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Chapter Text

The croissant on Hayoung’s plate cost half of Minhyun’s lunch budget for the week. He stared at it bitterly, watching flakes fall off like ash as she tapped at her phone. She can’t really afford it either, not really, but she got it anyway. Said it helps her blend in better.

“You’re telling me that isn’t Joshua Hong?” 

“Obviously not,” she said without looking up. “That photo is grainy as hell. It could have been anyone.”

“It’s him.” Minhyun pushed his phone across the table. “Joshua Hong, caught at Incheon. Come on, don’t tell me that’s not him, hoodie, sunglasses, that bag . That’s a limited edition YSL duffel. The Circle all have them, it’s like their weird little cult uniform.” 

“I don’t know, man, other rich people exist, and could have YSL limited duffle bags,” Hayoung shrugged. 

Across the table, Woojin sipped his iced matcha nervously. “Uh, sorry, can someone explain what a circle is again?” 

They both turned to him in perfect, synchronized disbelief.

“Seriously?” Hayoung raised her eyebrows. “You start at Avalon like tomorrow, and you have never heard of them?” 

“I mean…If it wasn’t in the school welcome packet…then no?” 

“Okay, but like, do you not have internet?” Minhyun sighed, leaning back like a professor about to deliver a sacred lecture. “Okay, so the circle, think of the twelve wealthiest, most powerful, and lowkey dangerous families in Korea. Dynasty-level rich. Old money, new money, hush-hush money, fictionally ridiculous money. Now imagine all of their kids go to Avalon Prep, and those kids, thirteen of them, run everything.” 

“They’re not on the student council or anything,” Hayoung added. “They don’t have to be, they just…exist above the rest of us. Like gods. Spoiled, beautiful, emotionally unstable gods with trust funds and private jets.” 

“They decide what Avalon Prep is ,” Minhyun continued. “Who gets invited to parties, who’s exiled to social death. Who’s ruined. Who’s protected. Their parents donate entire buildings to the school, so they are all basically untouchable.” 

“The main leader is Yoon Jeonghan,” Hayoung said. “The best way to describe him is the face of Avalon, and if I'm being honest, Korea’s it-boy. His father is a major politician, like on the state council, with ties to Korea’s biotech sector. His dad is like a politician- slash-tycoon-slash-womanizer-slash-vampier-probably. His mom died when he was young, and rumor has it his dad bought him a private island for him to cope.”

“Apparently, his father built a home for each circle family on the island,” Minhun explains. “Every summer, they’d vacation there together. Like a deranged, rich-kid summer camp. But they stopped going after Joshua left.” 

“The second leader, or I guess co-leader, is Choi Seungcheol. His family owns half of the real estate in Gangam, including restaurants, apartments, and shopping centers. If it has windows, the Choi’s probably own it. He is like the poster golden boy but with daddy issues, probably. So handsome, I think god cried when he made him.” Hayoung sighs dreamily. 

Minhyun rolls his eyes. “And then there is Joshua Hong. His father owns an international luxury hotel empire, and his mother runs art galleries in Seoul and Paris. Joshua met Jeonghan when he was 12, and they have been best friends ever since, well, were best friends.” 

Hayoung leans in, keeping her voice low. “He disappeared almost two years ago. Mid-semester. No warning. No explanation. There was this huge socialite wedding that all the circle families attended. I didn’t get invited, obviously, but Minhyun worked it. Anyways, the next Monday, boom, he was gone. The circle never talks about it. It’s like he died.” 

“There are tons of rumors about why he left, too. The two main rumors are that his parents shipped him away to some boarding school, either the Swiss Alps or France. The other rumor is that he went to rehab. But no one really knows, until now.” 

Minhyun gestures back to his phone, where the blurry photo of a tall boy in sunglasses posted by The Gossiper - Korea's most notorious anonymous tip account- is still up. 

Woojin squints, looking at the picture. “ I don’t know. That could be anyone.”

“Exactly!” Hayoung grinned.

“Look at the ring!” Minhyun zoomed in on the photo, “That stupid Cartier ring they all have, probably their diamond blood pact or whatever, he never took it off!” 

Hayoung rolled her eyes. “That doesn’t prove anything.”

“Dude, it’s him ,” Minhyun stressed again. “He has that same relaxed, I never worked a day in my life, posture. Look at his neck. That’s the posture of generational wealth.” 

Woojin looked overwhelmed. “Okay, who else is in this circle?” 

“Speedrun?” Minhyun asked.

“Speedrun,” Hayoung nodded. 

“Wen Junhui and Xu Minghao, cousins, practically Chinese royalty. Jun’s father owns a major pharmaceutical company. Think FDA-level patents and clinical trials. Minghao’s family runs one of China’s biggest fashion empires. Lots of money, lots of power.”

