Lilac didn't know what to feel at the moment. She is confused beyond imagination, and the lingering shock the scandal brought her still hasn't gone away. And now, she found herself inside Kio's apartment, with his members, manager and boss gathered around. Is there anything more nerve-wracking and weirder than this?

Like come on, yes, dating scandals are considered blasphemous as an idol, but she had never heard any management respond to one this way. She hasn't even seen Ki-Ryeong! She'll feel less anxious if he's here.

Where even is he?

"He's sleeping in his room," Yohan suddenly said, answering her unsaid question. Her head snapped towards him, she also only realized by then that she was absentmindedly looking around.

"Let's get straight to the point," Kang Namhyuk started as Manager Chen placed down glasses of orange juice in front of her and her manager. The man then took the seat across her.

They're in the dining area, the CEO seated at the head of the six-seater table, Manager Chen and Yohan adjacent to his left, and her and Manager Jung on the two other seats to his right. 

The seat at the other end remains vacant, the other members refusing to take it. The three are standing at the corner of the room instead, intent on listening to the conversation.

"We had to subdue Kio earlier because he had an anxiety attack," Chief Kang continued.

Her eyes gradually widened, "anxiety attack? Why?"

If this happened a year ago, or even only months ago, she would've just looked at the man incredulously. Ahn Ki-Ryeong? That egoistic playboy? Ahn Ki-Ryeong who's overly confident and who carries himself around like he owns everything... having an anxiety attack? No freaking way.

But after all their recent interactions, after seeing him during his lowest, pleading and crying, down on his knees—the revelation isn't so far-fetched anymore. Now that they've bonded with all those heart-to-heart talks and shared secrets, immense worry started growing inside her chest.

She was brought back to that night in Japan. A drunk Kio bawling his eyes out on her lap, clutching his shirt like he was trying so hard to avoid the broken pieces of his heart from falling apart. Unshed tears started to well up her eyes, and it didn't escape everyone's sight.

"Looks like you know something," Manager Chen mumbled. He sounded like he's being wary with his words.

"You two have been closer recently, I heard," Chief Kang added. "He told you everything, especially the current issue he's facing. Did he?"

Ex-girlfriend.

Those words immediately popped up inside her mind. She remembered she isn't the only one in the room who knew, so her eyes instantly flew towards Hei-won. The guy is currently leaning against the kitchen counter, arms crossed. He seems to already anticipate her gaze as he is already looking back. They shared a meaningful gaze.

Yohan, observant as ever, caught this. "Did Kio also tell you about the dream? The same one he told Hei-won?"

She frowned, dream?

All she's aware of is the fact that Kio had an ex-girlfriend who he cheated on. No clue about some dream... is he having nightmares because of his conscience and grief? Maybe, that's it?

"Do you mean his nightmares about the girl?," she asked, choosing her words carefully. She can't say ex-girlfriend, Kio hasn't told the other members about her.

"The girl?," Yohan's brows furrowed, glancing at Hei before looking back. "He didn't tell you who that girl is?"

Wait, did the guy finally tell them that he dated someone? Seems like it.

"He never did and I don't want to pry too much..."

Well, that's his ex! It may still be a sensitive topic.

"So he hasn't confessed yet," Ash casually commented. Everyone's attention averted towards him.

Lilac felt confused; Confess what? The name of his ex?

There was a faint panic in Asher's tone when he added; "I mean—"

"No, senior. He didn't tell who the girl is," she decided to help. The guy looked like he can't find the right words to say.

"Alright, we understand," the CEO spoke again.

"Did the nightmares cause his... anxiety attack?," she finally asked what has been bothering her.

"That's what we thought. But like you, we only know vague details on what he's been going through these days. We want to wait until he wakes up and tells us everything, himself, before deciding what to do."

"What if... he won't tell?"

The room grew silent after she uttered those words. They can't turn a blind eye to such possibility. Ki-Ryeong kept his situation to himself for so long—even his past relationship which could've lasted for years—what makes them think he'll willingly reveal it now?

"That's why you're here," Chief Kang's voice broke the silence. "I would like to ask for your help."

"M-me? But—"

"You've only gotten close to Kio recently, but you already know matters about his life more than most of us," Yohan said with a hint of dismay in his tone. "Maybe he's at that age when he's more comfortable talking about his life with someone his age."

She can't help but peer at each of the guys. They all look somewhat sad with what their leader said. This is about their youngest, and she's certain they're used to Kio telling them everything and asking for their advise—just like her with her older members. But this happened, they must be thinking they're failing as big brothers.

"What can I do?," she decided to help.

Well, Ahn Ki-Ryeong is now my purpose, remember?

