Morning at BABYQUEEN dormitory
Layla was curled up in the blanket, her face slightly red from fever. The whole dormitory was in chaos, Jennifer brought water, Sara prepared a warm towel, Serena hurriedly searched for medicine. Only Sofia was still sitting on the chair, holding her phone, silent.
Jennifer: "You always say 'it's fine', but who would believe that red face."
Layla (smiling weakly): "Really… just a little fever, I can handle it."
Serena: "No! You still have to film a survival show today, and you have a big show tonight. Let me call the German doctor over, he's very good."
Layla (panicked, jumped up to stop her): "Don't! The doctor over there still has to treat patients much more seriously ill than me. I just need to rest for a while and I'll be fine."
Serena (frowning slightly): "But…"
Layla (softening her voice): "I'm fine. Don't worry."
Serena paused, then sighed. But her eyes were still following Layla worriedly.
Sara handed her another glass of water: "Drink more, then sleep a little more. We'll prepare for the filming, you just need to save your energy."
Jennifer smiled: "No one wants the center of the group to collapse in the middle of the stage, so listen to me."
The group said in unison: "Get well soon, Layla!"
Only Sofia remained silent, as if the story had nothing to do with her.
At the survival show studio, MC Kim, a man in a black suit, with a professional smile, stepped out into the middle of the stage. The lights shone down, the audience cheered.
MC Kim: "Hello everyone! Today we have a special challenge: collect the best comments from lucky fans for BABYQUEEN to read live! And if you're lucky, your idol will call your name on TV!"
The audience cheered. BABYQUEEN walked out, still smiling even though Layla was a bit tired.
Serena (whispering to Layla): "If you're too tired, let us read it for you."
Layla (slightly shaking her head): "It's okay… I want to hear my fans' voices."
MC Kim: "And now, let's start with the first comment!"
The big screen behind us showed the sparkling words:
"BABYQUEEN is my daily motivation. I hope you guys are always happy and healthy." Haneul
Layla (smiling and reading out loud): "Haneul, thank you. I will get well soon to bring you the best stage."
The audience "aww" echoed in the auditorium.
MC Kim: "Next is a comment… oh, it seems to be a rather long letter."
Sara took the microphone, her warm voice reading each line. Jennifer interjected a few witty comments that made the audience laugh.
Serena kept glancing at Layla. Every time Layla coughed, she frowned slightly.
MC Kim smiled brightly, reaching out to pick up a letter from the transparent box in front of her.
MC Kim:
"And now… a letter from a fan to our Layla. The sender is… Lee Mina."
Cheers mixed with "aw"s rang out from the audience. Layla tilted her head slightly, a gentle smile on her lips as usual.
MC Kim (reading the letter):
"Layla, I know you're under pressure from public opinion and a busy schedule, but I want you to have that innocent, carefree smile like before... not that shy smile. I don't want my idol to live a fake life all day." Lee Mina.
The atmosphere in the studio seemed to fall. Layla paused for a moment, her eyes darkened a bit, but she quickly tightened her grip on the microphone and smiled.
Layla (softly):
"...Thank you Mina, for worrying about me. I... will try to smile more, and won't let you down."
The answer was gentle, but behind the BABYQUEEN seats, the atmosphere was completely different. Jennifer leaned over to look at Layla, her eyes filled with a bit of resentment. Serena frowned clearly, but still tried to keep a professional face. Sara glanced at the MC as if to ask, "Why did you choose this letter?". Lilia pursed her lips, looking uncomfortable.
In the stands, some fans held hands, touched by Layla's composure, but there were also confused looks, even doubting the organizers.
MC Kim forced a smile, trying to cut through the tension:
"Yes… thank you Layla. A very sincere message, right everyone?"
Applause broke out, but there was still a strange silence somewhere.
Serena whispered loud enough for the group to hear:
"I wonder what this show is doing anymore…"
Layla heard, but she only smiled, gripping the microphone tighter, that smile, though bright, hid something that no one could reach.
MC Kim glanced at the remaining stack of letters and smiled:
"Next, we will move on to a letter to the whole BABYQUEEN… and each member."
The lights on the stage dimmed, the LED screen behind showed images of BABYQUEEN in everyday moments — laughing, practicing, eating together.
MC Kim (reading):
"BABYQUEEN, thank you for coming to this world. Every time you stand on stage, your light not only shines out but also touches our hearts. No matter how much noise there is out there, to us, BABYQUEEN is always the reason to believe in beautiful things."
The sound of "aww" echoed from the audience, Serena smiled slightly in relief.
The MC continued:
"To Layla, the group's strong center. You are not only beautiful but also inspire me every time you overcome difficulties. Thank you for teaching me how to stand up when I fall."
Layla bowed her head, her eyes sparkling but still keeping a gentle smile.
"To Jennifer, the perfect visual. You are like the moon, both beautiful and peaceful, but when needed, you shine brightly. I hope you will always be confident because you deserve to be loved."
Jennifer tilted her head slightly and smiled, her robotic eyes shining with warmth, as if she could really "feel" it.
"To Serena, the coolest rapper I've ever known. I love the way you speak your mind, protect the group, and stay strong. You're proof that a warm heart can be hidden behind a tough exterior."
