Chapter 6: Secrets And Shadows

[POV. Naina]

It was an off day. I was in home. Ruina wasn't there. I wasn't sure what to do. I wanted to call Kilin. Wanna spend a day again. Should I?

Let's try. Just once. I called. He didn't pick up. But wait… he called back. Should I answer? My fingers hovered over the screen. Okay.

Kilin: Hello. Is this Naina?

Naina: Remember me? Yes, I'm.

Kilin: What made you to call me? Need any help?

Naina: Are you free today? I mean I'm passing a boring time.

Kilin: Um. Let me call you after 2 min. Okay?

Naina: Okay.

Did I do anything wrong?

[POV. Kilin]

I stared at my phone, Naina's name still on the screen from her missed call. I wanted to say yes. I wanted to escape, even if just for a few hours. But could I?

What can I say now? I have a dance practice today. I need brother Yuan.

Kilin: Hyung, can I take a break today? I am not feeling great.

Yuan: Let me, let me, let me know. Why?

Kilin: I'm a little bit stressed and I want to pass a day alone.

Yuan: You wanna talk about it?

Yuan.... He was my secret diary. I shared everything with him, like everything. Should I share it, too?

Kilin: Can we go out?

Yuan: What happened? Is everything alright?

Kilin: I'm just confused..

We went out for some time.

Yuan: Everything alright? What happened?

Kilin: I just want to pass a day off. One of my friend asked me if I have time.

Yuan: Who is that friend? You've never talked about any special friend before?

Kilin: Not special. Just a normal friend.

Yuan: Okay, I'm letting you to go. But don't hide anything from me. Okay?

Kilin: Okay.... Thank you soooooo much.

He laughed. Then, I again thanked him.

I knew that my agency didn't allow me. I knew that agency will be scold for allowing me. But I had to go. I again called Naina.

[POV. Naina]

He called me again.

Kilin: Hello?

Naina: Good afternoon! Are you busy? Seems like..

Kilin: It's okay. You were talking about going out. Ready?

Naina: You got it! Yeah I'm ready. Let's meet around Yongdusan Park.

Kilin: Your wish. See ya!

Naina: See!

We met around that park. We enjoyed having street food.

[POV. Kilin]

I enjoyed the day normally with an unexpected and special friend in my life. Just a normal girl and I met her unexpectedly.

She had never treat me as a kpop idol. Always just like a normal friend. That day, just unbelievable. We sat for a moment. A little conversation.

[POV. Naina]

Kilin and I sit on a quiet bench in Yongdusan Park, the city lights of Busan twinkling below them. The distant hum of life fills the silence between them as Kilin exhales, his hands clasped together, his black hair slightly tousled by the breeze.

He looked at me , a shadow of exhaustion in his eyes. For a few moments, neither of us spoke. The night air was cool against my skin, but I could feel the warmth of Kilin sitting beside me. He exhaled, staring at the city lights.

Then, in a voice quieter than before, he spoke.

Kilin: You know… people think being an idol is just about fame, fans, and money. But they don't see what happens behind the scenes. They don't see what it takes to survive in this industry.

I tilted my head, sensing the weight behind his words.

Naina: What do you mean?

Kilin leaned back against the bench, staring up at the sky as if searching for answers.

Kilin: Imagine waking up every day knowing you have to be perfect. Every move, every word, every smile—it has to be controlled. If you slip up, even once, people turn on you. The internet explodes with rumors, the company calls emergency meetings, and suddenly, you're a 'scandal.

My fingers tighten around the hem of my sweater.

Naina: That sounds… exhausting.

Kilin: It is. But that's not even the worst part.

He let out a humorless chuckle, running a hand through his hair.

Kilin: The training is brutal. years of practice, sometimes twelve, fifteen hours a day. you train until your body screams, but you can't stop. if you do, you'll be replaced. and even when you, and you're gone. Just… erased

I frowned, searching his face.

Naina: But… you love music, don't you?

Kilin noded, a sad smile forming on his lips.

Kilin: I do. But the pressure to stay on top… it kills people, Naina. Literally.

He paused, his voice growing quiet.

Kilin: I've seen friends break under it. Starving themselves to stay 'idol thin,' forcing smiles when they're dying inside. No relationships, no privacy, no freedom. And if you ever say you're tired, people call you ungrateful.

My heart clenches as I was watching him. I had never thought about what it truly meant to be an idol beyond the glamour and performances.

Naina: Kilin… how do you keep going?

For a moment, he didn't answer. Then, he turned to her, his dark eyes filled with something deep—something fragile.

Kilin: Because of moments like this. When I can just be me… even if it's only for a little while.

I looked at him then—not as an idol, not as a celebrity on posters, but as a boy who had spent his whole life chasing perfection. And for the first time, I wondered… had he ever just been Kilin?

I reached out, my fingers brushing against his hand in silent understanding. In that moment, Kilin wasn't just an idol. He was just a person—someone carrying the weight of a world that refused to see him for who he truly was.