Honestly, this album could explore all the things they've gone through as a group including themes of self-doubt, isolation and hope. I believe they will explore and possible expand on this topics during their promotion possible in interviews or events they hold about how they overcame this through resilience and things like that. I do think by the end of this comeback they could feel really tired and exhausted but emotionally and mentally they will feel so free because I think for a long time they could've felt very trapped for whatever reason, I see them finally using the resources they have a literally making magic out of it they will do their best to make the best out of their situation and make better content and music for everyone. I see new opportunities for these girls after this comeback like offers so ambassadorships or most likely you could see these girls at more events as well maybe not as ambassadors but like guests etc. I think they have all become much more mature than before because maybe in the past they thought they needed more to become more but now they've realized you just need to use what you have and your skills to present what you can do so they definitely feel less discouraged I think much more confident and I think in the next few years they could flourish as well. This is very much reminding me of Ariana Grande and the whole situation with her Dalton Gomez I did a reading for her album as well and this is giving similar vibes except its more on their personal experience than anything haha not romantic I would say this album isn't very romantic or not heavily focused on romance.
Honestly I feel like someone or the company all of a sudden got serious about this group and was like "we need to do something". But besides that I'm really not getting much I think this group is a bit closed off with their energy and I feel like they've become a very private group because of what they went through I wouldn't be surprised if they had trust issues or anything of that sort so I won't dig into more that's it for now.
A quick note — Chiquita as portrayed in this series is a fictional antagonist and does not reflect her real personality or character in any way. I do not think of her as a bully or a mean person in real life, and I'm sure she is a wonderful person. Her role in this story is purely a product of the plot and nothing more.
w.c: 1.4k
Chapter 2: Same as always
Seonghyeon's POV
May 2021
Getting praise is tiring. So freaking tiring. Ever since my results got out my mom has not given me a day's break. She keeps on calling every relative and friends she has to tell her about my marks and I have to keep on saying thank you. It's so tiring.
I had perfected three responses.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Thank you, auntie.
If one more adult asked me what school I wanted to attend, I was going to fake a stomachache.
Today she took me to one of the neighbors house. Don't get me wrong it is quite fun to be like this. Getting free chocolates, gifts and stuff is quite fun but it also means to be on my best behavior every time. Ugh.
I was zoning out thinking about what to eat after going home when I noticed her. Y/N. She was a girl. Yes. She was also 2 years younger than me and for some reason throwing daggers at me from her eyes. She was almost the age of my younger sister who was 3 years younger than me. Both of them were equally annoying.
I was enjoying my snacks peacefully muting out the adults when she suddenly said "It can help eomma, I can become an idol." This little girl wanted to become an idol? Does she even know what is required to become one
"You need actual talent to become an idol." I said straightforward.
"I have actual talent. I can dance."
"Show me then."
She started dancing. Not gonna lie she was an amazing dancer. Pretty amazing especially given her age. She did have a real shot at becoming one.
But She was annoying. Extremely annoying. The kind of annoying that remembered every embarrassing thing that had ever happened to you and brought it up whenever guests visited so..
"It's meh."
I could see her hands coming up in a strangling gesture. I cautiously moved back to my eomma wanting protection. Luckily Y/N's mom saved me
"Enough, go to your room and finish your math homework."
"But, but eomma—"
"NO buts. Up to your room. NOW."
"I'm sorry for Y/N. She just gets too enthusiastic at times."
"It's fine. She dances so good." My eomma replied.
"I wish studied as good as our Seonghyeon here. But no she is always looking at those faces."
"I can help her." I let out before the thought fully formed in my mind.
"Huh?" Both ladies looked at me.
"I mean…. I can help her with math. Give her tutoring lessons. I have already learnt what she has."
"I don't want to burden you, Seonghyeon-ah"
"No no aunty. I want to do it."
"Are you sure baby?" My mother asked
"네, 엄마"
"OK then she will upstairs in her room if you like to go." I nodded and carried myself upstairs.
As soon as I reached the floor I could see Y/N still standing outside looking at me as if solving some puzzle.
"What do you want now?"
"Your mom asked if I could help you. And I said yes."
