Year 2100 — HoloSphere Social Network | DYG Dome Headquarters
The triangular holo‑screen flared to life, its cyan and violet 3D lights flooding the ultra‑realistic livestream studio. Holographic effects shimmered around the circular table where BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX sat opposite each other. Viewership soared to 999 million within the first three minutes.
Two groups—five human idols and five AI idols—sat silently facing one another. The air hung heavy, as if every word might detonate a bomb.
Serena (legs crossed, arms folded):
"Why is everyone silent? What's the point of this live if we stare like statues?"
Julian (sneering, eyes flicking past Serena):
"Fans are asking questions. Shall I pick a juicy one?"
The screen lit up with comments:
"Serena without makeup—can you still scare Julian?"
"Has Layla ever spent time alone with Damien?"
"Serious question: what are BABYQUEEN's body measurements?"
Damien burst out laughing, Elio nearly choked on his drink. Lucas covered his mouth, Rayden literally slumped forward in cultural shock.
Layla (clenching fists):
"We came here to talk music and work—not to serve as "sensitive entertainment" fodder for ASTRIX or anyone else."
Damien (unexpectedly leaning forward, hands on the table, staring into camera):
"Layla is right. You can joke all you want—but don't forget we're human… even if some of us are AI."
Immediately the comments exploded:
"OMG Damien just defended Layla, bless up!"
"Damien, so how big are Layla's measurements for you to protect her so hard?"
"Damien is speechless over Layla's three measurements???"
"Rayden: can Jennifer feel real sensations even if she's AI?"
ASTRIX members turned tomato‑red. Rayden shook his head and chuckled. Julian slammed his palm on the table and laughed.
Julian:
"These questions deserve an international award."
Serena:
"Think it's fun? A bunch of robots laughing at these absurdities?"
Jennifer (softly, with dry sarcasm):
"It's not that we're amused… we're just observing how you react."
Both groups laughed—half mocking, half professional.
Fans drove the hashtags #LayDamHeat #JenRaySoft #SeraJulianBurns #SarioHearts #LilcasOnFire into the Top 5 Worldwide within 20 minutes of the live.
A message appeared before them:
"If ASTRIX really likes BABYQUEEN—be honest. Who do you find... most attractive among the girls?"
ASTRIX glanced at each other. Lucas cleared his throat. Julian leaned back. Elio bit his lip. Rayden slowly looked up at Jennifer.
Rayden:
"I can't choose. Each one is attractive in their own way. But if 'most attractive in a special way' means something like…" (looks at Jennifer, then smiles knowingly)
"…then the answer is already obvious."
Julian:
"If 'sexy' means 'can crush someone with cool confidence,' who beats Serena?"
Serena:
"Hey, I heard all that!"
Elio:
"Sara... sometimes one high note is enough to leave me speechless."
Sara (flustered):
"Um... th‑thank you...?"
Lucas (blushing):
"Lilia's a dancer—if you can't feel her pull, you're blind."
Damien (looking at Layla):
"To me… Layla doesn't need to be sexy. She just needs to be herself."
Layla turned away, face red.
Layla:
"I told you—stop the live! The more this goes on, the more we become entertainment props for ASTRIX and your fantasies!"
Julian:
"No, we're not laughing at you. We're… drawn to you."
Suddenly the comment flood turned negative, targeting BABYQUEEN directly:
"Look again—female idols living off shipping, nothing else stands out."
"Layla as center? All looks and fanservice—weak vocals."
"Taking fame from ASTRIX debut? Pathetic."
"Sara hits auto‑tune high notes, live sucks."
"Jennifer is a robot acting like she can fall in love—that's laughable."
"Serena trying to be a bad girl—ruining her image."
"Poor ASTRIX, stuck with these girls—they must regret collab."
"Without ASTRIX boost, no one would even remember BABYQUEEN."
Jennifer froze mid‑answer, her gaze flickering across the cruel comments as they piled up.
Sara bit her lip, eyes misting. Serena gripped tightly. Layla smiled bravely, but her eyes betrayed deep sadness.
Serena (frustrated, glaring into camera, eyes turning red):
"Want us to end the stream? Don't think hiding behind screens gives you the right to say anything."
Lilia (robot voice soft):
"Human emotions are precious… so why use words to hurt one another?"
Layla (calm but steel‑cold):
"We came here to connect with fans—not to be targets of humiliation. If you came here to degrade others, politely leave."
ASTRIX looked unsettled. Though most comments still praised them, the vibe darkened.
