Seoul buzzed with an unusual electricity that week — city lights brighter, gossip louder, media more awake than ever.
A mysterious countdown had appeared on LED screens across Gangnam, Hongdae, and Myeongdong.
No name.
No hint.
Just a single sentence:
"A voice is coming home."
People speculated wildly.
Some said it was a global star.
Others thought it was a K-drama announcement.
Only three people knew the truth:
Jungkook, Jin…
and Kim Taehyung.
✨The Secret Preparation✨
Inside a warehouse converted into a rehearsal hall, Y/N stood alone on the vast stage.
She touched the mic stand with trembling fingers.
A whole month of training, choreography, vocal work…
And yet her heart beat faster every time she thought of facing the crowd again — this time not as a CEO's PS, not as a quiet shadow… but as a star.
Jungkook watched her from behind the sound booth, smiling.
"You're scared."
She turned. "Obviously."
"You shouldn't be."
He walked up onto the stage.
"You worked your entire life for this moment, Y/N. You suffered, survived, and rose. You are more ready than any artist out there."
She exhaled slowly. "Thanks, Kook."
"You're not alone," he said softly. "I'm right here. Jin's here. And…" he paused.
"And?"
"…and someone in Seoul is planning something behind your back."
Y/N narrowed her eyes. "Taehyung?"
Jungkook grinned. "Maybe."
✨Meanwhile, Taehyung…✨
Taehyung stood inside a private gallery hall, supervising a team of designers.
In front of him was a huge digital art piece — a montage of Y/N's journey:
Her trainee days.
Her old performances.
Her struggles.
Her victories.
Her face glowing on stage.
"Make the ending brighter," he instructed. "She deserves to shine."
His assistant whispered, "Sir… this is… beautiful. But won't she ask why you are doing this?"
Taehyung smiled faintly. "Because I want her to know… I'm proud of her. Even if she never loves me back the same way — it's okay. I still want her to fly."
✨The Night of the Reveal✨
Korea's biggest concert arena was filled beyond capacity.
Fans were holding glowing signs, waiting for whoever this "mystery star" was.
Journalists whispered:
"Is this BTS?"
"No, maybe Blackpink?"
"Or a Hollywood artist?"
Cameras pointed toward the entrance.
Security tightened.
Then suddenly —
The lights went off.
A single spotlight appeared.
Soft music played.
The screens lit up with the montage Taehyung created — Y/N's life, her passion, her sacrifices.
People gasped.
"Y/N?"
"Kim Y/N? The singer?"
The crowd erupted.
From backstage, Y/N covered her mouth.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"What… what is this?"
Jungkook placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Your story. Your truth. Someone wanted the world to see it."
She whispered, "Tae…"
Jin squeezed her hand. "Ready?"
She nodded, trembling.
✨Y/N's First Grand Performance✨
The spotlight shifted.
Her name appeared in huge golden letters:
"KIM Y/N – THE VOICE RETURNS."
And she walked out.
Her white gown flowed, the lights catching every shimmer.
She looked like a dream — no, like power wrapped in grace.
The crowd screamed.
Cameras flashed.
People cried.
Y/N closed her eyes.
Music began — her new song, written in Busan.
Her voice poured out — raw, emotional, breathtaking.
Jungkook sang harmonies from backstage.
Jin joined her midway, receiving cheers from the whole arena.
But it was her night.
Her stage.
Her world.
✨The Emotional Chaos✨
After the performance, media swarmed her as she stepped backstage.
"Y/N-ssi, how do you feel?"
"Is this comeback related to Kim Taehyung?"
"Are the Jeju rumors true?"
"Are you two back together?"
"Is he your producer? Your partner?"
Y/N's breath hitched.
She froze — overwhelmed.
Suddenly, someone stepped forward, blocking the cameras.
Tall, poised, calm.
Kim Taehyung.
Flashlights burst even brighter.
Reporters screamed.
"Tae—" Y/N whispered, shocked.
He looked at her, his expression gentle.
"You did well," he said softly, loud enough only for her.
"I'm proud of you."
Her heart trembled.
For a moment, the world fell silent.
But before she could speak, security pushed reporters back.
Taehyung stepped aside — not taking credit, not answering questions, not causing a scene.
Just… standing there.
Like a quiet guardian.
Like a man who had finally understood how to love gently.
✨That Night…✨
When Y/N returned to her waiting room, she found a small gift box.
Inside was a silver chain with a tiny microphone pendant.
And a note in Taehyung's handwriting:
"You were born for the stage.
I only hope to be someone you remember when the lights go out."
– Tae"
Her eyes filled again.
She sat down, hugging the note to her chest.
Jungkook entered quietly.
"You okay?"
Y/N nodded slowly.
"Yes. For the first time… I think I am."
The arena had emptied.
The world outside was still screaming Y/N's name.
But inside the quiet, dimly lit waiting room… she sat alone, holding Taehyung's letter like it weighed a thousand emotions.
Her fingers trembled.
Her heart felt full and confused at the same time.
She didn't even notice when someone knocked.
"Y/N?"
She looked up.
Taehyung stood at the door, hands in his pockets, trying not to look nervous — but failing miserably.
She swallowed. "You… came?"
He stepped inside slowly.
"You didn't expect me?"
"I thought you didn't want to be part of media chaos," she said softly.
Taehyung chuckled a little. "I didn't step in for the media. I stepped in because you were overwhelmed."
He paused. "And because… I wanted to be there for you."
Y/N bit her lip, unsure how to respond.
✨The Quiet After the Storm
Taehyung took a seat across from her.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Respectfully… and carefully.
"Your performance," he began, "was beautiful. Pure. Emotional. You looked—"
He hesitated.
She raised an eyebrow. "I looked…?"
Taehyung smiled shyly. "Happy. Truly happy. And I realized I haven't seen that in a very long time."
Y/N's voice softened, "I am happy. Because I finally did something for myself."
"I know," he said quietly. "And I'm glad."
They sat there for a few seconds — breathing the same air, letting unspoken things settle around them.
✨The Conversation Turns Real
Y/N leaned forward.
"Tae… the montage. The pictures. The story on the screen. That was you, right?"
Taehyung didn't deny it.
"I thought people deserved to know your journey. Not the scandals, not the gossip… but you. The real you."
"Why didn't you tell me?" she whispered.
He looked into her eyes — steady, calm.
"Because I didn't want you to feel like you owed me anything. Not love. Not loyalty. Not gratitude."
His voice dropped. "You've already given enough."
She felt her heart twist.
"Tae… I know our marriage wasn't fair. To either of us. Your mother—"
"Please," he interrupted gently. "Let's talk about us today. Not her."
Y/N nodded slowly.
"Then tell me honestly… what do you want from me now? As your friend? As your wife? As… someone finding her own way?"
Taehyung inhaled deeply.
His voice came out almost trembling.
"I want the truth."
"The truth?"
"Yes," he said firmly. "Just tell me honestly… am I still part of your life? Even as a friend? Do you still… care?"
The room fell silent.
Y/N looked down at her hands.
Then at him.
"Tae," she whispered, "You are important to me. I never lied about that. I care. Just… not the way you wanted me to."
He smiled sadly but gratefully.
"Thank you. That honesty means more than fake love ever could."