Episode 1. Us, the Fools
"You’re pretending nothing’s wrong again."
Bambi’s voice rang in her ears. ㅇㅇㅇ slowly put down the glass she had been holding. She hadn’t taken even a single sip.
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh, come on. You know—Yejoon and Chaeyoung. You felt it too."
She instinctively turned her gaze away. The atmosphere at the table was still lively and noisy. It was always like this when people from the music industry got together. Some talked about new songs, others discussed upcoming projects. And some—
"I'm fine. I’ve already moved on."
She replied briefly, lifting her glass.
Bambi sighed and took a sip of her own drink.
"You always say that. But I can read your face, you know."
ㅇㅇㅇ let out a small, bitter laugh.
"You read too much into things."
"Maybe. But I’m not wrong."
Bambi set her glass down with a playful smile, but her eyes were serious.
Yejoon and Chaeyoung.
ㅇㅇㅇ thought back to that moment again.
After an evening recording session.
Everyone had gathered around naturally, sitting together and chatting. As always, Yejoon casually took the seat next to Chaeyoung. And then—
"You okay? Recording must’ve been tough today."
His voice was gentle—so gentle it made her jealous.
ㅇㅇㅇ acted like she didn’t care. Yejoon was kind to everyone, always. But the way he treated Chaeyoung… there was something different about it.
She knew that.
And that’s why she felt her heart slowly cracking.
Does Yejoon really like Chaeyoung?
Maybe. Maybe not. But what mattered was—she couldn’t be sure.
"You’re such a fool, you know that?"
Bambi said.
ㅇㅇㅇ flinched and looked up.
"What?"
"Just. You're a fool."
Bambi looked at her, glass in hand.
"You care so much about Yejoon, and you try so hard not to show it. But it’s obvious. Everyone can see it—except you."
"—Hey."
"And honestly? I don’t get why you even like him that much. Is he really that special?"
ㅇㅇㅇ stayed silent.
Yes, he was special.
He was the one she admired most when she started making music. The one she wanted to be like. The one she had loved—quietly, for the longest time.
But she couldn’t say that out loud in front of Bambi.
"I don’t know. I’ve given up anyway."
That was all she said in the end.
Bambi sighed and took another sip.
"Sure, if you say so."
ㅇㅇㅇ stared out the window in silence.
Maybe Bambi was right.
Maybe she was a fool.
She had been looking in the same direction for too long—knowing that direction never looked back at her.
Bambi spun her glass idly before taking another sip.
"You care so much… it makes me care too."
ㅇㅇㅇ blinked, not quite understanding.
"...What do you mean?"
"If you don’t get it, then never mind."
Bambi brushed it off, placing her glass down casually and leaning back as she looked at her.
ㅇㅇㅇ sighed and turned away. She wasn’t in the mood to respond to Bambi’s teasing.
Just then, a noisy voice from across the table caught her attention.
"Is he drunk again?"
It was Hamin.
ㅇㅇㅇ instinctively looked for Yejoon. He was swirling his drink with one arm slung over the table.
"...Doesn’t look that bad. Just seems to be in a good mood," Eunho mumbled next to Hamin.
"Hyung, you okay?"
Eunho walked over to Yejoon, who slowly raised his head.
"Huh? Ah… Eunho."
He smiled slowly.
"I’m just... in a good mood. So leave me be."
ㅇㅇㅇ felt a strange sense of unease.
Yejoon could hold his liquor well, but it was rare for him to act this drunk.
"Hey, Nam Yejoon. You okay?"
She approached him, and Yejoon looked up.
"...yes?"
His eyes met hers.
And then—it happened.
Yejoon slowly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"Why are you pulling away from me?"
Her heart dropped. What the hell was he saying?
She wanted to laugh it off—but no words came out.
And just then—
"Hyung must not be sleeping well. Sounds like sleep-talking to me."
Bambi quickly stepped in, gently prying Yejoon’s hand away from her.
"Hyung, maybe you should get some rest?"
He said it playfully, keeping the mood light. Yejoon blinked, looking tired.
ㅇㅇㅇ let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
-
She was sitting at the table, but her mind was elsewhere.
"Why are you trying to pull away from me?"
Yejoon’s words kept echoing in her head.
He was probably just drunk when he said it. No—he must have been drunk. There was no way someone like him would say something like that to her otherwise.
ㅇㅇㅇ shook her head hard.
“Headache?” Bambi asked.
“No, just… thinking.”
Bambi stared at her and took a sip of her drink.
“You’re doing that thing again—overthinking.”
“…”
ㅇㅇㅇ didn’t bother responding.
Trying to lighten the mood, Bambi casually poured her another drink.
“Here. Don’t think so much—just drink.”
ㅇㅇㅇ held the glass in silence.
“You’re always pushing drinks on me.”
“That’s because drinking with you is the most fun.”
Bambi said it with a sly smile and took another swig.
Nights like this were familiar. Sometimes it was because of Yejoon. Sometimes it was just... because life was hard. On those nights, they drank and talked honestly, without filters.
“Hey, remember that time?”
“What time?”
“…The time we kissed.”