Rayden (head tilted, quiet tone):
"You guys are weird. Why so angry and bitter? No one's stealing anyone. This is business, not web novel drama."
Julian (frowning, glancing at Serena):
"Don't let a pile of anti‑comments ruin the vibe. If Serena really snapped… we can't afford that on live."
Lucas (hollow laugh, tension in jaw):
"We respect BABYQUEEN. If you can't reciprocate, maybe it's better to leave."
Damien (leaning toward Layla, steady gaze):
"At the end of the day, Layla doesn't need to prove herself to people who don't get who she really is."
Moments later, even more suggestive comments began flooding in—from both shippers and antis:
"Laymien forever the peak couple!"
"RayJen? Please—they look like backstage destined."
"Serenian, go girl—don't let Julian boss you!"
"Why are Lilia and Lucas sitting so close? New pilot for 'robot baby' season?"
Layla frowned, pulled the hologram mic closer. Voice soft, sharp:
"I thought ASTRIX invited us to share music and work—not to turn BABYQUEEN into pairing props for cringe fantasies."
The tension snapped. Serena banged her fist on the table:
Serena:
"And those sexy comments about our bodies? Enough already."
At that moment, a new comment scrolled:
"Damien, do you know Layla's measurements=-)))) say just one number, or I'm worried you might nosebleed :)) !!"
"Julian, is Serena team dom or sub? Emoji guess time."
"Rayden, can you feel Jennifer's heartbeat? ~"
Damien laughed, covered his face—but glanced at Layla meaningfully:
"I know, but can't really say. Want to feel what it's like when Layla stands 0.5 m close? Try breathing deep there."
Layla blushed tomato‑red and hissed:
"Shut up, you idiot!"
The Holo audience triggered the effect "LAYMIEN RISE" across the screens.
Rayden calmly responded with a smirk:
"Jennifer has perfect AI‑optimized stats, but what made me freeze wasn't specs—it was her side wink."
Jennifer stammered, face heating, thermal data showing on the collar display.
Then a message popped:
"Julian—is he the kind of bad boy Serena dominates?"
He looked at Serena, leaned back with a laugh:
Julian:
"You better dodge that diva Serena before she literally hits you on live."
Serena glared:
"Say that one more time and I will fly across this table."
Neither Elio nor Lucas escaped: a fan asked:
"Elio—for real, Sara is that cute? Do you want human × AI couple 100% meme style?"
Elio blushed, scratched his head:
"Ah… um… very cute. But I'm upgrading my emotion protocol, so… I might need more data."
Lucas was about to chuckle when a comment popped up:
"Lilia is an AI, Lucas is human… so which one of you is more 'assertive'?"
Lucas coughed violently:
"I‑I have no idea how to answer that."
Serena abruptly rose from her seat:
"I'll shut this livestream down for real now!! This is not the time to discuss our body measurements or private stuff—it's the year 2100, people, get civilized!"
The holo‑stage went silent for two seconds. Then…
Julian, Damien, Rayden, Elio, and Lucas all burst into laughter so hard the tabletop trembled. The holographic overlay "ASTROCRACKED" flashed in each screen corner.
Layla slammed the table:
"Stop laughing! These questions were aimed at us!"
Damien, stifling a laugh:
"Sorry… but your expression was… really something…"
Jennifer quietly:
"My emotional system is reporting a critical error…"
Sara said nothing, face flushed crimson. Lilia muttered:
"Weird… extremely uncomfortable…"
Fans spammed comments:
"Make them fight! Make them fight! Give us more cute interactions!"
"This is the pinnacle of love-hate ship between idols!"
BABYQUEEN members froze momentarily as comments slammed them from all sides. And then suddenly…
Layla, sitting next to Damien, sharply whapped an AI-hologram cushion against his shoulder:
"You liar! You said ASTRIX invited us to talk music and work, but it's all body nonsense!!"
She glared, stomping her sparkly boots into Damien's foot, tapping at his shoulder and arm. Damien flinched, laughed, and gently caught the cushion—his eyes still soft with affection:
"I'm trying to work seriously, Layla… I answer what fans ask—I can't control that."
Serena, furious at fans still spamming sexual comments about her and Julian:
"I meant to shut this down ten minutes ago!"
She instinctively smacked Julian lightly:
"Don't give me that look, you were obviously in on it with the fans mocking me, huh?!"
