Gomsuk's peripheral vision caught a slow movement approaching him just as his conversation with one of the staff members ebbed away.
The staff member took their leave, and two others approached—their steps were steady and measured, as if they had been waiting for the perfect moment.
Gomsuk's body reacted instinctively. He immediately straightened his posture, took a sharp breath, and bowed his head politely.
"Hello."
Namsek, Sehan, Oduun, and Bunhang—who had been busy absorbing the atmosphere, returning smiles, and greeting those around them—instantly followed his lead.
"Hello."
Daniel replied with a relaxed smile, raising one hand briefly in a friendly gesture.
At his side, Sam stood in absolute silence.
There was no smile, no nod, not even a flicker of a gesture to indicate he was acknowledging their greeting. His face was as flat as the emotions he displayed.
However, upon closer inspection, his eyes told a far deeper story. His pupils moved constantly, meticulously scrutinizing each of them—Gomsuk, Namsek, Sehan, Oduun, Bunhang—without blinking, leaving not a single detail unnoticed.
Daniel, noticing Sam's stony silence, glanced at him and nudged Sam's chest with a small, sharp elbow, causing him to startle.
"Even if you are older than them, it doesn't mean you can ignore a greeting from your juniors—especially when they've addressed you so politely."
The words came out low, nearly hissed through gritted teeth, held back so they would only reach one pair of ears.
Sam immediately adjusted his stance.
His shoulders squared, and his previously relaxed posture became neat and firm. He carefully rearranged his expression—though it remained stoic.
"Hello."
He gave a brief, stiff bow, which was instantly returned in unison by Gomsuk, Namsek, Sehan, Oduun, and Bunhang.
Daniel pointed his thumb toward Sam, his expression playfully sour, like an actor deliberately overacting just to break the ice.
"Please forgive your Hyung here," he said. "He's just like that sometimes, so I hope you can bear with him."
His tone, though soft, was as warm as the afternoon sun filtering through a window. Along with his words, a wide grin broke across his face, revealing a row of neat, white teeth—sincere and entirely unforced.
"But don't worry, he's actually a good person. Even earlier, he was actually quite worried about you all."
Gomsuk, Namsek, Sehan, Oduun, and Bunhang all turned their heads in unison toward Sam.
Sam's face suddenly flushed—a faint but unmistakable crimson.
He averted his gaze, looking everywhere but at them—the walls, the floor, even the air in between—pretending to be deeply preoccupied with something far removed from their conversation.
Daniel merely let out a low chuckle before continuing.
"My name is Daniel Framel, the producer who will be assisting your live broadcast later. And this…"
His elbow landed lightly on Sam's chest again, causing him to jump in surprise.
Sam shot a look at Daniel, his expression flickering with a touch of annoyance—but a soft, lingering annoyance, not anger. He then took a sharp breath before finally introducing himself.
"Sam Samurez."
"You can call me Sam. I'm one of the cameramen on duty today. Nice to meet you."
His tone remained flat as he bowed his head again, which was met by a simultaneous nod from the five of them.
Their movements were so stiff and awkward that it made Daniel let out another small laugh.
"You don't need to be so formal. Just think of us as old friends reuniting after a long time."
"After all, we already consider you family here, so just relax and make yourselves comfortable."
His voice flowed softly, soothing and steady, like a gentle hand calming a tremor. Daniel's gaze drifted across the faces of Gomsuk, Namsek, Sehan, Oduun, and Bunhang—one by one.
"By the way..."
He paused for a moment, taking a brief breath to arrange the words he was about to speak.
"Congratulations on your debut as a group, and welcome to ASpire Entertainment as our newest members. Thank you for the hard work that allowed you to overcome dozens of contestants in that grueling survival program, with your talent and breathtaking stage presence."
"I was truly mesmerized seeing the five of you standing on that stage with such confidence and courage. It was as if the stage had belonged to you from the very first moment you stepped onto it—or perhaps, the stage itself chose you to be idols."
"Because of that, I hope we can work well together moving forward."
"This debut isn't the end of your struggle; it's the beginning of a long journey with ASpire Entertainment. To reach the highest goals, cooperation is essential—not just within the group, but also with the many people you'll encounter here every day who will help and guide you."
He spoke every word slowly and clearly, as if each syllable were carefully chosen to reach their ears perfectly.
His eyes never wavered from Gomsuk, Namsek, Sehan, Oduun, and Bunhang.
Occasionally, a faint smile would bloom on his lips before fading again—a smile of pride, both warm and sincere.
Gomsuk, hearing those words, bowed his head once again with deep respect.
"Thank you for everything you've shared, Producer Daniel."
