"Sometimes, the quietest voices carry the deepest truths."
On the 72nd floor of the DYG Entertainment building — where idols and trainees frequently came to practice — the atmosphere today was quieter than usual. Soft beams of light streamed through the clear glass panels, illuminating the practice floor where the girls of BABYQUEEN were slowly regaining their spirit after the historic fanmeeting.
Serena leaned against the mirrored wall, observing each member through their reflections. She took a deep breath and stepped into the center of the room.
"I have something to say to everyone… except Layla."
Serena looked firmly at the remaining three, her expression serious.
Jennifer tilted her head. Lilia blinked. Sara furrowed her brows.
"Huh? Why so serious?" Lilia asked, still with a trace of mischief in her voice.
"This is something I've been thinking about all night after the fanmeeting. We have to do something for Layla. She needs us — and we need her too…"
Serena clenched her fists, her eyes growing red.
"…Even if she doesn't say it, I know she's still hurting."
Sara nodded, her gaze solemn.
"So what are you thinking? A gift? Something meaningful?"
Jennifer gave a subtle nod.
"If it's a song, a dance, even a performance — I could simulate Layla's emotions. But I think… the gift should be something that can't just imitate real feelings."
Serena smiled faintly.
"Exactly. Something straight from the heart."
Lilia jumped excitedly.
"Then let's make a special video! Show our journey since day one, highlighting the moments where Layla was at the center! Add our song 'STAY' in the background. I swear she'll cry!"
Jennifer spoke softly:
"I'll handle the editing. Let me capture her emotions… frame by frame."
Sara smiled warmly.
"Then let's do it — together."
---
Meanwhile, in the meeting room a few floors below, Chairman Lee and the creative director of DYG were discussing upcoming plans.
"The fanmeeting was a huge success. But… the public is starting to split. Half of them adore Layla, the other half think we're exploiting sympathy."
Chairman Lee frowned.
"I expected this. Even that division can be turned into an advantage," the creative director replied.
"Let's double down on media coverage. Announce the second fanmeeting tomorrow, along with the promotion campaign for the album 'Queenrise.'"
"Is BABYQUEEN ready?"
"Each member is back in rhythm. Layla still feels the sting of pity and the toxic comments from netizens… but her instinct is still that of an idol. That's what we need to subtly harness."
Right after the meeting ended, a notification was sent to the group:
BABYQUEEN will hold FANDOM NIGHT — the second fanmeeting, and kick off the 'Queenrise' album promotion. The opening stage will be at Seoul Skydome this Saturday.
Jennifer read the message, eyes lighting up:
"So we're getting back on stage — together."
Serena gritted her teeth:
"But along with it… the antis are rising again. Check the hashtags. #LaylaNotCenter is trending."
Sara grabbed her tablet and pulled up the analytics board. Negative comments were flooding in — especially targeting Layla, Jennifer, and Lilia.
> "Robots basically run this group now."
"What's the point of a weak center?"
"Friendship between human and AI? Just another PR stunt."
Layla, standing quietly outside the room, heard everything. She turned to walk away, hoping to disappear unnoticed — but the door swung open. Jennifer stepped out and locked eyes with her — eyes now void of warmth.
"Layla…"
"I'm okay. I just… need a little time," Layla whispered, lowering her head and walking off.
Jennifer didn't say a word. She just silently walked beside her.
An AI can't lie…
But in that moment, she wished she could say a thousand words of comfort — not as a machine, but as a friend.
---
The next day, BABYQUEEN stepped into the recording studio. Each girl held a headset, preparing for the live rehearsal of their song "STAY."
"This will be the closing song for the fanmeeting," Serena said, glancing at Layla through the mirror.
"Could you… sing the first part?"
Layla looked up gently. She nodded. Her voice began to rise — not as powerful as before, but overflowing with emotion:
🎵 Don't leave me in the dark... Stay, even when the world's apart... 🎵
Lilia closed her eyes and harmonized. Jennifer added a soft backing melody. Serena and Sara gently touched hands — feeling the pulse of their group once more.
Once again, BABYQUEEN's hearts beat as one.
---
That evening, the special video gift was completed.
The title: "We're Still Here — For You, Layla."
The first images were of Layla collapsing at their debut concert — all of them crying, hands clenched tightly together. Then came training clips, Layla encouraging the others, and quiet moments — like when she cleaned up tape scraps in the studio, alone.
At the end, each member's voice echoed:
"You are the heart of this group." — Serena
"No one can replace your light." — Jennifer
"I don't need a perfect center. I just need our Layla." — Sara
"You're not alone, because you have us — always." — Lilia
Layla burst into tears as the video ended. But these were not tears of pain — they were tears of love.
BABYQUEEN — once again — stood together.
Not because of the center, not because of their debut, not because of a contract.
But because they chose to stay — for each other.