“They are also fighters,” Hayoung said. “Like, actual martial arts. The rumor is that they trained in underground fight clubs over the summer just for fun. Their families mainly live in China, so Jun and Minghao live here alone in a giant penthouse. Each family has homes in Seoul, and when they visit, it’s in full security detail.”

“Then there is Jeon Wonwoo, heir to the Jeon Medical Group empire. His family owns 80% of Korea’s healthcare industry. Hospitals, medical schools, pharmaceutical labs, and even supply manufacturing. He is the youngest of three; one brother is a top surgeon at one of their hospitals, and the other brother runs the medical supply empire. So naturally, Wonwoo has something to prove. The guy doesn’t even blink unless it’s strategic.”

“Kim Mingyu,” Minhyun continued. “Media heir. His family owns one of Korea’s largest entertainment and news conglomerates. Some say the circle keeps him around to keep their names out of headlines.“

“And because he is hot,” Hayoung adds.

“True,” Minhyun conceded. “But he’s also dumb, like a golden retriever in Prada.” 

“Lee Jihoon,” Hayoung said next. “His family’s basically musical royalty. Classical composers, concert pianists, orchestra founders, you name it. His father owns the number one record label in the country. His mother is a famous pianist, his sister is a violinist, his brother plays the cello, and Jihoon has mastered over 10 instruments, probably more. Apparently, when he was 6, his father shipped him off to study music at some elite conservatory in France.” 

Mihyun jumped in. “Kwon Soonyoung, heir to a huge entertainment company. Studios, broadcasting, celebrity management. His father wants him to be an executive, but all he wants to do is dance; he practically lives in the dance studio at Avalon." 

“Then there is Lee Seokmin. He’s from a super conservative Christian political dynasty that is trying to groom him for a future in politics. Think family values, televised charity, and picture-perfect PR stunts.” Hayoung sighs, “He’s too sweet for that world.” 

“Boo Seungkwan, his mom, is a top fashion designer. Haute couture, Paris Fashion Week, probably has Anna Wintour on speed dial. He grew up with three older sisters, and it shows, he’s dramatic, petty, and absolutely unshakeable.”

Then there is Chwe Hansol Vernon,” Hayoung says. “The chillest of them all. His parents are both famous; his dad is a research scientist, and his mother is a world-famous psychologist. Think TED talks, Nobel nominations, Oprah-level interviews. His parents write books and run charities, and even give lectures at Avalon. They put like zero pressure on their son to do literally anything. He just floats through life.” 

“No, seriously,” Minhyun adds, “Dude smokes weed behind the robotics building, he’s always late to everything. One time, I overheard him say he just bought a new phone instead of fixing the screen when he cracked it.” 

“Lastly, there is Chan, Seungcheol’s baby brother. Technically, he’s not officially in the circle since he isn’t in high school yet, but that doesn’t stop him from hanging out with them during lunch and every free period,” Hayoung says.

“Wait, no one says anything?” Woojin asks.

“He is a Choi, he can do whatever he wants, he just comes up from the middle school, and no one bats an eye.” 

“Wow,” Woojin leaned back, stunned. “And these people go to Avalon.” 

“They don’t just go,” Hayoung says, “They rule over it.”

“Avalon Prep,” Minhyun recited like a brochure. “Where the parking lot has a valet. Where the dining hall serves wagyu and truffle pasta, and the chefs have been flown in from France.” 

“Don’t forget the stables, with imported Arabian horses,” Hayoung notes. “And the security guards, they all wear earpieces and Tom Ford.” 

“Security guards?” Woojin says, shocked.

“Well, duh. Starting Monday, you will be going to school with the 1%” Minhyun shrugs. “Most of the kids that attend Avalon are heirs, foreign royalty, celebrities, socialites, and politicians’ children. Our school has hella security.” 

Woojin blinked, “Oh, I am so screwed.” 

“You’ll be fine, it sounds scary, but we are the only two, now three,” Hayoung smiles, squeezing his shoulder comfortingly. “Transfer students at Avalon, we are basically like make-a-wish kids in their eyes, only they are all heartless, so for the most part, everyone just acts like we don’t exist. The most important thing is to focus on all the opportunities we can get while we're here. It’s like getting access to paradise, just focus on trying to make every second here count.” 

“Hayoung’s right, plus we have your back. You’ll be fine, just keep your grades up, and stay under the circle's radar, and you’ll survive,” Minhyun nods. 

“Yeah, listen to Min, he knows from experience!” Hayoung jokes, and Minhyun shoots her a look.

“Wait? Did you use to know the circle?” Woojin asks. 

“It was like two weeks my freshman year, it doesn’t matter, it’s in the past. Forget it, just trust me. Don’t get involved with them,” Minhyun warns. 

Before Hyaoung can chime in with something smug, the barista calls out from the counter:

“Joshua, Iced Americano?” 

All three froze.

