Idol-ized Lovers || Choi Soobin [Rewritten]

16

You excused yourself from your mom and Soobin, stepping into a quieter hallway to catch your breath. The weight of the day finally began to sink in, now that no one was watching. You had held it together for everyone else—but the truth was, you couldn't anymore.

Your chest felt heavy. Ho Yeon had been with you for two years. You'd seen her skipping meals, pushing away food, brushing it off with jokes or vague excuses—and every time, you turned a blind eye. You told yourself it was her preference, her appetite. But now she was lying in a hospital bed.

Tears welled in your eyes and spilled freely down your cheeks as guilt consumed you. You kept playing every moment in your mind—every time she said she wasn't hungry, and you believed her without question. If I had paid more attention... if I'd just noticed...

"It's been a tough day, hasn't it?" Soobin's voice gently broke the silence. Startled, you quickly wiped your face and turned your back to him, trying to act normal. "Yeah," you said with a forced nod, still avoiding eye contact. "It's cold," he murmured, draping his coat over your shoulders. "You don't have to do that," you whispered, your voice cracking. He didn't reply. Instead, he gently addressed what you were trying so hard to hide.

"It's not your fault." You froze. "What?" you asked, trying to keep your voice steady. "I saw you crying," he said simply. You opened your mouth to deny it, to say I'm fine—but the words wouldn't come out. "I–"

"It's okay," he interrupted softly. "Everyone makes mistakes." He begun. "But my mistake put her in the hospital," you said, your voice rising with guilt. "I know," he acknowledged, not sugar-coating it. "But what matters now is that she's going to recover—and that you've learned from it. You care about her. That counts for something."

His words hit home. You couldn't stop the tears this time. They spilled again, thick and fast, and Soobin gently pulled you into his arms. You buried your face into his chest as he held you, one hand stroking your back in slow, comforting circles. You didn't say anything. You didn't need to. You were just thankful—so incredibly thankful—that he was here.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

Ho Yeon was finally stable, and you brought her back home. She was advised to take a long break, rest, and slowly adjust her lifestyle. Soobin left quietly after making sure everything was settled. Your mom insisted on caring for Ho Yeon full-time, so you agreed and returned to your own apartment to finally rest.

You called in sick and crashed onto your bed, physically and emotionally drained. The moment your head hit the pillow, sleep took over. You had barely drifted off when your phone buzzed. It was a call from Yoo Jin.

"[Your Name]-ah!" he shouted as soon as you picked up. His voice was frantic—but in your half-asleep state, you didn't catch on. "What is it?" you mumbled groggily. "Turn on the TV, bitch—you're popular!" That woke you up instantly. You bolted out of bed, grabbed the remote, and flicked on the TV.

It landed on the news channel by default. And there it was. A video clip—grainy, but very real—of last night. You and Soobin. Hugging. His coat around your shoulders. You crying in his arms. The footage zoomed in, slowed down. Your stomach dropped.

At first, his face wasn't visible—but the clip continued. Another angle. Another moment. Eventually, someone managed to capture him clearly. Apparently, a fan had recognized him. They had followed you both. Filmed everything. And now—it was breaking news.

"What the hell, Yoo Jin?!" you shouted into the phone. "Don't yell, [Your Name]-ah! Just stay inside, okay? This is bad. Real bad." Your heart pounded. You were frozen in place. "I gotta go. I'll call you later," he said quickly before hanging up. You stared blankly at the screen, the world spinning around you. Your body sank to the floor.

You fumbled for your phone and dialed Soobin. No answer. You called again. Still nothing. Panic rose in your throat. You called again, and again. Texted. Sent voice notes. Desperately begging for him to reply. Finally—after what felt like an eternity—someone picked up.

"Soobin-ah! Soobin-ah! The news—" But it wasn't him. "I'm Soobin's manager," a cold, unfamiliar voice said flatly. "You're instructed to never contact him again." He replied, rude and heartless. "What? But the news—this isn't fair—" You begun but he cut you. "Soobin made a mistake, and now we're doing damage control. Stay away. Pretend you never existed."

"Wait, please, just let me—"

Click. The call ended. You stared at the screen in disbelief. Blocked. Completely shut out. Like you were nothing. Like you never mattered. Your phone slid from your hands as you sat on the cold floor, your breath shaking. Your name was on the news. And your name was no longer allowed in his world.