"And why would the oh-so ever kind Eom Seonghyeon do that?" she mocked me
"Because my mom taught me to always help the needy." I said as if stating a fact and opening her room door myself entering before her.
"YAH!! 바보"
February 2026
Finally the last year of this rotten high school. It was good don't get me wrong. The teachers were nice. I had made some good friends, really good friends, and the school itself was very visually pleasing. What really bothered me were the girls.
Not to pat myself on the back, but just because I was handsome doesn't mean they get to mob me every break. It was getting tiring and I did not like it at all. Same can't be said about Keonho. He absolutely loved the attention.
This was what I was thinking when I saw a very familiar egg-shaped head almost getting stampeded upon. I knew who it was immediately and walked to her. Saying I was disappointed is an understatement.
“What the hell are you doing?”
I helped her up. I was about to scold her more when Keonho suddenly came with a mob of his own. "Yah eomji, we need to move." He was going to die by my hands today.
I grabbed Y/N's hand tightly and ran to the nearest empty classroom.
What the hell were you doing out there?" He asked pissed off
"What was I doing? It's all your shitass face's fault."
"My fault?"
"Yes, your fault. Fucking idiot"
"Yah, language. And it's not my fault girls go crazy after me. Unlike you they dream of something achievable."
I realized quickly what I said but couldn't take it back. I saw her eyes still the same. She rolled her eyes like always.
If it bothered her, she didn't show it.
Before I could give Y/N some actual piece of my mind Keonho interrupted us. And before I know the rest of the hyungs came and Y/N left for her first class.
"바보 같은 년" said beside me as I watched her walk.
"That idiot is going to be the death of me" I muttered under my breath.
After thanking the hyungs me and Keonho walked to our own class. As expected we were late. I was given a free pass and was let in while Keonho had to run the entire 3 floors 3 times. Deserved. 개자식
The rest of the day went by too quickly and before I knew it, it was time for lunch.
I took my plate and sat and then suddenly saw Y/N and remembered 'right we're now in the same school again. she's not in middle school anymore.'
She grew. I wouldn't call her extraordinary in terms of beauty but she definitely was pretty. Pretty enough to be an idol if she wanted.
Around her sat her own little team of friends. Y/N was extroverted. Y/N collected people the way some kids collected stickers — selectively, and with strong opinions about which ones were worth keeping.
There was Y/N of course kind of like the leader.
Ian was there too. She was in the same class as me. Class president. School princess. Half the student body had a crush on her and the other half wanted to be her. She was Y/N's mentor back in middle school and they haven't lost contact since.
There was also Kya and Ye-on. Both of them were in 11th. And somehow looked even younger than Y/N. All three of them met in middle school too.
Lastly came my sister. She was a part of the group but because she was in middle school and quite younger than all of them she didn't hang out with them much. But Y/N never made her feel left out.
Not that she'd ever admit it, but my sister adored her.
Honestly, most people did.
I was wondering about when all of us grew up so much when my view was obstructed by the self proclaimed queen bee.
CHIQUITA or Riracha Phondechaphiphat.
She was the same age as me but a school year behind because she failed last year. Out of all the fan girls I had she was the worst. She looked pretty don't get me wrong. She looked capable too. But she wanted my attention much more than good marks. She also cared more about her looks than grades.
She never followed a single school rule if she could help it.
Uniform regulations seemed more like suggestions to her. She was confident.
She was undeniably the richest person in the school. She was from Thailand and her parents had quite some impact here too. Everybody either feared her or wanted to be her.
"Oppa….. You haven't looked at me all day. Are you mad at me?"
"Chiquita we're the same age. I am not your oppa."
She grabbed my hand and whined like a little kid.
"Oppa don't be like that. Is that how you treat your future girlfriend?"
"No. I have already told you. I'm not at all interested in you. I do not like you. I do not like any girl in fact. And I am not open for a relationship."
"Not even me?"
"Especially not you."
I said getting up and snatching my hand back. My eyes automatically drifted towards Y/N and I saw her looking at me all confused as Ian whispered something to her. Y/N almost snorted and let the food out but luckily held herself just in time.
Typical Y/N. I quietly chuckled.
I got up went to a different table and sat there hoping to ignore Chiquita and put my head down.