One afternoon, their manager called them into a meeting room.
Three executives from the company were already seated at the table.
The girls sat down nervously.
One of the executives smiled politely.
"You girls are doing very well," he said.
"Thank you," Ella replied politely.
Then the man continued.
"We believe each of you has strong individual potential."
Emma frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Another executive slid three folders across the table.
Each folder had one of their names written on it.
"Solo promotions," he explained.
"Emma, we want you to debut as a solo rapper."
"Ella, we want you to focus on a solo vocal career."
"Elia, we want to promote you as a solo dancer and performer."
The room suddenly felt cold.
Elia looked confused.
"But… we're a group."
The executive leaned back in his chair.
"Groups don't always last forever."
Emma immediately shook her head.
"No."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"No?"
"We're 3Es," Emma said firmly.
Ella nodded.
"We debuted together."
Elia added quietly,
"And we stay together."
The executives exchanged silent glances.
Finally one of them spoke again.
"You should think carefully. Solo careers could make you far more famous."
Emma stood up.
"Then we'll stay less famous."
Ella and Elia stood beside her.
"Together."
The meeting ended in silence.
But from that day on, the company's attitude toward them began to change.
The Separation
At first, the changes were subtle.
Emma was sent to rap programs alone.
Ella was sent to vocal shows.
Elia was sent to dance competitions.
The girls assumed it was simply part of promotion.
But gradually their schedules stopped overlapping.
Days passed without them seeing each other.
One night, Emma returned to the dorm.
Ella's bed was empty.
Elia's suitcase was gone.
Panic rushed through her.
She ran to the manager's office.
"Where are they?!"
The manager sighed.
"They've been transferred to different projects."
Emma's heart dropped.
"For how long?"
"…Indefinitely."
Emma clenched her fists.
"You promised we would work as a group."
"Plans change," the manager replied coldly.
That night Emma sat alone in the dorm room that once echoed with laughter.
She stared at the bracelet on her wrist.
A small silver E glimmered in the dim light.
Far away in another city, Ella sat in a quiet recording studio.
She lifted her wrist and whispered softly,
"3Es…"
And in another country, Elia stood alone in a dance practice room.
Sweat ran down her face as she practiced again and again.
When she paused, she looked at the bracelet on her wrist and smiled sadly.
"Wait for me."she said,