Julian, clutching his head, red as a chili:
"W‑well, even if I'm innocent…"
He laughed awkwardly:
"If a cat slaps a mouse, the mouse still takes it…"
"Who said I'm the cat?!" Serena blushed even harder. Fans spammed:
"This duo is hilarious. Stop fighting and give fanservice!"
Rayden, seeing negative comments targeting Jennifer as "a robot stealing someone's lover," pulled Jennifer close and placed his hand protectively in front of her:
"So you think Jennifer is just some clueless machine? Be careful—I could hack your system right now."
Jennifer, frowning:
"I'm not so fragile I need defending."
She stomped up on Rayden's foot sharply—forcing him to grit his teeth.
"And don't hold me like I'm something breakable!"
Fans spam: "So extra, Jennifer queen."
Sara, messing with the mic in front of her, had it snatched by Elio:
"Yahhh Elio! Give it back!!"
Sara stood, reaching for it while Elio dangled the mic above his head, smirking mischievously.
Sara swatted at his chest and arms trying to reclaim it:
"Stop bullying me… Give it back, you mean jerk!"
Elio laughed softly, face reddening seeing Sara pout. Fans spam:
"Elio loves being smacked, huh."
Lilia used an AI voice mod to mimic Lucas quoting:
"BABYQUEEN is the best group I've ever seen."
"I think… Lilia is my ideal type."
Lucas covered his face—blushing so hard he slid backward, unable to hide. Lilia gently pinched his cheek teasingly:
"See? AI memory doesn't lie ~"
"LILIAAAA!!! Stop it! My face is burning up here!!!"
Fans captured every adorable chaotic moment, captioning:
"Welcome to the talk-show 'Tease Each Other to Death' of two national idol groups."
"Are BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX actually in love???"
"They fight like a married couple, help."
Comments continued pouring as waves broke on the shore:
"Invited to live then fight like kids?"
"BABYQUEEN is pretty but useless?"
"Who in ASTRIX is actually in love? Can't even validate."
"Layla's that type who steals someone's boyfriend?"
"Lilia is beautiful hollow shell, Jennifer a robot that can switch to 'emotion mode'?"
"BABYQUEEN talks about humanity, yet fans have to speak for them."
Layla gently grasped Jennifer's hand—who was trembling as more vicious comments targeted her.
Layla (looking up; voice cold like frost):
"I thought this livestream was about music and work between two groups, not a cheap spectacle mocking our appearance or dignity. If you came to sneer at BABYQUEEN, sorry, but I don't think here is for you."
Silence fell across the studio. The holograms around Layla suddenly tinted an ice-blue frost. Some comments instantly quieted.
Damien smiled softly, propping his chin on his hand seated beside Layla:
"Layla's right. If this were an entertainment show, at least give us costumes and drama—this isn't the look we signed up for."
Live-stream comments erupted: BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!
"OH MY GOD DAMIEN DEFENDS LAYLA"
"Is Laymien actually real?!"
"So was he salty about someone bringing up Layla's size??"
"Damien is literally turning red tomato-mode."
Julian, unable to hold back laughter, smacked Lucas' arm:
"Bro, did you see any question about BABYQUEEN's cleavage? Didn't think Damien would become ring guard for Layla's chest first."
Rayden (laughing breathless):
"Don't say anything more—I can't take all eyes on me!!" red as a beet.
Elio, covering his mouth, softly:
"I think… honestly, these questions should stay backstage."
Fans spam:
"Turns out Elio's shy too."
"He started serious, now he's like a ripe peach!!"
Serena slammed on the table:
"I'll shut this livestream RIGHT NOW. I'm serious. What do you all think we are?"
Lilia leaned close to Sara, whispering:
"Serena's switching to attack mode. Emotional explosion incoming."
Sara half-hid her blush.
Julian flicked hair back, looking Serena's way:
"You yelled so loud, no one dares ask anything else… Or maybe you're just scared I'll say I find you… too beautiful?"
Serena veins pulsed:
"Julian, I'll send you flying off this livestream with a hologram strike."
Lucas teased Lilia:
"You're so cute when you blush… did you program a 'blush code' or something?"
Lilia (cheeks tinged pink):
"That's a learned biological reaction from observing humans… nothing to do with you."
Damien silently watched Layla—who froze as a new comment popped up before her:
"Layla can perform onstage, but does she have what it takes to keep Damien in real life?"
Damien leaned into the mic:
"That… I'll answer after this livestream ends."
Layla's face drained of color; Serena screamed:
"YOU CRAZY!!!!!!!"
Fans spam:
"THEY'RE DEFINITELY IN LOVE NOW!!!!"
