The alarm rang for the fifth time.
“Ah shit, I’m gonna be late.”
You shot up from bed, nearly tripping over the pile of clothes beside your mattress. After the quickest shower known to mankind, you grabbed your bag and sprinted out of the dorm.
By the time you reached Starship’s training room, your shirt was soaked in sweat.
“Sorry I’m late,” you panted.
“Nah, dude. We just got here too,” Jin replied.
Kei looked you up and down before laughing.
“Too late for that. Did you run a marathon before coming here?”
“Dorm to practice room. Basically the same thing.”
Before anyone could reply, Mori suddenly lowered his voice dramatically.
“Did you guys hear? We’re getting a new manager.”
“Yeah,” Jin said. “Apparently Gong-nim got fired after fighting another manager. Heard he beat the hell out of him.”
The room buzzed with curiosity until the door opened.
Kim, IVE’s manager, stepped inside first.
And behind him is Yujin.
Your childhood friend.
The person you made a promise with so long ago.
You stood there frozen, like your body had completely forgotten how to move. The noise inside the practice room slowly faded into the background as memories you thought you had buried came rushing back.
“OC-ya, when we grow up, let’s both become idols together!”
Yujin’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke.
“Just imagine a huge concert filled with people who came just to support you. Doesn’t that sound amazing?”
Before you could answer, she held out her pinky toward you with a bright smile.
“Let’s make a promise. We’re going to become idols who can make lots of people happy.”
You clicked your tongue, pretending to sound annoyed.
“Sounds like a hassle, doesn’t it?”
A grin slowly spread across your face.
“But… I do like being the center of attention.”
Yujin laughed, shaking her head before linking her pinky with yours.
“Then it’s decided. You and I are going to debut together someday.”
Her smile widened.
“So let’s both do our best, okay?”
As Jin tapped you, he said, “Dude, hello? Are you there? We gotta do our greeting.”
Then you suddenly snapped back to reality.
“Ah yes my bad bro.”
After your group’s greeting to the managers, you approached Yujin.
“Yujinnie how have you been? god I missed you.”
Yujin replied coldly.
“OC-ssi please lets be professional you may call me Manager-nim from now on.”
Manager Kim stepped forward and talked to both of you.
“Oh you two know each other?”
You replied, “Yes Yujinnie here is my childhood friend.”
Kei chimed in.
“Wait really? What a coincidence.”
Manager Kim agreed.
“Yes and as of today Yujin here will be your guys’ new Manager.”
Your eyes lit up like you just got a christmas present when you’re young.
“Ahn Yujin is it real?!?!”
Yujin replied, “It’s true since your previous manager got fired the company hired me to become your new manager.”
Mori replied teasingly.
“Only his? What about the rest of us?”
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