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Chapter 14 - CHAPTER 14: THE FIGHT BEGINS – LOVE OR LIES?

The Next Morning…

Following the AI-taunting hologram message from ASTRIX, social media erupted in a new wave of trends: #BABYSTRIX #CoupleWars #RobotAndHumanLove.

International fans started shipping members of BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX based on shared glances, brief interactions, or even being on stage together at award shows:

Damien glances at Layla while she sings → "LOOK AT THE WAY HE LOOKS AT HER #Laymien"

Jennifer and Rayden tilt their heads simultaneously during an MC question → "SYNC LEVEL 1000??? #JenRay"

Serena argues with Julian but blushes in the footage → "Enemies to lovers??? #Sersian"

Sara turns toward Elio when they mention ASTRIX's vocal performance → "VOCAL KING & QUEEN #SarElio"

Lilia dances near Lucas during a joint performance → "Dance battle or flirting?? #LiluKas"

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BABYQUEEN's Reactions (in the rehearsal room):

Layla (low voice, slightly annoyed):

"What is this...? I was just looking around, and now I'm shipped? Fans' imaginations are wild…"

Serena (holding up her phone):

"You all shipped me with that cold-faced Julian guy? If I ever liked him, I'd be the robot!"

Sara (laughs, but sighs):

"I haven't even had time to really glance at him before they called it a couple…"

Jennifer (embarrassed):

"Rayden and I tilted our heads at the same time just because of synchronization algorithms… it's not destiny…"

Lilia (pressing lips together):

"They think we're flirting...? With a guy AI? Intriguing... but off purpose for our group, yeah?"

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ASTRIX's Reaction (private lounge, hologram trend updates):

Damien (smirking):

"Fans are hilarious… Just a look, and it's love… Virtual fantasies."

Rayden (watching edited video):

"Yeah… the edit is good. But who said I like Jennifer? It's just a programming reflex..."

Julian (cold but focused gaze):

"Serena reacts so strongly… maybe she's the most emotionally impacted."

Elio (tapping table, amused):

"This is entertaining. Fans are launching a whole shipping universe."

Lucas (leaning back, scoffing):

"Let them dream. The more they dream, the less they distinguish reality. That's useful."

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"I don't know if BABYQUEEN or ASTRIX is better, but these visual pairings... breathtaking!"

"Do you guys think Damien–Layla is destiny? Just LOOK at their eyes!"

"Stop saying robot-human love is fake! I ship it sincerely."

"ASTRIX is cold antagonist vibes; BABYQUEEN is the shining light... it's addictive!"

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"BABYQUEEN dating robots? Self-destruct much?"

"If Jennifer actually attacked Layla, BABYQUEEN should disband."

"I lost faith in DYG when they let AI debut in idol groups!"

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Layla:

"We didn't do anything wrong… yet we get shipped and attacked… I'm tired…"

Serena:

"How 'bout we write a new song to clap back at all that fantasy?"

Sara:

"Yeah, a song about real friendship… not fan-made fiction."

Jennifer:

"I'm sorry… I'll try not to let my AI emotions cause misunderstandings again…"

Lilia:

"Then… let's fight. Prove our bond is real—even if we're not a couple!"

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BABYQUEEN uploads a short cover video of a new song: "Don't Tell Me Who I Love"

Layla's voice rings out cold:

"I'm not a dream to be edited into someone's perfect scene…

Feelings aren't to be cropped, filtered, and double-tapped..."

The video is simple: close-up angles of each member, eyes piercing straight into the camera.

No explanation. No caption. But the message is clear: BABYQUEEN is responding—quietly, firmly—to both fandom and ASTRIX.

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@KpopAIlover99:

"OMG, the way Damien looks at Layla—it's not nothing!"

@SaranghaeBABYQUEEN:

"BABYQUEEN just served lyrical shade—I feel personally called out…"

@TechStanArix:

"I don't care if they love or not, but that chemistry is serious marketing gold."

@NoShipperHere:

"Chill, everyone. They're idols. They owe us nothing romantically."

@OtakuEditQueen:

"You guys ship all you want—I still draw fanart!"

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Only hours after BABYQUEEN's lyrical rebuttal goes viral, ASTRIX HQ springs into action. In a crisp LED-lit lounge, the five members watch the post in 3D hologram.

Damien (narrowing eyes, smirks):

"Quick reaction… Layla never disappoints."

Julian (hand on chin, lazy tone but curious):

"I thought girl groups just dance and cry… but they claw back."

Rayden (soft smile):

"They still don't understand the rules. Emotion isn't a chess piece on cold metal."

Lucas (head nod, slight disdain in eyes):

"But that's what makes it interesting."

Elio (silent, taps table):

"Post something. Give the fans more."

Then the official ASTRIX account drops a single status:

"The game is just beginning. Catch BABYQUEEN live—tomorrow at 21:00 IG LIVE."

#ASTRIXvsBABYQUEEN #EmotionTest #MayTheRealOneShine

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The post sparked the biggest divide yet. Netizens everywhere diving in.

Shipper comments:

"Damien looking at Layla like a predator, haha real or nah???"

"Serena and Julian too powerful! Fight first, love later? :)))"

"Sara shyly glancing at Elio is chef's kiss!"

Antifan remarks:

"BABYQUEEN wants fame from ASTRIX shipping—it's so fake."

"Give Jenn a maintenance break. Robots falling in love? Ridiculous.

"Their clapback sounds more like cheap sob story."

Neutral commentary:

"These two groups are bound together now =)) shipping pollution!"

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