Minhun turned, his heart suddenly beating faster. He watched in what felt like slow motion as a tall figure stepped up to the counter to grab his drink. Hoodie pulled up, sunglasses on. Their table was so close to the pick-up counter; why couldn’t they have sat somewhere else? 

He took the coffee with a polite nod and turned to leave, but then he paused. Right in front of their table. All three stopped breathing, all sitting completely still. He turned slightly, pushing his sunglasses to the top of his head. 

Minhyun felt his blood go cold. 

Joshua Hong was looking directly at them. 

“It was six, not twelve.” 

“W-what?” It was Hayoung who was brave enough to speak. 

“Earlier, you said that Jeonghan and I met when we were twelve; we were actually six.”

A beat.

“But the rest of it?” He smiled faintly, “Creepily spot on.” And just like that, he turned and left the cafe. Minhyun could see him getting into the black Escalade that waited outside for him. They were silent. Hayoung covered her mouth. Woojin looked like he had seen a ghost. 

Minhyun leaned forward, a smug smile on his face. “I told you it was Joshua Hong.” 

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Spotted: A ghost at Incheon airport. Joshua Hong has returned, iced americano in hand. The circle may pretend like they forgot you, but don’t worry, I never will. Ghosts never stay dead, do they? Welcome home, Joshua!  - Gossiper 

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Joshua stepped out of the cafe, the door closing behind him with a soft chime. He was starting to regret his stop for coffee, but this had been his favorite cafe, and after the hell he was no doubt about to walk into, he wanted to treat himself.

The black Escalade waited at the curb, gleaming like something out of a luxury commercial. His driver stood beside the door in a tailored black suit, clean, fitted, and very professional. He gave a small bow as he opened the back door with practiced ease. Joshua hated it. 

“Dowon, how many times do I have to tell you. You don’t have to wait outside for me or open my door. I’m grown and fully capable of opening my own car doors,” Joshua smiled softly as he slid inside. “But thank you.” 

“I know, Mr. Joshua, but I don’t mind. It is my job. I love working for you and your family.” Dowon smiled politely before he closed the door. 

The air inside the Escalade was cold and quiet; the smell of rich leather was almost comforting. He sank into the seat and let his head fall back, eyes closing. The low hum of the engine starting was soothing, familiar. He hadn’t been in this car in over a year, and yet it felt like only yesterday. 

“Did you miss me?” Joshua smiled, opening one eye to look at his driver from the back seat.

“Of course, sir, things have been a little dull around here.” 

Joshua sighs, “That’s what I’m worried about.” 

Already, he could feel the shift, the old familiar weight of people watching him, the whispers that always follow. He has only been home for an hour, but the city talked fast, and those kids at the cafe. 

“I think the town missed me, too. There was this group of Avalon students in the cafe. I think I heard them say that they were scholarship students. Anyway, they were talking about me and the others like they were recapping a TV show. They knew like almost everything about us; it was impressive in a creepy way.” 

“I’m sorry, Mr. Joshua, that your life is so public.” 

Joshua smiles, lifting his head off the back seat, “I can’t complain, I guess.”

From the driver's seat, Dowon glances up through the rearview mirror, “Mr. Joshua, shall I take you home to rest after your flight?” 

Joshua hesitates, his eyes moving to the window, watching buildings and people pass by as they drive along. So much time away, and the city is already alive, foaming at the mouth, ready to bite into him. His thumb ran along the side of the coffee cup as he took a sip. 

“Where’s my mother?” 

Dowon’s eyes flicked down for a moment, reading something on the screen built into the dash. “Mrs. Hong is currently attending Boo Eunji’s fall line preview. A private showing at the Boo residence.” 

Joshua exhaled slowly, not surprised. Why would his mother be anywhere else?

“Of course she is,” he rubbed at his eyes, before saying what he is bound to regret later. “Take me there.” 

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“Seungkwan, I am obsessed with your mother's new line,” Jun said, holding up a light blue silk blouse as he turned to admire himself in one of the floor-length mirrors. The fabric caught the light like water, fluid, and expensive. 

“Yeah, I'm gonna need at least one of each item from the denim line,” Minghao added, looking through a rack of structured jackets and wide-leg jeans, all in custom-washed hues. “Especially that cropped bomber.”  

The Boo mansion was completely transformed for his mother's pre-launch party for her new fall line. What was normally a high-ceilinged, tastefully modern home was now a breathing, interactive fashion show. Models posed on platforms like living art all around the house, showing off the latest items. Mirrors and clothing racks were strategically placed throughout the home. Tables were decorated with color-coded accessories, and shoes sat displayed like museum artifacts. Waitstaff glided silently between guests with flutes of champagne and miniature hors d’oeuvres that cost more than some people’s rent. 

A full string orchestra played in the entryway, softly underscoring the hum of expensive conversation. The guest list was, as always, carefully curated: socialites, buyers, celebrity stylists, fashion editors, heirs and heiresses, a few politicians, and of course the Circle and some of their family members. 

