xxx

“i’m sorry, dude. that was the last thing that was on the truck,” casey said, carefully putting down the amp he’d been hauling and wiping his hands on his pants. “are you sure it was supposed to be on this truck? because if it was, i might be able to call back to my buddy in shipping– he might be able to track it down…”

“i still can’t believe that liberty stuck me in a japense group,” harin sighed. “like, i like my groupmates, don’t get me wrong. japan is cool too. the music we make is fun to play. but like….. i didn’t know japanese. had no connection to it. and they were just like….. you seem like a good person to send exclusively to japan….”

“it’s all over– a korean host just complimented me on how good my korean is,” chaeyoung said with a dramatic sigh, biting back her giggles. “i know i’ve been promoting with ankaa a lot, and that i’ve lived in vietnam a long time, but come on! i used to be child star! my name is chaeyoung!”

“People underestimate the things I would do for this bread.” the words are spoken before she takes a ginormous bite of her sandwich, letting out a quiet hum of glee as she wiggled in place. She was truly glad she had found a small mom and pop café-restaurant that she could sit at and not have to worry about fans bomb rushing her. It really gave her a better sense of normalcy and comfort. “The only thing I ask is that you not tell a bunch of people about this place, it’s a secret little hideaway!”

“are you sure you want me?” jewoo asked sheepishly. “i’m not nearly the choreography innovator everyone decided that i was in like…2015. you could probably find a much more talented and innovative choreographer to work with…”

“i don’t have a lot of time to teach you this choreography, so i need you to really pay attention, okay?” daewon said firmly, adjusting his hat and crossing his arms. “you film your music video tomorrow. we need to get this done today.” 

“the stylists want to dye my hair, but i’m so scared. i don’t think i want them to…” ripley admitted, eyes wide with panic. “i feel like orange has become my signature; i like how i look with it! and remember that stupid bowl cut they gave me? no matter how long passes, i still am traumatized by that…”

“if i say something weird, please don’t hesitate to correct me,” jina said with a wry smile, adjusting her phone that was open to voice memos and brushing invisible dust of her notebook. “i’m used to interviewing wrestlers, not idols. but i’m excited to be able to sit down with you today~”

“i feel embarrassed,” jaehee admitted. “i think idol project might have been a mistake. i mean, i’m the eldest on the show by a good six years. i’m older than half the mentors! it’s just so humiliating…. maybe i’m past my prime.”

“i’m so proud of my sister– she’s so brave,” aesol announced with a dreamy smile. “her old group went bad, but she’s never given up! even when her solo work didn’t blow up! and now she’s still trying on idol project! i would have definitely given up by now– i should tell all my fans to vote for her….”

“i kind of get conflicted sometimes,” yoonseok admitted. “i chose to be on jinkyung’s show, and i don’t regret it. but i’m known more from that reality show than i am for my acting. it’s a weird feeling.” he sighed. “i love my family, and i swear, i don’t mind the show. but i’ve been acting my whole life, and it’s my dream job. it just….feels weird.”

“no way…. me and the girls got invited on a radio show,” narae said, face going pale. “like…..one of the ones idols go on. what the heck am i supposed to do? i’m a gamer! i’m not a public figure. we’re going to stick out like sore thumbs and make absolute fools of ourselves…”