brave new world

“it’s what you signed me for, unnie. i’m not going to let you down.”

“no, we signed you because you were young and hungry and full of potential,” ryukji began sternly. “we didn’t sign you to win this show. i just don’t want you beating yourself up if you don’t win.”

“i am. i really am. not shy did really well too. i’m just hoping that we can give back to siren for giving us a chance, and keeping us with our sisters.”

“when we decided what we wanted to do, we saw the bond you all had with each other,” ryukji insisted. “we wanted to give you a good option, because we knew you wouldn’t find one anywhere else. and look how that turned out?”

“i know. and i appreciate it. and i want to win for you guys too but… i mostly want to win for me. i know i’m good. i want everyone else to know too.”

“keep your foot on the gas and stay focused, mirae, and i’m sure you can do it. you’re incredibly talented.”

“yeah… and i think… especially with wannabe, i’m just starting to solidify myself as that,” she answered

“we’re beyond excited with how jewel is performing,” ryukji said, nodding curtly. “you guys are building a solid base for yourself and making waves. you should be proud.”

“i won’t let you down” she answered firmly. “i intend on winning this thing. i know i can do it. and i’m not going to let anything keep me from that– even myself,” mirae promised.

“well, i’m not going to lie-- a win would be huge for siren. but just know that no matter how you do, we’re proud of you,” ryukji answered

“i mean, i’m proud of my mom and i’m happy to be her daughter– of course i am. i’m not saying anything beyond that,” shinhye clarified quickly. “i just want to be able to stand on my own feet in tandem with being her kid, not be benefiting off of that solely.

“it’s okay, you don’t need to backtrack. i understand,” ryukji assured her. “being in someone’s shadow is a lot. and it’s immense pressure. it’s understandable for you to want to be distinctly your own person.”

“okay. sorry…sorry for causing so much trouble for you, unnie. i know y ou probably are very busy and have so much else you could be focused on.”

“stop with that. i won’t be having you feeling guilty. this is my job,” ryukji assured her. “making sure you’re comfortable and presentable is important.”

“i know, okay! i’ve got it. i won’t embarrass you. honestly i’m probably gonna be way to distracted to do anything wrong! i’ve heard how hard the show is! i get why you’re worried, but i won’t put you in a bad situation for vouching for me.”

“well....we’re rooting for you. you have the potential to go all the way, mirae, and if you do, that’ll be huge for siren,” ryukji said softly. “we want to see you succeed. so just go out, and do what you do best.”

she blushed harder. “yeah, i guess you’re right. probably one of the first to do a fresh or cute concept, but……c’est la vie.”

“i wouldn’t even go that far. but we’ll find something for you. please just take that off and put your regular clothes back on so i can return it to the stylists and let them know of the situation,” ryukji retorted.

“i’m trying really hard. it won’t happen again. promise,” mirae answered firmly

“see to it. especially with idol project on the horizon-- those cameras are going to be on you day and night. if you do something publicly that puts you in a bad situation, we may not be able to protect you, or justify ever debuting you,” ryukji warned.

“oh… i didn’t even think of that,” kyungmi admitted, turning red with embarrassment. “i guess….it looking like this doesn’t fit new delight at all, does it? i don’t want dispatch to take it and run, i guess…..”

“it doesn’t, and it will look bad. i’m sure we have something else we can pull for you in the meantime. and you’re not the first woman with breasts to be an idol-- if worst comes to worst, we can ask other styling departments to see if they have anything that could work in the meantime.”

she bit her lip, taking a deep breath and looking at the ground. “i’m sorry, i wasn’t thinking. i’ll try to keep my hands to myself,” she answered soberly. “i mean it! i’ll really try! i want to be in midnite so bad!”

“i know you do. just think before you do things, mirae,” ryukji answered firmly. “we want you in the group too, but if you’re a liability, we can’t risk it. so stop being one.”

“no, i think so too. i’m not complaining– i really like jewel and i like what we’re doing. and i like that i can perform and be me without having to be just like my mom. i just heard the comparison and couldn’t shake it,” she laughed

“to be frank, that’s probably going to stick with you,” ryukji laughed. “but don’t let it discourage you. jewel is making something that is connecting with people, even if it seems trivial to others.”

“ryukji, it’s really not that big of a deal. i don’t want to raise a fuss…” kyungmi said softly, tucking her hair behind her ear. “i can wear this for one stage while i wait for them to order me a new one…”

“this is for your safety as well as ours. i don’t want you performing in something you’re uncomfortable in. i don’t want creepy fans to find ammunition to use in questionable ways. and i don’t want to set you or siren up for criticism from the tabloids. we can find and alter a past costume for you to wear instead.”

“god, please don’t tell mihye,” mirae begged, turning bright red. “i was going to give it back, okay? i just wanted to look at your camera. your phone’s all fancy and new, and mine is cracked. i wanted to see if i liked it before i asked choe if i could get one..”

“a likely story,” ryukji answered, though now with a note of humor to her voice. mirae had a rough upbringing and wasn’t a bad kid-- ryukji knew that. she just needed to be pushed back in line every once in a while. “i won’t tell mihye. this time. but this behavior needs to stop if you want to stay in the lineup for midnite, mirae. you’re talented, but if you become a liability, we’re going to have to let you go.”

Aidan could feel the hair on the back of her neck stand up as her eyes widened at the older woman. Perhaps she poked the wrong bear this time? Her mouth had always gotten her in trouble and her attitude. It wasn’t her fault that she knew her talent and her worth. Her brow folded when her father was insulted. “My father raised me not to take bullshit from other people regardless of who it is. I can take professional criticism just fine,” Aidan argued. In the back of her mind, she knew doubling down wasn’t the right choice, but this was her father who was attacked.

“then prove it. you have yet to show me any sort of professionalism today. if you can take professional critique, then take it,” ryukji answered firmly. she knew that her tone could be severe sometimes, but she also ran a company. almost seamlessly. all of her critiques were blunt because they were to the point, and all of them were given with the goal of helping someone be better. just because she didn’t sugarcoat didn’t mean she wasn’t right, professional, and trying to help.