Seeing Minjeong collapse on the floor brought horror to everyone present in the studio. The first to act was Ryujin since she was the closest to where the latter had fallen.

She instantly stopped dancing and fell onto her knees to check the unconscious girl's state. Followed by her teammates and past group, everyone looked in utter worry.

Especially Jimin who tried to suppress herself from overreacting by clenching her fists inside of her pockets. She wanted to take a closer look but that would be useless due to how Ryujin was already holding Minjeong in her arms.

"Is she alright?"

Aeri was the first to question, not even hesitating to crouch and check the fallen girl's temperature with the back of her hand. Ryujin smiled sympathetically and shook her head.

She tried to look fine in front of the cameras, whereas, inside her thoughts. She was blaming herself for Minjeong's condition. Aware of how she made the girl repeat so many steps, Ryujin started to hate herself.

With these thoughts, she stood up and volunteered to bring Minjeong to the clinic.

As soon as Minjeong and her figure disappeared, everyone looked at each other in silence. The abrupt situation brought awkwardness, there was a tint of gloominess as well but everyone chose not to comment about it and sat for a moment.

"She didn't have a fever... And knowing Minjeong, she most probably overworked herself."

Aeri tried to lift the atmosphere with her cheery tone which worked as Jimin followed.

"She always wakes up at 5 a.m," she snickered. "She wasn't the best among us but managed to rank in the top ten."

Yuna chuckled, "Isn't she a baby beast?!" she exaggerated, causing everyone to laugh.

When their laughter calmed down, Somi stood up and clapped her hands to grasp everyone's attention.

"Minjeongie is strong so enough worrying! Let's continue what we're doing and do our best!"

"Yeah!"

✩

| Minjeong

My whole body feels so sore. And it feels like- if I wake up now, I'll be back from often experiencing these kinds of situations. Now I understand what idols felt like the moment they fall onstage.

Sensing discomfort throughout my body, I actually, didn't want to wake up. Can I just stay like this for a while? That, I wish I could request without worrying about anything.

But, because my time is limited, I don't have any time to waste hesitating. That is why I need to walk straight ahead. That is why I never stop- No, I mustn't stop.

To be honest, ever since my sense of self was born, I've never clung to life itself. It's just that my instinct, which had been working even before that sense of self was born, has been telling me to continue living.

Compared to my pretend siblings back at the orphanage, I've always been the furthest from understanding the desire to live, and am without a doubt the one closest to death.

Although, thanks to my old woman's care and comfort. She has lifted my spirits. Thus, why I decided to live to the fullest as she wished in her last breath.

Even with these tough times weighing on my shoulders, I must live.

"And survive the outbreak..."

I grumbled faintly as I slowly opened my eyelids and saw a certain figure beside me. Ryujin? She was seated on a chair. Looking at her, she had her gaze on the floor and those red swollen eyes.

Oh no, did she cry?

I'd be in big trouble if I was the one at fault. The editors can be scary and since I'