ㅇㅇㅇ froze, hand midair with the glass.
“…Why are you bringing that up?”
“It just popped into my head. So, you do remember.”
“How could I forget? It’s probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever done.”
They were both drunk that night. Drinking like now, lost in the mood—and then it just happened. A kiss.
After that, they both moved on as if nothing happened.
ㅇㅇㅇ acted like it meant nothing, and Bambi never tried to cross the line.
That was their thing—always toeing the line, never quite crossing it.
“I still wonder sometimes,” Bambi said.
“About what?”
Bambi spun her glass slowly, a lazy smile on her lips.
“How you felt back then.”
ㅇㅇㅇ didn’t answer.
She didn’t know what to say.
Even now, she couldn’t really define what she felt that night.
She quietly emptied her glass without another word. Bambi didn’t press. Instead, he slowly got up and flopped down at the end of the table like he was collapsing.
“I’m gonna nap. Don’t wake me.”
He said it casually, like he didn’t care—but to her, it sounded more like avoidance.
Once Bambi dozed off, silence settled over the table.
People began to leave, stumbling home one by one. Others slumped in their chairs, lost to sleep. The once-boisterous table grew quiet, save for the clinking of empty bottles teetering on the edge.
ㅇㅇㅇ poured herself another drink, alone now in the quiet gap no one was paying attention to.
And then—she felt it.
Someone’s gaze.
She turned her head.
Not far off, Hamin was watching her quietly.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
She raised her glass and sipped as she spoke. Hamin didn’t reply—just got up and sat down next to her.
“You just suddenly started drinking a lot again…”
“So what?”
She snapped, but Hamin only chuckled softly.
“You usually don’t drink this much.”
ㅇㅇㅇ said nothing, just set her glass down with a small clink.
"That's it."
“…Yeah?”
“Have a drink.”
She poured him one without waiting. Hamin raised his glass and clinked it with hers.
“Cheers.”
No words. Just the dull sound of bitter liquid sliding down throats.
Hamin let out a small sigh, then asked in a low voice,
“What happened with Yejoon earlier?”
The question caught her off guard.
“What do you think? He was drunk. Just saying nonsense.”
“Really?”
There was something sharp in Hamin’s gaze. Like he could see right through her.
“…Why are you asking?”
“No reason,” he said, looking away. Then, in a voice quiet but firm:
“I just think it’d be better if you gave up.”
Her heart sank.
But she laughed it off and raised her glass again. Pretending, like always.
“You always stick your nose in things that aren’t your business, huh?”
“You keep doing things you shouldn’t.”
Hamin’s words always hit hard.
They always stabbed right into her chest.
This time was no different.
ㅇㅇㅇ slowly set her glass down.
"That's it."
“Yes?”
“Do you have something against Yejoon?”
Hamin’s expression twisted for a second.
“…What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re always sharper with me whenever it’s about him.”
She looked straight at him.
“What is it about him that bothers you so much?”
Hamin didn’t answer right away. Then, with the faintest smirk, he let out a dry chuckle.
“…It just pisses me off.”
“What does?”
“If it were me… I wouldn’t treat you like that.”
The weight in his voice hung heavy in the air.
“Hamin, stop caring about me.”
His brow twitched slightly.
“If I could, I would.”
ㅇㅇㅇ scoffed.
“You really haven’t changed at all.”
“Neither have you.”
Tension hung between them.
From across the room, Eunho must’ve sensed it. He jumped in with a joking tone.
“Whoa, are you two bickering again?”
ㅇㅇㅇ forced a shrug, trying to break the mood.
“He’s gotten so naggy lately. Eunho, was he always like this?”
“I’ve always been like this,” Hamin replied flatly.
Eunho laughed, trying to defuse things—but ㅇㅇㅇ knew.
She understood exactly what Hamin meant just now.
"I’ve always been like this."
Then why was she only realizing it now?
-
Even after the company dinner ended, no one was in a hurry to leave.
ㅇㅇㅇ stepped outside quietly to get some fresh air.
The alcohol had started to hit.
“Why are you out here alone?”
A familiar voice. She turned to see Noah standing there.
“Just… felt suffocated.”
Noah nodded and stood beside her.
“You drank quite a bit tonight.”
ㅇㅇㅇ let out a dry laugh.
“Did I?”
Noah looked at her, quietly.
“Be honest. It’s because of Yejoon, right?”
ㅇㅇㅇ flinched.
“…Was it that obvious?”
“Yeah. It was.”
Noah sighed, sounding tired.
“Everyone knows you like him.”
ㅇㅇㅇ was struck speechless.
“…Everyone?”
She let out a laugh—half disbelief, half defeat.
“What about Yejoon?”
Noah gave a small smirk.
“That, I don’t know.”
ㅇㅇㅇ kicked lightly at the ground with her toe. She couldn’t deny it anymore. It was true, after all.
“Then why didn’t you ever say anything?”
“You wouldn’t admit it even if I did.”
“…That’s…”
She trailed off.
“And I didn’t need to. It was obvious enough.”
Noah looked at her with a calm, steady gaze.
