The event hall was already packed before they even arrived. Today's event show was a program hosted yearly by NovaWave Com., Ltd for all the talents under their label.
Lights.
Camera.
Fans pressed against barricades, screaming names that echoed through the night.
"Stay close"Aru's manager's voice was low but firm.
"Don't improvise anything."
Aru didn't respond. Noise crashed over him instantly.
"LOOK HERE!" "OVER HERE!!"
"WE LOVE YOU,ARUN KITTIPHA!!"
Flashes went off like lightning.
Blinding.
Endless.
He stepped out first. Smiled on.
Posture perfect.
Every movement controlled down to the smallest detail.
Then another door opened. The cheering got louder. Higher.
Familiar.
He didn't turn, not immediately.
But he felt it. That presence. Like something pulling at him without permission.
"Don't look,"his manager murmured under his breath as he adjusted his suit.
"Not yet."
Too late..
Because he looked. And there he was. Zeyu.
Different outfit.
Different styling.
Different people surrounding him. But still the same. The same, Han Zeyu he knew.
For a slip second, everything else disappeared.
No fans.
No cameras.
No noise.
Just them... ARUN Kittiphan and Han Zeyu.
Then, "Come on phi." A hand slipped around his arm naturally. Jae's hands.
Easy.
Practiced.
His new co-star smiled brightly at the cameras, leaning just a little closer than necessary. The crowd reacted instantly. Screams.
Excitement.
Phones rising higher.
"AruJae! Look here! Look Here!" He forced himself to focus. Focus forward. Not there.
"Smile,"his co-star whispered. He did. Because that's what he was supposed to do.
Across The Red Carpet
"Stand here"
"Turn slightly."
"Closer! Closer!"
Hands guided him into position. adjusted Zeyu. Placing him exactly where they wanted.
And then a hand reached for him.
Warm..
Familiar..
No. Not that one.
HE froze for half a second.
"...You okay?"the voice beside him was softer. Less playful.
Observant.
"I'm fine."Zeyu said automatically. But his eyes had already moved. Across the carpet.
There...
Laughing..
Not forced...
Not completely at least.
Because the other actor beside Aru, his co-star...was good.
Natural.
Comfortable.
Their hands brushed. Lingering just enough. The crowd lost it.
"OH MY GOD! LOOK AT THEM!!" "ARUJAE!!"
"They're even better than before-"
The word carried. Sharp and unavoidable. Something twisted in Zeyu's chest.
...
"Everyone together!"
They were lined up.
Side by side.
Too close.
Not close enough.
A camera flashed. Then another,
"Interact a little!"Someone shouted,
"Give us something!"
A pause.
It was brief. Dangerous.
Then, his co-star leaned in again. Closer this time. Hands resting lightly at his waist. The reaction was instant.
Screams.
Cheers.
Clips already being uploaded.
Zeyu didn't move. Didn't react. Didn't breathe.
Because, he saw it. That moment. The way Aru's gaze dropped. Jut for a second after his co-star touched him. The way Aru's smile faltered salmost invisible. But Zeyu saw it. Of course he did.
Meanwhile, The fans watching it live.
@idcimsayingiy: Why does Aru look uncomfortable?
@pinkbarbie: Wait...something feels off.
@stillbelievearuzeyu: He used to smile differently...
@meowmeow: Am I overthinking or...??
Posts started appearing online. Small at first then more. Side-by-side comparisons of old clips and new clips with statements like.
' Old Aru vs New Aru '
' New ship vs Old ship '
' I think the company lied. '
' His eyes don't match his smile anymore '
Back to the Event.
"Last shot!" "Okay, this time, closer!" His co-star leaned in again. But this time, he hesitated. Just a fraction. Barely noticeable.
But the camera caught everything.
"Again!"the photographer frowned.
"More natural, please!"
Natural. Right.
He adjusted. Stepped In.
Played the role.
Perfect.
Across from him, Zeyu did the same. With his group member,
Perfect.
Two performance.
On the same stage.
Neither real.
As they began to move off, their paths crossed. Not planned. Just a step too close. For a second, they were side by side again. No cameras directly in front of them. No managers close enough to hear.
"...Are you okay?"Aru asked. The question was barely a whisper.
Too quiet.
Too late.
A pause.
Then...
"...You should be the one asking yourself that."Zeyu said. With no anger.
No warmth.
Just distance. And then, they kept walking.
That night a clip went viral. Not of a smile.
Not of a pose.
But, of a moment.
Two actors passing each other. Well and actor and a now idol. And one of them,Zeyu...looking back.
Just once. Like he wasn't ready to let go.