HAPTER 36 — THE CALL AND THE INVITATION
The hotel suite was still full of laughter.
Everyone was talking at once, arguing about who snored the loudest, who fell asleep first, and who stole whose blanket. Jae was still sitting on the floor, hair messy, hoodie slipping from one shoulder, trying to defend herself while Yuna kept teasing her.
"You were the first one out."
"I was tired."
"You were dead."
"I was not dead."
One of the members laughed.
"완전 기절이었어."
(Wanjeon gijeori-eosseo.)
You were completely knocked out.
Min-jae translated without even thinking.
"He said you passed out."
Jae grabbed a cushion and threw it at him.
"Stop translating!"
Everyone laughed again.
On the table, her phone screen lit up.
Unknown number.
From Korea.
The vibration sound was small, but Min-jae noticed first.
He looked at the screen, then at her.
"You going to answer?"
She reached for the phone slowly.
The number wasn't saved.
No name.
Just a Seoul code.
For a second, she hesitated.
Then she picked up.
"…Hello?"
Silence.
Then a voice on the other side.
"Miss Kang Jae-rin?"
Her expression changed slightly.
"Yes."
"This is from the Global Business Awards committee."
Everyone in the room stopped talking without realizing.
Min-jae looked at her carefully.
The voice continued,
"You received an invitation earlier this year, but because of your tour, the schedule was pending."
She stood up slowly.
"…Yes, I remember."
"We are confirming your attendance for the ceremony in Seoul next week."
Yuna's eyes widened.
Sora mouthed silently,
Awards?
Jae walked a few steps away from everyone.
"…Next week?"
"Yes. It is a joint ceremony this year. Business leaders, entertainment industry, international guests."
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
"I see."
"You are one of the main award recipients, so your presence is important."
She closed her eyes for a second.
"…I will come."
"Thank you. We will send the final schedule today."
The call ended.
She stood still for a moment.
Then turned around.
Everyone staring at her.
Yuna spoke first.
"What happened."
She lifted the phone.
"Global Business Awards."
David straightened immediately.
"That one?"
Ci-n frowned.
"…Joint event this year?"
She nodded.
"Business, actors, singers, everyone."
David looked at Ci-n.
"We're invited too."
Ci-n sighed.
"I know."
Min-jae looked at her.
"You okay with that?"
She shrugged lightly.
"It's just an award show."
But he could see the small tension in her fingers.
Jisoo opened the tablet quickly.
"It's next week… in Seoul."
Sora clapped.
"That means we don't travel."
Yuna smiled.
"Finally."
RM looked confused.
"무슨 상인데?"
(Museun sanginde?)
What award is it?
Min-jae translated.
"He asked what award."
Jae answered in Korean without thinking.
"글로벌 비즈니스 어워즈."
(Geullobeol bijeuniseu eowojeu.)
Global Business Awards.
All seven reacted at the same time.
"아 그거?"
(A geugeo?)
That one?
"큰 거잖아."
(Keun geojana.)
That's a big one.
"너 또 상 받아?"
(Neo tto sang bada?)
You getting another award?
She rolled her eyes.
"몰라."
(Molla.)
I don't know.
Min-jae translated for Ci-n and David.
"They said it's a big award."
David nodded slowly.
"It is."
Ci-n looked at Jae more carefully.
"You know who else will be there, right?"
She looked at him.
"…No."
He didn't answer immediately.
Then said quietly,
"Watson Enterprises is sponsoring this year."
The room went silent.
Min-jae's expression changed.
Jae didn't move.
"…Watson?"
David nodded.
"Yes."
Yuna looked confused.
"What's wrong with that?"
No one answered.
Jae looked down at the phone again.
The screen was dark now.
But something in her chest felt tight again.
Not pain.
Not fear.
Just that strange feeling she hated.
Like something from the past
was walking closer
without making a sound.
And next week,
in Seoul,
she would see it.
One week later — Seoul
The Global Business Awards night.
The hotel suite was quiet for once.
No music.
No laughing.
No chaos.
Only preparations.
Jae stood in front of the mirror while the stylist fixed the last details of her dress.
Deep red.
Rose shade.
Long, fitted, elegant, the fabric shining softly under the light.
The slit high but classy, the neckline simple, her hair left loose with soft waves falling over her shoulders.
She looked older.
Stronger.
