Episode 34: The Boy Behind the Mask
1. Inside the USB
The room was silent except for the hum of the laptop.
The video continued. Nova X's center — the one who mirrored Seon's every move — was hunched over a table in a soundproof booth. He didn't know he was being recorded.
"I'm not him," he whispered. "I don't want to be him. But they said… If I don't become Seon, I'm nothing."
Jaewon's fists clenched.
Minho looked sick.
Jun paused the video. "Is this a trap?"
Seo-jin shook his head. "This is a confession."
Seon stayed silent, staring at the boy's shaking shoulders.
"His name's Ryu Jae-min," he said at last. "He trained with me. He's not a copy. He's a ghost they shoved into my skin."
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2. Jae-min's Truth
The second video was longer. Shaky cam. Late night. Parked car.
Jae-min spoke to someone offscreen. "I didn't mean to debut like this. They told me AX1 betrayed the industry. That Seon was a liar. I believed them."
He paused. "Then I saw Seon sing Noiseproof. I saw how his voice shook. You can't fake that kind of hurt."
He exhaled. "I want to leave Nova X. But I'm scared."
The video cut out.
Attached was a handwritten note:
> "This is all I can give you — for now. —J"
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3. VOX Debate
Jun: "We expose it. We post the video. Let the public destroy Nova X's lie."
Minho: "He's a victim too."
Jaewon: "So were we. Doesn't mean we burn the ones behind us."
Seon stood. "We don't post it. Not unless he asks us to. He needs a way out. Not another cage."
Seo-jin: "What if this is our only chance?"
Seon: "Then we make another."
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4. Nova X's Silent Cry
Later that night, a private Twitter account followed VOX's official page. Bio: "J."
Then a DM:
> "Can we talk? Not as rivals. Just as people."
Jaewon replied: "Name a time and place."
Jae-min sent coordinates. A practice room on the outskirts of Incheon.
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5. The Meeting
Seon arrived alone.
Jae-min was already inside, pacing. He wore a hoodie, mask down, eyes wild with exhaustion.
"You came," he said.
"I had to."
"I didn't ask to be you."
"I didn't ask to be me, either."
They stared at each other.
Then Jae-min broke. "I'm sorry. For stealing your voice. Your face. Your pain."
"You didn't steal it. They cut it from me and gave it to you."
Silence stretched.
Then Seon handed him a card.
"VOX has an open door policy. When you're ready."
Jae-min didn't take it yet.
But he didn't tear it up either.
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6. Fan War
Screenshots leaked — rumors of Jae-min meeting with Seon.
Nova X fans clashed with VOX's growing fandom.
#SeonStoleOurCenter trended. #JaeMinDeservesBetter trended higher.
Anonymous messages warned VOX to "back off."
Seon was doxxed again.
But this time, something changed.
Their fans fought back.
Fan accounts posted positive clips. TikToks of Seon smiling during VOX gigs. Edits of Jae-min's awkward stares slowly softening.
A war was happening — but not just of hate.
Of protection.
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7. Documentary Offer
A streaming platform reached out. A producer pitched: "We want to film the rise of VOX. You control the footage. We'll pay. Full transparency."
Jaewon wanted to refuse.
But Seon nodded. "Let them see. Let the world know how we rebuild — even with glass in our hands."
Episode 1: From Ruins to Rehearsals began filming that weekend.
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8. Minho's Moment
During a documentary interview, Minho finally spoke:
"I thought I was just the dancer. The pretty one. Then Seon cracked the silence, and I realized… I have things to say too."
He released a solo track that same week. A spoken word piece about body dysmorphia and industry pressure.
It topped indie charts for three days.
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9. Rooftop Monologue
Seon and Jaewon returned to their old rooftop. Rain misted around them.
"You think we'll make it past this?" Seon asked.
Jaewon leaned back. "We already did. Everything now is just… extra verses."
Seon laughed. "Then I hope the bridge is long. I like singing beside you."
They kissed under a broken umbrella.
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10. Cliffhanger — The Final Offer
An email landed in VOX's inbox.
From: Orion Legal Team
Subject: Ceasefire Proposal
> "We propose a non-disclosure mutual drop. No lawsuits. No public statements. No further contact. In exchange, we offer a full monetary settlement and public apology."
Attached: 3 signed confessions from former executives.
Jaewon read it twice.
Seon read it once.
Jun burned the printed
copy with a lighter.
Minho said, "They're afraid."
Seo-jin asked, "Do we take the money?"
Seon stared into the flame. "We take the apology. Then we turn it into a song."
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To be continued…