The studio door pushed open with a soft click.
Teahun and Jeon J stepped inside, Bamson trotting happily between them.
The moment his tiny paws touched the familiar floor, Bamson paused.
For one heartbeat, he simply stood there.
Then he walked straight to Jeon J, pressed his little head against his leg, and rubbed his face against the fabric.
As if he were proudly announcing,
This is my castle.
A soft warmth spread through the room.
The other five members of TBS were scattered around the studio, relaxing between practice and their packed schedules.
Minjo shot up from his chair.
"Baby!! You're finally back!"
He hurried toward Bamson and immediately gave him two gentle pats on the head.
Yomin, expressionless as ever but secretly affectionate, rose from the sofa. He crouched down, took one of Bamson's tiny paws into his hand and looked at him seriously.
"You good?"
Bamson answered with a tiny nose-tap against his palm.
Yomin nodded as if he'd just received a complete medical report.
"Good."
Kim Joon quietly closed his book and walked over.
"Bamson-ah… you scared all of us, you know."
His voice remained calm, but the warmth in his eyes betrayed him.
Jinhun, still leaning against the door frame, smiled.
"Come here, handsome boy. Give me one smile."
Bamson wagged his tail.
Jinhun immediately clutched his chest dramatically.
"I'm healed."
Hosu practically launched himself toward Bamson.
"BAMMIII!"
Before anyone could stop him, he scooped Bamson up and spun around once.
Teahun's eyes widened.
"Yah! You'll drop him!"
Hosu stopped and looked offended.
"I'm a professional!"
The room exploded with laughter.
Teahun shook his head.
"A professional what?"
Hosu proudly answered,
"Professional Bamson handler."
"That's not a profession."
"It is now."
Another round of laughter filled the studio.
For a moment, the room felt completely alive—warm, loud and familiar.
Like home.
From the corner, Jea finally stepped inside.
Bamson spotted him.
His tail immediately started wagging so hard that his entire little body shook.
Jeon J handed the leash toward Jea.
"Jea… take care of him today."
Jea took the leash.
"We're going out for some… normal-people wandering."
Jea blinked.
"I'll come with you."
Teahun nearly choked on air.
"NO!"
Everyone turned toward him.
Teahun pointed at Jea.
"It's TBS-only. Staff-free day. Go sit somewhere."
Jea stared at him.
"No. I'm coming."
Teahun slowly closed his eyes.
Why does he turn ON at the worst possible times?
He threw both hands into the air.
"Why does he become stubborn exactly when nobody needs him to?!"
The others tried desperately not to laugh.
Jinhun couldn't resist.
"You two act like an actual couple. Stop making it weird."
Jea smirked.
Teahun's glare could have killed.
Kim Joon casually looked between them.
"Should we take Bamson with us?"
Teahun immediately shook his head.
"No!"
Everyone stared.
Teahun pointed toward Bamson.
"People will recognize him! He's more famous than all of us combined."
Hosu's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Wait…"
He leaned closer.
"If we disguise him, there's zero chance anyone will know it's Bamson."
Teahun nodded seriously.
"Yes, yes… brilliant."
Then he looked at Jea.
"Stylist Appa. Go make magic."
Jea rolled his eyes.
"I'll do it. You just keep quiet."
He gently picked Bamson up.
"Come on, prince. Let's make you undercover."
Jeon J added,
"Make him wear a light sweater. It's a little cold outside, and Bamson has just recovered."
Jea nodded.
"Okay, Jeon J. I'll take care of him."
It was the same light sweater Minji had bought—the one Zoya had put on Bamson that day when Jea had come to the hostel to pick him up.
Bamson looked down at the sweater.
Then gave a tiny,
"Hmmm."
As if he were saying,
I was undercover before it was cool.
Jea stared at him.
"Don't start."
Bamson blinked innocently.
Ten minutes later, the boys gathered again.
Each one had transformed into the ultimate "normal Seoul boy" look.
Jeon J wore silver-rimmed glasses and a vintage grey coat.
