Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 60

My mind races with different possibilities, trying to make sense of why Arc is in a hotel instead of his own home. Out of all the reasons, I settle on the most logical one.

I take a step back and ask, "Are you here for a meeting?"

"No," he replies simply.

"Then?" I prompt, waiting for him to elaborate.

Arc crosses his arms and looks at me like the answer should be obvious. "This is my room."

I frown. "What do you mean this is your room? Why would you stay in a hotel when you live in this city? Shouldn't you be at home?"

He shrugs. "I don't have a home."

I blink, taken aback by how casually he says it. "Yes, you do. Where were you staying before the tour?"

"At a resort in Busan," he answers.

I shake my head. "No, I mean your home. The one you own or rent."

"Oh, you mean the group house?" He pauses before adding, "I haven't been there since Alaric Hyung enlisted."

I stare at him. "So you're telling me you haven't stayed in your own home since Alaric Hyung enlisted? That was more than six months ago."

"Yep," he says nonchalantly, as if it's no big deal.

Frustration bubbles up inside me. "Please explain," I say, exhaling sharply.

Arc lets out a deep breath and moves towards the inside of the room before settling down on the couch. I follow, taking a seat across from him.

"We lived together for nearly ten years," he begins, his voice quieter now. "The dorm wasn't just a place to sleep—it was home. But one by one, as the members enlisted, the place started feeling empty. I waited until Alaric Hyung left, but after that... it just didn't feel the same."

He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I told the company I wanted to focus on my music and asked for some space. They helped me rent a cabin in a resort in Busan. It was easier that way. I'd travel to Seoul whenever there was a meeting or recording, but I never stayed in the city for long."

I watch him carefully, taking in the way his fingers fidget slightly against his knee. It's the first time I've seen Arc look so... lost.

"So you've been living in a resort or hotel all this time?" I ask softly.

He nods. "Yeah. But with the solo tour and everything, it's not like I was busy enough to not notice"

There's something unsettling about the way he says it, like he's talking about a place he never truly settled into. A place that was never meant to be a home.

Feeling a pang of sadness for him, I move closer and wrap my arms around him. At first, Arc tenses, startled by the sudden embrace, but after a brief hesitation, he exhales softly and melts into it. His arms circle around me, holding me just as tightly.

We stay like that for a while, neither of us speaking, just existing in the quiet comfort of the moment. But then, the sudden buzz of a phone breaks the silence. Arc sighs and reaches for it, still keeping one arm loosely around me as he answers.

I hear Jihoon's voice on the other end, his tone casual. "Who is it?"

"It's me," Arc replies simply.

"Oh, good. Thanks." Jihoon doesn't say anything else before ending the call.

That's when it clicks. I pull back slightly, remembering the cryptic message that brought me here in the first place. "Wait... so you had Jihoon's phone?"