When FT Island arrived at the MBC studio one afternoon for a live performance, they knew it wasn't going to be the same old routine. As mentors, they were going to have their own little audience of soon-to-be idols shadowing them today. The UC Love girls were going to be backstage to not only lend support for their fellow artists, but also gain valuable firsthand experience and have the opportunity to interact with other idols for the first time.

"Do you remember our first time performing here?" Jonghun reminisced as they sat around their dressing rooms getting their makeup done.

Hongki laughed. "We were being stubborn because they told us we weren't allowed to play our instruments live."

"A lot has changed since we started out, but it that that restriction still applies," said Jaejin, thinking about the setbacks that bands had to face when performing on shows like Music Core. What it all really came down to was that it simply took too long to set up the instruments and get the sound working properly. As a live broadcast, these kinds of time consuming details just could not exist in such a fast paced production with so many other musical acts to attend to.

"UC Love will like it. Once they debut, they'll understand what it feels like to be on stage. Nothing can compare to that feeling," Seunghyun grinned.

Minhwan tilted his head skeptically. "If Miyoung goes running off to Boyfriend's dressing room, we might have a bit of a situation," he mused.

"Yah, I heard that," Miyoung's voice announced UC Love's arrival as all four of them entered the dressing room, and she crossed her arms defensively, "I'm not that impulsive."

"Yes you are, dummy."

"Loser."

"Pabo."

"I know you are but what am I?"

"Shut up."

Haeyoung cleared . "So it's good to see you guys," she laughed.

Everyone settled onto the couches and chairs until FT Island was queued backstage. As they waited for the current performance to finish, they all watched the monitors to pass the time. Jonghun glanced at Haeyoung, and then finally noticed how dressed up they were.

"What's with all the makeup?" he asked them, "If I didn't know better I would think you were the ones going on stage."

Yoonhee shrugged, "I guess the company figures any time out in public has potential for self-promotion. Make a good impression, right? Or something like that."

Haeyoung nodded, "It's good if we're able to establish good relations with senior artists too, so I'm glad we had the opportunity to come today."

Jaejin looked Eunji over. He couldn't help but notice how her eye shadow was too dark, her eyeliner too thick, her lip gloss almost too glossy. Again the air was tinted slightly with strawberry, but she just didn't look like herself. She didn't look like the Eunji that he saw practicing every day at the studio in sweats with her hair tucked messily under a hat, dancing until her chest heaved and her limbs shook and that smile on her face spelled satisfaction.

"You look better without all the makeup," he said to her.

It went quiet, and Jaejin realized that everyone was looking at him, although Eunji actually smiled a bit.

"I mean, you know, you all look better without the stage makeup," he quickly covered.

Lighthearted laughter eased the atmosphere, but Eunji's already faint smil