Episode 26: The First Breath of Freedom
The morning after the Asia Artist Awards was not quiet.
It roared.
Hashtags topped global trends. Fancams hit a million views within hours. News anchors called AX1 "the voice of a generation."
But inside the dorm?
Silence.
A different kind.
The kind that follows peace.
---
Dorm Living Room — 6:42 a.m.
Minho curled up under a hoodie, still half-asleep.
Seo-jin played soft acoustic guitar, humming chords to himself.
Jun stared at the ceiling, earphones in, but the music wasn't playing. Just plugged in to mute the world.
Seon? He was asleep on the couch, head resting on Jaewon's lap.
And Jaewon? He was watching the sun rise.
Their phones buzzed nonstop.
But no one rushed to check them.
For the first time in years, there was no rehearsal schedule.
No wake-up call.
No fear.
Just… breath.
---
Later That Morning — A Call from GAN
Manager Haejin showed up with breakfast.
And a proposal.
"We want to sign AX1," she said. "On your terms. Full creative control. No contracts longer than one year. Mental health clauses. Transparent pay."
The boys froze.
"Why?" Seon asked.
"Because your story is now everyone's," she replied. "And we'd rather protect it than steal it."
Jaewon narrowed his eyes. "And what's in it for GAN?"
Haejin shrugged. "Redemption. Profit. Maybe both. But mostly? I believe in you. I've seen what happens when artists aren't believed in. I want to try something else."
---
Debate Time
The dorm exploded in discussion.
Minho was wary. "We just got free. Why run into another deal?"
Jun reasoned, "A one-year contract isn't a cage. It's a door."
Seo-jin added, "We don't have to say yes."
Seon said nothing at first. Then, quietly:
"If we're together… it doesn't matter who holds the pen. We'll still write it."
They voted.
Unanimous.
Yes.
---
Flashback: Jaewon's Old Journal Entry — Trainee Year One
> "If I ever debut, I want to be the kind of idol that tells the truth. Even if it's ugly. Even if it means I cry on stage. Even if it ruins me. At least I'll be mine."
---
News Segment — That Night
The headline scrolled in red:
> "AX1 signs with GAN. New Era Confirmed."
Behind the anchor, clips of their performance played in a loop — especially the part where Seon's voice cracked but kept singing.
Not flaw.
Human.
The world fell harder for it.
---
Next Day — Recording Begins
Their new song didn't have a name yet.
But it started with Jaewon's idea:
"What if it's not about pain this time? What if it's about surviving it?"
Minho built the melody.
Seo-jin improvised harmony.
Jun cried while writing the chorus.
Seon? He wrote the outro.
> "I am not your edit. I am the uncut scene. Watch me bloom where you buried me."
---
The Confession — Part Two
After recording, they stayed late.
The studio was dark except for a single lamp.
Seon leaned on the wall. Jaewon sat on the piano bench.
"I meant what I said," Jaewon whispered. "Back then. On the balcony."
Seon looked at him. "I know."
"And I mean this now too."
He stood.
Took Seon's hand.
"I want more. Not just kisses and lyrics. I want mornings. Fights. Silence. Real life. With you."
Seon's voice cracked. "I want that too."
Then he laughed. "You make it sound like marriage."
Jaewon smiled. "Not yet. But maybe one day."
---
Final Scene: Group Chat Chaos
> Jun: "New demo slapped." Minho: "Slapped whom? Be specific." Seo-jin: "Seon's high note hit my soul's kneecaps." Seon: "U guys r so dramatic." Jaewon: "Say that again and I'm leaking your baby photos." Seon: "😳"
They laughed like bro
thers.
Not just a band.
A family.
And the world waited — not for gossip, not for scandals, but for the music.
For the next chapter.
For AX1 reborn.
---
To be continued…