DING DING DING!!
The glass door was slowly pushed open from the outside. The cool air from the air conditioner touched Lee Joon's face as he entered the store. The clock showed 7 PM.
The atmosphere inside the convenience store was calm, with music playing through the store speakers. There were four people inside. One store employee — the cashier behind the counter — stood there smiling warmly at Lee Joon, and another employee was busy arranging items on the shelves.
"Welcome," greeted the cashier.
Two university students were sitting near the window, enjoying their instant noodles. Their hands never left their smartphones, as if watching an idol performance.
Lee Joon lowered his black face mask to take a breath. He walked toward the shelves filled with various snacks. Then he moved to the refrigerator section, which was specially for cold food. He reached for two small triangular kimbap packages. For a moment, he checked the expiration date on the packaging to make sure the food was still safe to eat.
'Still okay.' he murmured to himself before reaching for a bottle of iced latte.
He shifted his gaze and walked toward the counter. He placed the two kimbap packs and the bottled drink on top.
"Is that all?" the cashier asked.
"Yes, that's all," Lee Joon replied.
"₩5,800."
BEEP BEEP!!
The scanner beeped twice as the kimbap was scanned. Lee Joon reached into his pocket and took out his wallet. Inside were several cards. But one stood out.
A black card.
Its design was extremely minimal. No bank logo on the front. Only a small silver emblem. A type of card used only by certain people. Usually by the wealthy, chaebols, and elites.
Lee Joon casually took out the card and placed it on the counter. The cashier froze for a moment and looked at his face. She was shocked to see him up close — because she recognized both the card and his familiar face.
"Oh? Aren't you a trai—"
Lee Joon immediately cut her off.
"You're mistaken."
He pulled his mask back up, covering most of his face and revealing only his eyes.
"Sorry. I thought you were someone else. You look exactly like someone I used to admire," the cashier said.
Lee Joon simply nodded slightly. She quickly completed the payment.
"Approved."
Lee Joon took back his card and returned it to his wallet without hesitation. The cashier continued looking at him with strong curiosity.
'Did I mistake him? He looks like Lee Joon. But if he really is Lee Joon, there's no way he has that card…'
His clothes looked like an ordinary food delivery rider. Nothing luxurious. But the card told a different story.
Not something just anyone could use.
Lee Joon took the plastic bag.
"Thank you."
He turned toward the door and left the store.
The cashier remained deep in thought.
'The guy earlier had a small mole under his eyebrow, if I'm not wrong.'
She quickly took out her phone and searched for something. She typed Lee Joon's name.
Everything about him appeared — posts uploaded six years ago. She watched his introduction video that fans had re-uploaded after Star Entertainment deleted it from the DOMIN8 YouTube channel.
"See! I told you it was Lee Joon!" she said in frustration.
Lee Joon walked toward his motorcycle while eating the kimbap. After finishing, he twisted open the iced latte and drank it.
BUZZ!
His phone vibrated.
He stopped walking and looked at the screen.
One new message.
The contact name read: Lee Hyun — his eldest brother.
He opened the message.
Lee Hyun
Come home for dinner tonight. 8 PM.
Lee Joon stared at it. No emoji. Just a short sentence. That was exactly how his brother communicated.
A few seconds later, another message arrived.
Lee Hyun
Mom cooked.
Lee Joon smiled slightly and quickly typed a reply.
Lee Joon
We'll see if I can make it. I need to finish my food delivery first.
In front of him stood a giant digital billboard showing music and entertainment advertisements. Suddenly, the screen changed.
Bright lights flashed.
Music began playing — very familiar music.
On the screen appeared six men standing on stage under concert lights.
DOMIN8.
The advertisement showed a short performance clip. Fan cheers echoed. Choreography he knew well. Formations he once memorized. Songs he practiced hundreds of times in the training room.
Because once upon a time, he was supposed to be there.
Especially in the center.
As the center.
His eyes shifted to the man standing in the middle.
His position.
The one that was taken from him.
Lee Joon clenched the plastic bag in his hand. His chest felt tight. Emotions surged at once.
Anger.
Sadness.
Frustration.
Unfairness.
And the strongest feeling was…
Betrayal.
Because only he knew the truth. Only he knew their real personalities.
Six handsome men who appeared perfect.
They were once his teammates. His so-called friends.
They trained together for three years. Through hardship and success.
But they were the ones who destroyed him.
They planned everything. Spread rumors. Watched him fall — without lifting a hand to help.
On the screen, DOMIN8 smiled and waved to fans as if nothing had happened. No guilt. No regret.
As if Lee Joon never existed.
He stared without blinking.
His eyes turned slightly red, holding back tears.
"DOMIN8," he whispered.
Once a name full of hope.
Now it only left bitterness.
Two pedestrians stopped nearby.
"That's DOMIN8."
"They're really rising right now."
"The center is so handsome."
Lee Joon stayed silent, listening.
Then he looked away.
"Enjoy it while you can."
His voice was low.
It would be easy to destroy them. But what was the point now?
He was too old to debut again.
He had already given up on his dream.
"What's the point of revenge now… Can I bring Hyunwoo hyung back?" he murmured.
He looked at a photo of himself with a slightly shorter man with dark brown hair. Both were smiling happily.
He smiled faintly.
"Hyung… are you happy up there? I miss us. In the next life, I'll be braver, and we'll fulfill our promise. But this is reality. We can't bring back what's already gone, right?"
A new order came in. Lee Joon checked the time.
7:30 PM.
"Still have time."
He started his motorcycle and sped off. He arrived at the restaurant, picked up the food, and carefully placed it in the delivery box.
7:38 PM.
"Still on time." He put on his helmet and rode off. But suddenly, the weather changed. Strong wind blew. Then heavy rain started pouring. The road became slippery. Visibility dropped.
"Ah…" He slowed down, trying to focus. Just a few more turns. But when he made a turn at an intersection—
SKREECH!!
The tire slipped.The motorcycle lost control.
BAM!
His body was thrown onto the road. Pain shot through his leg.
"Urgh!" He tried to stand. His pants were torn at the knee. His phone lay on the road, screen lit up. It was ringing.
Hyung.
He answered.
"Hyung—"
HONNNNN!
A loud horn echoed. He turned. A large truck was speeding toward him. Bright headlights blinded him. He tried to move but his injured leg slowed him down. And in a split second—
BAM!!
His body was hit violently. He was thrown several meters forward. Rain poured over his motionless body. Nearby, his phone lay on the wet road. The screen was cracked but still connected.
Lee Hyun — 0:48s
"Lee Joon?" his brother's voice came faintly.
"Lee Joon, where are you?"
Silence.
"Lee Joon?"
"Why aren't you answering?"
Red brake lights reflected on the wet road. Blood slowly flowed from his head, mixing with rainwater. His breathing grew weaker. His vision blurred. The world became quieter. One final thought appeared.
"Once again… I failed."
Those were Lee Joon's final words before darkness swallowed everything.