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Five years later.
Breaking News
The screens across Seoul lit up in bold red headlines:
"Famous Girl Group SuperNova Announces Disbandment After Successful 7th Anniversary Concert."
The celebration had ended in cheers, fireworks, and laughter—but the announcement afterward spread like wildfire.
Fans filled social media with disbelief, heartbreak, and bittersweet messages. "Seven years… I grew up with them." "SuperNova forever in my heart." "Please don't go."
What should have been a day of joy turned into a storm of tears across every corner of the world.
---
On the Bridge – Sunset
Ameya stood on a high bridge as the sun melted into shades of orange and crimson. The wind tugged at her knee-length white gown, its fabric fluttering like torn memories. A plain mask covered half her face, but her eyes… they gave her away.
They glistened—bright and broken, filled with tears that refused to fall.
She held up her hand, staring at the gold ring with its green stone, glowing faintly in the dying light.
Her whisper cracked the silence.
"You gave me my dream. You made me meet him. You gave me everything I never thought I'd touch…"
Her voice trembled.
"But what use is your magic, when it gives and takes everything in the same breath? I don't want it anymore. I don't want to live by magic… I want to live by myself."
A single tear slid down. She pulled the ring from her finger, her trembling hand raising it over the rails as if to throw it away forever.
But she froze.
Her heart beat wildly, and doubt clawed her mind.
"No… I still don't know. Where did this ring really come from? Whose ring was it before it came to me?"
She gripped it tightly, pressing it against her chest.
---
Clara's Office
Clara's fingers danced across her laptop keys until her phone buzzed. She picked up, but the call ended instantly.
Before she could think, her assistant entered.
"Ma'am… Mr. Rico's assistant called me."
Clara's hands froze. She snapped her gaze upward, her heart racing. "What did he say?"
"Rico is coming back."
Clara shot up from her chair. "What? Really? When?"
"Today. He already took his flight. He'll arrive tonight."
Clara's eyes sparkled, a smile breaking across her face. "Cancel all meetings. I'll go to the airport myself—"
The assistant interrupted, hesitating. "But… Rico's assistant said he'll return alone. He doesn't want anyone to come."
The light drained from Clara's face, her smile wilting. She forced a nod. "Fine… you may leave."
As the door closed, Clara whispered into the empty room, her hand clutching her chest.
"He's coming home… after five years. My son… I missed you so much. You barely spoke to me while abroad… always busy lifting our branch to the top. But now… I just want to spend time with you."
---
Angela's House
Angela tapped lightly on a door. "Come in, Mom," a voice answered.
Inside, Alice sat at her desk, typing on her laptop. Angela walked in, her eyes glowing with suppressed excitement.
"I have good news for you," she said warmly.
Alice looked up. "What is it, Mom?"
"He's coming today. The moment you've been waiting for these five years."
Alice froze. Her lips parted, and the name fell out in a whisper. "…Rico?"
Angela nodded with a proud smile. "Yes. Get ready for your engagement, dear."
Alice rose and hugged her mother tightly. "Thank you, Mom."
But as her cheek pressed against Angela's shoulder, her smile faltered—just for a second.
---
Inside a Luxury Car
Michael sat in the back seat, tapping his fingers against the leather impatiently. His manager checked the time.
"Sir, we need to leave for the interview. If we don't—"
"Five more minutes," Michael interrupted. His gaze stayed fixed outside. "She'll come."
Just then, the car door opened. A girl in a mask slipped inside. Michael's face softened with a smile. "Why are you late?"
The girl struggled with her mask—it wouldn't come off. Michael waved his manager away for privacy. When they were alone, he gently reached forward to help. As he tugged it loose, his lips brushed her cheek in a quick, sweet kiss.
Her face revealed itself.
"Michael!" Jenna gasped, pushing him lightly. "You—"
He smirked playfully. "Do you want more?"
"Don't play," she pouted. "Sorry I'm late. I had to sign contracts… for our disband."
Michael's expression shifted. "Are you… sad?"
Jenna pressed her finger against his lips. "Of course I am. But every ending is a new beginning, right? Look at you. FJ4 disbanded five years ago. Now you're a rising actor. I'll do the same. I'll succeed as a solo artist."
Michael gently removed her finger. "I'm happy you're strong. What about the others? Are they okay?"
Jenna's eyes dimmed. "Not everyone. But they knew it would happen. One day, disbanding is inevitable."
Her phone buzzed. "Oh no, I have to go! Our farewell party is starting at Castle Hotel."
She reached for the door. Michael asked softly, "When will I see you again?"
Jenna smiled over her shoulder. "You're too busy, Mr. Actor. Call me when you're free. I'll come if I can. Oh—and my solo drops tomorrow. Don't forget to stream it."
Michael chuckled and nodded. "I won't forget."
She slipped her mask back on and left.
"Bye," he whispered.
As the car drove away, Michael's smile lingered, even as his manager reminded him of his schedule.
---
In the grand Castle Hotel,
The chandelier's light glimmered across the polished round table where all five members of SuperNova sat together for what might be the last time. Their glasses clinked in unison, laughter echoing with a bittersweet edge.
