The CEO's office was cold, dimly lit, and impersonal. Charts, social media graphs, and trends scrolled across a massive screen mounted on the wall, reflecting a silent, relentless ambition. The CEO sat back, studying Kairo and Yeseo's latest performance reports. The fans weren't just interested they were enamored with their chemistry.
The CEO saw it as an opportunity too good to waste. He didn't care for the nuances of genuine emotion; he cared about visibility, about the power of intrigue. Their connection was a goldmine. With the right nudge, Kairo and Yeseo could be the company's most iconic "pair," an image strong enough to keep fans talking and generate endless engagement.
"Hana," the CEO instructed Kairo's manager during a call, "I want their chemistry in every spotlight we have. We'll start with a photoshoot, then a set of interviews. They need to look natural, close. Make sure they understand this."
Hana's tone was compliant, but she hesitated. She knew Kairo would follow orders, but the added pressure could push him into uncomfortable territory. "Yes, sir," she replied, and hung up, sighing as she prepared to brief her idol.
Kairo and Yeseo entered the studio together, both a bit uneasy but well-practiced in masking their nerves. Yeseo's heart raced as she glanced at Kairo, her feelings for him simmering just beneath the surface. The company's push to have them work together on this campaign felt almost like fate, a way to bring them closer. If only she could be sure he felt the same.
"Alright, you two!" the photographer called, arranging them into their first pose. "Yeseo, lean into Kairo a little more. Yes, just like that! Kairo, hand on her shoulder perfect!"
Kairo followed the instructions, casting a warm smile that felt rehearsed, though he wished it didn't. The photographer's camera clicked repeatedly, capturing them in poses that conveyed more than friendship. Kairo didn't hate Yeseo she was a great friend and colleague but he couldn't shake the awkward feeling of being used. He wanted to connect with his fans for his art, not for some manufactured chemistry that felt dishonest.
After the shoot, a scripted interview was lined up. The interviewer, grinning and chatty, subtly hinted at their "chemistry," and Yeseo tried not to blush, hoping to keep her true feelings hidden. Kairo's responses were polite, but he remained guarded, wary of crossing the line between professionalism and the story the company seemed determined to tell.
Yuna watched the company's campaign unfold from the glowing screen of her laptop. There they were Kairo and Yeseo, practically radiating warmth and familiarity in every shot. She clenched her fists, her mind swirling with frustration and jealousy. To her, it was clear: the company was exploiting Kairo and using Yeseo's interest to create a fantasy for fans.
She knew Kairo better than anyone else, or so she believed. The public might buy into this fantasy of a budding romance, but she could see through it. "This isn't real," she muttered, scrolling through the endless stream of fan posts gushing over the pair.
Her fingers itched to act. She wanted Kairo to see that not everyone was enchanted by this fake image that there were people who saw him for who he truly was. Driven by jealousy and a need to remind Kairo of her unseen support, Yuna crafted an anonymous message, full of admiration and empathy, carefully worded to sound authentic.
"Sometimes the brightest stars feel the loneliest, trapped in an image that isn't their own. Know that someone sees the real you, beyond all the lights." She signed it with a small star symbol and prepared to leave it somewhere he'd find it perhaps on the shelf by his studio, where he'd see it after practice.
Meanwhile, Yeseo felt a mix of excitement and confusion. She was thrilled to be so close to Kairo, but the company's push for them to be a "pair" left her feeling conflicted. Did he see her as a friend—or something more? Her genuine feelings for him grew each time they were thrown together for work, yet she wondered if he could ever see her outside of the image they portrayed.
"Kairo, are you okay with this?" she asked gently after the photoshoot. She'd noticed his unease, the slight tension in his smile.
He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "It's…part of the job, I guess. Sometimes I wish I had more control over how we connect with fans."
Yeseo nodded, understanding his discomfort but hoping that perhaps he felt something deeper for her, something he was struggling to voice. She wanted to believe that, even if they were following the company's orders, there was a real connection between them.