Somehow, Ji-ho and Eun-gyeom exuded a similar aura. Previously, Eun-gyeom, who resembled Ju-hwan, seemed like a gentle and warm person, like a big dog. But now, Eun-gyeom was giving off the same unsettling feeling that Ji-ho had evoked when they first met. Feeling uncomfortable, Sol felt restless between Ji-ho and Eun-gyeom.
“Even if someone debuts just one day earlier, they’re still a senior. Of course, I have to be respectful. But thank you for saying that, sunbae.”
Ji-ho smiled brightly as he spoke. He had never once felt at ease during his trainee days.
“Then, we...”
“Oh, the wig!”
Ji-ho quickly grabbed Sol’s hand and bowed his head once again to Eun-gyeom. As Ji-ho tried to lead Sol out of the uncomfortable and tense situation, Eun-gyeom snapped his fingers with a loud click and exclaimed. The eyes of the busy staff turned to Eun-gyeom. With a big smile, as if he had just thought of a great idea, Eun-gyeom looked at Sol.
“That wig from earlier, how about letting Sol wear it?”
At Eun-gyeom’s suggestion, the staff, who were busy with their own tasks, all turned to look at Sol. The brushes that had been moving swiftly across Eun-gyeom’s face also came to a sudden halt. Sol, who was about to leave the spot with Ji-ho’s hand still holding his, froze in place under the weight of the attention. As he stood there, his eyes rolling nervously, Ji-ho tightened his grip on his hand.
“You mean the silver wig we discarded earlier because it was too flashy?”
“Yes. Of course, it looks fine as it is now, but seeing it like this, I think Sol’s look seems a bit bland because of his hair. It might be a little too neat.”
“But won’t it be too flashy?”
“Exactly.”
Eun-gyeom beamed at Sol, responding to a comment from a woman who was checking his outfit and props. His smile was so kind and pleasant that even Sol’s tension seemed to melt away. He looked so much like Ju-hwan, yet he wasn’t Ju-hwan, but his warm expression was enough to remind Sol of him, causing his tense shoulders to relax. When Sol looked at Eun-gyeom, he grinned even more, showing his teeth. At that moment, Ji-ho’s grip on Sol’s hand tightened even more.
“Eun-gyeom, this is your music video.”
“Still, if I help out my juniors, it benefits me as well. Even if it’s just a brief appearance, I want it to turn out well, especially since everyone’s working hard because of me.”
“You’re too kind for your own good.”
A woman lightly tapped Eun-gyeom’s bare arm as she spoke. Though it wasn’t a particularly strong tap, Eun-gyeom rubbed his arm as if it hurt and smiled gently.
“What do you mean? We’re all close friends, so we have to do well together. And I have to help with things like this. What power do I have?”
“You think like that, too. Tae Eun-gyeom, you’ve really grown a lot. In the past, you used to only talk about how hard things were.”
“Exactly. Please take good care of that friend so that he doesn’t struggle too much, like I did. I’m asking you.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll prepare everything well. Just go change quickly and come out.”
The woman, who seemed to have known Eun-gyeom for quite some time, shook her head in mock exasperation as she handed him a pair of pants. As Eun-gyeom entered the dressing room with the curtain drawn, the woman carefully examined Sol and gestured. When Sol just stood there blankly, Ji-ho, who had been holding Sol’s hand, gently pulled him towards the woman. She looked over Sol’s hair, sizing things up from different angles, and muttered to herself a few times, “Such a striking visual.”
“Bring what Eun-gyeom mentioned. We have to try it on to decide.”
At the woman’s words, one of the staff members fetched a wig from the mountain of piled-up items. As Eun-gyeom had described, it was a bob cut of a silvery color, about as long as Ga-ram’s hair, though the color was a bit dull. With the wig in hand, everyone began to move swiftly and in sync again. On one side, a group was busily helping Eun-gyeom change outfits, while two people instantly grabbed combs and attended to Sol.
The woman awkwardly placed the wig on Sol’s head, turning him around to examine from different angles. She glanced over at Eun-gyeom, who was busy changing clothes, and murmured, “It’s a favor, so I have to do it.” Sol’s hair was combed again, and his original black hair was securely pinned down before the silver-gray wig was placed on top. It was Sol’s first time wearing a wig, but contrary to his expectation that it might look awkward or noticeable, the wig looked quite natural.
“Our company has a face like this, too. What’s the deal?”
“Yeah, it’s really pretty.”
“This type is new to me. I think it’s really great. Completely, silver hair is a must.”
“Sol, right? Bright colors suit you much better. I should leave a note for the rookie development team. Just trim it a little.”
Since Sol’s face was naturally small, the wig, which initially didn’t fit well in terms of length, looked much more natural with a bit of cutting and trimming. Despite its dull silver tone, Sol’s face appeared much brighter. Moreover, the distinctive coolness of the silver-gray added a sharp and cold vibe to his delicate features. If his look had been like a clear, clean piece of glass earlier, it now resembled a fierce, frozen shard of glass.
