Episode 9: The Conference
The day of the press conference arrived like a storm.
Rain poured in sheets as AX1's black van rolled to a stop outside the media center. Security held umbrellas, but the flashes from cameras still hit their faces like lightning.
Inside, the air was thick with tension.
The agency's PR team moved like clockwork, whispering strategies, final instructions, and carefully worded statements.
Seon sat at the long table, flanked by Jaewon and Jun. His palms were cold.
Jaewon glanced sideways. "You okay?"
"No," Seon whispered. "But I will be."
A staff member stepped forward. "You're live in five."
---
Behind the curtain, fans had already started trending hashtags:
> #AX1Truth #WeStandWithSeon #JaewonAlways
The livestream screen blinked green.
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The curtain rose.
Six boys bowed together. Flashbulbs popped. Reporters leaned in.
Seon adjusted the mic.
"Thank you for coming. We'll speak from our hearts today."
Manager Joon gave a slight nod from the wings.
Seon continued. "Many of you have seen the leaked photos and articles. What they show is real. Jaewon and I were involved… before AX1 debuted."
Murmurs spread.
"We were trainees. We were in love. And when we debuted, we made a decision—to protect our group and each other, we ended it."
Seon's voice didn't waver.
Jaewon leaned in. "It wasn't a scandal. It was our reality. Our quiet truth. And it's no longer something we want to hide."
Jun added, "We support them. We've always known, and we've always stood with them."
Minho: "Love isn't weakness. It's not betrayal."
Jaewon looked at the crowd. "So if that changes your opinion of us, we respect your right to walk away. But we won't apologize for something we never regretted."
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Online, the comments exploded:
> "I'm crying, they're so brave 😭" "I was angry, but now… I get it." "Still an AX1 fan forever 💕"
The moderator moved to end the conference, but one last reporter raised her hand.
"Is it true Seon's older brother was the original source of the leak?"
Seon's jaw clenched. "I won't speak about family."
But Jaewon stepped in. "Whoever leaked it underestimated us. We've already survived worse."
The press conference ended with applause.
---
Backstage, the boys slumped into chairs, exhausted.
Seo-jin looked proud for the first time. "You boys did good."
Manager Joon handed Seon a phone. "Take this. There's someone you need to talk to."
On the screen: his brother's number.
Seon stared for a long time. Then tapped decline.
Jaewon raised a brow. "You sure?"
Seon looked at him. "There are some people you don't let back in. No matter what blood says."
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Later that night, the dorm was unusually quiet.
Everyone was tired. But hearts were lighter.
Seon stood on the balcony, watching the rain finally fade.
Jaewon joined him.
"They're already editing clips from the conference," Jaewon said. "Some fans are making tribute videos."
Seon smiled faintly. "I didn't expect them to care."
"They care because you were honest."
Silence passed between them, the soft kind that didn't hurt.
"Jaewon," Seon said, "If we hadn't been forced apart… would we have lasted?"
Jaewon didn't answer immediately. Then:
"We didn't last the first time. But maybe that's because we weren't ready."
Seon nodded.
"And now?"
Jaewon's eyes met his.
"I'm ready if you are."
A beat.
Then, slowly, carefully, Seon reached out. His fingers brushed Jaewon's.
For the first time in years, they didn't let go.
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To be continued...