They say don't cry on stage. But sometimes…
a single tear is the only thing that silences the entire room.
---
BABYQUEEN Dormitory – Third Night After the Conflict
Serena pulled the curtain down, soft yellow light casting half her face in shadow.
Everyone sat around the table, but no one spoke a word.
"You know what?" Serena propped her chin on her hand. "I hate this kind of silence."
Jennifer turned to her, tilting her head.
"So you'd rather we start arguing again?"
Serena scoffed.
"No. But pretending everything's fine just so no one feels bad… It's exhausting."
Lilia sighed quietly, eyes drifting to the ceiling.
"I think Layla's still hurting. But she won't say a thing… She keeps practicing late into the night."
Sara nodded, her hands wrapped around a cup of warm milk.
"I can tell. Layla's not trying to steal back the spotlight… She's just scared of herself."
Serena stood up, voice steady.
"Then I'm going to prepare a gift. For Layla. To remind her… we're still here, no matter how lost she feels."
Jennifer raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of gift?"
Serena smiled faintly.
"A memory. One Layla once said—if she ever hears it again, she'll stop doubting herself."
---
The Next Morning – DYG Entertainment Headquarters
The whole group sat around a hologram table, facing the PR director.
"DYG has decided: BABYQUEEN will hold their first fan meeting at SkyGarden Hall. The day after tomorrow," he announced.
Sara blinked in shock.
"Huh?! That soon? We just debuted half a month ago!"
Chairman Lee suddenly stepped in—composed, cold, but firm.
"This isn't for you to explain. It's for you to prove.
People can hate BABYQUEEN. But don't let them doubt your hearts."
Serena bowed her head slightly.
"We understand, Chairman."
---
After the Fan Meeting Announcement, Social Media Exploded:
#BabyqueenComeback, #GenuineFanmeeting,
#QueenriseStillRises...
But shortly after…
#RobotsCan'tFeel, #LaylaOutAgain, #JenniferIsFake,
#LiliaNoTalent...
Fans and antis split into sides, arguing, attacking, dissecting every frame, every glance, every lyric.
---
11th Floor Strategy Room – DYG Entertainment
Chairman Lee clasped his hands, his voice firm:
"Before the fan meeting, BABYQUEEN will return to promote Queenrise on MusicLive Show. It's the best way to steer public opinion."
Lilia hesitated.
"But… what if the response is bad?"
Lee replied coolly.
"Doesn't matter. We don't need their approval.
We just need you not to fall."
---
Queenrise Stage – MusicLive Show
BABYQUEEN stepped out. No one said a word, but the look in each member's eyes said the same thing:
"We won't back down."
Layla stood at the visual position—silver-purple lights wrapped around her every move, making her once again the Layla who made all of Korea hold its breath.
Jennifer's rap hit hard—her gaze no longer avoiding anyone.
Lilia spun through urgent, fierce choreography—like a choked-up sob in motion.
Sara's voice soared to the third holo-level—her tone full of longing, anger, and love.
Serena stood in the center, heartbeat steady as the rhythm.
The audience fell silent. Then erupted.
Comments poured in:
> "They really can sing live!"
"Sara has the best live vocals—what a main vocal!"
"Jennifer's smile… why does it feel so real?"
"Layla hit that high note perfectly!"
---
But Backstage… Was a Different Story
A PR staff member rushed in, flustered.
"A YouTuber just dropped a video accusing Jennifer and Lilia of faking their emotions… That KOL has over 2 million subs—"
Serena gritted her teeth.
"They're not gonna stop, huh…"
Layla opened her phone. Dozens of anonymous messages and thousands of hate comments flooded in—words sharp as needles:
> "Jennifer's a machine. Emotions from machines are garbage."
"Lilia only knows how to dance. This group is pitiful."
"Layla, please just die already—you're an eyesore."
"Country girl Layla acting like a center? LMAO."
"Look at Layla—so not idol material."
Why? Layla thought.
She froze. Her eyes blinked slowly, lips pressed tight—not from weakness, but from not knowing what to say.
Jennifer stepped beside her, gaze steady.
"You don't have to endure this alone."
Lilia squeezed Layla's hand gently, her voice soft:
"If our emotions were fake…
then why did the crowd go silent when we cried on stage?"
Layla looked down, eyes shimmering. Not because she was weak…
but because she finally felt understood.
---
That Night – In the Dorm Room
Serena handed Layla a small silver box.
"Here's the gift I promised. Remember?"
Layla opened it. Inside was an old earbud—holding her very first recording. Her voice was shaky, awkward…
but full of determination and dreams.
She smiled. Gently. Then looked at Serena.
"You kept this the whole time?"
Serena tapped her forehead playfully, grinning:
"I knew you'd need it someday."
Sara raised her glass of milk.
"Tomorrow, we don't need to be perfect… just honest."
Jennifer placed a hand on her heart. Lilia reached over to softly turn on the music in the room.
Layla stood up, taking a deep breath. She looked at each person, each pair of eyes.
She no longer saw judgment—only trust.
She nodded.
"—Tomorrow… BABYQUEEN will sing. For those who believe in us. Even if it's just one person."
Some songs don't need perfection. Only sincerity.
And sometimes, a single tear… is the most beautiful song the human heart has ever written.