The cameras caught everything.
Minwoo's crutches thudded softly against the floor as he stepped into the practice room, eyebrows raised at the lights, the crew, the unexpected chaos.
"What the hell is this?" he muttered under his breath.
Eun Jae-hyun was frozen by the whiteboard, arms crossed tightly over his chest. He looked like he wanted to sink into the floor. His eyes flicked to Jiho, who stood center stage, mic in hand, smiling like the world owed him a thank-you.
Jiho turned to face the camera crew. "Let's start with an introduction. This is Full Volume, the band that's been hiding something real under layers of PR."
The room tensed.
"Jiho," Jae-hyun said through clenched teeth. "Shut it off."
"We're past the point of hiding," Jiho replied. "You said it yourself—everything's messed up. So let's put the truth out there."
"You mean your truth," Minwoo cut in. His voice wasn't loud, but it didn't need to be. People listened when Minwoo spoke like that—flat, clipped, and dangerous.
Jiho didn't flinch. "No. I mean the version that started it all. Before he came in and turned everything into a duet."
Jae-hyun looked between them, heart pounding. "Jiho, this isn't you."
"You don't know me anymore," Jiho snapped.
Minwoo limped forward, resting more weight on his good leg. "So what's the plan? You spin this into a sob story? Paint me as the intruder?"
"You are the intruder," Jiho said, finally losing control. "You crashed into our band and into his life and suddenly I'm on the outside of something I helped build!"
Silence.
The cameras were still rolling.
Jae-hyun stepped in front of Jiho now, shielding Minwoo with his body.
"You're not the victim here," Jae-hyun said, voice low. "You leaked our old track without telling anyone. You skipped rehearsals. You brought strangers into our private space. What are you trying to prove?"
Jiho's hands shook slightly. "That I still matter."
Minwoo exhaled sharply. "Then write a new song. Don't try to destroy ours."
That did it.
Jiho threw the mic to the floor and stormed out, brushing past the camera crew. The door slammed behind him. The lights stayed on, but the room was dimmer without all the noise.
The silence that followed was jagged.
Hana clapped her hands once, tightly. "Alright. Pack it up, everyone. We're done here."
The crew began filing out.
Minwoo didn't move. Neither did Jae-hyun.
After the last person left, Jae-hyun turned to him. "Why did you come today?"
Minwoo blinked. "What kind of question is that?"
"You're injured. You should be resting."
Minwoo's mouth twitched. "I couldn't rest knowing Jiho was here. With you."
Jae-hyun looked away. "You don't have to protect me from him."
"Yeah," Minwoo said softly, "but I want to."
There it was again—that honesty. Quiet and sharp, like a note played too clearly on an old guitar.
Jae-hyun helped him to the couch in the corner, gently lowering him down. Minwoo winced as he bent his knee.
"Is it worse?" Jae-hyun asked.
"No. Just still annoying. Like me."
Jae-hyun laughed under his breath.
Minwoo looked at him.
"Why didn't you come by yesterday?" he asked.
Jae-hyun's smile faded. "Because I thought you didn't want me to."
"Are you kidding?" Minwoo leaned his head back, exasperated. "You're the only person I want near me when everything's falling apart."
Jae-hyun's chest tightened.
"I'm scared," he said after a moment. "Of all of this. Of Jiho, of you, of... how fast everything's changing."
Minwoo turned to him, eyes sincere. "Me too. But I'd rather be scared beside you than safe alone."
And somehow, that was exactly what Jae-hyun needed to hear.
He leaned into Minwoo's shoulder, careful not to jar his leg. They stayed like that for a long time—no words, just warmth and the thud of two hearts slowly syncing.
Until Jae-hyun's phone buzzed.
He hesitated before pulling it from his pocket.
Unknown Number:
> "Funny how you thought a broken leg would stop me. See you soon, Jaeyoung-ah."
Jae-hyun's blood turned to ice.
Minwoo felt him tense. "What is it?"
Jae-hyun stared at the screen. His real name. Jaeyoung. No one called him that anymore. No one was supposed to know it.
He looked up, eyes wide. "I think... he found me."
Minwoo didn't ask who.
He didn't need to.
His arm wrapped protectively around Jae-hyun's shoulders.
"Then let him come," Minwoo said calmly. "He'll have to get through me first."