"Moving forward, we will work harder and strive not to disappoint anyone—including our fans and everyone standing with us—the staff and everyone else."
The gaze that was usually cold now radiated a clear sincerity, filled with determination. Yet, deep down, Gomsuk knew it was a form of pretense—a mask carefully and neatly put in place.
Daniel responded with a faint smile and took a step closer.
He rested his hand firmly on Gomsuk's shoulder.
"Don't carry the entire weight of being a leader all by yourself, Gomsuk."
He turned his gaze toward Namsek, Sehan, Oduun, and Bunhang, letting his eyes linger for a moment on each of their faces before returning to Gomsuk.
"They aren't just your friends anymore, Gomsuk. They are your brothers, your family."
"So, whatever is on your mind—even the things that feel incredibly intrusive—you don't have to face them alone."
"Don't force yourself to always be strong on your own. You can ask for their help and talk about it. That is far better than bearing everything by yourself."
A thin smile appeared again at the corner of his lips, gentle yet profound. Gomsuk could only offer a slow, stiff, and awkward nod, whispering a "thank you" with a voice that was nearly choked up.
Daniel lowered his hand from Gomsuk's shoulder, stepping back to stand beside Sam once more.
A moment later, his eyes flickered toward Sam.
"Don't you have anything to say after dumping all those worries about them on me, Sam? Suddenly quiet now, huh?"
His tone shifted this time—slightly cynical, but not a biting or painful cynicism.
It was half-joking, half-friendly, like the light banter between old friends who knew every single one of each other's weaknesses.
Sam merely took a shallow breath.
His gaze—still flickering with remnants of annoyance mixed with a hint of being offended—locked onto Daniel without blinking.
"How am I supposed to say anything when you don't even give me a second to speak properly, huh?"
His tone shifted. It was no longer flat as before, but carried a slight edge of cynicism. There was a subtle, mocking undertone, yet it remained friendly—like someone who knew their boundaries but wanted to test a friend's reaction without truly causing offense.
"It's as if you've already prepared all those words long before you even met them."
His murmur this time was faint, as if intended only for his own ears. However, Daniel somehow heard it clearly, and it made him let out a thin laugh.
"I'm only doing what a senior usually does for their juniors, especially since they're still new and need guidance here."
Daniel gave a brief shrug—a simple gesture that radiated a nonchalant attitude.
That self-defense fell like dust, making Sam let out a heavier sigh than before. His gaze then shifted, tracing the faces of Gomsuk, Namsek, Sehan, Oduun, and Bunhang, one by one.
"Um... are you guys okay?"
The tone changed, trembling slightly with a mix of hesitation and genuine concern.
"I mean, how are you feeling right now? This live broadcast is the first for you as a group, isn't it?"
"Are you feeling nervous? I don't mean the nerves of performing in front of a crowd, but perhaps…"
He paused for a moment, holding back his words.
For a second, his eyes dropped to the floor, his brows furrowing slightly, showing his doubt—were these words appropriate to say, or would they only create a greater awkwardness? However, his curiosity proved stronger.
"I mean... are you still bothered by the incident from a few days ago?"
"I'm not trying to remind you of what happened, but… I'm just worried that you might feel burdened by the sudden and rapid schedule changes, like this live broadcast, while you might not be fully ready to face such a big event so soon after that."
His voice grew increasingly hesitant and even fainter, even though he spoke with the utmost care.
Gomsuk, Namsek, Sehan, Oduun, and Bunhang—all of them fell into a sudden silence. It wasn't because Sam's question had caught them off guard, but rather because something faint and unsettling had begun to stir within them.
Daniel, sensing the shift in the air, could only let out a sigh. He raised one arm and draped it around Sam's neck, once again catching the cameraman by surprise.
"Ah... once again, please forgive your Hyung here," Daniel said softly.
"It seems… the impact of his words felt quite uncomfortable for you."
"You've been trying so hard to move past it, yet Sam managed to make everything sound far more terrifying than when you actually experienced it yourselves…"
He paused for a moment, taking a breath as he contemplated what he wanted to say next. However, just as his lips parted again, ready to release his words, another voice slipped in first.
"Do you mean the incident involving Miss Margaret, and all that chaos on social media?"
Bunhang was the first to speak. His eyes locked onto Sam's with a gaze that was impossible to ignore—there was a youthful, almost childlike spark shining within them.
"We're perfectly fine."
Not long after, Oduun's voice slipped in—soft, yet firm enough to command attention.
"There's nothing to worry about," he said.
"Even though we might not be fully accustomed to everything here yet, and things outside haven't quite returned to normal, our fans keep reminding us not to overthink it. So, we believe it's best to simply focus on what we're supposed to do right now."
