper. "Someone hacked into our videos."

The color drained from Tae-Sun's face. "No. No, this can't be happening."

Before they could process the gravity of the situation, Min-Ho's phone buzzed again. This time, it was a notification that made his heart race—rather than being made public, the footage had been sent as a threat to their company, demanding something in return to keep it from being released to the world.

"We need to talk to our manager," Dae-Hyun said, urgency lacing his voice. "We can't let this spiral out of control."

As they hurried back to their apartment, the weight of what lay ahead settled heavily on their shoulders. They were ready to face whatever came next, but they knew this would be a test of their love, their bond, and the very essence of 다섯 영혼의 꿈.

Little did they know, the journey ahead would challenge everything they believed in, and not just from the outside world—but from within themselves.