Street Idol Encounter
On the street, of all places—no Gate in sight—and there she was, powers fully activated, pulling off a total meltdown. Powers aside, a meltdown... a meltdown.
Late embarrassment came crashing in. While Yul drowned in inner turmoil, people started quietly approaching Park Sa-ha and Han Jun-yeol.
"Whoa, what's going on today?"
"Um, could I get a quick photo?"
"Hey, any chance for an autograph...?"
"Ah, sorry, but today..."
Han Jun-yeol politely declined with an apologetic smile. Park Sa-ha was still blankly staring at Yul.
Yul snapped to attention as the surroundings grew noisy. She'd tried to slip away quietly, but now they were drawing attention because of her. She felt bad.
They're probably deep in concert prep rehearsals right now.
Yul knew how hard they worked. There hadn't been any sighting reports for ages—they'd been shuttling solely between dorm and practice room. An outing like this, drawing all those stares, had to be exhausting.
Even with her blank expression, Ryu Shin-ah caught on quick and whispered in her ear.
"Why don't you help 'em out?"
"...How?"
"Eh, just ask them to scatter. Your word's gotta carry weight. Not a big ask."
He shrugged casually. Yul hesitated, then carefully spoke up.
"...Excuse me."
All eyes turned to her in an instant. Yul glanced around and made her plea.
"Sorry, but the attention's a bit much... Maybe we should all just head out? Please."
"Looks like we've already taken up too much of those two's time anyway. They seem busy," Ryu Shin-ah chimed in.
Thankfully, the crowd nodded along quick. They kept glancing back with lingering regret, but still.
"Take care!"
"L-Lee Sunjwa fighting! Huge fan!"
"You got this!!"
"Th-thank you..."
The four bowed their heads in thanks, then sighed in collective relief.
"Dodged a bullet there. Right, Your Majesty?"
"More worried about those two than us..."
Yul steadied her voice as best she could and turned to them. Her heart hammered at the sight of Park Sa-ha and Han Jun-yeol still staring her way.
Yul greeted them cautiously. "H-hi. You two."
"Ah, hi."
"Hello! Never thought I'd meet you for real! You probably don't know me, but I'm Han Jun-yeol."
"I know."
"Whoa, really?!"
As if she wouldn't. Yul nodded calmly, masking her inner squeal of excitement.
Han Jun-yeol, buzzing with hype, poked Park Sa-ha's side. Hyung, say something! The dazed man snapped out of it.
"I'm Park Sa-ha. Y-you know us?"
"Yeah. How could I not? You're both... insanely famous."
"Nah, you're way more the legend here, Hunter."
"Eh, me... whatever."
Yul shrugged. Truth was, her rep hadn't taken much effort. Just lucky contract with a strong constellation, that's all.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' waves protest signs, vehemently denying that's the case.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' sobs, insisting you not undervalue your own efforts.
Her star was always doting on her alone, so she just ignored it as usual.
As Yul dismissed the status window, Ryu Shin-ah slyly broached the topic.
"Our Lee Sunjwa Hunter here's not big on celebs usually, so you guys must be next-level famous. Right, Your Majesty?"
"Shut it, Goldfish."
"Gasp, then we're even more honored...!"
Han Jun-yeol shot his hand up, eyes sparkling, then launched into gushing praise about how cool Yul was—to the other three's agreement.
"You know Yu-jun hyung too?"
"Of course, I kn—yeah!"
"Whoa, insane! Gotta tell him Lee Sunjwa knows him! He thinks you're super cool too. We all do!"
"R-really...?"
"Yep! Especially this guy!"
Han Jun-yeol nodded as Yul blinked in disbelief. He poked Park Sa-ha's side again.
"Sa-ha hyung, say something..."
"Guys. Hold up."
A soft whisper came from behind. Their manager, watching anxiously, beckoned to Park Sa-ha and Han Jun-yeol. Lingering too long could spark rumors.
Yul caught on fast and spoke first. "We've taken up enough of your time. Sorry."
