[POV. Kilin]
The fluorescent lights in the practice room buzzed overhead as I leaned against the mirror, sweat dripping from my forehead. Another day, another exhausting rehearsal. But today, it felt different. There was an uneasiness in my chest—a weight that had nothing to do with the choreography.
Suhoo: You good, Kilin? You seem out of it today.
I forced a small smile, running a hand through my damp hair.
Kilin: Just tired.
Yuan, who had been scrolling through his phone on the bench, looked up and raised an eyebrow.
Yuan: Liar. You got something on your mind.
I hesitated, debating whether to say it. I hadn't even processed it myself, but the words slipped out before I could stop them.
Kilin: I got an offer today.
The room went silent. Even Ziang, who was normally too focused on his dance moves to care about gossip, stopped mid-stretch and turned to look at me.
Ziang: An offer? What kind of offer?
I exhaled, my fingers tightening around my water bottle.
Kilin: A solo contract. A different agency.
Suhoo: What?!
Yuan set his phone down, his gaze sharp.
Yuan: Explain.
Kilin: One of the biggest entertainment companies in Korea reached out. They want to sign me under their label—for solo work.
Silence stretched between us. For years, we had been a unit, a family. The thought of breaking that felt… unnatural.
Suhoo: But we're Star-light. We've been through everything together. Why would you—?
Kilin: I didn't say I accepted.
Ziang: But you're thinking about it.
I didn't respond. Because the truth was, I was.
I had fought so hard to reclaim control over my life, to be more than just the idol my agency molded me into. But my fight had come at a cost—my reputation, my career, and worst of all, my happiness.
And Naina…
She had stepped forward when I was drowning. She had risked everything to stand beside me. But what did I do in return? I let the industry push me into a corner. I let myself believe that love and fame couldn't exist in the same world.
But maybe they could.
Maybe this offer was my chance to change everything.
Yuan finally spoke, his voice calm but firm.
Yuan: You have to make the choice that's best for you, Kilin. But think carefully. Once you leave, there's no going back.
I nodded, knowing that whatever I chose, my life would never be the same again.
---
[POV. Naina]
It had been a while since I had last seen Kilin in person.
Since the scandal, since the backlash, since everything had crumbled, I had thrown myself into my own world—school, work, anything to keep myself from thinking about him. But no matter how much I tried to distract myself, Kilin's name was still everywhere.
And today, it was on my phone screen.
Ruina: Did you see the news?
I frowned, setting my coffee cup down.
Naina: What news?
Ruina: Kilin got an offer to leave his agency. A solo deal.
My heart skipped a beat.
A solo deal? That meant… freedom.
Naina: Is he taking it?
Ruina: No one knows. But this could change everything for him.
I swallowed. If Kilin took this deal, it would mean he could finally break free from the restrictions holding him back. No more forced silence, no more lies, no more suffering under an agency that only saw him as a product.
But it also meant something else.
It meant he would have to leave Star-light. The group he had fought so hard to build. The family that had supported him through everything.
Could he do it?
Did he want to?
And why did I still care so much?
---
[POV. Kilin]
I sat in my apartment, staring at the unsigned contract on my table.
The offer was unreal—complete creative freedom, better management, and a chance to finally tell my own story. But it wasn't just about my music.
It was about Naina.
I picked up my phone, hesitating before dialing her number.
One ring. Two.
Then, her voice.
Naina: Hello?
My throat tightened. It had been so long since I'd heard her voice. Too long.
Kilin: It's me.
Silence.
Naina: …Why are you calling me, Kilin?
Kilin: Because I need to talk to you.
She sighed, and I could almost picture her rubbing her temples, trying to decide whether to hang up or listen.
Kilin: I got an offer. A solo contract.
Naina: I know. It's all over the news.
Kilin: I haven't decided yet.
Another pause. Then, softer this time—
Naina: Why are you telling me this?
Kilin: Because I want to know what you think.
She let out a bitter laugh.
Naina: Since when do my opinions matter?
Kilin: They always mattered, Naina. I just didn't realize how much.
The words hung between us, unspoken emotions filling the silence.
Kilin: If I take this offer, I can finally be free. No more lies, no more hiding. And maybe… maybe I can finally be with you.
I heard her sharp inhale.
Naina: Kilin…
Kilin: Tell me not to do it, and I won't. Tell me you don't care anymore, and I'll walk away.
More silence. My chest ached, waiting for her response.
Then—
Naina: I can't tell you what to do, Kilin. This is your life. Your dream. You have to make this choice for yourself.
Disappointment hit me harder than I expected.
Kilin: I just… I wanted to do this for us.
Naina: Then do it for you first.
I closed my eyes. She was right. If I made this decision, it had to be for me. For my future.
Kilin: Will you be there? If I leave the agency, if I start over… will you be there?
A long pause. Then, so quietly I almost didn't hear it—
Naina: I don't know.
The call ended.
And I was left with my decision.
---
[POV. Kilin]
The next morning, I stood outside the CEO's office, contract in hand.
I had made my choice.
No more restrictions. No more lies.
It was time to take back my life.
It was time to take the risk.
Even if I lost everything, even if Naina couldn't promise me anything, I knew one thing for sure.
I had to do this.
For me.
For us.
For freedom.
And so, I knocked on the door, ready to face whatever came next.
---