“Just make sure you say that again when my mother’s in earshot,” Seungkwan sighed, gently fluffing one of the racks, “And somehow make it sound like I convinced you to buy.” 

Minghao smirks, “Sure, Kwannie, I’ll go look at more items until I bump into your mother. I can take Mingyu with me; he desperately needs help anyway.” 

Mingyu looked like he had been personally attacked. He stood from where he’d been lounging on a velvet chaise, throwing his arms wide. “Excuse me? This is Armani!” Mingyu gestures to his outfit. 

“Yeah, Armani from last season…” Minghao gave him a blank expression, 

Mingyu’s mouth fell open. “The new season just dropped? Oh shut up,” Mingyu sighed, pushing Minghao playfully. 

Before they could start a full-out fight, every phone in the room lit up and buzzed at once. There was a collective groan and then the unmistakable click and swipe of screens unlocking. 

“Oh my god,” Seungkwan gasped, eyes glued to his phone, “Where is Jeonghan?” 

“What is it?” Seungcheol asked from where he was stretched out on the couch between Wonwoo and Jihoon, eyes still closed. “Another gossiper blast about him? Someone read it out loud. I don’t want to move.” He lifts his head off the couch, being careful not to spill his champagne. 

Wonwoo leaned over and tilted his screen so Seungcheol could see the new Gosspier post announcing a certain missing circle member had just been spotted at the airport. 

“Holy shit,” Seungcheol muttered, sitting up straight. “Joshua is back?” 

“I repeat. Where is Jeonghan?” Seungwan clapped once, getting everyone’s attention. 

“He got summoned by his evil stepmother. I think he is on the balcony, but it’s fine, I have his phone,” Jun held up the device, identifiable by the white YSL case Jeonghan treated like a family heirloom.

“Like keeping his phone away from him is going to stop him from noticing when Joshua shows up to school tomorrow,” Jihoon rolls his eyes. 

“Do you think he is actually returning to Avalon?” Seokmin asks, peering at the post.

“Well, I’m assuming?” Jihoon shrugs. 

“Maybe he just came home to visit his family?” Wonwoo offered, already scrolling on his phone to see what else he could find out. 

“Okay, well, even if he is back for just one day, Jeonghan is going to find out,” Soonyoung says it like it’s obvious because, well, it is. 

“Jeonghan is going to find out what?” A smooth voice entered the room. 

They all turned to see Jeonghan walk in, looking effortlessly put together in designer clothes. He looked at all of his friends, gaze sweeping the room like he already knew they were hiding something. His expression was expectant and impatient as he tilted his head, waiting for someone to speak up.

Seungwkan exhaled deeply, “I guess now is as good a time as any.” He walks over, showing Jeonghan his phone. Jeonghan reads the first two words before he snatches the phone out of Seungkwan’s hand. 

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” 

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Spotted: Joshua Hong is officially back, and he didn’t even bring a tie. Bold to ghost a city for two years and then stroll into Boo Eunji’s pre-launch party as if he never left. Are we already getting a circle reunion so soon? Take a seat, everyone, life just got interesting again! - The Gossiper  

Chapter Text

The Boo residence has always looked extravagant, but tonight, it looked like a fashion cathedral. 

Floodlights washed the white marble in a warm golden hue, soft classical music poured out from the open doors like perfume, and the front steps were scattered with guests and press, all dressed like they’d stepped out of an editorial spread. Joshua slipped out of the black Escalade and into the party unnoticed. He kept his hoodie up and his head down, moving like a shadow between camera flashes and champagne flutes. 

He was a walking contrast, all soft cotton and scuffed sneakers. He smirked to himself; his mother would hate this. He moved quietly, keeping to the edge of the party, blending into corners and slipping behind mirrored displays until -by what could only be divine punishment or cosmic timing- he found her.

Jia Hong. 

His mother stood beneath a golden chandelier in a halo of light, surrounded by three other women of equal stature, laughing softly, holding a glass of something pink. She was the picture of wealth and beauty. Her hair smoothed to perfection, and her smile was immovable. She was porcelain dipped in gold. 

Joshua hovered just out of view at the edge of the room, a mix of emotions flooding him as he stepped forward. Her eyes landed on him mid-sentence. 

“Joshua.” Her voice didn’t drop, didn’t rise. Just adjusted , instantly, effortlessly. “Darling. I didn’t know you were coming home today.” 

The other women turned, curious. Joshua gave them a polite nod, offering his mother a small smile. “Well, something important came up.”

“Honey,” She said, gliding forward to kiss his cheek. The hug she pulled him into was practiced, all arm placement and no warmth, “If I had known you were coming, I would’ve made sure you had something appropriate to wear.” She smoothed the shoulder of his hoodie with an unmistakable sound of distaste. “You look…cozy, but at least take off the hood, sweetheart.” 