"If we happen to encounter anything unpleasant during this live broadcast, we will still perform our best and learn to remain professional."
Oduun's words were met with an immediate nod from Namsek—as if he were both supporting the statement and soothing Sam's lingering anxieties.
"All we need to do is focus on what's been planned for today's event, right?"
"Ignoring what's unnecessary and doing exactly what we're supposed to do."
Sehan chimed in, his voice accompanied by a faint smirk that glittered with determination—a clean sort of cynicism, devoid of any malice.
"Of course, we won't let anyone make us feel small."
"Besides, Brian-Hyung mentioned that once the official statement was released to the public, most of the responses we received were simply requests for us to return and greet them soon."
"Not many people are bringing up the old issues anymore."
"Even if there are still one or two parties dwelling on it... two against a thousand... of course, the thousand will always matter more, won't they?"
His words didn't go to waste; Bunhang immediately responded with a firm nod—a small gesture filled with conviction despite his slight stature.
"That's right!"
"We can't wait to do this live broadcast, and it's definitely going to be an experience we'll never forget."
"So, Producer Daniel and Sam-Hyung will help us, won't you?"
That cheerful tone and the bright hope in his voice finally broke through Sam's exterior. For the first time, a faint smile graced the corner of his lips. He glanced at Daniel, who returned the look with a similar expression, and both of them gave a brief nod before turning back to the group.
"Of course, we—"
Sam's sentence was cut short, sliced through by a sudden shout that burst with explosive irritation.
"WHAT ON EARTH ARE THE TWO OF YOU DOING WITH THEM, HUH?!"
Everyone jumped simultaneously, their bodies jolting in unison as if pulled by a single invisible string. Their gazes whipped to the side.
Standing there was a young woman with a unique physique—half-curvy, yet lean—a striking combination that immediately caught the eye.
She stood with undeniable confidence, hands on her hips, her eyes blazing with a fierce glare that seemed to pierce right through Sam and Daniel. Both of them looked instantly like they had been caught red-handed.
She pointed her index finger at the small watch encircling her wrist.
"I've been holding myself back ever since they walked in!"
"I thought when you two invited them to talk, it was just for a brief introduction and some light small talk."
"But as it turns out, the conversation has been dragging on for minutes!"
"Are you two really no different from schoolgirls who get so caught up in gossip that they lose track of time?!"
Her eyes burned even wilder, her face making it crystal clear that she was truly, utterly fuming.
"Who's gossiping?" Daniel countered, his tone just as sharp as the staff woman's. "Besides, what do women know about men's talk? It's still early evening, and the broadcast doesn't start until 7:15 PM."
The woman let out a harsh snort and thrust her arm forward again.
"Open your eyes wide, Daniel! Look at the time!"
Her finger began tapping the glass of her digital watch with a hard, rapid, and impatient rhythm.
On the screen, the numbers were clear: 07:00 PM. There were only fifteen minutes left until the broadcast was scheduled to go live. As soon as Daniel and Sam's eyes caught those digits, their pupils dilated in unison.
"How long do you plan to keep them here before I'm forced to take over?!"
In that split second, Daniel and Sam scrambled without a second thought. They broke into a frantic jog, scurrying back to their positions behind their respective cameras.
The woman let out an exasperated sigh, then turned her attention to the group still standing there.
"My name is Serin. I'm the one in charge of your broadcast today."
"You'll be seeing a lot of me, so you'll get to know me soon enough. And, welcome to ASpire Entertainment."
Though her tone was softer now, it was clear she was speaking in a massive hurry.
"Now, time is limited. You'd better get ready and take your seats according to the staff's directions over there."
She pointed toward the sofa in the center of the room, then turned on her heel and hurried away.
The members exchanged a brief, knowing glance—a silent moment of shared understanding—before stepping forward to follow Serin toward the center of the room.
As soon as they arrived, a staff member immediately approached them. Wearing a professional smile and without saying much, they began attaching small microphones to each of their outfits, one by one.
Once the setup was complete, the staff member gave a brief signal, directing them toward a long sofa that had been positioned to face the cameras.
Gomsuk took his seat at the far end, followed by Namsek, Sehan, Oduun, and finally Bunhang.
"Why did those humans look so worried about us?"
Sehan suddenly muttered in a voice that was barely audible.
He spoke without truly moving his lips, only a slight twitch in his jaw signaling that he was saying anything at all. His gaze remained fixed straight ahead, locked onto the rows of cameras standing stiffly before them—lined up like cold spies watching their every move.
"Is this part of their trickery? Looking concerned on the surface, but secretly harboring a grudge?"
