A few days after Episode 11 aired, the internet was still left spechless. Everywhere Minjae turned, all he could see where posts regarding the recent episode of their drama..

Fans were relentless when it comes to sharing their thoughts on the internet.

"They made me fall in love, then ripped my heart out in five minutes!"

"Wasn't expecting the confession to hurt this much."

"Protect Yura at all costs."

"I was late to watching because I had stockpile of work and when I watched, this is what I'm going to see?"

"Wtf is that episode?"

The drama's hashtags also refused to disappear in the internet. Even if the rest of the participating dramas also aired their episode, the hashtag about Star's Secret stood tall in the middle of them.

#TheStar'sSecret

#MinjaeandYura

By late morning, multiple news outlets released a few headlines regarding the drama. It was thanks to Global Studios who have actively tried to promote the drama. They knew how important it was to maintain their spot in the rankings now that the festival drama's ending was just in 2 weeks.

"Mystery Idol Past Shakes Up Soft Romance—The Star's Secret Climbs Again"

"Minjae & Yura Hit Emotional Peak; Rival Dramas Struggle"

"Audiences Cry Over Silence & Secrets"

Over at Chasing Dreams, the atmosphere in their studio remained to be tense. Their ratings had plateaued while The Star's Secret boldly crept upward. They were just sitting at 10% while Kill Me Kindly was sitting at 9%.

After the Star's Secret took them over, they became more wary in case Kill me Kindly would have a sudden spike in the ratings too.

A senior PD flicked through a recent rating report on his tablet with a frown.

"They're gaining more momentum. We can't let this continue or else we'd be having a hard time in the next week."

An assistant nodded to the producer's words.

"It's really scary. The smaller dramas have also lost viewership. Fans are moving to The Star's Secret."

Another producer sighed.

"We need a twist. Something big. Because right now we're just numbers in their wake."

Meanwhile, news about Kill Me Kindly's ratings also made waves. That show had once held the top spot next to them but its lead had shrunk thanks to the soft-rise of Minjae and Yura's romance.

An article about the two dramas were kept being published.

"Kill Me Kindly Held Down by Explosive Climax Push; The Star's Secret Slowly Edges In"

- - -

Back in Minjae's apartment, the tension from the different drama fandoms and the ratings continued to go on. He could see it daily from fans' creative edits, their supportive hashtags, their waiting for the next episode.

To support our work, please read on M|V|LE_MPYR.

He felt a mixture of pride and confidence regarding it. But more than anything, he was genuinely happy that the fans were loving their drama and his character.

It felt as if all their hardwork for the past months weren't wasted.

However, amidst everything, Minjae should now focus on a different thing. His new schedule.

One afternoon, Donghyun emailed him all of a sudden.

[Subject: Schedule emailed. Please read carefully.]

Minjae opened the email. His heart thudded loudly as he skimmed through it.

Next week: Winter's Ending first script reading

Week after: wardrobe fittings & writer workshop x3

Concurrent: Media pre-pre production. Promotional shoots and pictorials.

Minjae blinked as he read it. It was just simple, but he could already feel that the next few weeks would be his busiest time.

He stared at the email for a long moment, letting the words sink in his miind.

After a few seconds, he let out a sigh and called Donghyun to say that he received the email. After just a few rings, Donghyun's voice sounded on the phone.

"Hello, Minjae?"

"I got it, hyung. Thank you." Minjae's solemn voice sounded. "Though, it's… a lot."

Donghyun chuckled on the other side of the phone. He smiled and nooded even thought he knew that Minjae wouldn't be able to see him.

"Yup. So savour the freedom and freetime you have now. Good luck, Minjae."

"Hays…" Minjae let out a sigh. "It seemed lke i have no choice but to do that, hyung."

Donghyun just laughed before the two of them ended the call.

For a moment, he thought of the upcoming days. Minjae couldn't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions as he realized that the will go through filming, readings, press, fittings again.

He smiled as he thought of it. He was ready to experience all of that again.

