First Steps and Farewells

The first step came at the end of August, right after the second semester midterms wrapped up. ♪♩♬ In the corner of the music room, the Sinbit Middle School band club fired up their booming sound equipment and dove into rehearsal.

Normally, they'd have to apply for a separate club room, budget it out, and jump through a bunch of hoops. But thanks to the band president, all that got skipped.

"Donghu-kun's joining the band club—does it make sense we can't even give them a music room? Hand over a spare key right now and tell them to practice whenever they want."

Under the principal's unwavering faith and support, the Sinbit Middle School band club settled into their comfy(?) school life. As always, they synced up to Kim Donghu's keyboard, blending into a smooth jam session. A feast of harmonious melodies, tuned just right. Drums from Kim Minhyuk, bass from Na Gangshik, guitar from Shin Yerim. The four of them wrapped up their fun rehearsal with a satisfied exhale.

"Hey, we won't be jamming like this together much longer, huh."

Kim Minhyuk's out-of-nowhere comment made everyone look up.

"Donghu and Yerim are heading to Daejong High, right? That's kinda far."

"Me and Gangshik don't have other plans, so we'll probably go to Sinbit High."

A heavy silence fell as Minhyuk finished. Realizing they only had about six months left to hang out like this—it felt long in theory, but it'd fly by in hindsight.

In what could have turned into a bittersweet moment...

"B-b-but, l-later, l-let's m-meet up a-again."

Na Gangshik dropped the last thing anyone expected.

"W-we're f-friends, right? E-even if we're apart, we k-keep in touch."

"Yeah, Gangshik's got a point. It's the era of KakaoTalk anyway."

"And we can always jam when schedules line up or during breaks."

Kim Donghu jumped in quick to steer the mood before it got weirder.

"Exactly. Just keep practicing your instruments steadily."

"Yeah, I gotta step up my drumming. I heard if we do well, we might even perform at graduation."

"...So stuff's moving forward without me again."

"I heard too—while I was playing guitar... something about graduation stuff."

"M-me t-too, a-and they ch-changed the b-banner... to N-National Prince."

Rumor had it the principal was covering the whole banner cost out of pocket. But why go that far just for a sign?

Kim Donghu pondered it briefly, then shrugged it off.

Whatever, it's not a big deal anyway.

Still...

Didn't expect Gangshik to respond like that.

Hanging out with him all this time, Donghu figured he'd be a wreck at the farewell. But that upbeat reply? Total surprise.

"Anyway, that's rehearsal for today. We'll sync the rest tomorrow."

"Donghu, you're really taking the whole year off, right?"

"Probably? Unless something comes up."

"Hope you keep chilling. Being together like this, and my modeling gigs..."

"L-later, l-later on that."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Anyway, dismissed! With Kim Donghu's word, the kids packed up their instruments. Normally, they'd tidy together and grab some tteokbokki ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠after school as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠routine.

"I-I'm h-heading out f-first."

Lately, Na Gangshik had been skipping that routine more and more. Donghu wondered if he was dieting—nope. And when asked why, he'd always say it was a secret.

"Gangshik, I'm buying tteok-kkochi today—you sure? Pikachu too."

"Uh... I-I was the one g-guarding your wallet, Minhyuk."

Not even his favorite tteok-kkochi + Pikachu combo worked. Gangshik finished packing in a rush and bolted.

Phew, f-fell for it.

On his way home, Na Gangshik finally let out the pent-up sadness.

These gatherings end with middle school.

No tears. Not even sniffles. He'd run the simulation a dozen times already.

Next year, they'll all scatter.

Donghu, Minhyuk, Yerim. Saying goodbye to his closest friends from middle school. The days he'd cluelessly joined the band club following friends, the times he'd invited them home for fun dinners...

It's a shame.

Not much time left now. He hated goodbyes, but knew throwing a fit wouldn't fix it. So Na Gangshik hurried home.

"I-I'm h-home."

"Yeah, dinner later, right?"

"Yes."

Whoosh. Home sweet home—Gangshik washed up quick and plopped at the computer.

Click. Whirr.

As the boot-up hummed, Na Gangshik reminisced. Back in June, when it hit him: not much time left together.

Donghu's going to Daejong High.

Knowing the farewell was set...

What could I do? Gangshik obsessed over it endlessly.

I want to commemorate our last moments.

Turn these good vibes into something awesome. That's when Donghu's encouragement popped up.

-I believe you'll be an amazing game developer.

Recalling that, Gangshik knew his path.

Let's make a game.

Based on our favorite notebook game. Even Shin Yerim joined reluctantly—it held our best memories. Make it real.

And in that instant, fate shifted.

Originally, Gangshik—friendless through school—would've made solo-play games his whole youth. Gritty solo efforts, no help, insane quality but painful reminders of loneliness. Games born to soothe his isolated past, stirring up memories of empty school days every time.

But not anymore. It started different.

Kim Donghu changed everything, opening new paths. The moment lone-wolf Gangshik discovered the joy of playing together.

From then on, not a solo road, but many branching ones.

-If it's tough, tell me. I'll help.

Was there anything more precious than a friend's offer? Hearing that, Gangshik felt it was enough.

The first step...

I have to take it alone. Like Donghu said.

Like how he aced that audition solo.

Me too.

I want to be like you.

Someday, be someone who helps you. A true friend, so one day for sure...

We'll make another game the four of us can play forever.

Genius game dev Na Gangshik. His first game wouldn't be a lonely solo title born of isolation.

It'd be multiplayer—crafted from the desire to play together and laugh as one.

Same time, after school. I waved off Gangshik darting away first, hopped in the van, and checked the KakaoTalk from Seokho-hyung.

"This is for real?"

"Yeah, totally. I tried pushing back since you're on break, but this one's different. Sorry."

In my hands: the Hide Dream 2 script. Fresh changes from the first, but the real shocker was elsewhere.

Lead Role - Kim Donghu

Splashed on the first page. Sure, co-lead, so other names followed. But top billing? Symbolic.

Means I'm the key player or something.

I thought Na Jae-yi's arc was done.

"Told them I'd check the script first, but... looks like the story won't move without you."

They wrote it assuming you from the start—cancel without you, they said.

Seokho-hyung's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠words weren't pressure. They gilded my worth indirectly.

"Donghu, with you, I really think..."

"Hyung, you're overwhelming me. Like our gym owner."

"Oh yeah, Baek Sangha and I are same age. Buddies now."

Overwhelming duo unites.

Hope their synergy doesn't gild me to death.

I flipped through the script.

Hide Dream 2, B+

B+.

That means around 35% ratings, right?

40% was a fluke once. 35% was huge. Series sequels rarely crush back-to-back. Insane numbers, all things considered.

Intro over. Straight to the meat.

Immersion.