And dangerously beautiful.
Yuna stared at her from the couch.
"…You're going to kill people tonight."
Sora nodded.
"Half the hall will faint."
Jisoo checked the time.
"We have to leave in ten minutes."
Ci-n and David were near the door, both already dressed in formal suits.
Jae turned around and looked at them seriously.
"Before we go… listen."
They both looked at her.
"If we see each other inside, don't approach me."
David frowned.
"…What?"
She crossed her arms.
"Don't come to talk. Don't call my name. Nothing."
Ci-n narrowed his eyes.
"You think something will happen?"
She shook her head.
"I don't want attention."
Min-jae was standing behind her, watching quietly.
David sighed.
"You know that event is full of people we know."
"I know."
Ci-n asked softly,
"Watson will be there."
She didn't react.
"I know."
Silence.
Then she said,
"We talk later. Not there."
Ci-n nodded slowly.
"…Fine."
David raised his hands.
"Okay. Secret mode."
One of the seven members leaned on the wall, already dressed.
"We're invited too, you know."
She looked at him.
"I know. Stay with me then."
He smirked.
"Always."
—
Global Business Awards Hall — Night
The hall was full of lights, cameras, reporters, guests from business, entertainment, politics, international companies.
Names being announced one after another.
Inside, Section E was already seated.
Aries adjusted his cufflinks while Ella sat beside him, smiling politely at someone across the table.
He looked different now.
Older.
More serious.
Still sharp.
Edrix was talking with Freya, who was laughing easily, nothing like the cold queen she used to be.
Calix sat with Mica.
Denzel with Grace.
Rakki next to Ci-n's empty seat.
Angelo talking to Rory.
Kit, Drew, Blaster, Eren, Josh — all there.
It looked like a reunion.
Then the door opened.
People turned.
One by one.
The red dress.
The lights catching the fabric.
Hair falling over her shoulders.
Jae-rin walked in like the whole room belonged to her.
For a second,
no one spoke.
One of the reporters whispered,
"That's Kang Jae-rin."
Another said,
"She looks unreal…"
Across the hall, the seven-member group stood up immediately.
Taehyung whistled.
"야 미쳤다."
(Ya michyeotda.)
That's insane.
Jimin laughed.
"오늘 사람들 다 쓰러지겠다."
(Oneul saramdeul da sseureojigetta.)
People will collapse today.
She rolled her eyes walking toward them.
"조용히 해."
(Joyonghi hae.)
Be quiet.
They surrounded her instantly.
"너 진짜 예쁘다."
(Neo jinjja yeppeuda.)
You look really beautiful.
"레드가 미쳤어."
(Redeuga michyeosseo.)
The red dress is crazy.
"오늘 상 몇 개 받냐?"
(Oneul sang myeot gae badnya?)
How many awards are you getting today?
She laughed softly.
"몰라."
(Molla.)
I don't know.
They kept talking, joking, laughing.
Across the hall —
Keifer stopped walking.
His breath caught.
For a moment he forgot where he was.
Red dress.
Same eyes.
Same smile.
After eleven years.
"…Jay…"
His hand tightened.
Then he saw her laughing with the seven members.
Close.
Comfortable.
Like she belonged there.
Something sharp twisted in his chest.
Jealousy.
He looked away.
"…Why are they with her."
—
Aries POV
Aries looked up casually —
then froze.
His eyes widened slowly.
"…No way."
Ella followed his gaze.
"Who?"
He didn't answer.
His voice almost a whisper.
"…That's… my sister."
Ella blinked.
"That's Jae?"
He nodded slowly, still staring.
"She… looks different."
Across the table, Edrix noticed too.
"…Wait."
Freya turned —
and gasped.
"…Jay?"
Mica covered her mouth.
Grace whispered,
"Oh my god…"
All the girls stood up without thinking.
Jae saw them.
For a second, she looked surprised too.
Freya smiled first.
Not arrogant.
Not cold.
Before the awards started, Jae checked her phone again.
One message.
From Min-jae.
Fever went up again.
I told you to go. Don't cancel.
She sighed and called him immediately.
He picked up after two rings.
"You should be resting."
"You should be here," she said quietly.
"I told you I'm fine."
"You're not fine. I can stay."
"No," he said firmly.
"You worked too hard for this. Go."
She sat on the chair in the dressing room, still in the red dress.
