After taking another nap, my mind became clear. My mood also improved a bit.

“My recovery really has... improved.”

I couldn’t just brush everything off like it was nothing, but I bounced back faster than I’d expected. It seemed that waiting to meet my parents was the right choice.

They said I’d injured my neck, so even though the weather was still warm, I had to wear a turtleneck. After eating a late lunch, I went to the practice room—and the guys came rushing over in a panic.

“Why are you here?”

Choi Jeho asked, sharply furrowing his brows. Even when told to relax his face, his frown remained immovable.

“You should rest more......”

Park Juu’s expression was sullen.

“I was bored being alone.”

At my words, one of Kang Giyeon’s eyebrows shot up crookedly.

“So you came here because of that? Not to practice?”

“I’ll do it if you let me.”

“No. The sofa happens to be free.”

Jeong Seongbin was already gathering blankets and cushions. Before I knew it, I was wrapped in a blanket, hugging a cushion, and plunked down alone on the sofa.

“Watch us practice and see how good we are! Got it?”

Lee Cheonghyeon winked. I nodded vaguely, then waved a hand at the guys who kept glancing my way, telling them to focus.

The guys finished practice earlier than usual. They said it was because they were hungry, but anyone could see it was a lie.

“You guys really have no talent for lying.”

“But you still like the innocent Cheonghyeon, right?”

“I think I’d prefer a Cheonghyeon who lives with a moderate amount of worldly wisdom.”

“So you’re not letting this slide, huh.”

Lee Cheonghyeon shook his head and went off to pack his things. Choi Jeho, who had nothing to pack, finished early and paced near the entrance.

“Mr. Iwol.”

Manager Daeyeon, who came to guide us to the parking lot, called me.

“I bought what you asked for. It’s in our car, I’ll have Seongbin bring it over. I already told Mr. Chanyoung, so you don’t need to mention it separately.”

“Thank you. Did Manager Chanyoung say anything?”

“He said absolutely don’t let Cheonghyeon and Giyeon drink—but also that you and Seongbin would handle cutting them off yourselves.”

While Manager Daeyeon and I were chuckling, Choi Jeho approached.

“Buy what?”

“Right. I was going to tell you beforehand anyway.”

Choi Jeho put his hands on his waist as if telling me to speak.

“Can I drink alcohol a little?”

“Are you out of your mind?”

“Is your mouth twisted? Can’t you speak nicely?”

My eyes darted to Manager Daeyeon faster than lightning and returned.

“What do you mean, alcohol?”

“I checked with the manager beforehand. They said it’s fine as long as I don’t overdo it.”

“Why are you suddenly doing something you never do?”

Choi Jeho didn’t hide his displeasure. Thanks to the manager stepping aside, I could face him and talk.

“I’m not drinking because I’m having a hard time. You don’t have to worry about dependency. I didn’t even take headache medicine today.”

“My point is—why do you have to drink at all?”

“There’s something I want to say, but I don’t have the courage.”

“What?”

“So about that, can I drink on the veranda? If not, I’ll drink on the stairs and come in.”

“Are you going to chug straight from the bottle on the street again?”

Choi Jeho’s expression became extremely fierce.

“Drink in the dorm. With the veranda window open.”

“Thank you.”

“If you get drunk, I’m throwing you out.”

Leaving behind permission full of rebuke, Choi Jeho left.

On the way back, I sent messages to the guys from the car.

Me

[Is everyone busy in the evening?]

Cutie Pretty Visually Lee Cheonghyeon

[Kang Giyeon needs to grow tall so he’s sleeping early]

[Why?]

Me

[There’s something I want to talk about, not work stuff, just personal chat]

[Considering what happened yesterday and all]

[Wondering if anyone has time]

Kang Giyeon

[Lee Cheonghyeon typed it wrong.]

[I decided to sleep early starting tomorrow.]

Cutie Pretty Visually Lee Cheonghyeon

[Oh right]

[I misspokeㅠㅠ We decided to stay up all night playing games today so totally possible!!!]

Park Juu

[I slept after lunch so I’m not sleepy :D>-<]

Spiritual Pillar Jeong Seongbin

[Finish getting ready for bed and gather in the living room at 12:30!]

[Finish getting ready for bed... has been registered as a notice.]

Then these guys, as soon as they arrived at the dorm, washed up quickly and neatly cleared the living room table. Jeong Seongbin handed me a heavy-looking plastic bag with a reluctant expression.

“This, Daeyeon hyung said to give it to you......”

“Ah. Thanks.”

Inside were two small bottles of liquor sold at convenience stores. There were also ice cups for highballs. Perhaps to prevent the round ice from melting, there were even two large ice packs.

While pouring the liquor into a glass cup with ice at the sink, Lee Cheonghyeon approached from behind.

“Isn’t this whiskey?”

“You possess knowledge that a minor has no reason to have?”

“No, seeing a bottle shaped like this gives me a rough idea.”

“How do you get that idea? You need big data beforehand for that to be possible.”

“Our glass cabinet at home is full of stuff like this! Want me to steal one for you?”

