Chapter 60 #11. The Stalker (1)
My popularity was steadily rising without me even trying too hard. We were getting invited everywhere, and word was our fandom was already forming—and it was pretty sizable too. We'd dipped briefly on the Billboard Global chart before dropping off again, but that had catapulted the group to new heights. Right now, it was time to boost our overall fan numbers, not chase individual fans.
"Will the pictorial shoot get our group known overseas too?"
"Probably, yeah?"
"I'm excited."
"We'll get a ton more fans!!"
"Right! Foreign fans!"
I clicked my tongue inwardly as I listened to the members chattering. Complaining about schedules already after a bit of hard work? So immature.
That's when Jeki spoke up in his deep, heavy voice.
"Other kids are stuck at the dorm with no gigs. Instead of being grateful, you're already being picky? If anyone else heard you, it'd blow up into a scandal and you'd be on hiatus. What do you think about that?"
"……."
"……."
The other members fell silent at Jeki's words, clamping their mouths shut.
"You think it's fine 'cause it's just us? Bad habits stick if you're not careful with your words. You think those other guys mess up on purpose? Don't you remember all those seniors who were killing it, then one scandal hits and poof—they're gone? You think debuting means you're set for life? Got a little fame and now the world's yours?"
"Sorry, hyung."
"…Sorry."
"My bad."
"I must've lost my mind for a sec."
The mood sobered up fast. At least no one pushed back against the leader's scolding. Their heads were still screwed on straight.
"I get it, you're tired. It's gotta be frustrating. Even I'm going nuts spending all day in the car. But picking and choosing schedules? No way. Those people paid good money 'cause they wanna see us perform."
The words coming from a kid who wasn't even 19 yet were shockingly mature. I should've said it first as the adult, but standing there getting chewed out made me feel awkward instead. Especially Kang Kyungtae, the oldest among us (21, but still), looking sheepish as he spoke up.
"Sorry. I haven't been pulling my weight as the big hyung."
"No, hyung. It was my fault. I said something rude. Jeki hyung's right—I got too carried away."
There's a reason flash-in-the-pan stars burn out quick. They swore during trainee days they'd never end up like "those guys," but once it was their turn, their mindset flipped. Me? I wasn't really a 20-year-old anyway—just a 30-something dude with a solid sense of self—so I could stay grounded better than the kids.
If only they paid us a ton of money.
I hadn't been a trainee forever, so I'd get my settlement right after this promo cycle, the manager had whispered to me. The others needed more activity time for theirs.
With all the women I gotta support from now on, better stack that cash.
After the diamond ring, Jua noona's love for me hit max. Don't get the wrong idea—not 'cause of the money.
It's 'cause that ring's our wedding band.
That's why I'd given her something so pricey—to prove I was dead serious about us. Idol life meant meeting lots of girls inevitably, and she'd shown her insecurities subtly before. Post-ring? No more jealousy flares. Now she was deep into prenatal care under her mom's watch.
The commotion died down with apologies flying every which way.
"Hyung!! You gotta join in too! Don't act like you're not part of the group!"
"Nah, I don't really have anything to apologize for…?"
"We're all one body!! Together!!"
Sheesh. I got swept up anyway, spouting some cringey team spirit crap.
Airplane. The boy group Honey Enter had ambitiously launched. Even before debut, their stunning visuals grabbed everyone's attention. Flaunting flawless looks and skills, they skyrocketed in recognition. Aggressive promo paid off—they hit the Billboard Global chart right out the gate, a rare feat. Fans poured in faster than ever. No group had started with this much hype; the idol world was watching closely.
"So hot! Kyaaah!!"
Kim Uri screamed at the stage fancam. Her little brother, watching, sighed and shook his head.
Disgusting.
Drooling over younger guys? Pathetic. Working part-time to buy them gifts? Lame. Her room wallpapered in idol pics was standard. She'd photoshop herself into "couple" shots and carry them around. Worst? Grabbing her camera and vanishing for days—not a one-off.
She got hauled to the cops as a stalker once and she's still at it? No loyalty for a girl. Trash! Nuclear waste!
Stuck living together, he knew her crushes by force. But her current obsession had switched again.
If she'd stuck to one group, he might've cut her slack—true love makes you obsessive. But Kim Uri latched on like a maniac, dug deep... then flipped to someone new overnight. Gold-digger quick-love with stalker vibes. Worst kind of woman.
"Urgh—where'd your 'die-for-them' boys go? Screeching over randoms now? Total cringe."
"Shut up!"
"Mooom!! Sis cussed me out!!"
Kim!!!Uri!!!!!!
"Argh, you little shit. Get out of my room!"
Kim Uri ground her teeth at her snitching brother. Other families' little bros might be fine, but hers was a dog. She kicked the whiny brat out and refocused on her computer. The dropped mood surged back to bliss.
"Heh heh, so hot."
Her screen: Multiple pics of Jin Haesol from rookie boy group Airplane. Love at first sight—no, she'd fallen hard.
His beauty was perfect, violently captivating. Impossible to resist.
I wanna meet him.
Years of fanning had wired her: Love sparked the urge to meet. But it wasn't casual. She craved his every detail. Favorite foods? Colors? Meals? Everything...
"Ha-ut!!"
Squelch—!
Her fingers slid down. Legs spread wide, she dove into her routine.
Frenzied fingers. Wet, sticky sounds echoed.
Her eyes bored into the screen the whole time.
Ten minutes later, flushed cheeks glowing, she wiped her juices with tissues. Catching her breath, resolve hardened.
"…Can't hold back anymore."
Mom's warning after the stalker report: One more cop visit, and she'd scrub her from the family registry. She'd bottled it up. But now? Unbearable.
"He's waiting for me…!"
Words that'd get her labeled crazier if her brother heard. She pulled out her hidden "gear" box.
Home fanning? Fake, empty shell. No shared memories—how's that real love?! Hers was love, not stalking. The world just didn't get it. Hateful.
Insufficient! So lacking! This is all you've got? Why can't they capture his full beauty? If it were me, no sloppy shots! I should've been there…!
It hit her. Mom's warning: One more idol chase leading to cops, and you're off the registry!
Registry over love with him? Registry vs. Love. Love vs. Registry.
"Neither matters! Nothing does!!!"
She bolted up. Room-bound fanning? Done. Rookies meant slim pickings anyway.
So I can't hold back anymore!!
Even if disowned.
I'd know everything about him!!
"Neeek!?!?"
"Stalking????????"
"This counts as stalking, right?"
"What? Spill the details!!"
The members swarmed me. I pulled out my phone and showed them.
"These started a few days ago, but I just ignored 'em."
"How'd they even get hyung's number?"
"Ignoring this takes some mental steel. I'd run to the manager right away."
"Same."
"Thought it was a wrong number at first. But it kept coming the next day."
I swiped to the next.
"This about that yellow hoodie from a few days back?"
"Yeah."
"Uwaaaah!!!"
"Aaaah!!"
"Chills!!"
The members freaked, stomping around. Scary for me, sure—but hit too close for comfort.
"C-call the manager! Now!!"
"Can the company handle it?"
"How are you so chill?! Not scared?!"
They were shaking. But...
Getting stalked by a girl doesn't seem that scary...
Strange feeling. Not thrilled, mind you—I'm not crazy. Just not terrorized like them.
What kinda family raises a kid like that… tsk tsk.
Ten days since these started. Figured it'd fizzle after a day or two, so I watched. But ten straight? Time to loop in the members—beyond solo handling.
Lucky it's me first. If it hit them, they'd whine nonstop.
Handle mine clean, and if they get one later? Might not freak as bad.