"We'll try to talk to him first," Manager Chen laid out the plan. "And if he's still not ready to share everything to us, please stay by his side. Just stay with him, it seems like he'll feel better if he's with you."

"And maybe, you can also convince him to attend some therapy sessions," Kang Namhyuk added with a solemn voice.

She stilled, swallowing hard, "okay. Let's try that."

"Thank you, Ms. Ayutthaya."

"About the scandal—"

The CEO suddenly stood up, which made the others follow suit. "Let's go to your company, I'll talk to your boss."

She was about to respond when her manager beat her to it. "I have informed Madame Song that you'll be accompanying us."

The man nodded, "thank you."

°.•⏳.°•

Her members can't believe how the event ended. Indeed, the conclusion was quite unexpected. While Cres Ent.'s statement was as nonchalant as usual—a more formal approach to; 'We don't give a fuck about our artist's personal life'—VN, on the other hand, decided to release a mysterious statement. An 'almost confirmation,' as Reiko described.

Ki-Ryeong and Lilac have been close for a couple of years now, through their known circle, the '97-line. They are still getting to know each other more, and are trying to see how far their friendship can go or if it will be better for both parties to take the next step.

That was the paragraph that pretty much summarizes the whole sixteen-lined statement released by the VN Entertainment's PR team. Only ten minutes later, Cres responded with a, yet again, more formal approach to; 'You heard them. Now, leave us alone.'

The same paragraph was screenshotted by Gun, and sent to their groupchat with almost every emoji to ever exist. The guy was simultaneously having a heart attack and throwing the biggest fit—in Thai. Minhwan was also sending videos of Soonho drinking bottle after bottle of soju, while he laughs in the background. To say her phone is buzzing non-stop is an understatement. It's starting to heat up, so she decided to turn it off after talking with her members and sending a long explanation to her mom and dad.

It's past 10PM and she's back in Kio's apartment. Yes, she chose to return and wait for the guy to wake up. His members also asked her to stay, so she could calm him down if ever he panics again once he woke up. She's dying to know why they thought she'll be able to do that, but chose not to ask in the meantime, and just wait till everything cools off.

The couch moved as someone took the vacant space beside her. Asher placed a mug down the center table, right in front of her. It was hot chocolate, based on its aroma. She is instantly reminded of the time she made one for Kio, back in her own apartment. She felt an indescribable warmth in her chest as the memory flooded her mind, the tips of her lips faintly rising.

"Did you believe him right away when he told you?," the guy suddenly asked. She was pulled out of her reverie, almost forgetting she got company.

And more importantly, it was Asher! She cleared her throat. Good thing she's not that affected by his presence like in the past, maybe because of their current situation?

"About?," she frowned, still a bit disoriented.

"The girl?," he drawled, sounding hesitant.

Ohh... the ex-girlfriend.

"I didn't at first but," she bit her lip, not sure if she can voice out her prior thoughts. But Kio told them already, so why not? "He was actually crying when he told me the first time, so imagine my surprise. But more than the shock, I felt more sympathetic, and it seemed so sincere—his pain."

Ash let out a painful sigh, "he was crying?"

"Yes."

"So it's true..." he mumbled, closing his eyes. "I thought Hei-won was lying when he told us. The others are probably still thinking it's made-up until now. It was a bit unbelievable, you know?"

"Yeah, but I think it's true. We can't invalidate his feelings just because we haven't experienced it ourselves," she sadly smiled.

"You're right. Now, I feel guilty. Maybe this is the reason why he didn't tell us, he knew we'd find it hard to believe him."

"As long as you believe him now, that's what matters the most."

He nodded, and they both grew silent once again, just drinking from their mugs. Her companion finished his first, and put the empty mug down the table. She continued sipping hers, staring at the top of the flatscreen TV mounted across them. The cream-colored wall is void of any decoration, and she feels like something is actually missing on it. She envisions some sort of a three-piece picture frame, perfect on that space. The photos inside are those trendy matching ones, like they were taken in a photobooth.

"Li?"

"Huh?," her head snapped towards her companion as she blinked repeatedly to erase the imagery. The heck? Did she just find another hobby? Should she try interior design this time?

"I just remembered something that convinced me Hei-won was telling the truth."

"Oh?," her interest is suddenly piqued.

Ash noticed this and smirked, "yeah... it happened years ago."

She wordlessly listened, finally finishing her drink. She was about to place the empty mug down the table, when his words made her stop.

"When testosterone still hasn't occupied Kio's brain, and he's more decent and less of a walking red flag. He had a crush on someone, and he asked me to give her his precious banana milk once."

Her breathing faltered and her hand holding the mug shook.

What?