After attending two events in China, the WayV members will have to travel back to Korea by the next day

Hendery, Winwin, Xiaojun, Kun and Yangyang will standby there like usual till their next schedule comes up while Lucas and Ten already has one with SM for the new joint project with one of the music label companies in the US

The rumor of the project has been circulating for months way before SM even made the deal and signed the contract

Most of them have heard about it but didn’t really know what exactly SM plans are besides trying another approach for the US market since NCT 127 didn’t go according to their expectations

“We need a new strategy that’s mind-blowing” said one of the executives from the Capitol Records on the phone with Lee Soo Man, “We respect NCT 127 attempts but we need more with what they have achieved. We have a tough competitor to compete with”

“You’re right” Lee Soo Man agrees, “In fact I had a private meeting with my executives yesterday and we come up with an idea. An idea that might build up pros and cons”

“I like it. We need that for the media. Take it as a publicity. The more people talk about it in social media, the more people will check it out”

“Good to know we are on the same page about that” Lee Soo Man laughs

“Tell me more about this idea”

“Taking 1 to 2 kids from their groups and put them in a unit. Their groups are already popular enough. Imagine putting them in one unit?”

“So that’s where the pros and cons going to be”

“Yes and for decades being in this industry. I can guarantee you kpop stans will support their favorites. Millions of albums and merch will be sold in a snap” 

“I like your confidence Mr. Lee” he laughs, “Our director and head marketing will book a plane to Korea soon”

Weeks later Capitol Records director and head marketing along with 2 of his staff, flew to Korea and secretly meet with Lee Soo Man and his executives at his house

They continue discussing about SM plans about the unit, “We have Super Junior, TVXQ, Shinee, EXO, NCT and WayV. Each have strong fanbase and dedicated listeners. But let’s take Super Junior and TVXQ out of the list because they are too seniors for today's generation” said SM’s chief executive officer and director, “That leaves us with Shinee, EXO, NCT and WayV. Now all we need to do is choose the members for this unit” she starts passing out presentation papers of the groups and it’s members. They all read and analyze them one by one but in the end, Capitol records gives the authority to SM to make the decision, “We choose Mark NCT, Taeyong NCT, Taemin Shinee, Kai EXO, Baekhyun EXO, Lucas WayV and Ten WayV. Based on their popularity, we are convinced that each member can give us the results we are hoping for in the future”

“We’ll call them the Avengers of Kpop” Lee Soo Man added, “Because they’re like an Avengers ensemble, seven members from an already wildly successful groups”

+ + + +

When Lucas and Ten were announced months later, the WayV members wasn’t suprise, “I do envy a little but it makes more sense both of you got picked” said Kun and the others agree

Meanwhile between the NCT members, there were some tension going on about it

It can’t visibly be seen with the eyes but people can detect from the atmosphere once they are all placed in one room

“Let’s look at the bright side of all this” Taeil tries to calm the situation before it gets heated, “At least some of us can get all the free time we wanted while they don’t”

“Exactly” Doyoung backing him up, “What if Taeyong hyung, Lucas, Ten hyung and Mark wanted it as much as we do but can’t because they have to continue working? Let’s all be grateful for the time being” 

“What's wrong with him?” Taeil just witness Jaehyun leaving the room first without saying a single word

“Don’t ask” replied Johnny, “Ever since our tour ended he’s been acting unusual”

“Come on guys” Yuta cuts in, “We all been in that state of mind where we feel done about everything that goes around here” he already had that experience before while Jaehyun just experience his first

+ + + +

Before leaving China tomorrow, Lucas wants to give out the news to Yuqi that he’d be in town for the whole week but because Yuqi is still rehearsing for a pre record of Idle’s come back in one of the music shows, she couldn’t reply his chatting right away

While waiting, Lucas and Ten discuss privately about the new project

For Ten, he feels grateful giving the opportunity to participate in different units, including the soon to be one, but there are times where he just wants to settle in with one

“It’s exhausting” he says, “But what can we do? There’s a reason why it’s called signing with the devil. Exhaustion doesn't matter as long as it's profitable for them”

“I wonder what SM have in my mind?” Lucas asked

“I have no idea but i’m guessing it’s a project to feed their greed and ambition for something” Ten sigh heavily, “Let’s just make our parents proud. Forget about the rest” he pats Lucas’s shoulders before leaving the room, “Say hi to Yuci from me” he noticed Lucas looking down to his phone a couple of times in the middle of their conversation

+ + + +

Yuqi check on her phone as soon as she comes back to the waiting room with the rest of the girls. She slides the whatsapp notification from Lucas that was sent one hour ago

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