Hwang Nari

Vixen's apartment.

Two days after she had moved into the dorm, Chung-ae did not have any scenes to film and stayed home while Mira already left for school, They all lazed around the house when Chung-ae roped Nari and Bitna into watching the latest episode of her drama, while Yumi played a game on her cell phone in her room. They were halfway through the episode when Yumi exclaimed and rushed out of the room while holding up her phone.

They quickly turned to look at her, Bitna who leaned by the arm of the couch sat straight and asked, "What is wrong Yumi?"

Yumi stepped closer to them and turned the phone around to show them the latest headlines.

"SHIN DAEHYUK PARTS WAYS WITH FORMER COMPANY ON BAD TERMS"

Under the headlines, it read in smaller print.

"The soloist gets kicked out of 4 different variety shows, including Star express where he was a regular host. There are rumours that he was dropped because he is difficult to work with"

Hwang Nari looked from the phone to Chung-ae and bit her lower lip. Chung-ae dropped her mini bag of chips on the table and grabbed the phone from Yumi's hands. She quickly read through the article, "What is this", she muttered. Nari pulled her phone out of her sweat pocket, unlocked it and opened a few gossip blogs. She glanced at Chung-Ae as she read through various articles, she turned the phone to her right as Bitna looked in.

Yumi noticed the change in Chung-ae's expression and sat next to her. She tried to reassure her by saying, "don't just believe these articles, Chung-ae. You know how unreliable half these websites are. Call Daehyuk Oppa and find out what is going on".

Chung-ae nodded as she handed the phone back to Yumi and picked up her pink phone from the table. She tapped on her contacts and dialled her elder brother's number. She stood and walked out to the balcony, while she dialled his number. Her heart bounded the longer the phone went unanswered, she began to imagine the worst-case scenario but it all stopped when Shin Daehyuk answered after the fourth ring,

"Chung-ae sorry for the delay. My phone has been ringing nonstop, I thought it was another reporter. What is up?" he said in a relaxed tone, which calmed her a little.

"I saw the articles... Oppa, how are you feeling?"

He chuckled, "never been better, don't let the articles worry you. They are just using me for clout, I already signed with BEAT entertainment. The official announcement will be released tomorrow".

"oh, then about the variety shows".

"I am not a good fit, there will be better programs. I am already in talks with Star Express, I will be renewing my contract with them. Manager Beak and my new agency have settled everything. As for the rest, good riddance".

"That is good, those articles scared me a little. How about I treat you to lunch once this dies down?"

"Aren't I the one with the good news? let me take you out to lunch. It has been a while since I saw you. I saw the articles, how are your members holding up after Danbi and Munhee left".

Yumi rolled her eyes, "everyone? or just Yumi?"

"Yumi? isn't she also your group member or has she left the group?" There was a slight hitch in his voice as he spoke.

"no she hasn't and they are all good. We got two new members", she looked down at her foot.

"That is okay, as far as you all get along" there was a few seconds of awkward silence.

"We do, You must be busy. Goodbye Oppa" she said breaking the silence. After hearing his response, she brought her phone away from her ear and cut the call. 'Trust him to act all innocent when I call him out on his lies. He thinks his acting is so good, she thought as she stepped back into the living room. She glanced at Yumi who looked down intently at her phone screen.

Chung-ae cleared her throat as she worked in, "I just spoke with my brother and everything is good, he signed with another company".

"Oh, I guess that is good," Yumi said letting go of the breath she unknowingly held as she heard Chung-ae walk in.

Chung-ae returned to her seat and leaned back on the seat, "I am starving let's order some food!"

Nari glanced at the already empty packet of chips beside the nearly empty bag of chips in front of Chung-ae, lips tugged up. Bitna noticed her gaze and slapped Chung-ae on the shoulder, "even after eating two packs of chips, you still dare to order take out. Now that the group is complete, it is only a matter of time before we resume monthly evaluation. Do you want to be put on a diet again?"

Chung-ae's curled her lips as she remembered the awfully diet they had all been put on as they prepared for their debut. "On a second thought, I am good".

Yumi smiled, "the cabbage diet wasn't so bad". Bitna and Chung-ae both turned to her brows raised. Yumi chuckled, "Well maybe it was a little bit bad".

"It was horrible!"

"it was so bad, I cannot stand the sight of cabbage on my plate again!"

Chung-ae and Bitna said at the same time. Try shivered as they remembered the cabbage-themed dishes they were forced to endure for six weeks. They were all meant to go on the diet until the day they debuted but after their debut date was postponed. They were pulled out of that horrible diet.

Nari had heard whispers of the cabbage diet when she was a trainee, she understood their plight but tried to pull their legs, "I guess ordering us a sandwich is out of the plan". Their pained expression said it all, she smiled and looked down at her phone screen.

They all looked towards the door as they heard someone much in the door pin. The door opened with a ring and an average-height girl in a brown mid-thigh length gown and white sneakers walked into the house. Sun-hi changed into her slipper and walked into the Living room, she stopped as her gaze fell on Nari. She glanced at Yumi and signalled to Nari with her eyes, Yumi rolled her eyes and nodded.

"Hello, you must be Nari. Nice to meet you" Sun-Hi said cheerfully and waved her hand

"You too"

Sun-Hi looked around the room and after a few seconds asked, "I guess the delinquent is still in school".

"Delinquent? who...." Nari said turned to Yumi, who just shook her head and mouthed "M I R A".

"oh, okay", Nari smiled and looked down at her phone.

"How come you came back early?" Chung-ae asked as she picked up her empty bags of chips. She walked to the trash can and threw them into the waste bin.

Sun-Hi placed her bag on the table and sat on the fee spot beside Yumi on the couch, "I wanted to stay a little longer but my plans changed after receiving manager Yoo's call. She instructed me to come back today because we have a meeting with the Team Leader Ma tomorrow".

"A meeting?" Chung-ae muttered looking expectantly at Bitna who shook her head, hands up, "I have no idea. Just like you, I was not informed of that".

"Then why would Unni male me come back, or is it all a lie to get me to come back early..." Sun-Hi tapped on her kao Kao talk app and brought up their manager's message from five hours earlier.

"I don't think it is a lie", Yumi shouted standing eyes locked on her phone screen

They all looked at her strangely, she didn't notice any of their expressions as her attention was focused on her phone. "I just asked Ryung-Oppa about the meeting and he said that there might be a meeting depending on the results of the meeting between the management teams and Miss Kim Ae-ri that is holding in a few hours."

They all sat forward, Sun-Hi's lips curved up, "that means that we will be debuting soon. that is the only reason there will be such a meeting".

Chung-ae glanced at her cheerful expression and sighed, "not so fast Sun-Hi. we are not exactly the only artists under Team 2, it could be anyone. it has been nearly five months since DEiTY had a comeback. They are one of the company's most popular groups, the meeting could be about them. Let's not forget that they are also other soloists and actors under teams 1 and 2. let's not get ahead of ourselves".

She poured cool water all over them with her words, which made them calm. Yumi dropped her phone on her lap and sighed, " Maybe we should forget about this until we hear from the company"

"Yes"

"Good idea"

"I think that would be better", They all said calmly.