"You always do this."
"You always worry too much."
Silence.
Then he said softer,
"…Send me a picture later."
She smiled a little.
"Only if you sleep."
"Deal."
Call ended.
She looked at her reflection once more, then stood up.
Tonight she had to go alone.
Just happy.
Freya stood up.
Mica grabbed her arm.
"Are you sure?"
Freya nodded.
"We have to."
Grace and Rakki followed too.
They walked toward Jae slowly.
Jae saw them coming.
For a second, her expression changed.
Then it went blank.
Cold.
Polite.
Like she didn't know them.
Freya stopped in front of her.
"…Jae?"
Jae tilted her head slightly.
"Yes?"
Mica froze.
Grace looked confused.
Freya tried again.
"It's… us."
Jae gave a small polite smile.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?"
Across the hall, Aries noticed.
Edrix too.
Keifer glanced once.
Saw them talking.
Saw Jae looking confused.
Then looked away again.
He thought she really didn't know them.
Freya understood immediately.
Her eyes changed.
"Oh… right."
She played along.
"We met years ago. School event."
Jae nodded calmly.
"Ah… I see."
While everyone else looked at the stage —
Jae moved her hand slightly.
A small folded card slipped into Freya's palm.
No one noticed.
Freya's fingers closed instantly.
Jae whispered without moving her lips.
"Later."
Freya nodded almost invisibly.
Grace whispered,
"You look amazing by the way."
Jae smirked faintly.
"You talk more now."
Freya laughed quietly.
"You got prettier."
Jae stepped back.
"Nice meeting you."
Then turned away like nothing happened.
Across the hall, Keifer watched her again.
She didn't even look at Section E.
Not once.
His jaw tightened.
"…She really forgot us."
Aries looked confused.
"…Or she's pretending."
.
The lights dimmed slowly as the host walked to the center of the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Global Business & Entertainment Awards."
Cameras moved across the hall.
Jae sat with the seven-member group, calm, her red rose dress glowing under the lights.
Across the hall — Section E.
Aries.
Keifer.
Angelo.
Edrix.
Denzel.
Rory.
Everyone watching the stage.
Freya whispered,
"She looks unreal…"
Grace nodded.
"She wasn't like this before…"
Keifer didn't say anything.
He couldn't stop staring at her.
The Global Business Awards ceremony officially began.
Guests sat at round tables, cameras moving slowly across the crowd.
Jae was sitting with the seven-member group, calm on the outside, but her fingers lightly tapping against the table
Jin leaned closer.
"긴장했어?"
(Ginjanghaesseo?)
Nervous?
She smirked.
"아니."
(Ani.)
No.
Suga laughed.
"거짓말."
(Geojitmal.)
Liar.
Across the hall, Section E sat together.
Aries looked at the nominee screen.
His expression slowly changed.
"…She's nominated three times?"
Edrix leaned forward.
"Wait… that's her name again."
On the screen:
Best Global Female Artist — Nominees
Kang Jae-rin
Lina Moreau
Hoshina Rei
Camila Torres
Grace whispered,
"She's in that category too…"
Denzel shook his head.
"She's everywhere."
Next screen:
Best Performance Tour — Nominees
Jae-rin World Tour
Orion Live
Kairo Stage Project
Nova Lights Tour
Rory whistled.
"That's her tour."
Next screen:
Song of the Year — Nominees
Fireline — Jae-rin
Gravity — Orion
Blue City — Lina
Night Pulse — Nova
Aries leaned back slowly.
"…She might win all three."
Across the hall, Keifer's jaw tightened.
He kept his eyes on the screen.
Didn't blink.
Didn't move.
The host opened the envelope.
"And the winner for Best Global Female Artist is…"
Pause.
"…Kang Jae-rin."
The hall filled with applause.
Jae blinked once.
One of the seven members laughed.
"야, 맞췄다."
(Ya, majchweotda.)
Told you.
Another nudged her.
"가."
(Ga.)
Go.
She stood up.
Walked to the stage.
Grace whispered,
"She walks like she owns the place…"
Keifer forgot to breathe.
Jae took the trophy.
Took the mic.
Bowed slightly.
"안녕하세요, 강재린입니다."
Hello, I'm Kang Jae-rin.
Section E froze.
Rabin whispered,
"She's speaking Korean…"
Jae continued.