“Don’t say terrifying things. If alcohol touches your hands, I’ll have to hold a press conference.”

“It’s not like we scoop it up with our hands, is that necessary?”

While we chatted, a reasonably priced, decent glass of liquor was ready. Looking to ventilate, I saw Choi Jeho had already opened the veranda door.

Jeong Seongbin, Park Juu, and Kang Giyeon were already sitting at the table. Park Juu was even pinching the inside of his arm to endure.

“Juu, why are you doing that?”

“Afraid I’ll fall asleep....”

“If you’re sleepy, you should sleep.”

“No, I’m not sleepy......”

You don’t even seem to know what you’re saying.

I sent a look to Jeong Seongbin to send him in, but Jeong Seongbin pretended not to notice. I should have told them earlier that I wasn’t going to say anything serious.

It was not like I had some grand story that could live up to their expectations. My throat was dry, so I downed the liquor in one go.

“Can you drink it like that?!”

“Whether you sip it or down it, it all ends up in the same place.”

Leaving the appalled Jeong Seongbin, I quietly found my seat. A comfortable corner seat where I could lean back on the sofa. Having Park Juu next to me weighed on my mind, but considering the smell of alcohol, Park Juu would be better than Choi Jeho, so I didn’t say anything. If the smell got too strong, he’d move on his own.

Sitting down, my throat was still parched, so I took a few more gulps. It was a bitter scent I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“First, I heard you all suffered a lot yesterday because of me.”

“......”

“I feel very sorry, but... thank you.”

Kang Giyeon, sitting opposite, gulped down cold water.

“I thought I should at least explain things related to yesterday.”

Looking at Kang Giyeon made me thirsty too. After moistening my throat again, I began with difficulty.

“The reason I met my family even though you guys tried to stop me was......”

My hands trembled. Pretending nothing was wrong, I lowered both hands under the table.

“Because of my sister.”

It remained faintly in my mind. Choi Jeho bursting into the conference room where I was fighting with my family.

If he heard the conversation back then, he must have heard whatever was said related to my sister.

This made it certain. Speaking about facts I clearly recognized in the present wasn’t restricted by the system. As long as the past I knew and the present aligned.

Through yesterday’s events, I confirmed that my sister definitely existed. So even if I talk about my older sister in front of these guys, the system wouldn’t block it.

However, I couldn’t bring up memories with my older sister that only I knew. Just like I couldn’t speak properly even where Mom and Dad were present. That part would probably remain in my memory forever, and nowhere else.

“I have a sister. An older sister. I don’t have much information but... I’ve been looking for her for a few years.”

“......”

“I knew asking directly would be the fastest way, but I couldn’t do it because I didn’t have the courage.”

It felt embarrassing. Revealing personal matters beyond the usual shared limit felt like a challenge in itself.

“To get to the point, I didn’t gain much. Still, I figured out what I should do next, and it’s not like there’s no way forward, so I won’t have to see them separately again. You don’t have to worry too /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ much.”

The living room was quiet as if cold water had been poured over it. I also just drank silently.

Unexpectedly, Park Juu broke the long silence.

“....What do you plan to do, from now on?”

“Hmm.”

That was something I still needed to think about.

Still, it wasn’t like I had no answer at all. I wiped the condensation off my glass and replied.

“I’ll start by looking into facilities. I don’t know much, so it’ll take time.”

“Facilities...?”

“It seems they abandoned her shortly after she was born. I heard it yesterday.”

Park Juu’s expression clouded. The sight of him trying to say something but giving up was pitiful.

“Were you looking for your sister even when you joined UA?”

Kang Giyeon, who had been quiet, asked.

“I was.”

“......”

“I feel sorry to you guys about that part.”

“Why?”

“Because you guys were sincere, but only I thought of the debut as a means.”

It was embarrassing to bring up something no one had even been curious about. It felt like I was putting my own lowest point on display.

“You once asked why I worked that hard. Why I got involved in things that weren’t even my problem.”

“......”

“It was because I felt guilty. I still think similarly now, actually... but anyway.”

My glass was empty. When I lifted and shook it, only the ice spun uselessly, clinking against the glass.

“As you probably know now, my relationship with my family is bad. It won’t ever get better. I used to gloss it over as ‘not great’ because I didn’t want to make you worry unnecessarily.”

My eyes met Lee Cheonghyeon’s. I had something to say to him.

“The reason I told you not to cut ties hastily was because I wanted you to make the best choice after your heart had settled.”

“......”

“If you later decide you absolutely can’t forgive your family, I’ll support you. Because I’d do the same. I just hope you know I didn’t dismiss your worries as trivial.”

Lee Cheonghyeon avoided my gaze, saying he never thought that way. The rims of his eyes were red.

Still, it had been bothering me. I couldn’t just let him misunderstand and think I was pressuring him to get along with his family.

With a much lighter heart, I refilled my glass.

After closing the bottle cap properly, I was about to drink the freshly poured liquor but....

“What the?”

...Choi Jeho, who was sitting far away, took the glass.

And then he even put the beverage inside to his mouth. The alcohol. This strong, vicious stuff.