“You always get hurt over whatever Yejoon does. You care way too much… and still, you like him.”
ㅇㅇㅇ couldn’t argue.
“If that’s how you want to live…” Noah gave a small, quiet laugh.
“…We just watch.”
Something about that line made her feel cold.
If everyone really knew…
Then did Yejoon know too?
And if he did, why did he act like it meant nothing?
“…I must look pathetic, huh?”
ㅇㅇㅇ muttered.
Noah shrugged.
“Mm. A little?”
Then he lightly tapped the top of her head.
“But honestly, there are more idiots like you in our group than you’d think.”
ㅇㅇㅇ looked at him.
“…Are you one of them?”
Noah smiled—but didn’t answer.
And that silence felt... loaded with meaning.
ㅇㅇㅇ sat outside for a long time.
Her head was spinning—not from the alcohol, but from everything else.
Pretending to be okay, acting like it didn’t hurt—there was only so much she could do. She was exhausted.
"Everyone knows."
Noah’s words wouldn’t leave her head.
Did Yejoon know too?
And if he did… why did he act like nothing was wrong?
Just as those thoughts circled endlessly, she heard footsteps.
“There you are.”
She looked up.
It was Yejoon.
“You okay?”
His voice was as gentle as ever.
For a moment, ㅇㅇㅇ felt tears rise—but she swallowed them down.
“Yeah. Just needed some air.”
Yejoon stood in front of her, watching quietly.
He had always been this gentle.
Always—and probably always would be.
But knowing that his kindness was the same for everyone… that was what hurt.
“Why did you drink so much tonight?”
She gave a small laugh at his concerned tone.
“I’m fine.”
Yejoon didn’t look convinced. His eyes stayed on her, and that look was painful—too painful. She turned away.
“Rough day?”
“You mean the recording?”
“That too. But more than that…”
He took a step closer. The shortened distance made it hard to breathe.
ㅇㅇㅇ slowly took a deep breath.
“I said I’m fine.”
Same answer. Same lie.
Yejoon lowered his head a little, then asked carefully:
“Is it because of me?”
Her heart sank.
Her mind went blank.
Please. Pretend you don’t know. Even if you do. Just pretend.
“What are you talking about? I just like drinking, that’s all.”
She forced a smile. A light tone. A neutral face.
But Yejoon was still looking at her.
“You scare me sometimes.”
“What?”
“The way you act like nothing’s wrong. And then somehow make it feel like nothing ever was.”
ㅇㅇㅇ didn’t drop her smile.
“Yejoon, what’s with you? This isn’t like you.”
“….”
He didn’t reply.
He just stood beside her in silence. And in that silence, ㅇㅇㅇ understood exactly what it meant.
“…Then let me ask you something. Why did you do that earlier?”
“What do you mean?”
“At the table. Grabbing my wrist. Saying that.”
Yejoon didn’t respond right away.
“You don’t remember?”
“…I remember.”
A short answer.
ㅇㅇㅇ took a deep breath.
“So it wasn’t just drunken nonsense.”
Yejoon didn’t deny it. He simply looked at her, the night wind tousling his hair.
"yes."
“…Yeah?”
“I don’t want to grow distant from you.”
“…”
“I just don’t.”
It wasn’t a confession.
But it wasn’t indifference either.
That in-between warmth—
That hurt her even more.
So she laughed.
“Yeah. That’s exactly what we are, aren’t we?”
“What do you mean?”
“We never cross the line.”
ㅇㅇㅇ said quietly.
“You’re kind to me. I lean on that kindness. And then… sometimes, I get confused.”
Yejoon stayed silent.
“Look at your face. You really do know. So everyone knew but me, huh? I’m the only idiot here.”
ㅇㅇㅇ spoke with eerie calm, as if trying to convince herself.
Yejoon looked away, into the distant dark. His expression unreadable in the shadows.
Eventually, ㅇㅇㅇ spoke again.
“…Let’s go back inside.”
"yes."
She didn’t turn around.
“I like you.”
The words fell.
And with them, something inside her cracked—loudly, violently.
ㅇㅇㅇ tried to smile—but couldn’t.
Then the real smile came. Bitter.
“It’s too late, Yejoon.”
“Why…?”
“Everyone knew. Everyone but you. Or no—maybe you just pretended not to.”
Yejoon’s eyes trembled.
“I went through a lot, you know.”
“That’s not what I meant to do.”
“Yeah. That’s the line I hate most.”
ㅇㅇㅇ tried to walk past him—but he grabbed her wrist.
This time, it wasn’t the alcohol.
His hand hesitated, unsure—like he was still debating whether to let go.
“I’m sorry. Back then… I didn’t know for sure. But now, I do.”
ㅇㅇㅇ gently pulled her hand away.
“What’s the point, if you only know now?”
She turned away.
At that moment, Noah’s words echoed in her mind again:
"There are more idiots like you than you think."
Maybe this night belonged to all the fools.
The ones who realized too late.
The ones who waited too long.
The ones who never even said a word.
And among them, ㅇㅇㅇ started walking—quietly.
It was the kind of night where even kindness could feel like poison.