The footsteps sounded heavy, rhythmic, and cold. In the dimly lit concrete corridor, a man stepped forward without hesitation. His bald head reflected the flickering light of the mercury lamps on the ceiling, creating a sharp silhouette. He wore a very neat black suit—too neat for such a desolate place.
There was no sound other than the friction of his shoe soles against the floor and the hiss of his steady breath. Beneath his jacket, something lay hidden—an unspoken authority. He stopped for a moment in front of a heavy iron door, staring blankly into the darkness as if he could see something invisible to ordinary humans. Without a word, he resumed his walk, disappearing into the deeper darkness, leaving an aura of anxiety that froze the air behind him.
Hundreds of kilometers away from that silence, the world exploded in color and sound.
"I swear, if the manager tells me to go on a salad diet one more time, I'm going to start eating the decorative plants in the lobby," Leah complained as she threw herself onto the velvet sofa in their exclusive waiting room. She tossed her brownish hair dramatically.
"Don't exaggerate, Leah. The last time you said that, you ended up finishing a whole pizza by yourself," Sakura replied with a soft chuckle. The girl was busy tidying up piles of commercial scripts on the table.
Kamao, who was preoccupied with his phone, chimed in without looking up, "The idol world is cruel, friends. But hey, at least we didn't have to wake up at four in the morning for dance practice today."
In the midst of the bustle, a girl stood in front of a large mirror. Her bright yellow-blonde hair shimmered like golden threads under the vanity lights. Her clear blue eyes stared at her own reflection—a gaze that had enchanted millions of fans across the continent.
She is Hana. The leader, the center of gravity of the brightest idol group today. To the public, she is a miracle; a talented artist whose acting can draw tears and whose voice can shake stadiums.
"Hana, are you daydreaming again?" a soft voice broke her trance.
Hana turned and smiled—the cheerful smile that was her trademark, though there was an invisible burden hinted there. "Just thinking about tomorrow's schedule. It feels like freedom is something quite expensive once we're in this position."
"You're too serious, Hana! Just enjoy your success," Leah shouted from the corner of the room.
"But it's true, you know," Hana sat beside them, joining the conversation circle. "Sometimes I miss walking in the park without having to wear a mask and sunglasses. Being an ordinary person who only thinks about what flavor of ice cream to eat today."
"Well, that's the price of being a national star," Sakura said softly, handing a glass of water to Hana.
The conversation flowed casually, ranging from complaints about tight shoes and celebrity gossip at the neighboring agency to vacation plans that were almost impossible to realize. The atmosphere of the waiting room was filled with the warmth of sincere friendship amidst their suffocating schedule.
However, in the middle of their laughter, Ayane—who had been quiet and busy rummaging through her large bag—suddenly stood up with mischievously twinkling eyes. She pulled out a flat wooden object that looked old yet well-maintained. Its surface was decorated with strange letters and symbols not commonly found in their country.
"Hey, forget about work for a moment!" Ayane exclaimed enthusiastically, placing the object right in the center of the table, between piles of scripts and makeup kits. "I just got this from abroad. A rare item that they say is very effective for foretelling the future."
All eyes were fixed on the horror board, which looked starkly out of place in their modern and luxurious room. A cold aura suddenly blew softly, making the hair on the back of their necks stand up.
Ayane smirked widely, looking at her friends one by one, then stopping at Hana.
"Let's play!"
To be continued...
Will be continued in Chapter 1 Part 2!!
Please wait!