In the sky, towering skyscrapers were arranged like a maze, while airships and flying cars bustled across the air. On the 72nd floor of the DYG Building, after the fanmeeting.
The room was so quiet that you could hear the wind tapping against the glass walls. Serena gently pushed the door open. Inside, the whole group sat in silence, huddled around Layla, who was wrapped in a blanket.
Serena: "Are you okay?"
(She approached and placed a hand on Layla's shoulder.)
Serena (softly):
"I know you don't like people worrying about you… but please, stop holding it all in."
Layla didn't say anything. She just gave a small nod, her eyes glistening with tears.
Jennifer (gently):
"Maybe… we're tired too. But Layla, you are the heart of BABYQUEEN."
Lilia (hugging a pillow, mumbling):
"I miss your smile… like on our very first practice day. You called me a 'dancing machine'… and weirdly, I liked it."
Layla let out a soft laugh through her tears.
Sara (pressing her lips together):
"Yesterday's fanmeeting was amazing, but… there was a moment I looked at the crowd and wished we were just normal girls—not idols."
Serena:
"Without Layla, none of those stage lights would have meant anything. You're not just our center—you're an irreplaceable part of us."
The room fell silent again. Just quiet sniffles filled the space. Then suddenly, Jennifer stood up and clapped her hands.
Jennifer:
"Alright! Today is a special day. Guess why?"
(Smiling brightly)
"Because Serena promised Layla a special gift!"
Serena:
"Ah! Don't spoil the surprise!"
(Laughing)
"But yes, Layla. I already got approval from the company… Tonight, we're all having dinner together. And not sushi, not ramen, and definitely not those endless salads we used to eat as trainees… but…"
Layla (blinking):
"…pho?"
The whole group shouted together—
ALL:
"PHO!!!"
Sara (excited):
"Vietnamese Pho? I think it's gonna be delicious!"
Serena:
"My family visited Vietnam when I was 10, and I tried Pho then. It became my favorite Vietnamese dish. And now, I seriously miss that taste. Layla, make a big pot, okay?"
Lilia:
"Layla's Vietnamese, so it'll definitely have that authentic flavor. Layla, can you teach me how to make Pho?"
Jennifer:
"Lilia's right. Let's all cook together!"
Layla:
"Okay then, let's do it together!"
ALL:
"Yeah! Let's cook!"
---
Later that night – Kitchen, 71st floor
The aroma of fried shallots and simmering bone broth filled the space. Layla, Jennifer, Serena, Sara, and Lilia wore aprons, their hair tied up. Layla stirred the pot gently, eyes glowing warmly.
Layla:
"You know… whenever I was sad, my mom would make this dish. It's like a hug from home."
Lilia:
"I may be an AI, but… I can truly feel the taste of memories in this."
Serena (taking the first bite):
"Oh my God… Are you sure you don't want to open a restaurant instead of being an idol? I'm obsessed with this Pho!"
Sara:
"If BABYQUEEN ever disbands, we should open a shop called '5 Girls Pho' hahaha…"
Jennifer (shaking her head):
"That day won't come. Because we'll always be BABYQUEEN. But if we ever have time, we can still cook together—Pho Bo, Pho Ga, anything!"
Layla (teary-eyed):
"Thank you all… for not leaving me behind."
Serena:
"Haha… You're the center of BABYQUEEN. You're our family."
---
The song "SHINE TOGETHER" played softly under the warm lights, and the group sang along gently:
"We are the stars when we cry together,
We light the sky, even in stormy weather.
Holding hands in the darkest night,
We shine together, we shine so bright…"
Every glance, every breath, every tear shimmered like stars in that little kitchen.
---
Layla:
"It's ready."
Serena (cheering):
"Oh my God, finally! I've been waiting for this moment forever!"
Sara (taking a deep breath):
"You guys… just smell this! I didn't expect Pho to be this fragrant and mouthwatering. I'm already drooling. I want to dig in now!"
Lilia:
"You're right, Sara. Let's eat!"
Jennifer (staring at her steaming bowl):
"I can't hold back anymore. I'm digging in!"
Layla:
"I made some for Chairman Lee and the seniors earlier, so that batch's gone… I'll make more next time!"
Just then, Chairman Lee entered with two senior idols from TIGERONE.
Chairman Lee (deep voice, smiling):
"I heard Layla made Pho. The whole floor below smelled it!"
Layla (bowing shyly):
"I… just wanted to thank everyone… for always supporting our group."
Senior Jeen (laughing):
"Heavens! This Pho tastes just like a proper Vietnamese restaurant!"
Senior Jonathan (taking a sip, eyes lighting up):
"You can taste every layer of spice, and the broth is sweet from bones, not MSG. Layla, have you ever thought of opening a restaurant?"
Everyone laughed. The warmth spread through the room.
The whole BABYQUEEN team, Chairman Lee, and the two seniors enjoyed the Pho together. Vietnamese Pho was already delicious—but made with their own hands and shared side by side, it somehow tasted even better. Perhaps that's what family is.
Chairman Lee:
"The broth is clear like silk, filled with a gentle sweetness, carefully simmered for hours. The flavor isn't harsh—it's soft like morning breath, spreading over the tongue and sliding down the throat, leaving a warm, lasting aftertaste."
Serena:
"Oh my God, this is the flavor. Honestly, it's even better than I imagined!"
Sara:
"Lilia's right. I think I'm addicted to Vietnamese Pho now—I want seconds!"
Layla:
"Haha… Thanks, everyone. I'll cook Pho again for us next time!"
The four other members' eyes sparkled like stars as they shouted in unison—
ALL:
"Really?! You promised!!!"
Sara (nearly teary-eyed):
"I feel like… we've finally become a real family."
Serena (slamming her chopsticks down, holding back tears):
"Yes! A family! And in a family, we protect each other till the end!"
Jennifer (placing her hand on Layla's):
"Thank you, Layla. It's even more delicious than I imagined. I… I think I love Vietnamese Pho now!!!"
Layla stayed silent for a moment, then smiled, tears falling as she whispered warmly—
Layla:
"We will never fall apart. Even if the world turns against BABYQUEEN… we'll still have each other."
---
Meanwhile — NOVA HQ, where ASTRIX just debuted
Rayden (setting down his coffee):
"So BABYQUEEN won another fanmeeting. No surprise—they truly are the bridge between humans and AI."
Julian (spinning in his chair):
"They have Layla. We don't have someone like that yet."
Elio (tapping a screen):
"Maybe… soon. When the world becomes cold enough, they'll need a new BABYQUEEN. And that'll be ASTRIX."
Damien (watching a clip of Layla cooking Pho, quietly):
"Their core… is that girl."
Julian (tilting his head):
"Can we actually beat them?"
Elio (smiling faintly, eyes gleaming):
"Only if we understand what makes them strong."
Lucas (nodding):
"Real emotions. That's something you can't replicate."
Damien (serious):
"...But what if Layla is the real light?"
The room fell silent.
Lucas (softly):
"I'm not sure I can beat someone… if I truly admire them."
A crack—small and subtle—but enough to plant a seed of something new.
---
The whole BABYQUEEN team curled up on the sofa, blankets tangled. But their hearts—were full.
Layla:
"No matter what happens… I won't leave anyone behind."
Serena (nodding):
"We'll keep writing this dream… one note at a time."
Jennifer:
"BABYQUEEN isn't just a group… it's a family."