Joshua represses a sigh, pulling his hood back from his face. “Thank you, Mother, for the warm welcome, as always. I wasn’t planning on stopping by, but I was assuming you would be home with Saerom. Imagine my surprise when I found out you were here, of all places.” 

His mother’s smile didn’t flinch as she turned to the women with a pleasant hum. “Excuse me, just a moment, ladies. I need to speak to my son.” She set her drink down with a soft clink and gestured for Joshua to follow. 

His mother pulled him into the corner of the room away from listening ears, but they were still in sight if people were to watch. Which they always were.  

“I’m assuming with this private conversation that Saerom isn’t at home, is she?” 

“Joshua,” She exhaled, voice low, “Must we do this here?”

“Where is she, mother?” Joshua asked.

She paused, her posture still perfect, her eyes were sharp. “She’s not home yet.” 

“Why am I not surprised.” Joshua sighed, shaking his head as he looked away from his mother. 

Jia took a deep breath, slow and composed. “The doctor and I feel it is best if she stays for a few more days-” 

“No. You feel it’s best,” Joshua cut in, voice rising. “Let’s not pretend the doctor had anything to do with this. 

“Lower your voice,” she snapped softly, glancing back toward the room of people, standing around in small conversations of their own. “This is not the time or place-” 

“It never is with you,” Joshua hissed. “She was supposed to come home today . That was the plan. What changed?”

Jia folded her arms. “What changed is I made the executive decision to extend your sister's stay. For her well-being.” 

“Oh, her well-being is to be locked up in some asylum? Are you sure it wasn’t for your well-being? This situation requires you to be a real mother, and I know that is inconvenient for you. Much easier to throw money at the problem until it goes away, right?” 

Her jaw tightened, her mask cracked, just a hairline fracture. “Don’t be cruel. You don’t know what is best for her. You left. You have been gone for over a year. I am the parent, and you are the child. You do not get to walk back in and-” 

“Don’t do that,” Joshua interrupted. “Don’t act like I abandoned her. You know why I left.” 

The silence hung thick between them for a moment. 

“I’m back now,” he added, quieter. “And I’m gonna stay.

Jia’s expression changed for just a tiny moment, something tired and real behind her eyes, before she recovered. “Your sister is in one of the finest facilities in the country. St. Augustine is not an asylum. It’s where she can be looked after properly, and right now, that’s what she needs.” 

“She doesn’t need a facility. What she needs is her family. What she needs is us, not strangers or locked doors, or more secrets.” He rubs at his face tiredly, talking to his mother always feels like going in circles. “ And where does the world think my baby sister is right now?”

Jia sighed, turning away slightly, brushing off invisible lint from her blouse. “She is visiting your aunt Sujin in California.” 

Joshua stared. “So you lied. No, of course you lied.” 

“I managed the narrative,” she said calmly.

He laughed, dry and breathless. “That’s right, I forgot the most important thing is the narrative.” 

“Oh, Joshua, enough!” His mother exaggerates, putting her hands over her face for a moment, before she lowers her voice. “Enough. I am done with this conversation.” 

Before Joshua could reply, they were spotted. Boo Eunji entered the room, followed by Seungkwan, Vernon, Minghao, and Mingyu. 

“Great,” He muttered under his breath, looking away quickly, trying to think of an exit strategy. He was too late.

“Joshua?” Boo Eunji’s voice floated like music across the room. She was all pearls and silk fabrics, lighting up at the sight of him. “Seungkwan, you didn’t tell me Joshua was returning.” She looks at her son for an answer.

“Well, I only just found out recently myself,” Seungkwan said politely, but there was still a bitterness that clung to every word. 

Joshua stepped out as his mother pulled them from the corner of the room, forcing a smile back onto his face. “Hello, Mrs. Boo. Yeah, that’s my fault. I came back kind of last minute, I didn’t even tell my mother I was coming home.”

His mother laughed airily, agreeing with her son. She was perfect again, smile back in place, not a trace of the argument lingering on her face. Joshua was already regretting everything as he looked at his old friends. 

He cleared his throat, smiling awkwardly, not sure what to say. He wasn’t prepared to seem them now. “Hey…guys. I’m back.” 

A beat of silence.

“Yeah, we can see that,” Minghao says flatly, Mingyu hiding a smirk under a sip og champagne. 

“Yep, that seems about right,” Joshua muttered under his breath, the sarcasm was expected. 

“Well, welcome back, Shua,” It was Seungkwan who spoke up, of course, his mother was standing three feet away. 

“Thank you,” Joshua nods. He looks at his friends; they all look the same, mostly, maybe Mingyu was an inch taller. If he somehow got more attractive during the time Joshua was away, it would have been cosmically unfair. 

Vernon, as if he just noticed him for the first time, blinked up at Joshua. “Yo!” He said, pointing, “It’s Joshua. Guys, look, it’s Joshua. You’re not dead.” 

