DIE WITH A SMILE | BBANGIZ [MATTRAE/ZB1]

Ch.01

In the beginning, it felt surreal to Taerae. The announcement of ZEROBASEONE in the last episode of Boys Planet had left him overwhelmed with emotions. He had worked so hard for this moment, and now, alongside eight other talented members, he had made it. Taerae, placing 6th, had secured his spot in the final lineup, with Matthew placing 3rd, both of them now officially part of the new group.

Despite the excitement of debuting, there was an underlying tension between Taerae and Matthew. They had barely interacted during Boys Planet never performing together, never in the same group. That first moment as they stood together as bandmates felt... awkward. Both admitted as much during their first show, laughing a little nervously as they shared their honest feelings with the audience.

"It's weird, we didn't really talk much before," Taerae had said, glancing at Matthew with a shy smile. Matthew nodded in agreement, a bit more confident in his demeanor. "Yeah, I think we were just in different circles, you know? But I'm excited to work with him now."

Days turned into weeks, and while their debut preparations kept everyone busy, Taerae found himself drawn to Matthew. Matthew had this infectious energy that lit up the room, and although they had started off awkward, the ice between them slowly melted. They began to share quiet moments... grabbing snacks between rehearsals, chatting about random things when the other members were occupied. The more Taerae learned about Matthew, the more his feelings deepened.

At first, he brushed it off. It's just admiration he told himself. After all, Matthew was talented, kind, and always knew how to make everyone laugh. But as time went on, Taerae couldn't ignore the fact that his feelings were more than just admiration. Every time Matthew laughed, every time he glanced over with that bright smile, Taerae's heart skipped a beat. He realized, painfully, that he liked Matthew more than a friend.

But Taerae could also see that, for Matthew, this friendship was just that... a friendship. Matthew was friendly with everyone, and he treated Taerae no differently than he did any other member. He joked around, encouraged him during tough rehearsals, and even lent a shoulder when Taerae was exhausted. But that's where it stopped. For Matthew, it was just a bond between bandmates, brothers.

Taerae didn't mind... at least, he tried not to. It was enough to be by Matthew's side, to watch him grow into his role in the group, and to share this incredible journey. Sometimes, late at night, when the dorm was quiet and Taerae found himself alone with his thoughts, he allowed himself to imagine more. But he knew it would never go beyond that.

Despite the growing ache in his chest, Taerae cherished every moment they shared. He knew that Matthew's friendship was genuine, and he wasn't willing to risk that for his own unspoken feelings. He would rather be a friend to Matthew than nothing at all. Over time, their friendship solidified, and they became closer, with Matthew never realizing the depth of Taerae's emotions.

As the group continued to promote and grow in popularity, Taerae kept his feelings carefully tucked away, hidden beneath smiles and laughter. After all, they had a long road ahead, and Taerae was determined to stand beside Matthew and the rest of the group, even if it meant keeping a part of his heart hidden forever.

STORY STARTING...

One year had passed since ZEROBASEONE had officially debuted. It was a year filled with hectic schedules, performances, fan meetings, and endless hours of practice. The group had grown into a close-knit family, and Taerae, like the others, had come to love every moment they spent together. But there was a looming shadow over the group, one that Taerae could never quite escape.

ZEROBASEONE was a temporary group. From the beginning, they knew they only had 2.1 years before their journey together would come to an end. Now, with one year already gone, Taerae could feel time slipping through his fingers. The thought of disbandment haunted him.