hot mama

“the lyric videos on youtube are gonna look so dumb,” she muttered tearfully as her mother held her. she was technically an adult now– she felt so silly for getting so worked up over this. 

solim chuckled, rolling her eyes and gently petting songyi’s hair. “if that’s your biggest worry, i think this is a pretty good move,” she answered. “hopefully this showed the company that you’re more than capable, too.”

songyi didn’t like crying– in front of people or otherwise– but she couldn’t help it. she ran to her mom, tears in her eyes as she buried her head in her mother’s chest. “it’s so stupid… they aren’t even words, why am i so excited?” she mumbled.

“you’re finally getting to be the center of attention. i think that’s plenty to be excited about,” solim soothed, rubbing her daughter’s back. “you’re the main focus of the entire chorus. words or not, i think that’s significant.”

songyi shrugged while trying to keep her head still, legs crossed under her. “i think she’s doing better. she talks to us every day, but we don’t talk about that, you know? it just makes her sad. so i have no idea if it’s better or the same,” songyi answered, snapping a hair elastic around her wrist. “i hope she can come back with us with our next song, though. suda and daiyu and mija are nice, but they’re not really leaders.”

“that makes sense-- if i were her i probably wouldn’t want to talk about it either,” solim answered, tying up one braid with an elastic and going to work on the other side. “well, maybe don’t tell them that. i’m sure they know, but being told that could hurt their feelings. and be a little rude. how’s your schoolwork looking? have you caught up since promotions ended?”

“they are. i know they are. but it’s supposed to my job, and i don’t liek not being there to do it,” biyi answered with a sigh.

“your job right now is to heal. don’t focus on the rest of it-- that will just make you feel worse.”

[ well when you put it that way, i guess i can see how i’ve had more of an impact than i thought ]

“i know. believe me, i know,” biyi answered with a long suffering sigh. “i just…. had one group die on me already. i’m so anxious to keep this one alive, and not being their is really taking a toll on me.”

“i understand, biyi. i really do. but making sure you’re well is much more important. and i can bet you that suda and wes are doing everything they can to make sure things run smoothly in your absence.”

[ the washed up former member of a group that exploded after my departure, who’s done essentially nothing since? ]

[ that’s what i would assume as well, but i think because of this industry, many just assume i’m on vocal rest. or am some sort of diva. it’s a strange phenomenon ]

“well... that’s understandable to a point, but you’re still haena.”

biyi blushed and hung her head in pure embarrassment. she hadn’t meant to act out in front of songyi’s mother– she just hoped solim didn’t think poorly of her now or something. “it’s hard but it’s fine! i’ve gone through so much worse. i just have to focus on getting better so i can get back onstage.”

“focus on it, but don’t rush it,” solim advised sternly. “rehab is important. doing it right is important. the last thing i want is for you to push things and have serious, permanent repercussions.”

“They might have, but I think I’d still like to know, you know? So we’re all on the same page,” Sowon said with a sheepish smile.

“yeah, wes is a good surrogate dad, for sure!” suda let out a giggle. “nah, moms will always have someone to dote on, even once kids are all grown up. my mom sending care packages all the way from thailand every month like she thinks i’m not eating at all are enough proof.” she smiled at solim warmly. while she always did her best to be a positive older influence on the younger members, knowing she had the trust and approval of songyi’s mom meant a lot. “hey, thanks! i do love it. i know that the industry and the way that idol groups work naturally facilitates the whole ‘found family’ thing, but…i really think we have something special here. musically and personally. it’s kind of crazy, honestly.”

“oh, you best believe i’ll find away, no matter how difficult. there is a reason i made sure songyi came to new age after she was done with her last company,” solim said with a smirk. “well, if any of the headlines i’ve seen recently are any indication, that’s not always the case. i mean, i don’t know how much you’ve crossed paths since terra are rookies, but one look at traxx or h2h is a pretty good indicator that things don’t always work out,” solim said with a little sigh. “i’m very happy you seem to have found something really good. happy for all of you.”