"And then, why did I even bother responding to them? How annoying... I'm actually starting to feel a bit irritated with myself."
Oduun, who had been adjusting the mic on his collar, paused mid-motion.
His fingers stilled for a second, and he flicked a glance toward Sehan from the corner of his eye—a movement so swift it wouldn't catch the attention of the cameras.
"Hyung, can you stop prattling about unnecessary things?" Oduun whispered.
"We're about to go live. You surely don't want to be caught bad-mouthing them, do you?"
"Our game as idols has only just begun."
"So, hold yourself back a little longer—after this, you can eliminate them with a single strike."
A small snort escaped Sehan's nose.
"Having fun isn't my way of enjoying life, especially when we have to pretend to bow down to humans," Sehan countered. "It's disgusting, and I'll never do it again, even if forced."
"I'd rather end everything in an instant than continue drowning in a situation that's sickened me since we decided to join that survival program."
Even as his thoughts growled with disdain, a smile remained etched on his face when a staff member asked him to turn toward the camera on the right to ensure his face was captured with the perfect angle and lighting.
Oduun could only let out a resigned sigh.
"You gave your word, Hyung,"
"Delaying things is part of your vocabulary, isn't it? So, be a responsible tomcat for once."
As he spoke, a staff member in front of him gestured for him to wave at the camera, ensuring his movements were captured clearly for the broadcast.
As for Bunhang, he hadn't let his smile slip even for a second.
The corners of his lips remained upturned, steady and consistent, as if that smile had become a natural part of his face the moment the cameras appeared.
His gaze never strayed far from the lens, tracking every minute movement of the equipment pointed at him with a sharp awareness of being in the spotlight.
Beneath the sofa, his feet swung back and forth lightly—a small, playful motion that most would overlook, yet enough to show he was far more relaxed than he appeared.
He cast a fleeting glance toward Oduun and Sehan—who were still conversing without moving their lips—before returning his focus to the camera.
"It's not just about being a responsible tomcat, Hyung,"
"You also have to be a cute and adorable kitten, so your fanbase grows even larger—and then, you'll have the perfect opportunity to destroy them all."
Sehan merely let out a faint, subtle click of his tongue.
Only he knew that it was a sign—a signal that he was feeling irritated, slightly disturbed, and clearly refused to accept the situation or the tiny comment that had just brushed past him.
Despite the storm within, his face maintained that handsome, carefully crafted smile—a smile that looked flawless through the camera lens, without even a trace of the grievances boiling underneath.
Beside him, Namsek chose to remain silent.
His gaze was fixed instead on Gomsuk, who—once again—had lowered his head.
Gomsuk's eyes looked as if he were lost in thought, yet they were far from empty. There was something faint and hidden within them, as if his mind were dancing between various possibilities, drifting far away from the reality they were currently facing.
However, Gomsuk himself was completely unaware that Namsek was watching him.
His mind drifted far back, returning to the events that had unfolded in the Styling & Dressing Room.
It wasn't the moment when Jina tried to calm his nerves—though, in reality, he hadn't felt nervous at all. Nor was it the moment Namsek insisted on knowing his secret first, or the brief meeting with Brian, who had apologized for the incident that might have left some members traumatized or uncomfortable.
And it wasn't even the part where Brian reassured them that since the incident, the situation had significantly improved because the official statement had been released that very same day.
The only thing that continued to haunt Gomsuk was what Brian had said about Margaret.
"I had a chance to ask about Miss Margaret's condition earlier when the Director called me to his office,"
"The Director mentioned that Miss Margaret hasn't been to school for a few days—maybe three or four. Her injured leg hasn't fully healed yet, so she still has difficulty walking."
"But you don't need to worry. Her condition is much better now. In fact, she even left a message for you through the Director."
"Miss Margaret wants all of you to not feel guilty or nervous during the live broadcast. She promised that she'll be watching your broadcast as well, so I hope you can give it your absolute best."
That was more or less what he could recall from Brian's words earlier.
He let out a heavy breath while faintly and repeatedly squeezing his hands together.
"This is really making me restless... if anything, I'm getting even more worried about her now."
"Just how deep was her wound, really? Does it hurt that much? And... how hard did Brian-Hyung actually hit her that time, for the injury to be so difficult to heal?"
He exhaled a light breath, then lifted his gaze, staring at the several cameras pointed in his direction.
In truth, his vision wasn't really focused on the equipment, even as the staff behind the lenses began taking their final positions, signaling that the broadcast was about to begin.
"She promised to watch us, didn't she?"
His memory then drifted back to Jina's words.
"Think of them as… special, okay?"
"Should I really do that?"