Haeun's first day

The next morning, Haeun sat in the company van, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her skirt as the vehicle wove through Seoul’s bustling streets. Around her, the other members of St6rlight were in varying states of excitement and nerves. Jihoon leaned back in his seat, his phone in hand, a picture of calm, while Mina was chatting animatedly with Taemin about what they might expect at Dream Entertainment’s headquarters.

The van pulled up in front of the building, and Haeun’s breath caught in her throat. It was as grand as the stories suggested. The sleek, glass-covered skyscraper towered over the surrounding buildings, its modern architecture designed to impress. The logo of Dream Entertainment glimmered in bold letters at the entrance, surrounded by a rotating digital display showcasing the company’s top artists.

The group stepped inside, greeted by the pristine interior. The lobby was a testament to luxury: marble floors, a high ceiling with crystal chandeliers, and screens playing promotional videos of the company’s successes. Haeun glanced at the glowing posters of popular idols and felt a mix of excitement and pressure.

They were escorted to the elevator by a polite assistant, who led them to the top floors where the executive offices and practice studios were located. Haeun noticed how quiet the group had become, even Jihoon’s usual confidence subdued in the face of what awaited them.

The conference room they were led to was expansive, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city. At the center of the room was a glossy oval table surrounded by plush chairs. Standing at the head of the table was a man who immediately drew everyone’s attention.

He was tall and composed, with sharp features, short black hair neatly styled, and an air of authority. His tailored gray suit fit him perfectly, and his gaze swept over the group with a mix of professionalism and calculation.

“Welcome, St6rlight,” he said, his deep voice resonating through the room. “My name is Kang Seojin, and I will be your manager for the next three years.”

Haeun studied him carefully. There was something about Mr. Kang that felt both reassuring and intimidating. He exuded control, his presence filling the room effortlessly.

He continued, “You are no longer trainees. As of today, you are Dream Entertainment’s latest idol group. That comes with expectations, rules, and a level of discipline I trust you’ll maintain. Over the next few weeks, you’ll face a grueling schedule to prepare for your debut promotions. You’ll need to work harder than ever before.”

They took their seats, and Mr. Kang gestured toward a large screen at the front of the room, which displayed their upcoming schedule. The next month was packed with vocal training, dance rehearsals, photoshoots, and variety show recordings. Haeun’s stomach twisted at the sight of the relentless itinerary.

“You’ll also meet the rest of the staff supporting you,” Mr. Kang added, motioning toward the door. A group of people entered—a vocal coach, a choreographer, a stylist, and a PR manager. Each introduced themselves briefly, explaining their roles.

Haeun felt overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of it all. It might be the cut-throat competition of the survival show, but it was still real, and the stakes were higher than ever.

After the introductions, Mr. Kang addressed them again, his tone firm. “There’s one more thing. From this point on, you are representatives of Dream Entertainment. Your actions, both public and private, reflect on us. We’ll be monitoring closely. Keep that in mind.”

As they were dismissed for the morning, Haeun walked out of the conference room, her mind buzzing with information. Jihoon fell into step beside her, his usual smirk back in place.

“Ready for this?” he asked casually, though there was an edge to his voice.

Haeun glanced at him and managed a small smile. “I think so.”

But as she followed the group as they were given a tour of the building, she couldn’t shake the feeling that their lives had just become much more complicated.

After the tour of Dream Entertainment’s facilities, the members of St6rlight were given a brief moment of respite in their dormitory, only for the calm to be shattered by the arrival of Mr. Kang. He carried a stack of dossiers under one arm and laid them out on the table with precision.

"These contain everything you need to know about your debut album," he said crisply, his commanding tone leaving no room for argument.

Haeun sat between Eunseo and Mina, opening the dossier with tentative hands. Inside was a wealth of information: the album concept, the list of tracks, promotional schedules, and most interestingly, their assigned “roles” within the group.

Eunseo was the first to speak, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. “Elegant ice goddess? That fits.”

“It’s perfect for you,” Mina agreed, grinning as she pointed to her own description. “And I’m the bubbly tomboy. Easy. This’ll be fun.”

Haeun’s heart sank as her eyes scanned her role: Innocent yet sexy, the alluring princess. The description made her stomach twist. She wasn’t naive—she knew the industry loved to create personas for idols to captivate fans. But this? It felt like the most uncomfortable version of herself, and not something she could slip into like a costume.

She looked up at Mr. Kang, her discomfort plain on her face. “I don’t think I can do this.”

Mr. Kang’s expression didn’t waver. “Haeun, this isn’t about what you feel comfortable with. It’s about what works. Dream Entertainment has conducted extensive market research. This persona will maximize the group's appeal, not just to fans but also to sponsors and media.”

“But—”

“It’s non-negotiable,” he cut her off firmly. “You’ll have to find a way to embody the role. It’s part of being an idol.”

Haeun swallowed her protests. She glanced at Jihoon, who was seated across the table. His jaw was clenched, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge of the dossier. He had been quiet throughout the meeting, but Haeun could feel the storm brewing in him.

Mr. Kang turned his attention to Jihoon and the other boys. “On the subject of your group dynamic, we need to address the dating angle between Jihoon and Haeun. It worked well during the show, but now that you’ve debuted, things have to change. Fans don’t want their idols to be taken. Haeun needs to appear ‘available,’ and that means creating some distance between the two of you.”

Jihoon’s head snapped up. “What do you mean, ‘distance’? We’re supposed to act like strangers now?”

“Not strangers,” Mr. Kang said smoothly. “We can spin it as a narrative. A jilted lover angle. During your promotions, Jihoon, you’ll continue to pursue Haeun. She’ll reject you, and over time, we’ll imply a breakup through your public interactions.”

Jihoon’s fists slammed onto the table, his voice rising. “You want me to act like I'm being rejected, in front of everyone? Are you kidding me? I’m no cuck!”

A tense silence filled the room. Mr. Kang raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze cutting through Jihoon’s outburst. “Where did that come from? I didn’t realize it was serious between the two of you.”

Haeun’s heart skipped a beat, panic flashing across her face. Jihoon opened his mouth, but Haeun cut in quickly. “It’s not,” she said, her voice tight. “We’ll do as you say.”

Jihoon shot her a look, his eyes burning with anger and betrayal, but he said nothing.

“Good,” Mr. Kang said, his voice calm but firm. “You’re idols now, and your lives are no longer just your own. You’ll learn to balance the demands of the industry with your personal feelings—or leave the industry altogether. The choice is yours.”

Haeun felt her chest tighten as Mr. Kang continued outlining the details of their song recording and choreography. Jihoon stayed silent, his face unreadable, but she could feel the tension radiating from him.

That night, Jihoon did not visit her room. Haeun lay in her bed, her thoughts racing as she stared at the ceiling. She could hear the bed squeaking from Mina's room, and the thought of what was going on behind the walls made her bite her lip as she slid her fingers down her stomach and rubbed her clit.

I shouldn't expect Jihoon to visit my room every day. She thought. He's not my boyfriend, and we're not in love. Minjae should be enough for me. But as her fingers traced gentle circles, and her body shuddered with pleasure, she could only think about Jihoon. The way he held her, the passion in his eyes, and how he fucks her like it's the only thing that mattered in the world. With a soft whimper, she reached her climax, Jihoon's name spilling quietly from her lips.

With a sigh, she cleaned herself up, before pulling out her phone and dialing her boyfriend's number.