After the stage ended, the adrenaline didn't leave their bodies quickly.
Even after they changed out of their outfits, even after the staff praised them, even after the cameras stopped rolling… the feeling stayed.
It stayed in their hands.
In their chests.
In the way their hearts were still beating too fast.
OG sat in their waiting room again, but this time the room didn't feel as suffocating as before.
It felt… warm.
Alive.
Like the air had finally returned to them.
Hana was the first one to break into a wide grin, flopping onto the couch dramatically.
"I swear," she said, fanning herself, "I almost died out there."
Yuki giggled, wiping sweat from her forehead. "You looked so cool though."
Kairi nodded, still holding a water bottle with both hands. "We all did."
Aiko sat quietly near the mirror, removing her earrings slowly. She looked calm, but her eyes were still burning with leftover emotion.
Sakura stood behind her, tying her hair up, her gaze soft.
The room felt peaceful…
But not for long.
Because the three girls—Hana, Yuki, and Kairi—slowly began to notice something.
Something that made their smiles fade little by little.
Hana's grin slipped first.
She looked at Aiko, then at Sakura, then back down at her own hands.
"…Do you think…" Hana started, voice small, "Miss Koharu did this because she felt guilty?"
Yuki blinked. "Guilty?"
Kairi's eyes narrowed slightly, like she already knew where Hana was going with this.
Hana swallowed. "Like… because she ruined Aiko's solo moment before. So she gave her a solo now."
The room went quiet again.
Not awkward quiet.
A painful quiet.
Yuki's shoulders dropped. "But Aiko's stage was so good…"
Kairi whispered, "Yeah… but what if it wasn't given because she deserved it?"
That hit harder.
Because Aiko did deserve it.
More than anyone.
But the thought that it might've been a "gift" instead of something earned fairly…
made it feel bitter.
Yuki's eyes got watery. "I hate this. I hate feeling like everything we get is because of her money."
Hana's lips trembled. "Me too. It's like… even when we win, we can't be happy fully."
Kairi stared at the floor, voice quiet but sharp. "And Aiko didn't even ask for it. She just wanted her moment."
Sakura was silent.
Because Sakura understood exactly what they were feeling.
This wasn't just about money.
It was about pride.
About dignity.
About being idols who wanted to shine because of their own hard work.
Not because someone was controlling the spotlight.
Aiko looked up from the mirror.
Her eyes flickered toward them.
For a moment, her expression softened, almost like she wanted to say something.
But she didn't.
Because even she didn't know what to say.
Then—
BZZZT.
A phone vibrated.
It was Hana's.
Then Yuki's.
Then Kairi's.
All at the same time.
They looked down.
A message.
From Rinn.
Hana read it out loud slowly at first…
Then faster.
Then her eyes widened.
"WAIT—WHAT?!"
Yuki leaned closer, nearly snatching the phone. "What is it?!"
Kairi grabbed her own phone, scanning the message with growing shock.
It wasn't just a schedule.
It was a dream.
OG Official Schedule Update:
Variety Show Appearance (Prime Time)
Radio Guesting
Fashion Magazine Cover Shoot
Dance Practice Behind Content Release
Comeback Stage 2
Fan Sign Event
Music Show Recording
YouTube Interview
Solo Stage Clips Upload
Special Collaboration Stage (TBA)
Hana screamed so loud the staff outside probably heard.
"OH MY GODDDD WE'RE BOOKED?!"
Yuki gasped, her sadness instantly disappearing like it never existed. "WE HAVE A FAN SIGN?!"
Kairi's mouth dropped open. "A magazine cover…?"
They looked at each other, excitement exploding like fireworks.
It was so sudden.
So unreal.
Just minutes ago they were drowning in sadness…
and now they were floating again.
Hana clutched her chest dramatically. "I'M GONNA CRY AGAIN BUT THIS TIME HAPPY!"
Yuki laughed, eyes sparkling. "This is… this is like old times!"
Kairi's lips curved into a real smile. "No… it's better than old times."
Sakura watched them.
And for the first time in so long…
she felt her heart unclench.
Because this wasn't just "help."
This was real work.
Real promotion.
Real opportunities.
It meant they weren't being left behind anymore.
It meant they were being treated like artists again.
Aiko quietly looked down at her own phone.
Her expression didn't change much…
but the way her fingers tightened around the device said enough.
Even she was affected.
Even she was relieved.
Even if she refused to show it.
And that night…
something changed.
Not just in their schedules.
Not just in their careers.
But between Sakura and Aiko.
They didn't talk much at first.
After all the tension, all the jealousy, all the pain…
it felt strange to sit together like nothing happened.
But when they reached the dorm that Koharu's company had provided…
Hana suddenly clapped her hands.
"Dinner!" she announced like a queen. "We're going out!"
Yuki's eyes widened. "Now?!"
Kairi laughed. "Hana, it's late."
Hana pointed dramatically. "Exactly. Late night dinner like the old OG days!"
Sakura blinked. "…Are we allowed?"
Aiko scoffed softly. "We're adults."
That made everyone stare at her.
Because Aiko… was agreeing?
Hana's mouth opened. "OMG Aiko said yes."
Yuki giggled. "Miracle."
Kairi smiled. "Let's go before she changes her mind."
And so…
OG went out together.
No cameras.
No managers.
No pressure.
Just them.
They sat in a small restaurant, not fancy like Koharu's dinner…
but warm.
Comfortable.
Real.
Hana ordered too much food like always.
Yuki kept laughing so hard she nearly choked.
Kairi told stories about their trainee days.
Sakura smiled quietly, listening more than talking.
Aiko stayed silent at first…
until Hana shoved a piece of food toward her.
"Eat," Hana ordered. "Or I'll cry."
Aiko sighed, then finally ate.
And for the first time in a long time…
Aiko smiled.
Small.
Barely there.
But real.
Sakura noticed it.
Her heart softened.
She looked at Aiko and whispered, "You did so well today."
Aiko looked at her.
The old anger wasn't fully gone…
but it wasn't burning like before.
Aiko's voice was quiet.
"…I wanted to hate you."
Sakura's breath caught.
Aiko continued, eyes lowering.
"But when I was on stage… I didn't feel angry."
She paused.
"I felt free."
Sakura's eyes watered.
"Aiko…"
Aiko looked up again, her voice steady now.
"I don't forgive Koharu," she said. "But I'm not going to destroy OG because of her."
Sakura nodded quickly, tears falling. "Me too."
Aiko stared at her for a long second…
then sighed.
"Let's just… do our best."
Sakura smiled through tears. "Yes."
And as the girls ate together, laughing and teasing and fighting over the last piece of chicken…
OG felt like OG again.
Not perfect.
Not untouched by pain.
But alive.
And somewhere…
far away in her office…
Koharu watched the live updates of their comeback, her face unreadable.
But her heart…
was quietly relieved.
Because the girls were smiling again.
And even if Sakura didn't know it yet…
Koharu had made a promise to herself.
This time…
she wouldn't ruin them.
She would rebuild them.
Even if it cost her everything.