Chapter 21: surprise
Haru was jolted awake by a relentless beam of sunlight piercing through a gap in the heavy curtains. He rolled over, burrowing deeper into the plush duvet for a few more minutes of comfort before his internal 90s discipliner began to scold him. Laziness hadn't served him well in his past life, and it wouldn't serve him now. He had a script to memorize and a life to rebuild.
He dragged himself out of bed with a groan, running a hand over his buzzed hair as he headed for the en-suite bathroom. After a steaming shower, he stepped back into the bedroom and noticed a pile of clothes laid out on a chair. He must have been too drowsy to see them when he first woke up.
A small note sat on top: Your clothes got ruined. Wear these instead.
Haru let out a huff, picking up the garments. It was an oversized t-shirt, a heavy hoodie, and a pair of baggy shorts,all clearly high-end. He smiled to himself. Raiven had clearly been paying attention to his preferred style.
When he made his way to the kitchen, he found a breakfast delivery waiting on the counter with another scrawled note:
I can't cook to save my life. Had to head to practice.
Haru chuckled, warming the food while he explored the kitchen. The refrigerator and cabinets, which he'd previously noted were hauntingly empty, were now stocked with refreshments and actual groceries. Raiven had listened. He'd actually filled the house because of a passing comment Haru had made.
His phone buzzed on the counter. It was Se-hee.
You're at his house, aren't you? 🤭
Haru felt his ears turn a deep shade of crimson. He knew exactly what that emoji was implying.
No, he texted back, perhaps too quickly.
Sure 😉
He let out a long, weary sigh and set the phone face-down. He finished his breakfast, tidied the kitchen out of habit, and called a taxi.
Teasing met him the second he stepped through his own front door.
"So, you went to celebrate?" Se-hee asked, her tone dripping with cheekiness.
Haru ignored her, focusing on locking the door.
"Your silence says more than words ever could!" she called out after him as he retreated to his room.
He spent the rest of the weekend buried in the script for Gyeongseong High. He took meticulous notes on the margins, breaking down the emotional beats and character motivations with the precision of someone who knew how much a single performance could change a life.
That night, he and Raiven spoke on the phone. It was their usual banter, and Raiven seemed to be warming up to him more with every conversation. But beneath the idol's calm exterior, Haru sensed a tremor,something Raiven was hiding. He wanted to pry, but he held back. Still, the nagging feeling wouldn't leave him.
By Sunday, his "nosy" instincts won out. He wanted to cheer his friend up and perhaps repay him for the kindness of the last few days.
He took a bus to the TRace headquarters and texted Raiven when he arrived.
At TRace? Raiven's reply came almost instantly.
Yes, Haru confirmed.
Stay there. I'll be right down.
Haru had timed his visit for the lunch hour. Aside from checking on Raiven, he had an ulterior motive: he wanted to see the heart of the company from the inside. The lobby was staggering,a grand space dominated by a massive fountain that screamed of wealth and power.
A few minutes later, an elevator chimed. Raiven stepped out, looking like a silhouette of modern cool in a beanie, a mask, and a black vest over baggy pants. Even with his face covered, he had an aura that acted like a magnet; every eye in the lobby drifted toward him.
Haru waved, and they met halfway.
"Hey," Raiven said, his voice muffled by the mask but clearly surprised.
"I thought I'd surprise you," Haru said with a grin.
"Is this because I didn't send the picture of my dinner last night?" Raiven huffed.
"Yes, probably." Haru shoved his hands into his pockets, feeling a bit of Se-hee's mischievousness rubbing off on him. "Why don't we eat together? I heard the cafeteria food here is legendary."
Haru's eyes were full of anticipation, but Raiven hesitated. The silence stretched a second too long.
"Is something wrong?" Haru asked, his voice dropping into a tone of genuine concern.
"No, it's just…" Raiven looked around. Staff members and trainees were openly staring at them.
Haru realized he might have overstepped. In the 90s, dropping by a friend's workplace was a gesture of loyalty; in the 2020s, for a top-tier idol, it was a security risk. "If you're busy, I can just go!" he added quickly, guilt pricking at him.
"No! No," Raiven protested.
Haru watched him closely. He realized then that for all their talking, Raiven was still an enigma. He was an expert at masking, but for a split second, Haru saw a flicker in Raiven's eyes. It wasn't annoyance. It looked like fear.
"The food here is good," Raiven said, breaking the tension. He started walking toward the cafeteria before Haru could back out. "Come on."
Raiven offered a small smile, but that flicker of distress remained in his gaze.
"Okay," Haru mumbled, following him. His chest tightened. He wanted to reach out, to offer a hand or a hug, but he felt a sudden wave of doubt.
What if I'm misinterpreting everything? he wondered. What if I'm comparing him to someone from my past who doesn't exist anymore?
But the most nagging question, the one that made his heart heavy as they entered the crowded cafeteria, was the darkest: What if he is exactly like him?