“Earlier, the beauty was already stunning, but I thought you looked surprisingly delicate. But now, seeing you like this, unexpectedly, a cold and handsome man?”
“Doesn’t it look a bit sharp?”
The two people trimming Sol’s hair nodded in agreement with the woman’s words, saying, “Yeah, yeah.” Feeling uncomfortable under the gaze that seemed to pierce straight into his face, Sol had a strong urge to cover his face with a mask or something. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to someone staring at him so intently. Unable to meet the eyes of the women staring at him, Sol glanced sideways at Ji-ho, who was standing far back so as not to be in the way.
Although Ji-ho had taken good care of him so far, he was often busy looking after the youngest, Deuk-yong, so Tae-oh and Ga-ram usually took the lead in caring for Sol, making him less aware of his presence. But today, with Ji-ho standing behind him like this, he felt just as reassured as when Tae-oh was around. If Tae-oh felt like a solid and steadfast pillar of support, Ji-ho felt more like a gentle and comforting older brother. When Ji-ho’s eyes met Sol’s, he raised his thumb in a gesture. If Deuk-yong had seen it, he might have teased Ji-ho for being so old-fashioned.
In the meantime, Eun-gyeom, who had changed his pants, heard the staff chattering and joined in. He was wearing leather pants with several buckles, and two people were adjusting his outfit, tightening each buckle one by one. The pants looked quite uncomfortable to put on and take off, and were certainly not something one would wear casually.
“What is it? I’m curious too. Sol, isn’t he really pretty?”
“Yeah, Tae Eun-gyeom has good taste.”
When the last buckle was fastened, Eun-gyeom briskly walked over to Sol. His outfit, both top and bottom, had so many buckles and decorations that it made a clinking sound with every step. Eun-gyeom approached Sol, bent down, and made eye contact with him. His slightly drooping eyes softened gently. The way he smiled reminded Sol of Ju-hwan, making him heart suddenly sink.
“See? Our Sol is definitely going to do well. Right?”
“Yeah, it seems like it. Now, stop doting on your junior and sit down quickly. Everyone’s waiting.”
“How can I stop doting on my junior? He’s so pretty. Sol-ah, we’ll get ready quickly and join you soon. Go ahead and get a feel for the atmosphere first.”
“Yes, yes.”
Eun-gyeom lightly turned the chair Sol was sitting on and extended his hand to him. In a daze, as if hypnotized, Sol took Eun-gyeom’s hand and was about to stand up from the chair when Ji-ho came over and grabbed his arm. Startled by Ji-ho’s sudden grip, Sol was reminded once again that Eun-gyeom was not Ju-hwan.
“Thank you for your hard work. Thank you, sunbae. Well then….”
Ji-ho, who had already grabbed the padded jacket Sol had taken off earlier, skillfully maneuvered Sol away from Eun-gyeom and left the spot. Eun-gyeom, who had slumped down into the chair Sol had just vacated, stared intently at Ji-ho and Sol through the mirror.
“Put on your jacket quickly.”
“But I’ll just have to take it off again soon.”
“Even if it’s just for a moment, wear it. It’s too cold here, you’ll catch a cold.”
“Thanks, Ji-ho hyung.”
At Ji-ho’s care, Sol smiled shyly. When Sol smiled at him, Ji-ho put his arm around Sol’s shoulders and led him along. Watching them through the mirror, Eun-gyeom’s face hardened slightly as they disappeared from the waiting room. Just then, at the makeup artist’s instruction to close his eyes, Eun-gyeom shut them tightly.
As he closed his eyes, the image of Sol smiling at Ji-ho, whom he had been looking at just moments ago, came to mind. Although Sol had changed a bit each time they ran into each other, he seemed far brighter and more at ease now compared to when they first met in the small, cramped practice room. Back then, he had cried, saying he had no friends here, but now it seemed he had made quite a few new friends. Unfortunately, those new friends didn’t quite sit well with Eun-gyeom.
With his eyes still closed, Eun-gyeom tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingertips. He hadn’t intended to help Sol just to see him smiling at someone else right in front of him. He had wanted to be a dependable helper, a savior, a prince, in a word. He wanted to see Sol depending on him. He was sure of that...
Yet, seeing Sol smiling at someone else instead of himself didn’t make him feel all that bad. Even though Sol’s smile wasn’t directed at him, the thought of Sol being much brighter and more stable now came to him first. Seeing Sol smile made him feel good. It was a strangely pleasant feeling.
When Sol came out to the set with Ji-ho, a space painted pure white unfolded before them. It was a place like a bar or club, as people commonly say, but what was unusual was that everything from the displayed bottles of alcohol to the tables and chairs was painted white. The set, adorned in pure white, was in the midst of a lighting test.
As vivid, monochrome lights illuminated the space, the white room changed to bright blue or deep red, depending on the lighting. It was quite different from the stages used in dance. Sol stood still, watching the fascinating scene, when the director, noticing him, called out loudly.
“Sol-ah, they’re calling you.”
If Ji-ho hadn’t gently tugged at his hand, Sol might have continued to stand there, lost in thought, watching the set change colors.
