TW // Contains parts suggesting mental and emotional instability, and anxiety. Please read at your own risk.

There were times our minds tend to make illusions for our own benefit. Sometimes we are aware of them, sometimes we are not—or maybe, we chose not to. But to save ourselves from further damage, we let these illusions take over our lives until we eventually become dependent on them.

The downside of it all? When the moment comes and our bubble of make-believe burst, only then will we realize that all this time, it was poisoning our minds. We thought we have been saving ourselves from further damage, but these illusions have already ruined us.

The mind is a body part too, just like any other. If the heart can get complications, if the bones can get broken, if there comes a time the eyes can't function to its full capacity, so is the mind. We tend to ignore its needs because even then, do we create an illusion that we are actually fine. That 'it is all in our mind.'

That's what Ki-Ryeong had been telling himself all this time. As long as he tries to act like everything's normal, as long as he tries to fool himself that he belongs to this world, and as long as he focuses on what he came here for, he will be fine.

That was his illusion.

And without him noticing, his mind is already giving up on its own.

Infamous K-Media News Outlet Unexpectedly Reveals Dating Photos of Global Superstars, Kio (RAVN) and Lilac (K4RMA)!

Ahn Ki-Ryeong of RAVN and Lilac Ayutthaya of K4RMA Photographed Together while Leaving a Fitness Gym in Itaewon

Global Idols Kio (RAVN) and Lilac (K4RMA) Rumored to be Dating After IdolOne Media Released Photos

His grip on the phone tightened to the point that his members—who are watching him—began to worry it would snap in half. They remained silent and Kio can feel their eyes trained solely at him, which made the situation worse. The gazes felt so heavy, they started to suffocate him. As minutes went by, his face grew paler and paler.

"Kio?"

He didn't know who called, and he didn't bother finding out. His hands started to shake and he soon realized he can't look away from the headlines. The words began to blur, the letters began to twist and turn... they started rearranging themselves into a familiar dreadful sentence;

RAVN's Kio Allegedly Dating a Famous Influencer after Intimate Photos got Leaked

Ahn Ki-Ryeong's Dating Scandal with a Social Media Influencer Caused Clamor Among Fans

CCTV Photo of RAVN's Kio and Fashion Blogger in a Tattoo Shop Gets Leaked Leading to Dating Rumors

His breath was caught in his throat, and an audible gasp escaped his trembling lips as he absentmindedly threw the phone across the room. It crashed against the living room's wall, broken pieces flew everywhere making it irreparable.

"No! No, no, no... this can't be... no..." he breathlessly mumbled repeatedly, before he started pacing back and forth.

Yohan immediately went to the restless boy and held his shoulders. "Kio, it's going to be fine. Don't worry," he tried to say in consolation, worry evident in his tone. But to his surprise, fear masked Ki-Ryeong's face instead when he looked back.

"Hyung... hyung, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... this is not- I'm sorry... I won't do it again..."

"Ki-Ryeong—" Asher was about to step closer to him too, but Kio hurriedly met him halfway with tears in his eyes.

"You have to call Lilac. Don't let her go out. Don't let her see those articles... Ash, call her! Please just—"

"Kio, you need to calm down," Haneul muttered worriedly as their youngest started becoming short of breath. "Hei, what did Manager Chen say?," he asked about their manager who's now on his way with their boss. But before Hei-won can answer, all of their attention instantly went to Ki-Ryeong when he suddenly started clutching his chest and gasping for breath.

Yohan immediately caught him in his arms as Hei-won kneels beside the two figures to help calm the youngest down. The other two had no other choice but watch and give them space.

"Is this an anxiety attack? When did this start?," Haneul nervously asked before bringing his phone out and sending a text to their manager, telling him to hurry.

"Lilac... A-Ash, please call her, please. She can't leave the apartment... she can't ride the cab, Asher..." Kio plead between his sobs and labored breathing.

"Someone, call her," Hei-won pointedly said. "I have her number on my phone. Call her now."

Asher hurriedly brought his phone out, remembering he got Li's number too. His hands started to tremble in panic. This isn't the first time the youngest had a hard time breathing, but it is the first time it's caused by what seems like... anxiety, as Haneul said.