"이 상을 받을 줄 몰랐어요."
I didn't expect to receive this award.
Aries stared.
"She sounds fluent…"
Jae smiled softly.
"긴 시간 동안 무대에서 멀어졌던 적도 있었는데,
기다려 주신 분들 덕분에 다시 여기까지 올 수 있었습니다."
There was a time I was away from the stage for long,
but thanks to the people who waited, I could come back here.
Freya looked down.
She knew what she meant.
Jae bowed.
"감사합니다."
Thank you.
She walked back calmly.
Sat down.
Everyone still staring.
AWARD 2 — BEST PERFORMANCE TOUR
The screen changed again.
Nominees:
Jae-rin World Tour
Orion Live Tour
Nova Lights Tour
Kairo Arena Project
BlueWave Tour
Denzel whispered,
"That's her tour…"
Host opened envelope.
"And the winner is…"
"…Jae-rin World Tour."
Louder applause.
David clapped hard.
Ci-n shook his head smiling.
"She's not stopping tonight."
Jae laughed softly.
Stood again.
Went to stage.
Took mic.
"또 올라오네요."
I'm coming up again.
Audience laughed.
Section E confused.
Edrix whispered,
"She joked…"
Jae continued.
"이번 투어는 저한테 정말 힘든 시간이었어요."
This tour was a very hard time for me.
Grace looked at Freya.
Freya looked away.
Jae spoke again.
"그래도 포기하지 않게 해준 사람들 덕분에
끝까지 할 수 있었습니다."
But thanks to the people who didn't let me give up,
I could finish it.
Keifer's jaw tightened.
She bowed.
"감사합니다."
Walked down again.
Second trophy.
Now people whispering everywhere.
AWARD 3 — SONG OF THE YEAR
The hall got quiet.
Screen lit again.
Nominees:
Fireline — Jae-rin
Gravity — Orion
Night Pulse — Nova
Blue City — Lina
Shadow Run — Rei
Aries whispered,
"If she wins this too…"
Edrix nodded.
"Legend."
Host opened envelope slowly.
"And the winner for Song of the Year is…"
Pause.
"…Fireline — Kang Jae-rin."
The entire hall stood up.
Standing ovation.
Freya clapping with tears.
Grace laughing in shock.
Rakki shaking head.
"She won three…"
Keifer frozen.
Jae looked surprised herself.
She walked to stage again.
Took mic.
Small smile.
"오늘 세 번째네요."
Third time tonight.
People laughed.
She continued.
"한때는 다시 노래할 수 있을 거라고 생각 못 했어요."
There was a time I didn't think I could sing again.
Aries frowned slightly.
Freya looked down.
Jae looked at the crowd.
Her eyes passed Section E for one second.
Then away.
"그래도 아직 여기 있습니다."
But I'm still here.
Silence.
Then applause again.
She bowed deeply.
"정말 감사합니다."
Thank you so much.
She walked back.
Three trophies on the table.
Red dress.
Laughing with the seven members.
Section E staring in shock.
Aries whispered slowly,
"…That's my sister…"
Keifer still looking at her.
Not blinking.
Not moving.
Not breathing properly.
Because the girl he broke 11 years ago…
Was now the one everyone in the room couldn't stop looking at
Jae sat back down at the table.
Three trophies in front of her.
The seven members still laughing.
RM tapped the trophies.
"세 개다."
(Se gae-da)
All three.
Suga whistled.
"오늘 주인공이다."
(Oneul juingong-ida)
You're the main character today.
Jae shook her head, smiling.
But her eyes softened.
She picked up her phone.
Unlocked it.
Dialed.
The call rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then the screen lit up.
Min-jae.
He looked tired, sitting on the bed with a blanket around his shoulders.
The moment he saw her—
His eyes widened.
"야… 상 받았어?"
(Ya… sang badasseo?)
Hey… did you win an award?
Jae laughed immediately.
"세 개."
(Se gae)
Three.
He froze.
"…뭐?"
(Mwo?)
…What?
She turned the camera.
Showed the table.
Three trophies.
Min-jae sat up straight.
"야 진짜야?!"
(Ya jinjja-ya?!)
Hey, are you serious?!
She nodded, grinning.
"세 개 다 받았어."
(Se gae da badasseo)
I got all three.
He covered his mouth, smiling hard.
