## Prologue: Discussions of Disbandment
The atmosphere in the meeting room was heavily subdued.
About a dozen people were seated around the conference table, but the silence was so thick you could barely breathe.
Yuho realized that the moment they’d all been dreading had finally arrived.
“I’m sure most of you saw this coming.”
After a long, drawn-out pause, that was all the company CEO could manage to say. Until this morning, Yuho hadn’t anticipated this at all, but with that one sentence, everything became painfully clear.
“I think it’s time we make a decision, don’t you? For all of our futures.”
Yuho had seen the CEO’s hypocritical pretense of caring about the members so many times it had become routine. Did he really think they wouldn’t see through his self-serving euphemisms? He never cared about other people’s lives or feelings in the first place.
“There are still two years left in your contracts, but I think it might be best to wrap things up now.”
The managers had apparently known about this already, keeping their heads bowed. They’d all been in poor condition for days. Only the members remained naively clueless. They had no idea they were being cut loose like this.
“What do you all think?”
“That’s absurd. We still have time left on our contracts.”
Yeomin was the first to object. In reality, only two members had any say at this meeting: Yeomin and Inhan. The actor-idols who had kept this unsuccessful idol group going for five years.
“Yeomin-ah. We’re thinking of you. You’ve been struggling to balance your drama work and group activities. You haven’t been sleeping. Isn’t that right?”
“That doesn’t mean I wanted the group to disband. I don’t want the hyungs to suffer because of me…”
“Have you ever considered that we’ve been active for five years thanks to you?”
Was that really something a company CEO should say?
The CEO was openly stating that the group’s lifespan had ended long ago.
The members without a voice had no choice but to accept whatever decision was made.
To be fair, the CEO deserved a large share of the blame, throwing industry parties every time they released an album.
How could they possibly blow up with bad songs and terrible concepts?
There was a lot to say, but the milk had already been spilled.
“I’ll work harder.”
Inhan, who had been sitting in the corner with an angry expression the entire time, finally spoke up.
Yuho had expected him to storm out immediately, but it seemed he had matured enough to control his temper.
“I won’t show that I’m struggling. Give me more schedules. I won’t complain or wander off on my own anymore, so please let us complete the remaining two years of our contract.”
“Inhan-ah. That’s not what I meant…”
“I want to quit.”
Yuho’s sudden announcement served multiple purposes.
To preserve a minimum of dignity, to prevent Inhan from causing trouble, and to end his painful unrequited love.
Somehow, it seemed like a decision with more benefits than drawbacks.
“Hyung!”
“Yuho-ya.”
“Yuho-ya, this isn’t something you decide so suddenly.”
The members and managers unanimously refused to accept Yuho’s statement.
Inhan especially.
“Hyung, what are you saying all of a sudden?”
“I’ll follow whatever decision the company makes, but for now, I want to stop.”
“Yuho hyung!”
“I’ve stated my opinion, so may I leave now?”
Inhan seemed genuinely angered by Yuho’s stubborn declaration.
The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly became hostile.
“Yes. Good thinking, Yuho-ya. Let’s talk separately later.”
“CEO-nim!”
Inhan had risen from his seat, shouting angrily. Afraid that things might escalate further, Yuho decided to leave quickly.
“Yes. Then please continue your discussion.”
No one tried to stop Yuho, who appeared to have already made up his mind.
Except for one person.
“Inhan-ah.”
Inhan burst out of the meeting room after Yuho, forcefully grabbing his arm and pulling him along.
Being considerably weaker, Yuho had no choice but to be dragged away by Inhan.
“Inhan-ah. Let go.”
Inhan pulled Yuho to an empty practice room.
Even after turning on the lights and sitting Yuho down on the corner sofa, Inhan refused to release his grip on Yuho’s wrist.
Kneeling on one knee in front of Yuho, Inhan bowed his head deeply and tried to calm his anger.
Yuho wasn’t particularly pleased with Inhan’s tenderness, even in a moment like this.
“Hyung. Why are you acting like this suddenly? Did something happen?”
Inhan asked, still holding both of Yuho’s hands while looking up at his face. He was clearly trying to coax and comfort him.
“It’s nothing like that.”
“Then why? Did the CEO say something? Did he threaten to blacklist you if you don’t leave?”
“No. I told you it’s not that.”
“Then why? Why are you suddenly doing this?”
“I’m tired.”
At Yuho’s answer, Inhan squeezed his eyes shut.
If there had been pressure from someone, Inhan had been prepared to step in and resolve it. He was willing to be the sacrifice, the shield. But Yuho seemed to be saying he didn’t even need that.
“Then take a break. I’ll ask them to give us all proper compensation again. It’s my fault for being greedy. I don’t mind sharing with the hyungs at all, but if you’re bothered because of that…”
“I really want to quit.”
Inhan’s face crumpled at Yuho’s confirming blow.
It wasn’t easy for Yuho to break the heart of someone he cared about.
But now was the time for resolution. For everyone’s—no, for Inhan’s future—as the damn CEO had said.
“I want to stop now.”
“…Why?”
Inhan asked Yuho with a voice full of incomprehension. He couldn’t make sense of Yuho’s sudden change in attitude in just a few hours.
