AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I'm aiming for 5000 privilege unlocks this month so that this book can receive a banner. Please support this book by unlocking as many privilege chapters as possible and support me for spirity!

I'll give 10 chapter mass release on 1st October if we reach 5000 privilege unlocks this month

....

"And that, my friends, is the end of my live stream!" Minyoon exclaimed cheerfully at his phone's camera. "I hope all of you loved the Summer Festival at my school! Truthfully, I'm really humbled to be here with my friends and fans. I love you all!"

He waved at the camera and switched off the live stream.

"Let's see how many people checked in," he said to himself. Scrolling at the comments and shares, over a million people had watched his live stream.

"This is definitely a record!" he said in glee. He was standing nearly at the end of the lake, away from the crowd. Sighing out loud, he wondered if his twin managed to get the girl.

"Dad will have a fit if he learns that his own son couldn't ask out a girl," he muttered. He daily fiddled with his phone, reading the love notes his fans leave him. Smiling at the messages, he liked all of them. Minyoon was one of the most interactive idols and even replied to fans whenever possible to maintain their support.

"Minyoon honey, marry me!" one commenter wrote. Minyoon laughed and wrote a reply.

"I want to but I'm married to my music ;-;" he wrote.

"Minmin, what colors do you like?"

"Purple and pink!"

"Minnie, can you blow me a kiss?"

":3"

Minyoon replied to more comments with emojis and hearts before putting his phone away. He was about to stand up and leave when a slow tune came out of nowhere, making him pause. It was the melody of a flute which was being played somewhere nearby. The soft music was enchanting with a velvety touch to it as if the flute player was pouring their heart and soul into the music. The calming song was enticing him and Minyoon found himself following the tune.

He ventured further along the lake, reaching a small stream. A boulder sat on the side of the stream. And on top of the boulder was the flute player.

Her long hair was flowing with the gentle breeze. She wore a red hanbok but her face was covered with a Colombina Mask, hiding her appearance. The girl was playing the flute with utmost respect, keeping her calm rhythm as she expressed her inherently troubled feelings through her music.

Minyoon was blown away by this stranger. He did not dare to disturb her but stood there, listening to her. A soft smile played on his lips as he watched the masked beauty. It was as if they were sharing a sacred moment. This...this was their song and only they could play it.

Finally, the girl stopped playing the flute. She took a deep breath and was contemplating something.

I shouldn't have returned here for the second time today, she groaned. Hwang Minyoon's fans are too crazy for him. Will this really work?

"You're really good!"

She froze in shock when Minyoon came out from behind a tree. He was smiling at her, looking friendly but she was defensive. Minyoon, on the other hand, was impressed by the girl who could play the flute like an expert.

"Your music is great!" he went on, coming closer. "You can join our agency! Why don't you take off your mask and I'll introduce you to my-"

Suddenly, there was a loud shriek from somewhere in the fairgrounds. Minyoon momentarily turned around to see what was going on. Taking her chance, the masked girl leapt off the boulder and ran off.

"Hey wait!"

She heard Minyoon calling for her but she kept on running and did not stop until she was out of the gates. When she was sure that he was no longer following her, she stopped at an alley, gasping for breath.

Slowly, the girl took off her mask to reveal her amorous face. She took off her long wig to reveal short, boyish hair. Her bangs reached till her eyebrows and thanks to her unisex apperance, it was easy for her to disguise as a boy.

Just like she had that morning to check out her rival's performance.

"He almost caught me!" she exclaimed in annoyance. "It would've ruined everything…"

I can't let anyone find out my secret, Baek thought. She put the mask and wig back on, stealthily running away from the school.

I'll have to beat him on stage, she decided. Anyhow!

….

All the students were suddenly rounded up and ordered to line up at the football field. Soobin was holding Yoonmin's hand, scared and confused.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"I don't know," Yoonmin said in a grim tone. "But I don't think it's good news."

He noticed that the teachers were frantic and the principal had closed off the gates. They were locked in the school while the teachers ran around to get the situation under control. The light festival had been canceled and all the students were being kept under strict scrutiny.

"What happened?" Minyoon asked, running towards them. "Is everything alright?"

Just then, they heard the sirens of police cars approaching the school. The guards let the cops in. The twins saw Jina and her team along with Hobin hurrying towards Building B where all the classes were held. They looked extremely worried.

"I'll go and ask sis what's going on," Minyoon said and he sprinted towards his sister as she was about to enter the building.

"Sis, what's going on?" he asked.

"There's been a murder," Jina revealed. "Stay with your brother and Soobin until we sort this mess out."

With that, she and her team hurried upstairs towards the storage where the body was found.

Hobin was the first one to reach the crime scene. He stood there, staring at the sight in front of him. Jaebum and Woohee entered next and let out loud gasps of horror. The others followed suit, murmuring to each other as they gaped at the corpse.

Jina was shocked beyond words, her blood boiling in anger.

"What the fuck?" she cursed in a low tone. "Who would do this?"

"A maniac," Hobin whispered. "A true monster."

Stuck to the wall was a teenage student in a demon costume with his ribs torn apart from the middle, each rib pinned to the sides.

"Do you smell that?" Hobin asked Jina, not moving his gaze away from the corpse.

She stiffly nodded. "Sulphur."