69 A Familiar Story

For the next several days, Iris trained with the girls and familiarized herself with their dancing and singing style. She took note of each person's individuality and preferences in music and working. In-between practice and brainstorming sessions about their debut and concept, they all went out together to eat and play.

For Iris, this kind of routine was the best. Not only did she get to enjoy doing what she loved, but the environment and people were great to work in and with. As the Big Hit staff had accurately predicted, if Cindy got along with the trainees in the survival audition, then Iris would gel with them too.

She also took alone time to organize her solo debut as well. Most of the music and choreography for some of the dance songs were settled. So most of the work was crafting a cohesive album that would eventually harmonize with the Big Hit girl group's debut too.

Iris figured that tying her solo and group albums together would make for a compelling story. The fans would have a hay day making theories and feel like everything was fated to be. And lastly, it would put having a solo debut before the a group in a more positive light. In neither instances would the other party be seen as trying to take advantage of the other.

"All right, let's call it a wrap for today!" Iris cheered while stifling a yawn and stretching her shoulders. She looked at the clock in her mini studio. It was now nearly five o'clock.

Glancing back at her journal that she had just been brainstorming on, Iris pensively considered the last topic she was struggling on for the past hour. While she had been making good progress with the distinctive concepts of her solo and group debut while also having enough unifying themes and easter eggs to connect them, she was stuck on the final piece—a villain.

She needed some antagonist for their storyline, something they were struggling with besides their universal themes shared by youth, much like what BTS and TXT were doing. It had to be something unique to their group.

Because they were going with a fantasy theme with a sci-fi spin where in one lifetime, they were royalty and heroines of the court, and in the other, ordinary people who were in separate places but bound by destiny due to an unfinished matter in their previous reincarnations, Iris needed one of their four members to be the antagonist. It was either that or some external reason like general social injustice, war, or other upheaval.

But this felt too ordinary and unoriginal, not to mention, not engaging and relatable enough for the viewers. Thus, Iris kept leading back to another person. A fifth group member.

And what bothered her even more about finalizing their concept was that another member would elevate their choreography to another level. No shade to four member groups, but Iris enjoyed choreographies with more people the most. It allowed for more interesting formations and dynamism.

Thus, Iris flicked through her contacts, her thumb lingering over a certain name. After a moment's deliberation, she decided to call the person. If it was fated to be, then the call would connect.

"Hello?" A feminine voice resounded over the speaker after two rings.

"Rinah? It's me, Iris. How're you?"

"Yes, Iris. Hello! I'm well thank you!"

"Are you free? Do you want to hang out together tonight? We could grab dinner somewhere?"

"Hm?! Dinner? Are you sure? Aren't you very busy? I don't want to take up your time. But thank you for thinking of me!"

"Haha, no worries. I need a break anyway. Besides, I'm offended you haven't contacted me once since exchanging numbers, hmph!" Iris wanted to tease the other girl a bit, hoping to make the conversation more casual and familiar.

Rinah's chuckle sounded like soft chiming. "Sorry! Like I said, I didn't want to bother you. But that doesn't mean I didn't think of you! I guess I just usually have the habit of moving on when a door closes…" Rinah trailed off for a bit, her tone getting a little somber. But realizing that she was ruining the mood, she quickly lightened her tone and added, "But I'm good! I'm back at school. It's actually kinda fun coming back, maybe because I'm used to it haha!

"However, sure, I'm up for getting together! It's Friday night, so school's over and I've got the whole weekend to do homework later~"

Delighted, Iris held the phone with both hands and replied enthusiastically. "Awesome! Let's got to Haemong for barbecue! It's nearly the Big Hit building in Nonhyeon-dong."

"Sounds good. I'll see you in about…twenty minutes!"

"Cool, see you soon!"

Iris hung up the phone with a satisfied smile. If what her gut inklings were whispering to her was right, then it was fate. Her dreams and schemes all had a reason for existing. They unveiled her deep consciousness and true artistry.

A much as she now loved Jiyeon and Ahreum and acknowledged their talents, the ever perceptive Iris felt that something was off. If her intuition was correct, then tonight, she would try to amend her concerns.

Iris speedily tied up her studio and changed clothes while also donning on a black cap. It was her customary, light disguise when going out. And with no makeup on, she was all set.

Since Iris was closer to the restaurant, she arrived earlier than Rinah, but not by much as the other girl was right on time. After greeting one another, they settled down at a table in the corner, away from conspicuous eyes.

They began with light chatter before Iris little by little divulged into deeper topics before finally getting to her goal.

"So do you still want to do music?"

Rinah paused, deep in contemplation and careful consideration of how to word her answer. "Of course, yes, I want to, but I don't believe I can. At least not in the foreseeable near future."

Iris furrowed her eyebrows while lightly chomping down on a piece of perfectly grilled meat. "Why not?"

"Hm. Because I'm the only child of my family. My parents had me when they were older and didn't think that they'd have kids after trying for so long. Now that I've graduated high school and gotten accepted into a good university, of course my parents don't want me to throw it all away.

"I was only lucky that the auditions and survival competition occurred during my break before starting college. I treated it like my last shot at being an idol. But as you know what happened, it didn't work out. However, it's okay!" Rinah waved her hands in an effort to appease Iris's darkening expression. It was obvious to Rinah that the American girl was bothered by her story.

Quickly, Rinah continued, "I want to give back to my parents and ensure they have a stable retirement. Since they didn't expect to have kids, they didn't plan for the all the expenses that came with one." She laughed lightly while prodding a piece of meat before picking it up to chew on.

"So, I'm content with how things are now." She concluded after swallowing the food.

Iris was silent for several moments longer after Rinah finished. Her elbows were on the table, propping up her serious, contemplative face.

"I understand." Iris nodded with her head in her hands. "I guess it's a tricky situation, being unable to do what you love, but wanting to do something for who you love. I get it."

"Yes, sorry, thank you. It means a lot to me that you listened. I've been sorta keeping it in lately. Maybe it's because I'm at a new school with new people, and being an only child, it's been a little lonely, having my thoughts to myself….

"I can't exactly say anything to my parents, since you know, it was hard enough convincing them to allow me to do this audition thing. They were just worried for me, but wanted me to be happy, so they accepted. I was glad that they understood me…" Rinah smiled fondly with a trace of bittersweetness.

Seeing this, Iris let out a heavy, long sigh and threw her arms behind her head, leaning backwards in her chair. Rinah's story sounded so uncannily similar to her story of defying her parents, leaving the U.S., and making a career as a South Korean idol. The only difference was that her parents supported her, but the child herself was withholding herself by setting those limits, saying the Big Hit survival competition was her last shot.

Iris was all too familiar with that "one last chance" sentiment from her survival show experiences. When one was desperate but realistic, they set these parameters in order to protect themselves from failure and picking themselves up to go back to the mundane.

"However…" Iris slowly began with a deeper tone. "While I understand. I don't agree with your decision. You have a great voice; I've seen your videos back when you had to manage a YouTube account for one of the challenges. You have talent. AND your parents support you. What else could you ask for? I don't believe that you should throw it away."

Iris didn't like being a busy body and interfere with other people's lives and decisions, but it was Cindy doing exactly that which convinced her to chase her dreams, and now, look where she was. Iris greatly regretted not staying in touch with her parents and leaving on a bad note, but she wouldn't give up her current life.

Sometimes, Iris felt rather guilty and selfish for feeling like this, wondering if this was the passion and blindness of youth, struggling and stumbling to find their happiness and treasure in life.