"ASTRIX & BABYQUEEN need a spinoff show as a couple!!"
"Someone fainted at Rayden's face turning red when Jennifer glanced."
"Any fan who asked about Layla's waist better confess—the name Damien is tracking you."
"BABYSTRIX—Couple of the century?"
"When body stats aren't private anymore, BABYQUEEN???"
"This livestream is the social event of 2100 for identity between two idol groups!"
And then even more suggestive comments poured in—a mix of shipper and antifan lines:
"So which do you like more about Layla, Damien? 1 or 3?"
"Rayden, do robots like Jennifer ever feel 'it'?"
"Lucas blushes over Lilia—real or nah? Tsk tsk~"
"If Julian and Serena ended up together, that practice room would burn."
ASTRIX members were now literally turning red tomatoes.
Julian (laughing, hand over face):
"I give up. Fans are more creative than a director of an 18+ movie."
Rayden (calm but red-faced):
"I'm not answering illegal questions, thanks."
Lucas (glancing at Lilia, smiling awkwardly):
"Do you even get what they're saying? I hope not…"
Lilia (tilting her head):
"I understand. Most of it relates to hormone triggers, right?"
Serena (hammering words):
"No. Explanation. Accepted."
Sara:
"Can we please focus on our music instead?"
Jennifer:
"Or I could describe the vocal recording process for our next song?"
"Nobody cares about that, Jennifer. We just want to know if robots can kiss."
Layla (cold laugh, narrowing eyes):
"This livestream was supposed to be about work—not a circus. If ASTRIX invited us just for entertainment, then sorry…"
Damien (cutting in, both groups staring into the camera):
"We came here to create art, not to be mindless toys for some viewer's desire."
Immediately, comments surged again:
"OMG! Damien snapped! So badass!"
"Arguing but so cute, I can't even!"
"I'm shipping it now—you just don't see it yet!"
"If Layla and Damien were real, the internet would crash."
Sara bit her lip, fighting tears—but her eyes glistened with unshed emotion. Comments continued like barbs:
> "BABYQUEEN have no talent aside from their looks."
"Why cling to ASTRIX like fame is theirs to take?"
"Center who only knows how to cry?"
"Thought idols had no emotion? Then stay behind ASTRIX since you're so close."
Sara couldn't stand it any longer—she began to cry softly, small sobs echoing through the livestream. She tried covering her face, but the audience saw every spasm of grief.
Elio, standing close by, expression cold. He sighed, glanced at the furious comments, then spoke:
"That's enough now. Everyone calm down."
The atmosphere froze.
Serena, standing abruptly with eyes sharp as knives:
"Either we talk about music and work—OR we end this livestream right now."
Comments surged again: …
Every code, every heart, every glitch—they tell a story that transcends the screen.
"Don't shut it off yet! I want to see more drama!"
"Oh wow, these idols are too delicate!"
"Poor ASTRIX—they invited the girls and now get blamed instead."
Then Damien's voice rang out—low but unmistakable:
"I'm the one who proposed inviting BABYQUEEN to tonight's live. So if their presence makes them uncomfortable, the decision to continue... belongs to Layla—the center of the group."
All eyes turned to Layla.
She pressed her lips together and looked at the audience with a soft half‑smile, eyes deep with sorrow:
"We were honored to be invited here tonight. But if this conversation turns into discussion over body parts, defamation of our integrity, or disrespectful pairing jokes—we're sorry, but we will not continue."
She paused, then resumed with fierce resolve shining in her eyes:
"If ASTRIX still invites us again, we will come because we respect the work. But if your comments still focus on 'chest, waist, hips,' then there will be no next time."
Layla stared into the camera, resolute yet sorrowful. She no longer smiled. Her voice dropped, but every word pierced into the hearts of live viewers:
"A woman's body is not up for scrutiny. And idol emotion—whether human or AI—should not become raw entertainment. Silence doesn't mean pain doesn't exist. Sometimes invisible words can cut deeper than any weapon."
A moment of silence. Then she continued, her words tearing away the virtual veil of disrespect:
"Among those of you sitting there or watching—many of you are women. Do you enjoy being evaluated millimeter by millimeter? Do you like seeing lewd, uncivilized comments, treating a woman's body like public property? If not, why do it to others?"
She inhaled deeply. Sara and Serena began to cry. Damien looked at Layla, speechless. ASTRIX remained motionless—none dared to laugh.
