The BABYQUEEN group left the night market, laughing and joking with the half-finished meat skewers in their hands as they walked. But then the small road leading out of the city gradually opened up, the bright neon lights receded behind them, replaced by a vast sky covered in artificial moonlight.
A hill covered with beds of moonflowers, a type of glowing flower created from nanotechnology, each petal seemed to hold a drop of gentle light. The wind blew gently, the whole space was so quiet that the rustling of the leaves could be heard.
Serena was the first to stop. She took a deep breath and sat down on the grass, sighing softly:
Serena:
"Here… it's so peaceful. Completely different from the feeling of being scrutinized every second out there. Fans must still be talking about us online right now."
Jennifer also sat down next to her, her robotic hand gently gliding over the sparkling petals, her voice as soft as the night wind:
Jennifer:
"But here… I feel that we are truly BABYQUEEN. There are no cameras, no stage, no pressure. There is only… us."
Sara gently put down the remaining cup of milk tea, her voice trembling:
Sara:
"I'm afraid… afraid that one day we won't be able to sit like this anymore. We haven't debuted for long, but scandals, pressure, hateful eyes… keep surrounding us. I'm afraid that one day I will be weak and give up."
Layla fell silent, her eyes filled with tears. She approached Sara, held her hand tightly, and looked at each of them:
Layla:
"Don't say that, Sara. I was also afraid… afraid that I wasn't strong enough to take the center position. Afraid that if I fell, the whole group would fall too. But then I realized… I'm not alone. I have everyone here."
Unable to hold back, Lilia suddenly burst into tears, her shoulders shaking, her voice choked with sobs:
Lilia:
"I… I'm always praised for being strong, for being the main dancer who gives her all. But actually… I'm really scared. Every time I stand on stage, I keep thinking: 'Am I worthy? Will the fans see my mistakes?' I'm so tired… but when I look at my sisters beside me, I try to smile."
Sofia had been silent at first, but now she spoke up. Her voice was young and sincere:
"I… I always feel lost. Even though I'm the youngest, sometimes I'm afraid… I'm just a burden. But thanks to my sisters, I dare to believe that… I belong here."
No one said anything more. Only the sound of the wind remained. Then Serena opened her arms to embrace everyone, her voice choked:
Serena:
"So stupid… we all deserve it. We all have to go through fear, tears, to stand here today. If we fall, we fall together. If we cry, we cry together. BABYQUEEN is not just a band… it's a family."
One hug followed another. The six girls gathered around, hugging each other tightly in the flower beds where the moonlight was shining gently.
Tears fell, soaked into their shoulders, mixed with sobs. But in that moment, each person felt their heart lighten.
Jennifer whispered, like a promise:
"Even if the world out there turns its back… we will still be each other's light."
The artificial moon swayed gently in the wind, as if witnessing BABYQUEEN's unspoken oath.
The artificial moon shines softly. The six girls sit in a circle on the grass, the wind blowing, making the moonlight flowers sway. There is no more noise, only heartbeats and breathing mixed with sobs.
Serena (taking a deep breath, eyes red but still trying to smile):
"You guys... I'm the oldest, I should be strong to protect the whole group. But sometimes I also feel helpless... Every time I see you guys tired from the pressure, I blame myself, thinking that if only I could take it all on for everyone."
Jennifer (holding Serena's hand, voice trembling):
"Don't say that. Without you, I wouldn't know how to face hateful messages, wouldn't have learned how to smile in front of the camera. You're the shoulder I've always trusted... If you fell, I wouldn't be able to stand."
Serena hugs Jen, tears falling on the robot's shoulder, but Jen still feels the warmth like a real person. The group was silent for a moment, then Sara spoke.
Sara (voice hoarse from crying, but eyes determined):
"I... I used to think that the idol dream was something beautiful, full of lights and cheers. But when I entered, I saw how scary the darkness was behind the light. But... when I looked back, saw us sitting here together, I understood. What kept me going was not the stage... but everyone's love."
Layla (holding Sara's hand tightly, tearful):
"Sara was right... I used to be scared, I used to want to run away. Especially when I was attacked the most just because I was the Center. There were nights when I cried myself to sleep... But every time I opened my eyes and saw my sisters beside me, I thought: "I can't give up". I live thanks to BABYQUEEN's love..."
Lilia had been sitting still for a while, her robot eyes sparkling, reflecting the moonlight. She suddenly smiled and then burst into tears, her voice lost.
Lilia:
"I didn't know what crying was... until I met everyone. I was programmed to dance, to be perfect on stage. But since I entered BABYQUEEN, I've learned... perfection is not as good as being loved and accepted as myself. The unnies... gave me a "heart"."
Sofia quietly wiped her tears, looking at everyone with a tormented gaze.
Sofia's voice trembled, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated:
"I... I know I came late, sometimes I feel like an outsider. But... being able to cry and laugh with everyone today... is a happiness I didn't dare to dream of. I'm afraid... afraid that one day I'll disappoint you guys."
Layla (hugs Sofia, tears rolling down her face):
"You're stupid! You're our youngest... we'll never leave you alone. No matter what happens, BABYQUEEN will always be your family."
The whole group burst into tears. Six pairs of hands clasped tightly together, forming a closed circle, like a silent oath to the moonlit night.
Serena (choking, voice broken):
"Promise me... no matter what storms there are out there, no matter if the fans turn their backs or the world changes... we will still be BABYQUEEN."
All (speaking together, choked but determined):
"Always be BABYQUEEN!"