The city hummed with life as Jin walked through the crowded streets, his mind sharp and focused. His time with Erika had given him a sense of calm, but he knew he couldn't stop there. The path to power, money, and influence required constant progress, and Jin was determined to keep moving forward.
As he turned a corner, the glowing signs of Seoul's entertainment district came into view. Towering buildings lit up with billboards of famous idols and actors lined the streets. Jin's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw a message from Hana.
Hana: "Meet me at the café. I've got something interesting for you."
Jin smirked. Hana always had something up her sleeve. He made his way toward a small, tucked-away café that was popular among young creatives and tech-savvy individuals. When he stepped inside, he spotted Hana instantly, sitting at a corner booth with her laptop open and a mischievous grin on her face.
"Jin, you're late," Hana teased as he slid into the seat across from her.
"Not even five minutes," Jin replied, rolling his eyes. "What's so important?"
Hana's fingers danced across the keyboard, and she turned her screen toward him. "Take a look at this."
On the screen was an article about a popular idol group, Lunar Sirens, and their rising fame. One name stood out: Minji. She was a trainee-turned-idol who had recently become the group's center—young, beautiful, and undeniably talented.
"So, what about her?" Jin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Hana grinned. "She's caught up in some serious trouble, and the agency is trying to cover it up."
Jin leaned closer. "What kind of trouble?"
"Financial disputes, blackmail, and some shady managers. From what I dug up, someone's trying to sabotage her career, and she doesn't even know it yet." Hana paused, watching Jin's expression. "I figured you might be interested in helping her out."
Jin's mind worked quickly. A connection with a rising idol could open doors to the entertainment industry—a place filled with influence, money, and power. Helping Minji could be a major step forward.
"And how exactly do I get close to her?" Jin asked.
Hana shrugged, closing her laptop. "That's your problem. I gave you the information. Now go charm her like you always do."
Jin laughed softly, shaking his head. "You make it sound so easy."
Hana leaned back in her chair, smirking. "It's you we're talking about. You'll figure it out."
---
That evening, Jin found himself outside a rehearsal studio owned by Lunar Sirens' agency. Through Hana's research, he had discovered that Minji often stayed late to practice on her own, away from the other idols. It was the perfect opportunity to approach her.
The building was quiet, and the faint sound of music drifted through one of the upper windows. Jin slipped inside, making his way toward the studio room Hana had pinpointed. When he reached the door, he hesitated for a moment, hearing the soft melody of a piano and a clear, angelic voice singing along.
He opened the door quietly and stepped inside.
Minji was sitting at the piano, her fingers dancing over the keys as she sang softly to herself. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her face was illuminated by the warm studio lights. She looked almost ethereal, completely lost in her music.
Jin leaned against the wall, listening until she finished the song. When she turned and noticed him, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh! Who are you?" Minji asked, standing up quickly.
Jin raised his hands in a calm gesture. "Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble."
She narrowed her eyes, still cautious. "Then why are you here?"
Jin smiled, stepping forward slowly. "Your voice is amazing. I couldn't help but stop and listen."
Minji's cheeks flushed slightly, but she crossed her arms. "That doesn't answer my question. Are you a fan or…?"
"Not exactly," Jin replied honestly. "But I heard you might be dealing with some problems. I thought I could help."
Minji blinked, confusion written across her face. "Help? What are you talking about?"
Jin studied her carefully. It was clear she didn't know the full extent of what was happening behind the scenes. He decided to tread carefully.
"I know about the blackmail and the shady stuff happening with your managers," Jin said gently. "Someone's trying to ruin your career, and it's only a matter of time before things get worse."
Minji stared at him, her expression shifting from confusion to alarm. "How do you know that?"
"I have my sources," Jin said with a small smile. "The important thing is, I can help you fix this."
She frowned, clearly struggling to process what he was saying. "Why would you want to help me? You don't even know me."
Jin shrugged casually. "Call it a hunch. I think you're worth helping."
For a moment, Minji didn't say anything. She studied him carefully, as if trying to figure out whether he was telling the truth. Finally, she sighed and sat back down on the piano bench.
"If what you're saying is true… then I don't know what to do," she admitted quietly. "I've worked so hard to get here, but it feels like everything's falling apart."
Jin stepped closer, his voice calm and reassuring. "That's why I'm here. I can help you figure out who's behind all this and make sure they don't succeed. You just have to trust me."
Minji looked up at him, her dark eyes searching his face for any sign of deception. After a long pause, she nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll trust you… for now."
Jin smiled. "That's all I need."
---
Over the next few days, Jin began investigating Minji's situation with Hana's help. They uncovered evidence of embezzlement within the agency, with certain managers skimming money from the group's earnings and using Minji as a scapegoat.
Jin spent more time with Minji, meeting her after rehearsals and walking her through their findings. At first, she was overwhelmed by the complexity of the situation, but Jin's calm demeanor and confidence reassured her.
"You're really something, Jin," Minji said one evening as they sat in a quiet park. "You make it seem like nothing's impossible."
Jin chuckled, leaning back on the bench. "I've learned that most problems can be solved with the right approach."
Minji smiled softly, her gaze lingering on him. "I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't shown up."
Jin looked at her, his expression serious. "You don't have to deal with this alone anymore."
Something shifted between them in that moment. Minji's usual guardedness seemed to melt away, and she looked at Jin with a mix of gratitude and admiration.
"You're a strange guy, you know that?" she teased, though her voice was soft.
Jin smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."
As they sat together under the fading light of the evening sky, Jin knew he had taken the first step toward something important. Minji was more than just a rising idol—she was someone who needed support, someone who needed him.
And Jin was more than willing to be the person she could rely on.