Chapter 1016: Series of Events

To make matters worse, it didn't end with that.

Between rehearsals, unexpected schedule changes, and their growing fandom, the boys barely had a moment to breathe.

The public had caught onto it, too.

- DAWN looks so tired these days.

- I heard they're preparing for a concert.

- But that's the only thing they're doing right now. They look way more exhausted.

- Have you guys heard about the sasaeng that went up in their vents?

- What? Where did you hear that from?

- From my mom, who is friends with the owner of the restaurant next to the hotel where they had a shoot. That restaurant lady was having a fling with the security personnel, so he told her the story.

- Honestly, that's a credible source.

Truly, the members of DAWN were having the worst week ever.

The day they got home after their photoshoot, Ren saw an unfamiliar envelope slip under June's front door. He picked it up, eyeing it suspiciously.

"Uh, June, you got mail?" Ren said, waving the pink letter in the air.

June frowned, taking it from him. He opened it, half-expecting it to be from a fan, but as he read the contents, a chill ran down his spine.

> Dear June,

> I've been watching you for a long time now. I found your place. It can be our place soon. Don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you. I just want to see you smile in person.

> Love, your biggest fan.

The room fell silent as June's expression darkened. The letter itself was oddly innocent, but it was the implication that was disturbing-someone had really found out where he lived.

"Who the hell would send this?" Jaeyong muttered.

Akira leaned over to read the letter, shaking his head. "I don't know, but they shouldn't be able to get your address like this. This is bad."

June crumpled the letter in his hand. "This is getting out of hand. I'll talk to Marcus."

The next incident came a few days later when they were filming VCRs for their upcoming concert. The production team had booked a quiet studio space for privacy, but when DAWN arrived, a small crowd had already gathered outside. The members shared confused glances, knowing that their schedule wasn't public.

"Why are there so many people here?" Zeth asked, peering out the tinted window of their van. Sehun checked his phone, frowning. "No one posted about this location. It's weird."

Bo Wen tried to usher them through the crowd as quickly as possible, but it was impossible to avoid the pushing and shoving. Hands reached out, grabbing at their clothes. Someone even pulled on Jisung's hoodie, yanking him backward.

June turned, blocking Jisung from the mob as they finally made it inside the building. The door slammed shut behind them, and they all panted, trying to catch their breath.

"That was insane," Zeth muttered, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "How did they even know we were here?"

"It's like they're tracking us," Ren said, half-joking.

Jisung didn't respond. He was unusually quiet, staring at the floor like he was lost in thought. The final straw came the next day. They were supposed to have a day off, but an emergency meeting was called instead. The members filed June's room.

Jay was there after a long while.

"Well, if it isn't Mr. Big Shot," Akira teased.

Jay shook his head with amusement. "I'm so rich now, you guys."

"Must be nice," Sehun said.

"You guys make more money than I do!" Jay exclaimed.

"What's this about?" Zeth asked, slumping into a chair.

Jaeyong glanced at Jay. "It's about the incidents this week," he said. "We need to talk." Jisung looked pale as if he hadn't slept in days. He rubbed his temples, clearly distressed.

Akira noticed his expression and frowned. "Jisung, are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Jisung hesitated, then finally spoke. "It's just... it feels like we're being watched all the time. And it's not just fans."

The room went silent. Everyone exchanged wary looks.

"You think it's still the person from the vent?" Ren asked.

"It's not the first time this has happened," Jisung said quietly. "I keep seeing the same figure

outside my window. I thought it was my imagination, but..."

Akira's face twisted into a scowl. "It's Chul, isn't it?"

"No," June cut in sharply. "He's dead."

"Oh, right," Akira muttered, chuckling.

"Could it be one of Zeth's exes?" Casper asked, narrowing his eyes at Zeth.

Zeth scoffed, rolling his eyes. "No way. I have high standards, remember?"

"Yeah, because Kiera was definitely out of your league," Ren teased, nudging him.

The mood lightened for a brief moment, but it didn't last. Jisung's hands were shaking as he clasped them together. "What about that girl who attacked me during the fan signing event?"

he asked.

The room fell silent again.

It was honestly the most plausible explanation for all of this. These events started right after it. However, June found it hard to believe that a young girl would be able to do such things.

But then again, June knew not to underestimate the capabilities of other people. He knew just how scary human beings could be.

Jaeyong rubbed the back of his neck, clearly agitated. "We need to bring this up with the company," he said firmly. "They need to start an investigation. This isn't something we can

just handle on our own."

"Jay is the company," Akira said, shaking his head in amusement.

Jay pursed his lips. "We're trying," he said. "However, we haven't seen any traces of this

person just yet."

Jisung nodded, but he still looked defeated. His eyes were distant as if he were replaying every unsettling encounter in his mind.

June watched him carefully, his lips pursed. He hated seeing Jisung like this-defeated,

scared. It wasn't like him at all.

Without a word, June stood up and grabbed his jacket.

"Where are you going?" Akira asked.

"I'll buy you something," June said simply, glancing at Jisung. "You need a distraction."

"You have to be careful," Ren said.

June shook his head. "You guys don't have to worry about me."

Jisung gave a small, grateful smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. June's heart ached a little at

the sight, and he hurried out of the apartment, heading for the convenience store just below

their building.

The air outside was crisp, so he took a deep breath, trying to clear his head. He was just

reaching the entrance of the store when he saw a familiar silhouette standing by the alley.

He stopped dead in his tracks, squinting against the streetlights.

A small smile made its way to his lips.

It had been a while since they saw each other.

"Jia!"