Hanu furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"
Robin didn't answer. He merely lowered his head slightly, then stood straight again—leaning against the wall like a shadow guarding from beyond the light.
His mysterious aura swallowed the room's entire attention. Even Rei, who was usually the most sharp-eyed, looked a bit more alert.
Leo tried to break the tension. "Okay, let's all take a break for now, yeah? We've got practice again at three."
Zio patted Axel on the back. "Bro, go with Hanu to the pantry, yeah? Make him some warm tea."
Axel nodded and immediately grabbed Hanu's hand, but Hanu turned toward Robin.
"Can he come too?" he asked softly.
Axel nearly choked on his own saliva. "Huh? Him?"
Robin simply nodded, calm as ever. "Of course."
---
Pantry – NEO Entertainment
The room was quiet, with only the hum of the air conditioner and the clink of a spoon stirring in a glass. Hanu sat on a high stool by the bar counter, while Robin stood half a meter away, silent.
Hanu stole glances now and then.
"So…" he mumbled, "...when exactly did we meet before?"
Robin shrugged slightly. "You were still a trainee. Internal agency concert. Five years ago. I was in the back row, part of the backup security team."
"And you remembered me?"
"I never forget the face of someone who needed protection."
Those words made Hanu's heart pound harder. Cold, yet warm. Firm, yet protective. A contradiction that, oddly... felt comforting.
"So why did you end up working here?"
Robin looked straight at him. "Because I hated seeing you tremble in that video. And I knew... you needed someone who wouldn't leave you in your darkest moment."
Hanu froze. The words struck deep into a hidden trauma. His voice faltered.
"If you were cold like Rei, I probably would've run away already," he whispered.
Robin turned to him. "Call me whatever you want. But I'll never let anyone touch you without permission."
---
Practice Room – A Few Hours Later
Hanu finally joined the practice, though his movements were still stiff. Axel watched him occasionally through the mirror, Leo gave instructions patiently, Zio was busy perfecting the choreography, and Rei... remained Rei, quiet but always observant.
Robin sat silently in a corner, not interfering. But his eyes never left Hanu.
During break time, Axel shouted while unscrewing his water bottle. "Damn, we should give a gift to this crazy choreographer!"
Zio replied instantly, "You give it! I'm ready to retire from being an idol!"
They burst out laughing. But Hanu just bowed his head, wiping his sweat quietly.
Suddenly, Robin stood and approached. He handed over a small clean towel and a bottle of water.
Hanu stared. "Where'd you get this?"
Robin didn't answer. "Drink. And don't push yourself too hard."
Axel gawked. "Whoa, why's he being so caring?"
Zio grinned. "Bro, this ain't bodyguard vibes anymore… This is straight up Korean drama boyfriend energy."
Robin shot them a sharp look. "My duty is to protect Hanu. That includes rest and hydration."
Rei chimed in, flatly. "And if that duty includes managing his meals too, don't be surprised if you get added to his fan club group chat."
Leo laughed. "Well then—welcome to the Oblivion family, Uncle Robin!"
"Uncle?" Robin raised an eyebrow.
"Ehh, sorry," Leo said, slightly panicked. "Wait—what do we even call him?" he whispered to the others.
"Robin. Just call me Robin."
"Alright then. Robin."
Robin gave a short nod. But when Hanu gave him a faint smile—a genuine, small smile from behind all his pain—for the first time, those cold eyes of Robin's... softened just a little.
---
Night – Oblivion Dorm
Three Days Later
Days passed quickly since the fansign incident. Oblivion's popularity had skyrocketed, yet the attention on Hanu hadn't died down.
Even so, there was one person who wouldn't let it happen again—Robin.
Behind his calm and professional demeanor, something was hidden. Not just a dark past… but a world far beyond what an idol like Hanu could ever understand.
---
That Night – NEO Entertainment Basement Parking Lot
Robin received an unknown call through the small earpiece in his ear. He stepped away from the dorm briefly, heading into the darkest corner of the parking lot.
A man's voice, laced with a heavy English-Malay accent, rumbled on the other end.
> "Boss… we've got a problem."
Robin said nothing.
> "Mr. Shen's men from Guangzhou arrived in Singapore. They've been snooping around about our latest movements… and I think they know you're in Indonesia now."
Robin gripped the car door handle, his face still calm.
"Did they touch any of our people?"
> "Not yet. But they started intimidating folks at the port. Even… the guy guarding our warehouse in Bugis went missing this morning."
Robin hissed softly. "I asked for one week of peace. Just one."
> "They know who Hanu is, boss."
Robin's eyes changed instantly. His gaze turned sharp as a blade. "If they lay a hand on that boy… eliminate them. No permission needed. Make it a lesson."
> "Understood, boss."
Robin ended the call. He stood still for a moment, then calmly made his way back to the dorm floor—same face, steady and unbothered.But in those deep brown eyes… a storm was brewing.