Falling for the Omega Idol-Chapter 137: ALMOST INTOXICATING

I still hear your voice in the silence of the night

But I can’t reach for you, even in my dreams

If I could turn the clock around

I’d chase the words I never found

But now you’re gone—too far to hold

And I’m left here in the cold

I’m falling for you—though I said goodbye

Drowning in silence, under this sky

I don’t wanna cry—but it’s all I do

Since the day I lost you

Haneul’s voice wavered at first, stumbling over the unfamiliar tempo—Taeyang’s arrangement dragged the opening verse slower than the original track, throwing him off. But by the second line, he managed to adjust his phrasing to match the keyboard’s pace. His pitch stayed solid even as he navigated the new rhythm, his vibrato smoothing out as he grew more confident.

The chorus, where the melody finally lifted, came easier; he leaned into the dynamics, letting his voice swell with the keyboard’s crescendo. It wasn’t perfect—a couple of late entrances, a note or two slightly under pitch—but for a first run with a completely reworked arrangement? It’s definitely the best one could do.

I’m falling for you—though you’re not around

Calling your name, but there’s no sound

I don’t wanna cry—but what else is true

When every tear still falls for you

The moment he finished singing the last note, Haneul finally turned to look at Taeyang. He had avoided looking at him the entire time because he thought it might make him lose his focus. But when he did turn, he saw that Taeyang was already looking directly at him. And it didn’t seem like Taeyang had just turned to look—it looked like he had been watching Haneul the whole time.

The realization made him freeze. There’s just something about the way the other was looking at him—too focused, too intense—that made his skin feel suddenly warm. It wasn’t just the heat of the practice room or the exertion from singing. This was different, like Taeyang’s gaze alone was enough to make the air between them feel heavier.

Haneul’s fingers twitched at his sides, unsure whether to fidget or stay perfectly still. He knew he should say something, or at least look away, but for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to break the moment.

It was Robin’s voice that finally cut through the tension.

"That was beautiful, Haneul!"

Hearing that, Haneul finally managed to tear his gaze away. He turned toward Robin—then froze mid-motion when he spotted the rest of their teammates already gathered in the practice room doorway.

"I agree," Kim Joonhyuk said, stepping forward with brightening eyes. "This arrangement’s already performance-ready. Did you two work on it together?"

Park Seongwoo hesitated, his eyes flickering toward Lee Minjae before speaking. "Y-yes. It’s... really beautiful."

"Right? I think we can use this arrangement exactly as it is," Robin added.

Haneul opened his mouth to explain he hadn’t contributed to the arrangement, but before he could speak, a loud scoff echoed through the practice room. He turned toward the sound and saw Lee Minjae standing there, the edge of his mouth lifted in what looked unmistakably like disdain.

"Wait—you two worked on this arrangement alone last night?" Lee Minjae’s voice turned brittle. "You told us all to come up with ideas separately, but you already had yours finished. Why not just share it then instead of making the rest of us scramble?" His fingers curled at his sides as he glared at both Taeyang and Haneul. "Or was the whole point to show how much better yours is before we even tried?"

Judging by the glare directed at them both, Haneul realized he’d now joined Taeyang on Lee Minjae’s ’shit list’.

"The arrangement was Taeyang’s work alone," Haneul explained calmly. "He only asked me to sing it so he could test the melody. What you heard earlier was just that—a first run-through."

Lee Minjae rolled his eyes, his expression making it clear he didn’t believe a word. "Sure. How convenient."

"The arrangement you just heard was what I came up with, and I only asked Haneul to sing so I could hear how it would sound with vocals," Taeyang said as he stood up. He didn’t say that to Lee Minjae. Instead, he was addressing it to Kim Joonhyuk and Park Seongwoo. As if Lee Minjae was not even worthy of any explanation. "If you have an arrangement in mind, feel free to share it."

Lee Minjae’s expression tightened, his shoulders stiffening. "So now we’re sharing?" he said, voice edged with cold amusement. "After you’ve already finished your perfect version and had Kang Haneul sing it for everyone to hear?" He crossed his arms. "How very fair—let’s all scramble to match what some of you have already decided is good enough to perform."

A tense silence fell. Then, his voice dropping to a razor-sharp murmur: "Or was the point to make sure everyone sees yours is the superior option before we even present ours?"

This time, Taeyang finally turned to face Lee Minjae. His expression remained blank, but the icy intensity in his gaze was enough to send chills down anyone’s spine.

"Lee Minjae-ssi," Taeyang said, his voice dangerously calm, "what exactly is your issue? Is it our decision to challenge a strong team? My leadership? Or do you want your arrangement to be heard first?" His gaze never left the other. "Say it plainly. Voice your grievances now, so we can move past this... childishness."

Lee Minjae’s face flushed a deep red, the heat crawling up his neck as Taeyang’s words landed. The color darkened further when Robin’s poorly suppressed snort cut through the silence.

His flushed face twisted in fury. "Are you mocking me right now?" he shouted, whirling toward Robin, his voice cracking with barely contained rage.

Haneul moved without thinking, stepping protectively in front of Robin. But before he could tell Lee Minjae to calm down, an acidic scent hit him—so pungent it made his stomach lurch. He nearly doubled over, saved only by the sudden appearance of Taeyang’s broad back shielding him.

As the other stood there, the harsh odor vanished, replaced by something warm and sweet—honeyed wood with a faint spice beneath it.

It smelled almost intoxicating.