- - -

Tuesday night came quietly. The sky was a soft shade of gray, with light wind brushing against the windows of Minjae's apartment.

He was already settled in his living room, the lights dimmed and there wa a blanket resting loosely around his legs as the familiar intro of The Star's Secret began playing again on the television.

It was the airing of episode 12.

This was the one he remembered filming with both nerves and a strange sense of vulnerability. The episode that was supposed to bring some sort of resolution after the confrontation they left the audience with last week.

And the viewers? They were more than ready to wat h the episode.

Even hours before the episode aired, the internet had already begun preparing for its arrival. Hashtags trended again by sunset.

#TheStarsSecretEp12

#PleaseMakeUpAlready

#TonightWeHeal

Forums buzzed with speculation.

"I swear if this doesn't end with them making up I'm going to throw something."

"I NEED CLOSURE. I NEED HUGS. I NEED TEARS."

"Give us peace after the emotional trauma you gave us last Friday."

"Pleaseee. I hope they make up or else ill become crazy!"

Minjae sipped his coffee as he watched the first scene unfold.

The episode picked up exactly where the last one left off. Yura walking away. Minjae's character standing alone under the flickering lights of the quiet street.

But then, within minutes, the scene shifted.

Taeyung didn't let her go this time.

He chased after her, stopping her just before she reached the intersection. His hand reached out. It was not forceful, just enough to call her back.

"Hey," he said, voice cracking. "I never meant to lie."

Yura turned, her face visibly tired, emotions still raw in her eyes.

It was so amusing how her eyes could speak different emotion against the camera.

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

Minjae's on screen character defeatedly sighed. He looked regretful and ashamed of himself. It was almost as if he didn't know what to say and yet he had a lot to say at the samw time

"I was scared. I didn't want you to see me as someone… far away. Someone you couldn't reach."

Yura blinked.

"I would've stayed," she said. "Even if I knew. I would've stayed, Taeyung."

The silence that followed felt heavy. And then, slowly, she took a step closer.

"Don't do that again," she said. "Don't shut me out."

Minjae nodded. "I won't."

They didn't kiss. Not even a hug. But the way they stood together—close and facing each other, the viewers couldn't help but scream in their own eyes.

Minjae and Yura looked so inlove. As they stared at each other, their eyes looked soft. Love was in it, so was understanding and forgiving.

And online?

Viewers were crying again.

"YESSSSS. FINALLY. PEACE. REST. SERENITY."

"I love how they made up without big gestures. Just honesty."

"THIS is what mature love looks like. Just talk. TALK!!"

"Who knew a 'don't do that again' could heal me???"

But the sweetness didn't end there.

The next scene jumped to something unexpected.

Minjae's manager on the drama who briefly appeared was shown on screen. A black car was speeding into him. It was so sudden that the news nationwide was also startled.

Minjae on the drama got a sudden call in the middle of a conversation with Yura.

When Minjae learned of the conversation, je trembled and suddenly became anxious. He immediately turned to Yura to share the news to her.

"My manager got hurt," he uttered, his voice was mixed with gried and sadness. "He's my only family here."

"Then let's go," Yura's character replied.

Minjae paused. "You… want to come with me?"

"Of course," she said, as if it wasn't even a question.

The scene cut to them riding a car. Yura beside him, glancing at the streets in silence. The mood had shifted. The tension between them is gone.

Minjae smiled quietly as he watched the next part unfold. It was one of the few episodes where his character didn't feel like acting. Just being.

Eventually, they arrived at the hospital. Minjae ran and Yura followed her in closely.

For the first time, Yura would step into Minjae's world—his real and old life.

And then, the screen slowly faded to black. The credits rolled.

Episode 12 was over just like that

And the reaction?

"The fuck?"

"WHY WOULD YOU END IT THERE 😭😭😭"

"I need Episode 13 RIGHT NOW."

"The pacing is so real."

"What do you mean it ended there?"

"WHATTTTTT!!?"

"Does that mean i need to wait for friday? AHHHHHHHH!"

And the ratings?

Episode 12: 14.1%

It climbed again.