Teahun had on a long grey overcoat, a light brown beanie and fake spectacles.
Minjo wore a white hoodie, beige cap and pouch bag.
Hosu had disappeared inside a yellow padded jacket with a huge cozy scarf wrapped around his neck.
Yomin wore a black beanie, oversized navy jumper and mask.
Kim Joon kept it simple with a black sweatshirt and minimalist coat.
Jinhun wore a denim jacket with an oversized muffler.
And Bamson…
Bamson was dressed in a fluffy light winter sweater with a tiny puppy cap.
He looked less like a disguised celebrity dog—
and more like a puppy who had been hired for a winter fashion campaign.
Teahun looked at him.
"Honestly, he's still the most recognizable one here."
Hosu nodded.
"Because he's handsome."
Teahun sighed.
"Unfortunately, true."
The cool evening wind brushed against their faces as they stepped into the heart of Digital Media City.
DMC was alive.
Lights glowed from every direction.
People moved through the streets, conversations mixed with distant music, and the smell of street food drifted through the cool air.
For once, the boys walked like ordinary friends wandering through Seoul on a casual evening.
No stage.
No cameras.
No schedules.
Just laughter, teasing and freedom.
At the same time, the girls stepped out of Minji's gate and followed the narrow lane toward the main road.
Evening had deepened.
Above them, Seoul's sky had turned a soft lavender—the magical moment between sunset and night.
Minji raised her arm to call a taxi.
But Hana gently stopped her.
"Let's walk a little."
She looked around.
"Seoul's evening feels… different. Peaceful."
So they walked.
Tall apartment buildings surrounded them, quiet and modern.
Street lamps flickered on one after another.
Zoya felt light.
Really light.
At the bus stop, Minji checked the screen.
"Next bus to DMC… three minutes."
A cool breeze carried the scents of fresh bread, roasted sweet potatoes and spring flowers.
Then the bus arrived with a gentle hiss.
They climbed aboard and settled into the window seats.
As the bus moved forward, Seoul changed outside the glass.
Cafés…
Local stores…
Quiet streets…
Then, as they approached Sangam-dong—
Glass towers.
Bright LED screens.
Wider roads.
And finally…
A glowing sign appeared ahead.
DIGITAL MEDIA CITY — DMC
Zoya's heart skipped.
It didn't feel like a city.
It felt like a dream.
The bus stopped at DMC Gallery Station, one of the district's most famous areas.
The girls stepped out into a huge plaza surrounded by enormous screens playing music videos, advertisements and promotional clips.
Futuristic sculptures rose around them.
The air buzzed with footsteps, voices and music.
With memories.
With dreams.
With idol energy.
Minji smiled proudly.
"Welcome to DMC…"
She spread her arms slightly.
"The place where idols breathe."
Zoya looked around, her scarf fluttering gently in the breeze.
"Hana… this looks like a sci-fi movie."
Hana smiled.
"Not just sci-fi."
She pointed ahead.
"This is where TBS records their main stages."
Ruhi suddenly grabbed everyone's attention.
"GUYS—THAT BUILDING—LOOK!"
Everyone turned.
The massive building stood gleaming beneath the streetlights.
TBS Media Hall — DMC Branch.
Sophia's mouth fell open.
"This place is unreal…"
Zoya didn't answer.
Her heart was busy remembering something else.
That smile.
That gesture.
That moment with Jeon J.
Without realizing it, she touched the corner of her scarf.
And right then—
from the opposite end of the DMC plaza…
a familiar black Hyundai Palisade slowly entered the street.
Meanwhile, Jea stood quietly in the corner as the boys scattered.
"You think I'm letting you roam alone?"
He watched them disappear into the crowd.
"No."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"It's my duty to protect you."
Two plainclothes security members quietly stepped beside him.
"Ten meters behind each pair," Jea instructed.
"Rotate every twenty minutes. They shouldn't notice you."
He paused.
"But don't lose them."
The guards nodded and disappeared into the crowd.
Jea followed after the boys.
Never too close to be noticed.
Never too far to lose them.
