[POV. Kilin]
I had spent years following the rules, keeping my head down, and doing what was expected of me. From the moment I debuted, my life was dictated by schedules, contracts, and the ever-watchful eyes of my agency. Every decision—from the way I dressed to the words I spoke in interviews—was carefully managed.
And for the longest time, I thought that was just how it had to be.
Until now.
Until Naina.
Until I realized that no matter how much money, fame, or success I had, none of it mattered if I wasn't allowed to live my life on my own terms.
I sat across from the agency's executives in the cold, modern conference room. The walls were lined with awards and framed pictures of past and present idols, a reminder of the legacy the company had built. A reminder of how many lives they controlled.
At the head of the table sat CEO Park, his expression unreadable. He had built this company from the ground up, turning it into one of the most powerful agencies in the industry.
Beside him, my manager, Jihoon, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He had always been the middleman—caught between doing his job and actually caring about the artists under his care.
Jihoon: Kilin… let's be reasonable about this.
Kilin: Reasonable?
I let out a bitter laugh.
Kilin: What exactly is reasonable about forcing me to live like a prisoner?
CEO Park frowned. "This isn't about control, Kilin. It's about protecting your career. The public perception of an idol is everything. The moment you start making personal decisions without considering the consequences, you put your entire group at risk."
I clenched my fists. "You mean I put your profits at risk."
A tense silence followed.
CEO Park: You knew what you were signing up for.
Kilin: When I was a kid, yes. I was desperate, and I thought being an idol would solve everything. But I'm not a kid anymore. I deserve the right to make my own choices.
Jihoon sighed, rubbing his temples. "Look, Kilin. You're one of the most popular idols right now. That means more eyes are on you than anyone else in Star-light. Dating rumors are one thing, but when actual photos surfaced, it became a scandal. Your image is suffering."
Kilin: Then let it suffer.
The room went dead silent.
CEO Park narrowed his eyes. "Do you even hear yourself right now?"
Kilin: Yes. For the first time in years, I actually hear myself.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself.
Kilin: I've spent years doing everything you asked. I trained for hours, I sacrificed sleep, my personal life—hell, even my health. And what did I get in return? A life where I can't even be seen with someone I care about without it turning into a 'scandal'? A life where I have to act like a puppet just to keep my position?
Jihoon: It's not that simple, Kilin.
Kilin: No, it is. I've followed every rule, every restriction. But I won't do it anymore. I'm done hiding. I'm done lying.
CEO Park scoffed. "And what exactly are you planning to do? Go public with your relationship? Ruin everything you've built?"
Kilin: If that's what it takes to be free, then yes.
Jihoon's eyes widened. "Kilin, you—"
CEO Park leaned forward, his expression turning cold. "You think you can just walk away? That you have any real power here?"
I met his gaze without flinching. "I know exactly how much power I have. And I know that without me, Star-light suffers. The company suffers."
His jaw tightened. "Are you threatening me?"
Kilin: I'm stating a fact. I've done everything you asked. I played the role of the perfect idol. And I know exactly what I'm worth to this company.
I pushed back my chair, standing.
Kilin: You can keep trying to control me, but let me make one thing clear—if you keep forcing me into this mold, you will lose me. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But eventually, I will walk away. And when I do, you'll regret not treating me like a human being instead of just a product.
I turned on my heel and walked out, leaving the tension behind me.
For the first time in years, I felt free.
---
[POV. Naina]
The news spread fast.
The headlines exploded:
"Star-light's Kilin Takes a Stand Against His Agency—Demands More Freedom!"
"Kilin Hwang Challenges the K-Pop System—What Does This Mean for Star-light?"
I sat in my tiny apartment, phone in hand, reading article after article. Some praised him for speaking out. Others called him reckless, selfish. Fans were divided—some supporting him, others fearing for his career.
But all I could think about was the risk he was taking.
Ruina sat beside me, arms crossed.
Ruina: You should call him.
Naina: I don't know if he wants to talk to me.
Ruina sighed. "Are you serious? He's literally doing this because of you."
Naina: That's exactly why I shouldn't get involved.
She gave me a look. "Naina. If you still care about him, don't you think he deserves to know that?"
I hesitated. The truth was, I did care. I always had. But after everything—the scandal, the heartbreak, the silence—I didn't know if I had the right to step back into his life.
Then my phone buzzed.
A message.
From Kilin.
Kilin: Can we talk?
My heart pounded.
Naina: …I don't know.
Kilin: Please.
I swallowed hard.
This wasn't just about us anymore. This was about him fighting for himself, for his freedom.
And maybe… just maybe… for me too.
---
[POV. Kilin]
I waited outside the café, hands shoved in my pockets, nervous energy running through me.
I didn't know if she would come.
I wouldn't blame her if she didn't.
But when I saw her turn the corner, heart hammering, I knew—no matter how complicated this got, no matter how hard this fight was—this was worth it.
Naina stopped a few steps away, hesitating.
Kilin: Hey.
Naina: Hey.
A beat of silence passed.
Kilin: I meant everything I said in that meeting.
She nodded slowly. "I know."
Kilin: I don't know what's going to happen next. But I do know one thing.
She looked up, eyes searching mine.
Kilin: I'm done living for other people. If I'm going to fight for my future… I want to fight for you too.
Her breath hitched.
Naina: Kilin…
I stepped closer. "I know I hurt you. I know I let fear get in the way. But I don't want to make that mistake again."
She stared at me for a long moment before finally whispering:
Naina: …Are you sure?
I didn't hesitate.
Kilin: I've never been more sure of anything in my life.
---
For the first time in years, I was standing up for myself.
For my future.
For my love.
And no matter what the industry threw at me next—no matter how hard they fought to keep me in line—I was ready.
Because this time, I wasn't fighting alone.
---