Lingering Echoes

Time seemed to freeze.

I blankly stared at the mask on the floor.

Still couldn’t believe it—slowly raised my hand and touched my face.

Of course, nothing there—just my bare face.

Seo Injun was saying something to me.

But it didn’t register in my ears at all.

Did the camera catch it?

It probably did.

In panic, my gaze wandered with nowhere to land.

“Uh uh…”

Maybe while fixing my hair earlier, my hand had covered my face somewhat.

After that, Seo Injun blocked it quickly, so it definitely wasn’t clearly visible.

More importantly—I needed to continue the broadcast soon, but my heart was pounding so hard I could barely speak.

There’s no grand reason for hiding my face.

I just wanted to separate my streaming life from everyday life.

How awkward would it be walking down the street if a stranger recognized me and spoke up.

Above all, I didn’t want my broadcast becoming gossip among classmates or relatives.

Anxiety made me bite my nails.

Yeah.

Even if my face was exposed, I had to fix the broadcast right now.

My problem is personal, but Seo Injun is involved too.

If I stayed frozen like this, he’d panic as well.

I hurriedly bent down and picked up the mask.

His voice followed from behind.

“Jangma-ssi, are you okay?”

“We need to broadcast… Sorry. Didn’t realize the mask fell.”

I forced a smile and shook my head.

My trembling hands tried to put the mask back on, but strength kept leaving my fingers.

Even those few seconds felt endless.

Impatient, I bit my lower lip hard.

Then he firmly grasped my shoulders and said in a calm voice.

“The broadcast is over. I wrapped it up well—don’t worry. The camera is off too. So don’t be anxious, lift your head and look.”

“Over…?”

I hadn’t heard anything.

While my mind went blank, I thought Seo Injun had stayed quiet too.

But he finished it.

I let the mask drop to the floor again and lifted my head.

Only then did my vision clear.

He was looking at me with furrowed brows, full of worry.

“Yes. Everyone was worried about Jangma-ssi. When I said we’d end the broadcast now, they said it was okay. Your hand covered it, so your face wasn’t properly visible—don’t worry.”

Because of my mistakes, I ruined the flow twice.

In the end, the guest had to close the broadcast for me.

The worst.

No collab I’d seen was ever this messed up.

Yet Seo Injun wasn’t angry—he was trying to calm the shocked me.

Tran’s agency proposed it first, and Seo Injun dragged his tired body here after schedule.

Peak viewers just now were thousands.

How much his fans anticipated—no need deep think.

Yet I ruined it like this.

“No, no. I’ll turn it back on. Busy Injun-ssi gave time—can’t end like this.”

“No. You’re not in a state to broadcast now.”

“But you came all this way—if only this… Sorry to Injun-ssi too, to Tran fans. I’m okay. First turn on again—”

“Jangma-ssi.”

“Just panicked briefly. End like this—Injun-ssi fans much disappointed too.”

I softly pushed his arm away and grabbed the mouse.

Black ended screen—my pathetic face reflected.

Tried force mask—messed hair only chaotic.

One hand fixed hair, barely smiled.

Awkward, but this level okay.

Moved cursor to start button—again big hand crossed vision.

“Sonagi-ssi.”

Sudden name change—short breath in, mouse hand trembled.

Then familiar warmth softly touched my cheek.

He cupped my cheek, slowly turned my head.

My constantly shaking eyes met his calm ones.

Like facing a quiet ocean horizon.

“Don’t panic. It’s okay. Post notice after calm—no rush.”

“But—”

“No buts. Times like this, calm needed—no other mistakes happen. Plus just now unintended situation, right? Fans will all understand.”

His calm tone settled in my ears.

I blinked following his slow-moving eyelids.

Heart that seemed never calm—gradually found its rhythm.

I slowly exhaled the held breath and looked at him with clearer eyes.

His slender fingers affectionately stroked my cheek.

“And I have time—not just today. We have next, right?”

We. Next.

Every word from his mouth—considering me.

Small sigh, lowered mouse hand, clasped my own hands together.

Slightly bowed head, subtly looked at the mask on the floor.