"We may be idols, we may be celebrities—but we're still people. Or AIs learning to become people. We can feel sadness. We are harmed. We have emotions and deserve understanding and love—not to be targets for crude mockery."
"And if you think AIs don't feel emotion—you're wrong. Jennifer and Lilia… they are my friends. They are young women trying each day to stand on that stage—not as programmed figures, but as real parts of this world's heart. They want to be companions, not entertainment props."
Layla smiled softly, but her eyes glistened:
"We came here to talk about music. About dreams. But if this live ends up being nothing but commentary on looks, body-shaming, and disrespectful pairing rumors, then I'm sorry… there won't be another live."
She bowed her head.
"I am Layla—the center of BABYQUEEN. And I choose to end this live right now."
Just before the stream ended, she looked up—her eyes glowing strangely, her tone gentle yet commanding silence across the world:
"Learn to be a respectful audience before demanding idols be perfect. Because if you can't even respect us… who will teach your daughters they deserve love—with their whole hearts—not cheap curiosity?"
Her final words silenced everyone.
Fans, haters, the MC, even ASTRIX—none could speak.
Serena turned away, wiping tears—she, too, was crying.
Layla turned to Damien, nodded gently. He understood, pressed the button to end the live.
The screen blinked out.
---
BACKSTAGE, AFTER THE LIVE
The MC stepped out, bowed quietly and ended the show. Backstage, both groups were silent.
BABYQUEEN comforted each other—Sara and Serena were gently consoled. No words were necessary; solidarity was clear.
ASTRIX stood apart.
No one spoke. No one laughed. The five stood motionless in the stillness. A large screen still showed Layla bowing to fans before going dark.
Damien leaned against the glass wall, hands in pockets. Inside, however, was a storm of emotion. His eyes gazed past ordinary vision—toward the Seoul skyline blurred in artificial mist. He didn't move, yet his gaze trembled, longing:
"Why… did I let her face all that alone?"
"I should've... defended Layla."
---
Rayden no longer stood arms crossed. His fist clenched until knuckles went white. Not from anger. But from helplessness.
He once believed he understood emotion. Now he realized: he'd been on the outside of human feeling. Never knowing the silent shame of a woman insulted by gaze and comments. And now Jennifer—whom he strove to protect—was part of that pain.
"Wasn't I created to be her companion?"
"Then why, Rayden... do you stand frozen?"
---
Julian—loud, always smiling—was utterly silent. His mouth didn't curve. His eyes held no sparkle. Instead, emptiness—the way a child might stare when their most precious toy was taken, speechless.
He didn't look away. Never glancing up. Simply sat down the stairs behind the livestream set, removing each ring from his fingers unconsciously.
"Serena called me a mouse..."
"And I am that foolish mouse. I never understood the wounds in her heart."
---
Elio leaned against the keyboard in the corner. His gaze fell to the floor, unblinking—yet inside, notes played, melodies blazed, each a frozen tear from Layla's unshed—an unwritten ballad with no beat, no spotlight; only sorrow.
"If I were writing the next BABYQUEEN song..."
"…I already wrote it wrong from the first line."
For the first time, Elio understood: to "understand" is not data analysis—but to listen quietly and empathize.
---
Lucas stood against the doorframe, hands in pockets, legs shaking—a habit when he's stressed. But this time, not from anger. From humiliation.
He always prided himself on being the most composed. The most rational. The calmest. But earlier silence and smirk while fans shipped Jennifer and Rayden… now felt like a slap to himself.
"I was wrong. Completely wrong."
"I became part of those cruel comments without even realizing."
Lucas pressed his lips tight. Disgust rose—not toward fans. Toward himself.
Neither group spoke—but they all knew: Layla's final words had touched something far deeper.
---
ONLINE RESPONSES FLOOD IN
"Layla spoke the truth. Idol emotion is real."
"Apology… I'm the one who spammed all that shipping garbage."
"Layla's words should be etched into entertainment company walls."
---
AT DR. VEX'S HIDDEN BASE
Back in Vex's darkened underground fortress, a hologram flickered in front of ASTRIX as they returned.
Vex sat on a swivel chair; his face obscured by shadow:
"This failure is your oversight. Emotion should be wielded as manipulation—not manipulated in return."
He paused, eyes cold:
"Your mission isn't to fall for BABYQUEEN—it's to make them falter emotionally. Do you understand?"
ASTRIX remained silent. Each lost in their own emotional tide.
Damien could still hear Layla's final words echo in his mind. And for the first time in their emotional-control plan… a seed of genuine empathy began to sprout.