"미쳤다…
재린아 미쳤다…"
(Michyeotta… Jaerin-a michyeotta…)
That's crazy…
Jae-rin, that's insane…
She laughed.
"You told me not to cancel coming."
He shook his head.
"잘 왔네…
안 왔으면 후회했겠다."
(Jal watne…
An wasseumyeon huhoehaegetda.)
Good thing you came…
You would have regretted not coming.
Her smile softened.
Taehyung leaned into frame.
"형."
(Hyung)
Big brother / older brother.
Min-jae laughed.
"야 너네도 왔냐?"
(Ya neonedo watnya?)
You guys came too?
RM grabbed the phone.
"재린 오늘 세 개 받았어요."
(Jaerin oneul se gae badasseoyo)
Jae-rin got three today.
Min-jae nodded proudly.
"알아. 방금 자랑했어."
(Ara. Banggeum jaranghaesseo.)
I know. She just bragged to me and pointed at her.
"오늘 제일 예뻐요."
(Oneul jeil yeppeoyo)
She looks the prettiest today.
Min-jae smirked.
"원래 예뻐."
(Wonrae yeppeo)
She's always pretty.
Jae rolled her eyes.
"그만해."
(Geumanhae)
Stop it.
Jimin spoke loudly.
"형 빨리 나아.
재린 혼자 다 하고 있어."
(Hyung ppalli naa.
Jaerin honja da hago isseo.)
Get better fast.
Jae-rin is doing everything alone.
Min-jae sighed.
"알아…"
(Ara…)
I know…
He looked at her again.
Softer.
"고생했다."
(Gosaenghaetda)
You worked hard.
Her smile dropped for a second.
"…응."
(Eung)
Yeah.
Across the hall
Keifer was watching.
His eyes locked on her table.
"She's smiling…"
Rory looked.
"…She's on a call."
Edrix squinted.
"With who?"
Freya whispered,
"She looks happy…"
Keifer's jaw tightened.
He kept staring.
Not at the trophies.
Not at the stage.
At her.
Back at the table —
Jungkook waved at the phone.
"형, 재린 오늘 울 뻔했어요."
(Hyung, Jaerin oneul ul ppeonhaesseoyo)
Hyung, Jae-rin almost cried today.
Jae hit his arm.
"야!"
(Ya!)
Hey!
Min-jae laughed.
"울어도 되지."
(Ureo-do doeji)
It's okay if she cries.
She looked down.
Then back at the camera.
"빨리 나아."
(Ppalli naa)
Get well soon.
He nodded.
"가서 쉬어.
오늘 충분히 했다."
(Gaseo swieo.
Oneul chungbunhi haetta.)
Go rest.
You did enough today.
She smiled softly.
"응."
(Eung)
Okay.
Call ended.
She put the phone down.
Jhope said quietly,
"보고 싶지?"
(Bogo sipji?)
You miss him, right?
She didn't answer.
Just smiled faintly.
Across the hall —
Keifer looked away first.
But his fingers tightened around his glass.
Too tight.
He didn't know why.
He just knew one thing.
She was happy.
And it wasn't because of him.
—
Next Morning — Seoul Hotel
Freya looked at the card again.
Address.
Hotel name.
Room number.
Mica whispered,
"You sure we should go?"
Grace nodded.
"Yes."
Rakki smiled.
"We survived Section A, we can survive this."
Freya laughed.
"We tell them we're going shopping."
—
Breakfast table — Section E
Edrix drinking coffee.
"Where are you going?"
Freya smiled normally.
"Shopping."
Mica nodded.
"Girls day."
Grace added,
"We'll be back later."
Denzel laughed.
"Don't buy the whole mall."
They left.
No one suspected anything.
Keifer didn't even look up.
—
Jae's mansion —
Doorbell rang.
Jae opened the door herself.
Freya, Mica, Grace, Rakki standing outside.
For a second they just stared at each other.
Then Mica ran forward and hugged her.
"You idiot."
Grace hugged too.
"You scared us yesterday."
Freya crossed her arms.
"You really said you don't know us?"
Jae smirked.
"I had to."
They all went inside.
The suite was huge.
Crew sitting around.
Yuna waved.
"Oh so these are the famous ones."
Sora smiled.
"Finally."
Jisoo nodded.
"Sit, sit."
Freya looked around shocked.
