Under the Radar — 13
The chaos started with a single leaked screenshot.
It wasn’t supposed to exist—a private conversation between Soohyun and me, hidden in the folds of our secret lives. But somehow, it found its way online, igniting a wildfire we couldn’t contain. I’m still racking my brain about how in the world it got out. Despite the confusion and chaos it brought, there’s only one thing on my mind right now—what will we do?
The message was simple, but its implications were enormous.
“They know,” I texted him.
“Let them. I’m tired of hiding too.” He immediately replied.
Within hours, the hashtags began trending. Fans flooded social media with speculation, theories, and heartfelt support, while tabloids latched onto the story like sharks to blood. Everyone had an opinion, and suddenly, our carefully crafted facade was crumbling.
In the dim light of the apartment, he sat on the edge of the couch, his phone clenched tightly in his hand. The glow from the screen cast shadows on his face, highlighting the tension in his jaw. I nervously paced the living room, my bare feet padding softly against the wooden floor and arms wrapped around myself as if it were the only thing holding me together.
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“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
Soohyun glanced up, his expression a mix of guilt and determination. “I know. But maybe…” he hesitated, the weight of his next words pressing down on him. “Maybe it’s time.”
I stopped in my tracks, turning to face him. “Time for what?”
“To stop hiding. To stop pretending.” He stood, crossing the room and taking my hands in his. “I know it’s terrifying, Ji, but I’m tired of living like this—like what we have is something to be ashamed of.”
I looked at him, searching his eyes, overwhelmed with the weight of my emotions and feeling my tears threatening to spill. “But your career… your fans… everything you’ve worked for — ”
“None of it matters without you,” he interrupted, his voice firm. “If they can’t accept this part of me, then they don’t really know me at all.”
I wanted to argue, to tell him it wasn’t that simple, but the conviction in his gaze silenced me. Instead, I let myself fall into his arms, my head resting against his chest as his heartbeat thudded steadily beneath my ear.
“What do we do now?” I asked quietly.
“We do this together,” he said, his hand gently stroking my hair. “No more hiding, no more secrets. We tell the truth.” He cupped my face and leaned down, taking my lips in his so gently but full of reassurance that whatever happens, he’s my anchor and my home.