"No, no—we came over first."
"Still, we caused the scene. Head on in."
The manager's troubled face lit up with gratitude.
"Well, we'll get going then."
"...D-don't push yourself too hard, Hunter."
Park Sa-ha mumbled after a pause. Yul blinked.
Did I just hear that? Worry? Is this... worry? Holy crap.
A cheer exploded somewhere in her head. Park Sa-ha grew uneasy at her silence; Ryu Shin-ah just tsked.
...Did that offend her? Too forward? Damn, yeah—with her strength, getting pitied by a normie like me...
General, you're losing it from sheer joy.
Fangirl in rose-tinted glasses vs. seven-year straight man's polar reactions.
Park Sa-ha fidgeted, then joined Han Jun-yeol at the waiting manager.
Just as they climbed into the black van, Yul blurted out.
"Your songs! I love 'em!"
"...!"
"Listen all the time. Thanks."
Park Sa-ha and Han Jun-yeol exchanged stunned looks. Their turn to doubt their ears.
You listen to our music? Not just know of us? You like it?
"Th-thank you...!"
Park Sa-ha's voice cracked with emotion as the door slid shut.
Whoosh.
He buried his face in his hands and slumped into the seat.
"...Whoa, insane."
Han Jun-yeol's gasp nailed his feelings exactly.
Tell me about it. Total jackpot. Park Sa-ha's ears flushed faint pink.
"Ugh, I'm dead."
Plop.
Ryu Shin-ah crashed onto Yul's sofa the second they got home. Yul, skills off now, flopped beside him and peered up with her bare face.
"Ryu Shin, leave your place a mess and crash mine? Why?"
"Been empty forever—total disaster. Came back for you, General, so obviously I'm sticking close. So, thoughts?"
"...You asking that now?"
Yul turned away.
"Still can't believe it."
"Nice."
"I'm a successful X-fan...!!"
Yul faceplanted into a cushion. A weird groan leaked out.
For her usual listless, deadpan self, that was huge. Tsk tsk.
"General, thank those bandages. Without 'em, total chaos. Your fangirl vibes were way too obvious—hilarious."
"Felt it to my bones..."
"Worth it for straight-cam quality footage, though. Your luck stat ain't total trash."
"Guess all that misfortune built up for this."
"Jeez. Gimme your phone."
Yul handed over the new one.
"Transfer the memory. Old one too."
"Here."
"Activation's quick—whip up some food meanwhile. Got any?"
"Uh... kinda?"
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' grumbles that this lowly thing dares order our Yul around.
Yul mumbled vaguely and opened the fridge.
"Hmm..."
Half-empty. She rummaged, grabbed milk, then silently fetched bowls and spoons.
Ryu Shin-ah, fiddling with the two phones on the sofa, wandered to the kitchen.
"What're you doing. Cereal?"
"It's good."
"You forgot where I'm from?"
"America."
"And you're feeding me this?"
He stared blankly at the cereal bowl. Two years stateside meant bread and cereal till he was sick of 'em.
"I get your cooking sucks, General, but I'd be thrilled with just steamed rice, kimchi, and seaweed!"
"Happiness from such simple stuff..."
"And you treat a friend who finds joy in the basics like this."
Yul scratched her head. Yeah, maybe too much.
"...Hang on. Check if Mom left any side dishes."
"Ooh, Mom's cooking? Perfect."
"Heading to the folks' soon anyway. She said she'd pack some."
"Might tag along and say hi. Take me when you go, General."
They'd known each other since sophomore year, so family deets were old news.
Yul pulled out the near-empty braised beef container and cracked eggs into a pan.
Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' fidgets, wishing it could do this instead.
"It's fine, Star. This is quick..."
◈ Constellation 'Blind Sovereign of the Sky' insists no one makes our Yul suffer and gifts this.
Thud!
"Pfft."
A slab of steak dropped right in front of Ryu Shin-ah. On purpose? Accident? It barely missed the cereal bowl, but gifted him a milk facial too.