The spotlight || Sunoo

01

Sunoo had always found comfort in the quiet corners of the city. Despite being surrounded by millions of fans and the constant buzz of his idol life, there was something about the simplicity of a quiet café that gave him peace. It wasn’t a fancy place, no VIP section or velvet ropes. Just a warm, cozy café tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Seoul. It had become his little sanctuary over the months, a place to be alone with his thoughts.

Today, however, it was different. The rain outside was pouring in torrents, the glass windows fogging up from the sudden downpour. Sunoo sat in his usual spot by the window, sipping his warm vanilla latte and looking out at the gray sky. His mind was racing with thoughts about the next performance, his upcoming schedule, and everything that came with being in ENHYPEN. His fame, his responsibilities, the pressure sometimes it all felt so heavy.

But today, as he absentmindedly stared outside, his gaze drifted to the figure sitting across the room. You were there, tucked away at a corner booth, engrossed in a book. Your face was partially obscured by the book you were reading, but Sunoo couldn't help but notice the way the soft glow from the lamp above illuminated your features. There was a quiet serenity about you, something that immediately pulled his attention.

You weren’t glancing at your phone every few seconds, like most people in this digital age. There was no sudden glance toward the door when the bell rang, expecting someone, no distracted fidgeting. You were completely absorbed in the pages, in the world you were reading. Sunoo had to admit, it was rare to find someone who could be so… normal in a place that was full of the chaos of the outside world.

His curiosity got the better of him, and before he could think twice, he found himself standing up and walking toward your table. He wasn’t sure why he did it. Maybe it was the way you seemed so unbothered by his presence, or perhaps he just needed a break from the constant spotlight. Whatever it was, Sunoo approached you cautiously.

You didn’t notice him until he was standing right next to you. You blinked, lifting your eyes from your book. For a brief moment, your gaze locked, and Sunoo felt an odd jolt in his chest. It wasn’t the way fans looked at him with admiration, nor the way acquaintances regarded him with politeness. It was something different. Something deeper.

"Hi." he greeted you with a soft smile, unsure of his own words.

"Hey." You glanced up at him again, but this time with less curiosity and more confusion. "Can I help you with something?"

For a moment, Sunoo just stood there, caught off guard by your directness. He had become so accustomed to people treating him like an idol, acting overly polite or cautious. But you... you were different.

"I’m sorry if I interrupted," Sunoo said quickly, a little embarrassed. "I just saw you reading, and I thought I’d ask what you’re reading. It looks interesting."

You raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at your lips. "You came all the way over here to ask me about my book?"

He chuckled softly, realizing how strange it must have sounded. "Well, it’s a little weird, huh? But, yeah. I guess I’m just curious."

You hesitated for a moment, then placed the book down on the table and showed him the cover. "It’s called The Night Circus. Have you heard of it?"

Sunoo nodded, though the truth was, he had no idea what it was about. "I’ve heard of it, but I haven’t read it. Is it good?"

You seemed to consider his question for a moment, then shrugged. "It’s different. It’s not your typical fantasy novel. There’s something about it that feels... magical, in a way. But maybe I’m just in the mood for something a little out of the ordinary."

Sunoo nodded, genuinely intrigued." I like books like that too. Something that makes you think, right?"

You smiled again, this time with more warmth." Exactly."

There was a slight pause between you two, and Sunoo realized he wasn’t sure what to say next. He had been talking to fans for years, always knowing exactly how to respond, what to say to make people smile or laugh. But here, with you, he didn’t know. It felt... real.

"Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself," he said suddenly, clearing his throat. "I’m Sunoo. From ENHYPEN."

You blinked, your eyes widening just a fraction. "Oh. That explains the... whole vibe." You gestured vaguely at him, as if she were trying to make sense of his presence.

"Yeah," Sunoo chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "I get that a lot. People tend to recognize me."

You leaned back in your chair, still calm, but this time with a slight smirk on your face. "Well, I don’t really follow that world. It’s not that I don’t like it. I just... don’t pay attention much."

Sunoo blinked, surprised. "Really?"

You shrugged, as if it was no big deal. "Yeah. I don’t know. I like to keep things simple, I guess."

For a moment, Sunoo just stared at you, trying to process the fact that someone  sitting so close to him didn’t know every single detail about his life. There was something refreshing about it, something that made him feel human again.

"I respect that." Sunoo said with a small grin. "It’s nice to meet someone who isn’t obsessed with the whole idol thing."

You tilted your head and regarded him thoughtfully. "Well, I don’t know. Fame is a weird thing, right? People put you on a pedestal, and then when you fall off, they’re the first ones to tear you down."

Sunoo was taken aback by how astute you were. It wasn’t often that people spoke about the darker sides of fame, especially not in such a matter-of-fact way. It made him feel like you understood, or at least saw through the glossed-over world he lived in.

"You’re not wrong," he said softly, his smile faltering for a moment. "Sometimes it’s hard to figure out who’s real and who just wants something from you."

You gave him a knowing look. "I get it. But I think if people really wanted to know you, they’d look beyond the headlines and the Instagram photos. There’s more to you than what people see."

Sunoo felt a strange flutter in his chest, a mix of relief and something else he couldn’t quite place. "You think so?"

You nodded, your gaze steady. "Of course. Everyone’s got their own story, right? Just because you’re in the spotlight doesn’t mean you don’t have your own struggles, your own fears. People forget that sometimes."

The silence between you two wasn’t uncomfortable, but rather... understanding. For the first time in a long while, Sunoo felt like he didn’t have to put up an act. He could just be himself.

"Thank you," he said softly, almost to himself. "You have no idea how much that means to me."

You smiled and shrugged. "It’s just the truth."

The rain had slowed outside, and the café was beginning to quiet down as the evening wore on. Sunoo knew he should probably leave soon, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to stay in this moment, in this brief, rare encounter with someone who saw him for who he was and not for the persona he had to wear every day.

"Well, I should probably get going." he said reluctantly, standing up. "But it was really nice talking to you."

You smiled up at him, that same calm expression on your face. "It was nice talking to you too, Sunoo."

As he turned to leave, he paused and glanced back at you. "I’ll see you around, maybe?"

You nodded, your eyes still focused on him. "Yeah. Maybe."

And with that, Sunoo stepped out into the rain, a smile playing on his lips. For once, he felt like he had met someone who might actually understand him. And for the first time in a long while, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to keep it a fleeting moment.