“Yeah, Vernon, we know… he has been standing in front of us this whole time.” Minghao sighs, holding the bridge of his nose.  

“Unfortunately, I am not,” Joshua said, smiling despite himself. God, he missed Vernon. 

“So Joshua, you of course are going to stay for the rest of the event, yes?” Boo Eunji asks. 

“Yeah, you can come with us and say hello to the others, I’m sure they all want to see you,” Seungkwan said, eyes sharp.

Joshua shook his head with an apologetic smile. “Ah.., no. I’m really jet-lagged, sorry. I think I’m just going to go home and rest,” 

“Really? You like just got here.” Mingyu said, surprised. 

“Yeah, I just stopped by to say hello to my mother quickly. But I will see you all tomorrow, and I will give everyone proper hello’s when I’m running on more sleep.” 

“Tomorrow?” Minghao tilted his head. “So you’re coming back to Avalon?”

Joshua nodded, “Yep, I’m back for good.” 

That landed like a stone in the room. The four exchanged a look. Joshua caught it and breathed through his nose slowly. He couldn’t think about his friends right now; he wanted to fix things with them, and he will. Just not tonight. Tonight, he is only concerned about Saerom. 

“Anyway,” he said lightly, backing away, “I’ll see you guys tomorrow. Ms. Boo, thank you for the welcome. Mom, I’ll call you later.”

She just nodded, a small smile on her face. “Of course, darling.”

Joshua turned on his heels, making a beeline for the door. He needed to leave before any of them could say anything else. Before anyone could ask him where he’d been or what happened, or why he was back now. 

The cold night air felt like relief as he ran down the steps, stopping at the bottom to exhale deeply. The mansion sparkled behind him like a snow globe, beautiful, perfect, and completely suffocating. 

“Running away again?” 

He froze. He would know that voice anywhere. He turned to find Seungcheol, sitting a few steps up, relaxed and perfect as he smirked up at Joshua. 

“I could ask you the same question.” 

“Getting air, there's a difference,” Seungcheol said. “Now, if I were leaving, I would say goodbye first.”

“Ouch. I deserved that,” Joshua sighs, turning around to fully face him. 

He smiled, and Joshua couldn’t help himself as he returned it. Memories start to come back fast and sharp with a pang of guilt that sits in his gut. He looked down at his shoes to try and make the feelings pass. 

“It’s good to see you, Shua.”

“You too, Cheol.”

There was a pause then.

“So…are we going to talk about-” 

“No.” Joshua cut in. “Not now, maybe not ever. Look, Seungcheol, I have to go. I will see you at school tomorrow, okay?” 

He walks away without looking back, heading straight towards the black Escalade, each step pulling him further from one fire and closer to another. 

Inside the car, he exhaled, head tilting back against the leather seat. Dowon meets his eyes through the rearview mirror, and Joshua composes himself.

“Dowon, take me to St. Augustine, please.” 

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Spotted: Joshua Hong slipping out of the Boo estate faster than a scandal under a nondisclosure. Can someone check if Jeonghan’s okay? Or did he faint from the sheer audacity of Joshua pulling focus without a stylist or PR team? Uh-oh, Hannie, be careful or you might lose your IT boy status. - The Gossiper 

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Jeonghan stands at the threshold between the party and the balcony overlooking the front of the Boo estate. He leans on the open doors, letting the cold air wrap around him. He looks back at the party, from a distance, it looks like a portrait, all pearls and poured champagne. 

His phone buzzes, another Gossiper blast. His jaw ticks, eyes scanning over every word. He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t make a sound. He simply locks his screen, the corner of his mouth lifting just enough to look unbothered. 

Truthfully, it’s under his skin. 

He didn’t even see Joshua tonight. Not really. Just caught a flash of him from the balcony. The familiar hoodie, on the steps with Seungcheol. They seemed to be talking like nothing had changed, like it was how it used to be. The sting behind his ribs reminded him how much things had changed. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Joshua’s body language was all sharp angles and secrets. 

He didn’t know Joshua was coming back, and it affected him more than he thought it would.

“You okay?” 

Jun appeared soundlessly, like a perfectly tailored shadow. He offers Jeonghan a new glass of champagne, knowing him too well. Hie eys flick to Jeonghan’s locked jaw, then to his now-silent phone. 

Jeonghan lifts the champagne glass to his lips in a careless toast. “I am perfect.” 

“You sure? Cause the Gossiper thinks you’re on the verge of a breakdown.” 

Jeonghan gives a quiet snort. “The Gossiper also once claimed I had my own portrait hung in the art building at Avalon.”

Jun shrugs, “Yeah, but you did , it was in the lobby, and it was framed with a spotlight.” 

“The art department wanted to honor me. It was a donation to culture.” 

Jun smirks, sipping his own drink. 

