Ch.07 Hoods, Highlights, and Handholds

The evening lights of the city flickered beautifully as if humming in tune with the busy life around seven o'clock. Outside the grand auditorium, K stood silently, his sharp eyes scanning the swarm of excited fans. Posters of the idol's smiling face shone under neon lamps, vendors sold glowing sticks and fan T-shirts, and laughter spilled through the crowd like music itself.
K, however, felt none of their excitement.
"Of all the places… why here?" he muttered under his breath, tugging his hood further down to cover his face. "She threatened me, saying she'd camp at my place if I refused. Living with her? That would be a nightmare…"
Suppressing another sigh, he flashed his VIP ticket at the security staff, who waved him through the gate. Inside, golden ceiling lights brightened the buzzing hall as the crowd shifted and chattered with infectious energy.
"Why does everyone look like they've won the lottery? It's just a concert," K grumbled while threading through the fans, clutching his ticket. "Maybe I'm the insane one here for not feeling a speck of excitement."
The stage ahead shimmered in dazzling hues as curtains glowed like a promise. Thousands of glowing sticks transformed into a luminous ocean, swaying as fan chants thundered through the air. Then—the lights dimmed.
A profound hush fell.
"Helloooooo everyone! Thank you for coming to my concert!"
The audience exploded into cheers that shook the walls like a quake. K winced, pressing himself deeper into his seat and yanking his hood lower. Every chant of her name, every piercing scream of joy, grated against his ears like nails across glass.
By the finale, when the idol bowed with gleaming eyes and shouted her heartfelt thanks, the auditorium trembled under delirious applause. K merely muttered:
"Finally… it's over."
He shoved his hands into his pockets and stood, already slipping into the backstage corridor.
A middle-aged staff member noticed him and gave a small nod. With an expressionless return gesture, he followed her through echoing hallways until they stopped before a glowing door.
The moment it creaked open—
"K!"
She burst into view like sunlight breaking clouds. Long black hair tipped with purple-pink highlights, amethyst eyes sparkling, her radiant smile all warmth and mischief. Arms wide, she charged forward—
Only for K to sidestep at the last second.
Wham!
Her face slammed against the doorframe. She slid dramatically to her knees, clutching her nose with teary eyes.
"Owwww! Why did you dodge?!" she whined, unleashing a deadly combination of pout and watery puppy eyes.
K pinched the bridge of his nose, unimpressed."Seriously? Airi… you're my big sister, when will you learn to act like one "
"And please don't act like a cute puppy. "
Geez why, she is not mature to her age for the people who is worshipping her as a idol. I am feeling pity of them k thought on his mind
"Meaniiiiiiieeee!" she wailed. "You weren't like this when you were little! You always came running to me in tears, hugging me... and now you lecture me? Who are you?! My brother's been kidnapped by an imposter! Give him back!"
"Yes, fine, fine. I'm an imposter," K drawled. "So an imposter can leave, right? Delightful seeing you. Goodbye."
He tugged the door open to exit—but Airi wrapped around his legs with desperate clinginess."Sorry, sorry, sorryyy! Please don't leave meee!"
Rubbing his temple, K exhaled a long-suffering sigh. "Fine! But tell me—why did you drag me here? I ditched my part-time shift because of you."
In the blink of an eye, her expression flipped like a switch, bright as a child unwrapping candy."Because I'm free tonight! Let's go on a dinner date together!"
K froze, his lips twitching between frustration and disbelief. "…That's it?"
"Of course!" she chirped, puffing her cheeks. "You never call me, and whenever I call you, you hang up saying you're busy!"
K scratched the back of his head, finally grumbling: "Fine… I can never win against you." His voice dropped to a warning. "But remember—no one can know you're my sister. If the public finds out, my life's over."
"Roger that, boss!" she declared with a goofy salute.
The two stepped out into the glowing city streets. Airi now wore a cap and large glasses to hide her starry identity, while K blended into the shadows under his hood.
"So, where's dinner?" she asked cheerfully, poking his arm.
K didn't even look at her. "I don't want unwanted attention so it will be better if I cook. Less trouble that way. We're going to your apartment."
She gasped as though betrayed. "What?! Not your place?! This would be my first chance to see where my cute little brother lives!"
"Exactly why it's never happening," K said flatly. "If you know where I live, you'll barge in with your antics every other day. My sanity's fragile enough already."
"Not faaair!" Airi pouted, stomping her foot like a spoiled child.
K chuckled faintly under his breath, shaking his head. "Honestly… I don't know why people worship you as an idol. If they saw you like this, they'd realize you're just a spoiled kid at home."
"Wrong!" Airi corrected proudly, holding up a fist. "I am a beautiful, talented, perfect big sister idol! And you, little brother, are stuck with me. Forever~!"
K groaned, but there was the faintest twitch of a smile at the corner of his lips.