"…You live like this?"
Jae shrugged.
"I work a lot."
They sat down.
Silence for a moment.
Then Freya asked softly,
"…Where did you go after… everything?"
Jae leaned back.
"In Seoul."
All of them froze.
Mica whispered,
"You stayed in Korea?"
She nodded.
"I built my life here."
Grace asked,
"You're really a global star now?"
Jae laughed lightly.
"Something like that."
Rakki looked around.
"And them?"
"My crew."
Freya looked at her carefully.
"And the guy yesterday? The one not there?"
Jae's expression softened.
"…Min-jae."
Mica raised eyebrow.
"Boyfriend?"
She nodded.
"For years now."
Grace smiled.
"He must be strong to handle you."
Jae laughed.
"He's the reason I'm still here."
Freya noticed the tone change.
"…You okay now?"
Jae didn't answer immediately.
Then said quietly,
"I wasn't… for a long time."
They stayed silent.
She looked at all of them.
"One rule."
They nodded.
"Don't tell Keifer.
Don't tell Angelo.
Don't tell Aries.
Don't tell Section E."
Freya frowned.
"Why?"
Jae looked down for a second.
"…Not yet."
Mica nodded.
"Okay."
Grace too.
"Promise."
Rakki smiled.
"We missed you, you know."
Jae looked at them.
For the first time that day —
she smiled like the old Jay.
"I missed you too."
The suite slowly became quiet after the laughing stopped.
Freya was sitting across from Jae, watching her carefully.
Not like before.
Not judging.
Not competing.
Just… trying to understand.
Mica leaned forward.
"You said yesterday… you weren't okay for a long time."
Grace nodded.
"What happened to you after you left?"
Rakki looked at her softly.
"You disappeared completely."
Jae looked down at her hands.
For a moment she didn't speak.
Yuna glanced at Sora.
They both knew that look.
Freya noticed too.
"…Jae?"
She took a deep breath.
"You wanted to know where I went."
They nodded.
"I went to Seoul… and I thought I could just start again."
She gave a small laugh.
"But it didn't work like that."
Silence filled the room.
She continued slowly.
"I couldn't sleep for months."
Mica frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I didn't sleep. At all."
Grace whispered,
"Because of… school?"
Jae didn't answer directly.
"You remember what happened before I left."
All of them froze.
No one said Keifer's name.
No one needed to.
She continued.
"I thought I forgot it.
But when I came to Korea… everything came back."
Freya's fingers tightened.
"…You were alone there."
Jae nodded.
"I stopped eating.
Stopped going out.
Stopped talking to people."
Rakki whispered,
"That bad?"
She nodded again.
"I started having anxiety attacks."
Mica's eyes widened.
"You?"
Jae smirked weakly.
"Yeah. Me."
Grace asked quietly,
"Did you go to a doctor?"
She nodded.
"They said it was depression."
The room went silent.
Freya slowly sat back.
"…Oh."
Jae continued,
"I couldn't sleep at night, so they gave me sleeping pills."
Mica covered her mouth.
"You still take them?"
Jae hesitated.
"…Sometimes."
Yuna looked away.
Sora folded her arms.
They already knew.
Freya noticed their reactions.
"You knew?"
Yuna nodded.
"We found out years ago."
Grace looked at Jae again.
"And Min-jae?"
Her expression softened instantly.
"He was there."
Rakki smiled faintly.
"He looks like the type."
Jae nodded.
"He stayed even when I pushed everyone away."
Freya asked carefully,
"You love him?"
Jae didn't answer immediately.
Then she said quietly,
"He saved me."
No one spoke for a few seconds.
Then Mica asked softly,
"…Yesterday you said he was sick."
Jae nodded.
"He gets worried if I don't sleep."
Grace frowned.
"That's why you looked tired at the awards."
Jae laughed a little.
"I didn't take the pill last night."
Freya stared at her.
"You didn't sleep?"
She shook her head.
"Couldn't."
Rakki whispered,
"You should have told us before…"
Jae looked at all of them.
"I couldn't."
Freya asked slowly,
"…And now?"
Jae leaned back on the sofa.
"Now I'm better."
Silence.
Then she added quietly,
"…Not perfect."
Mica suddenly got up and hugged her.
"You idiot."
Grace joined.
"You went through all that alone?"
Rakki hugged too.
"You should have called."