Jeonghan turns, looking back at the party. He spots Seungkwan, Mingyu, and Minghao entering the room; no Joshua in sight. 

Of course, he left without saying anything. Without explaining where he had been, without even saying sorry. Jeonghan’s hand curls tighter around the stem of his glass. 

“So did you really not know Joshua was coming back?” A voice calls out from beside them. 

Jeonghan turns to find some girl, probably an Avalon student. Her Miu Miu dress was vintage, along with her matching earrings. Jeonghan would have found her cute if she hadn’t been asking stupid questions. 

“I just assumed you would have already known he was coming home, seeing as you two are like best friends…” 

Jun, perfect and loyal, doesn’t miss a beat. “He did tell Joenghan,” he says smoothly, stepping between them like a bodyguard dressed by Saint Laurent. “Of course, Jeonghan knew, he just didn’t want to spoil the surprise for everyone else. Because he is so thoughtful.” 

The girl nods, smiling big, as if that was the answer she knew all along, before she runs off to find more gossip. 

Jeonghan exhales slowly, “I hate this city.” 

He hasn’t said anything. Not to Jun, not to anyone. Because what could he say? That he didn’t know? That seeing Joshua again, even from a distance, made something ancient and fragile ache inside of him? That he feels a little less untouchable tonight? He tips back his champagne, downing the rest of his glass. 

“This city is full of garbage people anyway,” Jun says, offering a warm smile. “You’re still Yoon Jeonghan. Korea’s It-boy, remember?” 

A smile breaks helplessly on Joenghan’s face as he nudges Jun with his shoulder, “Shut up.” 

He steps back onto the balcony, fingers curling loosely over the railing. Below, Seungcheol rises from the steps, brushing off his pants with casual ease. He glances up, eyes meeting Jeonghan’s, and offers him a slow, warm smile. 

The game has changed, and he has never been known to lose. 

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The first thing Joshua noticed about St. Augustine was the silence. Not the normal, peaceful kind. A sacred, heavy kind, like every breath had to be whipsed to keep all the secrets inside its walls. The building looked like something out of a gothic novel, with dramatic arches, ivy strangling the bricks, and stained-glass windows that glinted red and gold even under the dim night lights. 

The halls smelled like polished wood, incense, and antiseptic; the whole place was a weird blend of old chapel and clean clinic. Joshua exhaled slowly as he approached the front desk. The nurse looked up, she was wearing pale blue scrubs and a small silver crucifix around her neck, her badge read, Yena. 

“Hello, I am here to see Saerom Hong.” 

She blinked at him, already shaking her head. “Visiting hours ended at seven. No exceptions unless you’re family.” 

“I’m her brother,” He quickly dug out his ID from his wallet, handing it to her. 

She took it, looking over the card before she typed something into the computer. “Saerom is listed under restricted visitors. No one but immediate family.” 

“Yep,” he offered a weak smile. “That would be me.” 

There was silence as Yena clicked through her screen. “Well. It seems the only name listed under family is Jia Hong. Your name is not on the list.” 

He sighs, feeling the exhaustion fully set into his body. “Yes, that is my mother. I have been out of the country for a year, so she must have forgotten to add my name cause I came home suddenly. Is there any way you could please let me see my sister? I have been traveling all day, and I just want to see her, please.” 

She looks up at Joshua, then back at his ID, her nails tapping on the card slowly. “Your name is not on the list, but you are blood.” She hands him back his card before looking up and down the hall. “Okay, she is in Room 214, on the East Wing.” 

“Thank you so much,” He smiles, sliding his ID back in his wallet. She nods before going back to her computer. 

The East Wing looked just like the rest of the building; the wooden floors softly echoed his footsteps in the high-ceilinged halls. The walls were lined with portraits of saints, and solid mahogany doors that kept patients inside. He passed a nun in the hallway, her rosary clinked gently as she went by. 

Room 214 was at the very end of the hall. He knocked once before he opened the door slowly. 

Saerom was curled up on her bed, her knees tucked under her sweatshirt as she looked out the window. Her hair had gotten longer, her bob was now touching her shoulders. The lighting in the room was soft, more golden than clinical, from the lamp by the bedside table. The scent of lavender clung to the air faintly, like someone had tried to make the space feel warm. 

She looked up.

He choked back a breath. “Hey, Romie.”

“Shua?”

Her voice was a whisper, and then a moment later she launched herself forward, nearly tripping on the blanket in her haste to get to him. He caught her mid-jump, arms locking around her small frame, and held her like that, tight and full of guilt. He pulled back slowly, noticing the gauze carefully wrapped around her wrists.

“I’m sorry,” he said, quietly but firmly. “I’m so, so sorry.” 

She sniffled, still smiling. “You look weird.” 

“You look like you haven’t been eating.” 

“You look like you haven’t slept in days.” 

“I haven’t…” 

She smiled again, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Joshua stepped father into her room, depositing her back onto her bed as he followed her down, sitting across from her. 

