Falling for the Omega Idol-Chapter 118: HE HAD ALWAYS BEEN DIFFERENT

HANEUL looked at his reflection and paused. His black hair, which was usually straight and neat, now had soft waves that gave it more shape and movement. It no longer just fell into place but had a slight lift, making it look fuller. A few strands rested naturally against his forehead, giving his appearance a softer touch.

Even though the makeup was light, the difference was noticeable. His skin looked clear and even, with just enough color to highlight the natural lines of his face. There was no heavy foundation, no obvious layers, yet everything looked smoother, more balanced. His features stood out more, not because they had changed, but because they were framed in a way that made them easier to notice.

His eyes, in particular, looked different. There wasn’t much done to them, just a bit of definition, but somehow, that was enough to make them stand out. They held more depth, drawing attention without trying. He was already drawing attention without makeup, but with it, it was as if a spotlight had been placed on him, making it impossible for anyone to look away.

Damn, that sounded narcissistic as hell. But what could he do? It’s not like he was blind. Pretending he didn’t look good wouldn’t make it any less true. It was fine—he wasn’t complaining. Just surprising that his face could still be enhanced this much.

Well, at least now he didn’t have to worry about getting lost in the background during the show’s theme song. With this face, unless the PD had something against him, there was no way he wouldn’t get at least a five-second solo shot.

"Wow, hyung. You’re so pretty!"

Haru’s unfiltered compliment made Haneul turn away from his reflection to look at him. Haru’s eyes were wide, filled with pure admiration, like a child marveling at something fascinating. There was nothing behind his gaze except honest awe. Just simple, wholehearted amazement. The sincerity of it made Haneul smile.

"You look amazing too."

And Haneul didn’t say that just to be polite. Unlike him, Haru’s makeup was more noticeable, enhancing his already youthful features. A soft flush on his cheeks made him look even more lively, and the slight tint on his lips gave them a natural rosy hue. His eyes, already round and expressive, were subtly brightened, making him seem even more energetic. His dyed red hair was mostly hidden beneath the sailor hat, but a few strands peeked out, adding a playful touch to his look. Altogether, the styling made him appear even more adorable.

Haru grinned. "Thank you! I think I look amazing too!"

Haneul chuckled at Haru’s unabashed confidence.

Just then, a staff member, noticing that everyone had finished their makeup, spoke up.

"Alright, if you’re ready, follow me."

Haneul, Haru, and the rest of their batch stood up from their seats. As they prepared to leave, the makeup artist who had worked on Haneul gave him a small fist pump, silently cheering him on. He smiled and nodded in gratitude.

He was about to follow the staff member when he felt a piercing gaze from the waiting area, where the remaining contestants sat. His body reacted before his mind could process it, instinctively turning toward the source.

There were two gazes on him, but his attention was drawn to the one that wasn’t laced with malice. Instead, it was heavy with emotion—so overwhelming that he could feel it even without fully meeting the person’s eyes.

His gaze locked onto a pair of gray eyes.

For a moment, Haneul was stunned, caught off guard by the way Taeyang was looking at him. His stare was intense, filled with an emotion Haneul couldn’t quite place. Just as he tried to pinpoint what it was, Taeyang suddenly looked away, as if burned.

Haneul blinked. He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but for a split second, he thought he saw Taeyang’s cheeks turn red.

Before he could think too much about it, the staff member’s voice snapped him back to the moment. He quickly looked away and followed the others out of the room.

Taeyang glanced toward the doorway where Haneul had just walked out, his heart still pounding wildly, almost as if it might burst from his chest. The heat on his face hadn’t faded, lingering like a reminder of whatever had just happened.

What was this? Was it because of how Haneul looked? He could admit—Haneul looked even more beautiful with his hair and makeup done, almost unfairly so. But Taeyang had seen plenty of beautiful people before, and none of them had ever made him feel like this.

So why was Haneul different?

Taeyang almost laughed at himself. Of course, Haneul was different—he had always been different to him. From the moment they met, Haneul had affected him in a way no one else had. Even back then, when they first crossed paths, there was something about Haneul that threw him off balance. His words stuck longer, his actions caught Taeyang’s attention more easily, and for some reason, he always ended up noticing him before anyone else.

And that was starting to unsettle him more than he wanted to admit.

***

Haneul looked around the stern deck. The open space was bare except for a few lifebuoys attached to the railings, with nothing to block the view of the endless ocean stretching behind them. The ship’s engines rumbled faintly in the background, mixing with the sound of waves.

This was where the staff had led them. With cameras set up and crew members moving around, it was obvious that this was their filming location. Since only their batch was here, it meant the first three groups that had left earlier must have been assigned to different parts of the ship. It seemed each batch had its own designated area, and for their group, that meant the stern deck.

Well, this spot didn’t seem too bad. At the very least, they had the ocean as a backdrop, which was probably better than being stuck somewhere cramped inside the ship.

A staff member clapped his hands to get their attention. "Alright, everyone, we’re about to start filming. We’ll be doing multiple takes, so follow the cues and keep your energy up."