“…Sorry. I was shortsighted. Felt like I had to fix it somehow—but didn’t want to burden Injun-ssi.”

“It’s understandable.”

“Sorry for being so immature. If I’d been a bit more professional, it would’ve helped Injun-ssi…”

I frowned around my eyes and bit my lip.

I thought I was finally used to broadcasting—that’s why I accepted.

Wanted to give him fun memories only for coming to my stream.

With half-resigned feelings, I gently closed my eyes.

As expected, the warm hand left my cheek.

But unexpectedly—that hand lightly overlapped my clasped hands.

I immediately opened my eyes and lifted my head.

He was smiling.

I blinked—still smiling.

The smiles that always vanished quick—now boldly lingered.

“Today was more enjoyable for me than any time. Felt like playing games with a friend after so long. First since debut… no, no friends since trainee days—almost 7 years.”

To not miss even tiny expression changes, I looked at his face in detail.

Regretfully, the beautiful smile at his mouth hid its trace again.

But his quiet eyes—directed only at me.

“Jangma-ssi, today with me—not good?”

Ridiculous question—I vigorously shook my head.

“Ah, no! It was fun. Really good. Sincere.”

“Then it’s okay.”

Despite countless mistakes—he says it’s okay.

I’m just a fan—yet he considers me more than anything.

What a strange person.

Altruistic? Or someone with no greed?

Does he usually solve entertainment issues this way?

If angry, things get bigger?

No, that’s too far.

Anyway, he prioritizes worrying about me over work—guilt feelings grew lush.

Breaking the strange silence—a vibration rang.

On Seo Injun’s phone, “Manager” appeared.

“I’ll take this call quick.”

Seo Injun held his phone and stood.

He went to the window, took the call with a serious expression.

Meanwhile, I took my outerwear from the closet and put it on.

Escorting him at least would ease my mind a bit.

Roughly fixed appearance in the bathroom mirror and came out.

Just as the call ended—our eyes met.

I smiled as bright as possible, gestured toward the door with my eyes.

“I’ll see you to the ground floor.”

Seo Injun’s lips twitched, then he quietly nodded.

Does he have something to say?

I side-eyed him, but his firmly closed mouth didn’t open.

Creak—the door opening sound felt so awkward.

We stood in front of the elevator, but he pointed to the emergency stairs.

I wanted to walk together anyway—no hesitation, followed him.

Each floor we reached, the orange corridor lights turned on—felt different today.

The only difference from usual—just one more set of footsteps.

Ah, because the person walking with me is special.

Realized today—the stairs are too narrow for two to walk side by side.

To avoid brushing clothes, I stuck to the wall and walked in a weird posture.

Occasionally felt strange gazes from the side—but forced ignore.

Overcame the awkward, mushy atmosphere—finally reached the ground floor.

I was about to bow politely to say goodbye when his low voice slipped into my ear.

“Over there.”

“Yes, yes?”

I snapped my head up—Seo Injun illuminated by orange light visible.

Light from above—sharp features cast deep shadows over his eyes.

On his three-dimensional face—suddenly admired.

Even under this merciless lighting, handsome, I thought.

My expression reflected in his eyes looked quite dumb—no mind to care.

Eyes round wide stared—Seo Injun brows narrowed.

Too blatant stared.

Sneaky eyes turned—but soon his voice gaze caught.

“Today matter too worry not.”

Low voice affectionate settled.

No one move—warm light sudden off.

His back outside scenery visible.

Years seen, familiar beyond boring road.

Yet eyes once close open—each time new see.

No light one—yet somehow clear.

“Me Sonagi-ssi with broadcast could—happy.”

Short inhale.

He call me changed.

Jangma to Sonagi.

Internet broadcast use pseudonym—from real name.

That what big—childish happy.

Sneaky smiled—he slow blinked.

Very small greeting.

“Thank you. Careful go!”

“Sleep well.”

Glass door open out Seo Injun—soon big van boarded.

He disappear immediate—familiar boring scenery returned.

Yet mind like found liked picture one—long that spot leave not could.

Head above blinking orange light again off.

Someday meet can.

This end not.

So think want.