“You came back,” she said softly. 

He nods slowly, throat tight. “I know, I should have come back sooner. I should have never left. But I’m here now.” 

She looked down, picking at a loose thread on her sleeve. Her sweatshirt read St. Augustine in big black letters. “You’re my first visitor, but I’m not too surprised. Mom told everyone I am visiting Aunt Sujin in California.” 

“I know. That’s why I almost had to bribe a nun to let me in here. Our dear mother also didn’t put me on the list. Apparently, you are under strict visitation.” 

Saerom laughed lightly. “Of course. Do you know she has only visited me in here twice, both times she somehow tried to set me up with the boy across the hall.” 

“Well, is he cute? What’s he in here for?” 

“Oh yeah, he is a total catch!” Saerom smiles. “He tried to marry his AI girlfriend in an underground ceremony involving actual monks. But hey, he is an Heir to a tech company, plus Mom probably thinks I’m crazy now, so it’s a match made in heaven.” 

“Good god. I have to break you out of here.” 

“Yeah, I don’t think Mom is going to let that happen anytime soon. Probably not until my scars heal, who knows if even then. You’re gonna have to sneak me out,” She laughs. 

Joshua laughed, briefly, but his eyes kept catching on her wrists. Her face. The way her eyes seemed dimmer somehow, still Saerom, but a little farther away from the world. 

“I missed you,” he said, then. “I’m gonna get you out of here.” 

“I missed you, too.” 

They sat quietly for a few minutes, Joshua getting the courage to ask, “Do you want to talk about it?”

She hesitated.

“No pressure, Romie,” he added, squeezing her hand gently. “Just, I’m here if you ever want to talk about it.” 

Saerom stared ahead at the cross above the door. When she finally spoke, it was with careful detachment. “It was a Thursday. I remember because it was raining and I had a quiz in trig, but I never went.” 

Joshua didn’t interrupt. 

“I was just…tired. All the time, not sleepy, just tired in a way that wouldn’t go away. I had felt like that for a while. Dad was gone again, I think in Singapore, Mom barely paid attention to me unless it was to dress me up for a gala or set me up with someone's boring son. And you…” 

Her voice broke for a second. 

“You were just gone. You didn’t say goodbye or explain where you were going. One day, we were all at that wedding, and then you were just one, and the world exploded. I woke up to silence and Mom telling me not to speak about it, and Gossiper blasts like every hour, speculating and starting rumors about you. Then everyone at school stopped talking to me, even the younger Circle siblings, Sophia and Jiwoo, ignored me.” 

“Romie, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. Did Jeonghan and the others start that?” He asked, starting to feel an anger coil in his stomach, for someone else to blame other than himself in that moment. 

She shook her head, “No, they didn’t say anything about you at all. I think they were hurting just like me. It’s not anyone’s fault; it’s the way our world works. And I’m not blaming you, Shua. I just didn’t realize how alone I was until it was too late. I thought I could handle it, but then one day, I woke up and I couldn’t think of a single person who would want to see me.” 

He reached over and took her hand. 

“I didn’t want to die, I know that now,” she said softly. “I just thought I and everyone else would be better off.” 

That did it; the tears hit him before he could stop. He looked away quickly, brushing his face against the back of his hand. 

“I’m sorry,” he said again. He knows he will be saying it for the rest of his life. “I should have protected you. I should have done… anything differently.” 

“It’s okay. You were falling apart, too,” she said. “That’s why you left?” 

He nodded, “The night of the wedding. You were there, but you didn’t know. Romie, I did some things that night, things that I can never undo. The next morning I…I couldn’t live with who I was, and I just had to get away. I wasn’t thinking about anyone else. I was selfish. I am so sorry.” 

Saerom didn’t press him to tell her what he did. She just pulled her brother into her arms. “It’s okay, Shua, I said I don’t blame you, and I meant it. Plus, you’re here now.”

“I am never, ever leaving you again.”

He held her tight for a long time, until he felt her start to relax against him. He helped her under the covers, and when she gestured for him to stay, he climbed in beside her without hesitation. The facility didn’t allow overnight guests, but he didn’t care. They would have to drag him out if they wanted him to leave. 

He held her impossibly close, letting the sound of her breathing comfort him. He can’t stop thinking about how close he was to losing his little sister; the guilt he is feeling has to be permanent at this point, but he is going to spend the rest of his life trying to fix all of his wrongs. 

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Avalon’s golden children are all back in town, tan, toned, and loaded with new secrets. Joshua Hong’s ghosting era is officially over and just in time for the new school year! 

To my dear Circle: I hope you’re all well-rested tonight from your summers abroad, because your vacation from consequences ends tomorrow. The first bell rings in seven hours, and I’ve never been more excited to spend another year with you all.

Welcome back, darlings. The real fun starts now. - The Gossiper