---
Seoul — Ken's Side
The elegant Hanok-style restaurant was filled with soft music and warm lighting. Ken sat at the head of a long wooden table, surrounded by smiling faces — Minjae's family, senior coaches, and a few prominent reporters.
He didn't want to be here.
But Minjae had been kind. Supportive. And the rumors wouldn't die unless he faced them.
So he came.
> "Just dinner," he told himself.
But one wrong camera angle, one careless laugh caught on photo — and suddenly, the next morning's headlines screamed:
"Ken Himura Meets Future In-Laws? Relationship With Coach Minjae Heats Up!"
He saw it plastered all over Korean and Japanese gossip sites.
His phone buzzed nonstop. Fans congratulated him. Friends texted "finally!"
But Ken… felt hollow.
> "What if Arashi sees this?"
He paused — then scoffed.
> "What does it matter anymore?"
---
Tokyo — Arashi's Side
Arashi did see it.
Souta made sure of that — he dropped the newspaper on Arashi's desk with a slight smirk.
Arashi stared at the photo. Ken was smiling politely beside Minjae's parents, his posture straight, respectful… comfortable.
> It looked like he belonged there.
"Maybe now you'll stop looking so miserable," Souta said, pouring himself a drink.
Arashi didn't respond.
> Was this really how it ended?
He stood up and walked to the window, eyes clouded.
Souta followed. "Focus on what you have. I brought you the Singapore offer — international expansion, remember? You can't keep getting distracted."
Arashi clenched his fists.
"Fine. Call them. I'll go."
> Maybe if he kept running… the pain wouldn't catch up.
---
Meanwhile — Ken
Back in his apartment, Ken sat alone with the TV muted and a bowl of untouched rice.
His phone buzzed again.
Coach Minjae:
> "People are saying crazy things. I'm sorry you got dragged into this."
Ken stared at the message.
He wanted to say "it's okay."
He wanted to say "don't worry."
But his fingers typed something else:
> "Do you think it's true?"
Minjae replied almost immediately.
> "What?"
Ken's response came after a long pause.
> "That he really doesn't care anymore."
Minjae didn't answer.
Because some things — even from the outside — hurt to admit.
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