Idol [Lee Felix of Stray Kids]

68. Real Life

AiDi and the members of stray kids were in the van heading back to the hotel when his phone began to buzz with notifications and frowned. He opened Instagram to see his feed filled with a photo of him and Hyunjin kissing, a photo that he had taken a few days ago. Conversation going around him fell silent as they all looked at their own phones.

They were all talking again about how quick the photo started circulating even after Hyunjin had deleted the photo.

"Did you see it?" Hana asked in a text message and AiDi was quick to reply that he had and that the car was tense as no one spoke about the incident. He didn't know what to say or how to react.

"I'll go live," he heard Hyunjin say and frowned.

"And what are you going to say?" Lee Know asked and AiDi felt his heart begin to hammer in his chest as he waited for Hyunjin's reply and he hoped he would address it and tell the fans that the photo was real and the the and Hyunjin were dating but what Hyunjin said next had his heart dropping to his stomach as the can came to a stop in front of the hotel.

"I'll tell the fans that the photo is fake and that there's nothing going on between AiDi and me," Hyunjin stated, "it's the best thing to do right now."

"Are y-" AiDi didn't wait to hear what Bang Chan had to say as he got out do the van slamming the door shut behind him before speed walking towards the entrance, ignoring Hyunjin calling after him.   

As AiDi rushed into the hotel lobby, the cacophony of chatter and bustling fans outside faded into the background. His heart raced, pounding like a war drum in his chest. He could feel the weight of the world pressing down on him, each step feeling heavier as he tried to process what just happened. The photo. The denial. Hyunjin's words echoing painfully in his mind: "the photo is fake and that there's nothing going on between AiDi and me."

"Hey, wait!" He heard a voice behind him, a familiar one tinged with urgency. It was Hana, his sister—a steady anchor in the storm. She caught up to him just as he reached the elevators.

"What was that?" she demanded, her eyes wide and fierce. "You guys have been doing so well... and now he chooses to go live and lie like that?"

AiDi swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure. "I don't know, Hana. I really thought..." But the words faltered as he recalled the moments they shared—silent glances, laughter, stolen kisses. Each memory felt like a dagger now, twisting in his heart.

Before Hana could respond, a familiar voice cut through the confusion. It was Hyunjin again, this time emerging from the van, flanked by Seungmin, Changbin, I.N, Bang Chan, Felix, Lee Know, and Han. Their expressions were a mixture of concern and confusion, but AiDi couldn't bear to meet their eyes. He felt exposed, raw, as if they were all witnessing the shattering of something precious.

"AiDi!" Hyunjin called, his face a mask of desperation. "Please, listen to me—"

"Shut up." It slipped from AiDi's lips before he could stop it. The word felt foreign yet liberating, echoing off the walls of the hotel lobby. "You don't get to say anything right now."

Hana stepped between them, her protectiveness igniting. "Stay away from my brother, Hyunjin. Just... stay away."

"AiDi, please," Hyunjin implored, stepping forward, but Bang Chan gently placed a hand on his shoulder, pulling him back.

"Let him breathe, Hyunjin," Bang Chan advised softly. "This is a lot for him to process right now."

"Process? This isn't just processing—he just denied everything! How can he do this to us?" AiDi felt the tears threaten to spill, but he fought them back, anger fuelling his resolve.

"I was trying to protect you!" Hyunjin finally exclaimed, his voice breaking slightly. "You know how hard our lives are right now! Keeping things under wraps just makes sense!"

"Protect me?" AiDi laughed dryly, though the sound held no humor. "You think pretending we're just friends is protecting me? I thought we were in this together. I thought we were being honest."

The tension in the lobby surged as silence encased them. Felix stepped forward cautiously, his expression gentle yet firm. "Hyunjin, if I could've announced my relationship with Hana sooner, I would've. Hiding things—hiding people you care about—is hard, and it eats at you. It's a burden I don't think AiDi should have to bear."

Hana's expression softened slightly at Felix's understanding words, and she turned to AiDi. "You always told me to follow my heart. What do you want, AiDi?"

"I want to be with him, Hana!" AiDi spat, frustration creeping into his voice. "But how can I be with someone who won't even acknowledge that we're together? It feels like a lie."

Lee Know folded his arms tightly and chimed in, "Hyunjin, you've kept things quiet for so long. What are you so afraid of?"

"There's so much at stake!" Hyunjin shot back, emotion seeping into his tone. "Every time we post or say something, it can change everything. I just... I didn't want to endanger what we have."

Han added, "But keeping everything secret? That's a different kind of danger. The stress of hiding only makes it worse. You have to think about AiDi's feelings too, not just your own fears."

As the urgency of their situation settled around them, AiDi felt a weight lift, as if the unresolved tension was being acknowledged. Each Stray Kids member looked on, hoping for a resolution, but AiDi knew it was time to make his choice.

"Hyunjin," AiDi began, his voice cracking slightly, "I think... I think I need a break. I can't do this anymore." His heart broke at the thought, but he had to protect his own well-being. "If you can't stand by me and be honest about us, then I can't stay in this relationship."

Hyunjin's face paled, shock etched across his features. "No, you can't mean that—"

"I do," AiDi whispered, feeling the finality settle in his stomach. "Just... give me some space."

With that, AiDi turned away from Hyunjin, the distance between them feeling insurmountable. Hana followed closely, brushing her shoulder against his as they walked toward the elevator, leaving the rest of the members to help pick up the pieces of the broken situation behind them.

As they stepped inside the elevator, AiDi pressed the button for their floor, his heart heavy but oddly relieved. Hana glanced over, concern etched across her brow. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"No," AiDi replied, letting the tears finally spill over, "but I will be. I just need time." As the doors closed, AiDi took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts while mourning the relationship that could have been.