Serena laughed, her mouth slightly raised but her eyes filled with pride.
"To Sara, the voice that makes me cry. Every note you sing touches a deep place in my heart. Thank you for making BABYQUEEN's music come alive."
Sara gently placed her hand on her chest, as if she wanted to feel every word.
"To Lilia, the group's amazing dancer. You dance not only with technique but also with emotion. Seeing you on stage, I feel freedom, I feel joy."
Lilia smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling like a child.
At the end of the letter, the MC read slowly:
"BABYQUEEN, no matter how the world changes, we will still be here, in the audience, to cheer, cry, and laugh with you. Because to us... BABYQUEEN is not just a group, but a part of our youth."
The audience exploded with cheers and long applause. The BABYQUEEN members looked at each other, bowing their heads in gratitude. Layla smiled more sincerely, no longer awkwardly like before.
Jennifer whispered loud enough for the group to hear:
"At least... there are still people who understand us."
Serena nodded slightly, and Sara gently held Layla's hand as if to say "We're fine".
The atmosphere on stage was bustling and warm after the emotional letters from fans. The BABYQUEEN members read each message one by one, laughter mixed with applause echoed throughout the auditorium. But when the show was about to move on to the next part, Sofia suddenly lowered her head, her lips curling up awkwardly.
"...Since a while ago, there hasn't been any letter for me, has there?" she said, her voice half-joking and half-serious.
A few soft laughs rang out from the audience, but most of the fans looked at each other, feeling that Sofia's words were a bit... off-key.
Layla smiled softly, gently holding Sofia's hand:
"Yeah... It's okay, there will definitely be next time. Everyone still loves you."
But Sofia suddenly shook Layla's hand away, her eyes filled with annoyance:
"Why? I'm a new member, I'm the most beautiful, the most talented in the group" she emphasized each word "and yet no fans sent me letters? Is the organizers being fair?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the auditorium clearly dropped. In the audience, a few whispers started to arise:
"BABYQUEEN having Sofia is a real shame for the group."
"I don't understand why DYG let her in the group..."
Jennifer frowned, immediately interjecting:
"Sofia, you're talking in front of the fans. Calm down."
Serena also reminded:
"This is not the time to argue. You'll make people misunderstand."
But Sofia didn't bother to listen, she interrupted with a sour voice:
"Layla? She has more than eight million anti-fans and still gets fan letters. As for me... I probably won't."
A few gasps came from the audience, the discomfort spread quickly. The warm atmosphere from earlier had completely disappeared, replaced by tension and unfriendly gazes.
Jennifer and Serena still tried to comfort her, but Sofia kept dominating, causing Sara to only turn around and hug Layla's shoulder lightly, whispering:
"Don't listen, Layla. It's not worth it."
Layla smiled awkwardly, but the slight cough that echoed through the microphone still reached the audience's ears.
At the VIP table below, ASTRIX sat watching the whole situation. Julian frowned, Elio pouted slightly, Rayden shook his head in dismay. Lucas looked at the stage with a clearly annoyed look. Only Damien... still couldn't take his eyes off Layla, his gaze filled with worry.
A fan in the front row caught that moment, Damien's eyes looking at Layla, as if the whole world outside had disappeared.
The warm atmosphere in the auditorium suddenly became gloomy when Sofia began to change her tone. From the half-joking, half-serious reproaches, she suddenly spoke loudly, her voice as if shouting at the fan seats:
"Are any of you here my fans? If so, you should have at least written me more than five letters! What kind of irresponsible fan are you? Are you a fan?!"
A murmur arose. Many fans were surprised, some turned to each other, their faces disbelieving what they had just heard. The MC quickly intervened, trying to calm them down:
"Sofia, calm down... This is the interaction part..."
But Sofia just crossed her arms, smiled faintly, and interrupted:
xOkay, it's okay. I'll stay in the group... for your sake, ha!"
The sound of "oh" and boos mixed with sarcastic whistling echoed throughout the auditorium. Immediately, anti-fans seized the opportunity, rushing to social media to criticize the entire BABYQUEEN group, calling it a "stage disgrace", and at the same time dragging Layla's name in to bring her down.
Layla was still sitting there, her hands lightly squeezing the hem of her skirt, her eyes calm but the corners of her lips forced a smile. Jennifer and Serena kept leaning over to remind Sofia, while Sara sat close to Layla, whispering:
"Don't listen, I'm... not worth it."
Down below, in the VIP area for other groups, ASTRIX was watching the whole thing. Most of the members' eyes showed obvious discomfort, only Damien... still kept an eye on Layla. When Layla coughed slightly, he clenched his hands on his thighs, his eyes slightly worried. That moment was captured by the lens of fans in the front row.
Suddenly, Damien stood up. He walked straight up to the stage amidst the buzz of chatter, stepping in front of Layla. Without a word, he gently took the microphone from her hand.
"Sofia." His voice was deep, clear, and decisive. "You've said enough."
The entire audience fell silent. Sofia was momentarily stunned, her eyes blinking continuously as if her throat was blocked. But below, the wave of attacks between fans and anti-fans had not stopped, and the story began to spiral out of control of the program...