Lilac accepted the call by the third ring, "Ash? Why—"

"Li, can you come here in Kio's apartment?" There was silence for a few seconds, he imagined her looking surprised by his words.

"What? But... the current situation..."

His attention was momentarily interrupted by the buzzing of the intercom, probably their manager and boss. Haneul immediately left to open the door for the pair and in no time, Manager Chen and Chief Kang entered with concerned faces.

Asher watched as their manager crouched down beside their hysterical youngest. Ki-Ryeong is crying, repeatedly pleading to tell Lilac not to go out and take the cab. He started clutching their manager's shirt, now saying how dangerous it would be for her... how he can't let her die again.

Ash feels so horrified by the sight, he almost forgot the girl on the other line.

"Senior? What's happening?," Lilac's voice cut through his fixed gaze, sounding perturbed.

"Is your manager there? Is there someone from your company with you now?"

Manager Chen started going through his messenger bag and surprisingly pulled out a syringe. Asher looked at his Haneul in fear for their youngest. The latter just held his shoulder in assurance, the guy's narrow eyes now red with unshed tears.

"One of my managers is on his way to pick me up, he'll take me to the company," comes Lilac's response.

"Is that Lilac?"

He turned to his side and was greeted by Chief Kang's serious gaze. He nodded.

"I'll talk to her," the man outstretched his hand, expecting the phone.

He reluctantly passed him the phone, and wasn't able to listen to their conversation anymore because the producer instantly walked away. He turned back to the commotion, and saw Manager Chen and Hei-won laying the now passed-out Kio down the bed.

Tension is still apparent inside the room. Yohan's audible sigh broke through the suffocating silence as he covered his face with his hand, the other resting on his hip. The leader looked distressed and overwhelmed with what just happened.

"What the fuck was that?," Haneul breathed out, looking at each one of them.

"Does anyone even know what's happening with Kio?," Manager Chen asked. "How can someone miss this?"

The four gazed at each other; three looking clueless, while one seemed to lose his strength, sat down the foot of the bed and raked his hand through his hair.

"Hei-won?" Asher guessed the third eldest knew something, in an instant.

"I... I don't know if I should—"

"Start explaining, Hei." Yohan uttered with faint authority in his voice.

"What does this have to do with Lilac? Is there something you're not telling me? Are they really dating?," their manager added, already losing patience. "This never happened before!"

Hei-won closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "He... he's been in love with her for a long time now."

"What?," Haneul frowned, remembering Kio's attitude towards the girl the past years. "Are you making this up?"

"No, of course not! Hating her was Kio's way to get her attention, you know how immature this kid could be..." Hei then drawled convincingly. "He decided to finally make a move and change his attitude when he dreamt of her. Lilac was—" he cleared his throat, reluctantly resuming; "She was in a lethal accident in the dream, it caused her to die. It kind of... stayed with Ki-Ryeong. He said it was so vivid, it was hard to forget."

Haneul looked unconvinced, "a dream? This is caused by a mere dream?"

"That's what I know. That's everything Kio told me, and I choose to believe him," the former said in finality.

They've been together for more than ten years, and Asher knew right at this moment, there was a unanimous understanding between him, Yohan and Haneul that everything Hei-won said are pure bullshit.

"I'll call his brother," Yohan announced. He wears a cold expression and looks very disappointed with how their third eldest chose to lie. But he decided not to pry any further, for now, until he hears Kio's side.

Manager Chen nodded and looked at the remaining three members. "This conversation is not yet over."

Before Ash could say more, Chief Kang returned with his phone in hand. No emotion can be detected on his face, a sign that they are currently in a dire situation and the man is beyond mad.

"Lilac and her manager are on their way. Later, I will be meeting Cres Ent.'s CEO to settle everything. Ki-Ryeong's well-being is our main priority." He turned to Hei-won, "let's talk outside."

The man didn't wait for the latter's response and went straight out of the room. Hei-won stood up, and without looking at any of the members, followed their boss outside.