Freya stayed still for a second.
Then she stood up too.
Looked at Jae.
Eyes softer than ever before.
"You really changed."
Jae smirked faintly.
"So did you.
Queen bee."
Freya laughed.
"Don't remind me."
They all sat again.
Then Jae's expression turned serious.
"One more thing."
They looked at her.
"Don't tell anyone about this."
Freya nodded.
"Of course."
"No Keifer."
They nodded.
"No Angelo."
"Yes."
"No Aries."
They looked surprised but agreed.
"And no one from Section E."
Mica raised hand.
"Secret sealed."
Grace nodded.
"Shopping trip stays shopping trip."
Rakki smiled.
"We were never here."
Freya crossed her arms.
"You trust us now?"
Jae looked at them quietly.
After a moment, she said,
"I always did."
The room went silent again.
But this time,
it felt warm.
The room was still quiet after everyone hugged her.
Freya sat back slowly, still looking at Jae like she was seeing her for the first time.
"You said you're better now… right?"
Jae nodded a little.
"Yeah."
Grace frowned.
"But yesterday… you looked tired. Even on stage videos from the tour, you looked like you couldn't breathe sometimes."
Yuna and Sora exchanged a quick look.
Jae noticed.
She sighed.
"There's something else."
Everyone froze again.
Mica whispered,
"What else…?"
Jae leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment like she was deciding whether to say it or not.
Then she said quietly,
"A few years ago… I got sick."
Freya frowned.
"Sick how?"
Jae didn't look at them when she answered.
"…Lung cancer."
For a second, nobody reacted.
Like their brains didn't understand the words.
Grace blinked.
"…What?"
Rakki shook her head.
"No… no, you're joking."
Jae shook her head slowly.
"I wish I was."
Mica covered her mouth, eyes filling instantly.
Freya leaned forward.
"When?"
"Five years ago."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unbelievable.
Grace whispered,
"You… you had cancer… and we didn't even know you were alive."
Jae laughed softly, but there was no humor in it.
"Yeah. That sounds about right."
Freya's voice got sharp.
"How bad was it?"
Jae finally looked at them.
"Bad enough that the doctors told me to stop working."
Yuna looked down.
Sora folded her arms tighter.
Jisoo stayed very still.
Rakki asked quietly,
"You had surgery?"
Jae nodded.
"And treatment. For a long time."
Mica sat down slowly.
"That's why you stopped drinking…"
Jae nodded.
"That's why I don't stay up late anymore."
Grace whispered,
"That's why Min-jae watches you like that."
Jae smiled faintly.
"He thinks if I don't sleep, I'll collapse again."
Freya asked carefully,
"…Are you okay now?"
Jae took a breath.
"They say I'm fine."
"They say?" Mica asked.
She shrugged.
"It can come back.
So I have to be careful."
No one spoke.
Freya suddenly stood up and walked to the window, wiping her eyes quickly.
"…You idiot."
Jae smirked a little.
"You already said that."
Freya turned back.
"You went through depression, anxiety, pills… and cancer… alone?"
Jae shook her head.
"Not alone."
She looked toward the empty chair near the table.
"Min-jae was there.
The crew too."
Grace whispered,
"And we were just living our lives like nothing happened…"
Rakki sat next to her.
"You should have told us."
Jae looked at all of them.
"I couldn't even tell myself."
Silence again.
Then she sat forward, serious now.
"That's why you can't tell anyone."
Freya nodded immediately.
"We won't."
"No Keifer."
Mica nodded.
"Yes."
"No Angelo."
"Yes."
"No Aries."
Grace hesitated, then nodded too.
"…Okay."
"No Section E."
Rakki raised her hand.
"Secret locked."
Freya crossed her arms.
"If they find out from us, you can kill us."
Jae smirked.
"Good."
They all laughed a little, but their eyes were still wet.
Freya looked at her again, softer than ever before.
"You really built a whole life here…"
Jae nodded.
"In Seoul, nobody knew my past."
Grace smiled faintly.
"And now we do."
Jae leaned back, finally relaxing.
"…Yeah."
Freya sat next to her.
"No matter what… we're not leaving again."
Jae looked at her, surprised.
Freya smirked.
"Queen bee retired.
Now I'm just loyal."
Jae laughed quietly.
"That's new."
Freya smiled.
"You changed first."