Linda raised her glass higher, her smile gentle though her eyes shimmered.
"Let's cheer one last time… for us. I wish you all to succeed in your own dreams."
"Y-Yes…" Sofie's voice broke, her face already wet with tears. "Best wishes, everyone… I can't believe this is real."
Ruby exhaled, steadying her voice though her lips trembled.
"All the best for your future, girls. Honestly… I still can't believe we're disbanding."
Linda nodded firmly. "One day it was bound to happen. I knew it, but… still…"
Jenna lowered her glass, her expression shadowed. "It's not what I imagined… this hurts more than I thought. I'll miss you all."
"I'll miss you too," Ameya whispered, her voice cracking. Her eyes welled up as she forced a smile. "I'll miss Sofie's endless blabbering. I'll miss Linda's cooking. And Ruby—"
Ruby chuckled softly. "Don't you dare say it, Ameya."
Ameya smiled through her tears. "I'll miss Ruby's savage talk. And Jenna… my roommate. You always stood beside me in every situation." Her words broke apart as she cried openly.
Sofie wiped her cheeks. "Ameya…" she whispered, her tears flowing too.
Ruby clenched her fists, her own voice trembling. "Girls, don't cry… it's hurting me too."
Linda, who tried to stay composed, finally broke down as well. Even Jenna's stoic eyes glistened.
But Sofie sniffled and raised her head. "No… we have to look forward. We need to decide what we'll become."
"I want to be a dance choreographer," Sofie declared, determination flickering behind her tears.
Linda smiled faintly. "I want to be a solo artist."
Ruby brushed her hair back proudly. "A model. That's what I'll be."
"I'll continue as a solo artist," Jenna said firmly, looking at them one by one.
Everyone turned to Ameya. She inhaled shakily, about to speak, but Sofie jumped in.
"I know what you want, Ameya. You want to be an actress. I already saw your movie… the one you filmed while in SuperNova. It was fantastic."
Linda nodded, excitement breaking through her sadness. "Yes, you've got such a bright future in acting."
Jenna agreed softly. "You're meant for it."
Ameya pressed her lips together, then smiled faintly. "Yes. I want to be an actress… and I have some good news. I just got a call today—I've been selected for a movie. Tomorrow I'll be signing the contract."
The table erupted into smiles and applause, their hands clapping with genuine joy.
"And," Linda said proudly, "our Jenna's new solo song releases tomorrow. Applause for her!"
They all cheered, the room filled with bittersweet celebration—smiles hiding the ache of disbanding.
---
Two hours later, past 1 a.m.
The night air outside the Castle Hotel was quiet, the streets glowing under faint streetlights. One by one, Ruby, Sofie, and Linda left in their cars, waving with heavy hearts.
Only Ameya and Jenna remained.
"Wait here, Ameya," Jenna said gently. "I'll bring my car from the parking lot. Don't move, okay?"
Ameya, swaying slightly from the alcohol, nodded and smiled faintly. "Okay."
She stood alone in front of the hotel, the silence pressing against her ears. Her body felt heavy, dazed, her mind spinning. Slowly, her gaze dropped to the green stone ring on her finger. It shimmered faintly under the night sky.
Her lips trembled as she whispered, almost to herself.
"I wish… Rico appears in front of me. I want… I want…"
The sound of screeching tires broke her words. A sleek black luxury car halted before her. Her heart skipped.
The door opened, and a man stepped out—tall, poised, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His shoes gleamed, his silver tie catching the dim light. He removed his sunglasses, his sharp eyes locking on her.
Ameya blinked, her breath catching. Her vision blurred, but when it cleared—her eyes widened.
It was Rico.
But not the Rico she remembered. He looked different now—clean-shaven, his hair styled to perfection, his aura commanding like a young business tycoon. Yet his eyes… his eyes carried the same unspoken emotion.
Her tears fell before she could stop them. "You… is it really you?" she whispered, her voice trembling with love and disbelief.
She stepped forward, little by little, her legs weak but her heart pulling her closer. Rico's hands twitched as if to hold her, but he froze, stunned by her presence.
Ameya closed the final distance, her eyes locked on his. Then, without hesitation, she grabbed his silver tie and pulled him down toward her.
Rico bent instinctively—just as her lips pressed against his.
His eyes widened, his breath caught. But then he felt it—her kiss overflowing with all the love and pain she had carried for years.
When their lips finally parted, she didn't let go of his tie. Her tears fell onto his chest as she whispered, her voice breaking:
"I don't want this dream to end…"
Rico's control shattered. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. His voice shook with raw emotion as he whispered into her hair:
"Why did you give up your passion…?"
Ameya clutched his suit, her tears soaking the fabric. "It wasn't under my control…"
When Rico tried to release her, she held on tighter. "Don't. Please… I just want to hug you."
Her trembling words pierced through him. He hugged her tighter, burying his face into her shoulder. His tears finally fell, breaking the walls he had built.
For the first time in years, they stood together again—two souls broken by time, yet unable to let go.
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