A silent guardian of seven reckless brothers who genuinely believed they had successfully shaken him off.
They hadn't.
Not even close.
Before the boys could take another step, Kim Joon raised his hand.
"Everyone, listen."
They stopped.
Even Bamson tilted his head.
"Go anywhere you want. Eat, explore, shop. But…"
He looked around at all of them.
"We meet at the exit point in exactly two hours. No excuses."
He raised his wrist.
"Match your watch time with mine."
Everyone adjusted their watches.
Jeon J smirked.
"Hyung, you sound like a principal."
Kim Joon rolled his eyes.
"Good."
He closed his book.
"Then behave like students."
Teahun immediately saluted.
"Yes, sir!"
Hosu copied him.
"Yes, principal!"
Kim Joon stared at him.
"I said, students. Not kindergarten."
Everyone burst out laughing.
And like birds breaking formation, they finally split up.
Yomin approached Jinhun and Jeon J.
"Let me take him."
Jinhun blinked.
"You? Alone?"
Yomin looked at Bamson.
"I want to explore with him."
He gently took the leash.
"He'll keep me company."
Bamson's tail immediately started wagging.
Jinhun laughed.
"He likes quiet people."
Yomin looked down at Bamson.
"Let's go, baby."
Bamson gave one tiny bark.
A perfect little,
"Okay."
Yomin walked away calmly, Bamson trotting beside him.
DMC Street was glowing with steam, colors and the delicious chaos of street food.
The girls moved from one stall to another.
Minji suddenly handed a plate of tteokbokki to Zoya.
Zoya stared at it.
She stared at the sauce.
Then at Minji.
Then back at the sauce.
It looked like an exam she had absolutely not prepared for.
Under her breath, she whispered,
"Allah… give me patience."
Minji blinked.
"Zoya?"
Zoya immediately straightened.
"No, no…"
She took a deep breath.
"I'm just mentally preparing myself."
She lifted the bite.
Placed it in her mouth.
One second.
Two.
Three.
Her eyes froze.
Ruhi waved a hand in front of her face.
"Zoya? Are you alive?"
Zoya slowly swallowed.
Then, with complete seriousness, handed the plate back to Minji.
"Minji…"
She paused.
"Listen."
Everyone looked at her.
"Let's just explore DMC."
She pushed the plate gently toward Minji.
"Please don't order food for me."
Minji frowned.
"Why?"
Zoya looked genuinely troubled.
"My tongue gets confused."
Everyone stared.
Zoya continued,
"It can't decide if it's sweet, spicy, sour…"
She pointed helplessly at the plate.
"…or everything at once!"
The girls burst into laughter.
A few meters away, two disguised figures had gone completely still.
Teahun and Minjo.
Both were eating tteokbokki.
Both had heard every word.
Teahun slowly looked at Minjo.
"Did she just say her tongue gets confused?"
Minjo nodded.
They looked at their own plates.
Then at each other.
"Let's test it."
They both took another bite.
One second.
Two.
Their eyes widened at the same moment.
They looked at each other.
Then, in perfect sync, whispered—
"My tongue is confused!"
They immediately turned away, trying desperately not to laugh.
But their shoulders were already shaking.
The girls noticed.
Hana narrowed her eyes.
"I think…"
She glanced toward the two disguised boys.
"…their tongues are also confused."
Zoya blinked.
"They only took one bite…"
Minji covered her mouth to hide her laughter.
Nearby, Teahun pulled his mask higher.
Minjo whispered,
"They're funny."
Teahun nudged him.
"This whole group is confused."
Minjo smiled behind his mask.
"And you're part of the group."
Teahun looked offended.
"I am the normal one."
Minjo stared at him.
For three seconds.
Then quietly said,
"Sure."
Teahun elbowed him.
Their muffled laughter disappeared beneath the noise of DMC Street.
And in the middle of that glowing, crowded Seoul evening…
five girls and two disguised boys shared the same ridiculous little moment—
connected by nothing more than one plate of tteokbokki…
and a very confused tongue.
To be continued...
Regards,
ZK💌