“Why do you want to quit?”
Inhan pulled on Yuho’s wrist, causing Yuho’s upper body to lean toward him.
Their faces grew closer, and it became increasingly difficult for Yuho to avoid Inhan’s eyes.
Inhan cupped Yuho’s cheek with one hand and pleaded.
“Hyung. Tell me everything. Hm? Why do you want to quit?”
“I’m tired of living as your backdrop.”
Yuho stared directly into Inhan’s eyes as he spoke.
“…You’re lying.”
“I’m not lying. I’m sick of being your stepping stone. So now, please let me go.”
Inhan looked shocked at Yuho’s unwavering attitude.
Taking advantage of this moment, Yuho slowly removed Inhan’s hands. And once more, he firmly stated:
“Now get out of my way. Let me see the spotlight for once.”
“I wonder if the hyungs aren’t getting recognition because of me.” Yuho was cowardly using Inhan’s concern that he had once cautiously shared.
That was the only way he could stop being a burden on Inhan’s back.
Yuho slowly backed away. Inhan carefully reached out, but Yuho moved away from his seat first.
“…Don’t go.”
Inhan tried to stop Yuho quickly, but it was useless. Yuho moved away from Inhan without a moment’s hesitation.
“Don’t go, Yuho hyung. If you leave now, I…”
I’ll never see you again. For some reason, Inhan couldn’t even properly threaten Yuho with those words.
Because that seemed to be included in Yuho’s decision already.
“Hyung… Yuho hyung. Please… okay?”
Deliberately ignoring Inhan’s desperate calls, Yuho quickly left the practice room.
It was the moment he put a period to his miserable five years of unrequited love.
* * *
## [Why the Kind Idol Member is Guilty]
### Part 1: The *CP that Fans Ship You In
– 6 months before 7SPOT’s disbandment discussions –
[My Inhan, Yeomin]
[NanYeom’s Inhan]
[NanYeom♡ 7SPOT♡]
Ugh. What is that?
Yuho couldn’t help but frown at the Jung Inhan x Lee Yeomin, aka NanYeom couple placards prominently displayed in the concert’s standing section.
It wasn’t because he was homophobic or hated *RPS, but because he simply couldn’t respect their taste.
Fools. The real pairing is NanHyo (Jung Inhan x Seon Yuho).
Despite being a pairing that one of the actual members supported, the fans didn’t seem to care.
Fine. People only see what they want to see anyway.
“Hyo-ya. Hurry up. Our next stage is here.”
“Yuho. What are you doing? Snap out of it.”
The same was true for Yuho himself. Among the members urging him to hurry to the center stage, only one face stood out clearly.
“Hyo hyung, come here quickly. Don’t stay there alone.”
That person was Jung Inhan, the tallest maknae of Yuho’s idol group “7SPOT” and a face talent said to be capable of conquering the world with his looks.
“Oh. Coming. I was just about to.”
Yuho shook off his distracting thoughts and ran to the center of the stage. Quickly finding his position and completing his preparations, he felt someone’s hand on his shoulder. He knew it was Inhan without having to look back.
“Don’t lose focus. We still have five more songs to go.”
The fans’ cheers grew louder as Inhan leaned in close to whisper in Yuho’s ear.
See? NanHyo is the real deal.
Even when it’s being spoon-fed to them, they refuse to accept it. Yuho clicked his tongue, mourning the fans’ terrible taste.
Of course, if he were to list the reasons, they would be endless.
Since he was the cause of all of them, he decided to blame the fans and pretend not to know.
Before he could continue his idle thoughts, the music began. Yuho responded to the music like a machine, continuing his dance.
It was only natural to give his all, even for the few parts he had.
“Sleep habit? Sleep habit… Ah! I move around the entire bed while sleeping. Sometimes I even wake up on the floor.”
While the rapper line was preparing for the stage, the vocal line was having a Q&A session with fans.
The first to answer the question about sleep habits was Jueon, the oldest member and main vocalist.
Yuho was busy scanning the crowd for his own placards.
“What about Inhan?”
After finishing his answer, Jueon naturally passed the turn to Inhan beside him. But Inhan seemed to be hesitating, unable to think of a suitable answer.
“Hmm. Sleep habit? Do I have a sleep habit? Ah, this is something Yuho hyung should answer. Hyo hyung, do I have any sleep habits?”
And suddenly, he turned the question to Yuho. Ah, why are you asking me?
Yuho abruptly brought the microphone to his mouth.
——–
*CP: Couple
*RPS: Real Person Slash – Fictionally pairing real individuals together
* * *
## Profile – Yuho (7SPOT)
Real name: Seon Yuho
Age: 24
Birthday: June 17
Height/Weight: 174cm/55kg
Position: Lead Vocal
Nicknames: Hyo, Daeng-hyo, Seon-dubu, Seon-daengi, Meummuhyo, Honey-rice-cake-puppy
Hobbies: Watching movies, listening to music
Special talents: Guitar playing, badminton
Family: One older sister
Characteristics: Teen pick, third oldest and shortest in the group, trained for 6 months, the practical maknae
