this is a work of fiction

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Seulgi found herself lying in her bed again, glanced at her wall clock and checked the time,

It was past midnight.

Her members must be sleeping already.

She got up, wanting to grab something to drink in the kitchen but even before she could step a foot outside the tiny room, she overheard a conversation

“It’s not that I want to drag Seulgi unnie to the company building tomorrow but. . . we really waited for this comeback. To perform again as a whole group. Wendy unnie was eager to get back on stage. But at how Seulgi unnie is right now, I don’t know”

“Yeri-ah”

Seulgi listened through her slightly opened door, leaning her back against the wall.

Trying not to let out a sob.

She felt guilt creeping onto her.

She hated how the maknae’s voice sounded so discouraged and how lonely the leader called her name.

She hated herself to be so weak like this, to not be able to compose herself better.

She then told herself not to be selfish, to consider the emotion of her members who have been looking forward to sing again for their fans.

She told herself this;

She’s right Seulgi, you shouldn’t ruin everyone’s happiness just because you’re suffering.

You can pretend to be fine.

And if you feel like its too much to handle, if it gets too suffocating,

Then you can cry at the back of the room, at the end of the day,

Where no one can see. Without anyone knowing.

Other people don’t need to know you’re breaking,

You just have to put up a brave face.

For everyone’s sake.

Put up your mask and conceal your shattered pieces.

Pretend to be fine

For everyone’s sake.

**

The leader almost jumped out when Seulgi swung her door open as she was about to knock.

The bear-like girl stared at her blankly for a good few seconds before showing off a smile.

“I- I thought you’re still sleeping” Irene remarked while the other person shook her head in response

“We have to go to the company for the comeback details, right?” Seulgi tried to sound cheerful and excited but Joohyun saw right through her.

She cupped the main dancer’s face with the palm of her hands and looked at her invisible tears

“Seulgi”

Seulgi almost cried, hearing the sound of her name slipped out of Joohyun’s mouth.

How can a single word feel like a thousand comforting paragraphs?

But no, no more letting my members worry. She thought

The hand that was on her cheek was held by her own hand

And she couldn’t resist to close her eyes, to feel how soft and warm it felt on her skin.

It was one of many things Seulgi like,

Joohyun.

**

They arrived at SM Ent. building and went to the conference room straight ahead for the discussion of the song, promotions and schedule of guesting.

The song is entitled ‘Paradise’

Paradise is a remake of a song that was originally by a much older SM girl group, S.E.S.

The Producers expect Red Velvet to bring back the old pop/r&b song with more adlibs and dance moves, improving the overall quality of the music.

It was going well.

Wendy was suggesting something about high notes when higher people arrived at the room.

One of them, the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Mr. Joon.

Seulgi gripped the side of her dress and was looking away.

Everyone stood up and bowed to greet the bosses who just entered,

Everyone except Seulgi.

She remained seated not until Irene pulled her up to do the same.

And although she avoided their gazes, she was sure an evil person inside the room was staring at her, smirking.

“Let’s all sit down, shall we?”

“so, as I was saying” Wendy continued to tell them her opinion and suggestion, while Seulgi couldn’t grasp a thing due to her emotion.

Irene, who was sitting next to Seulgi, noticed how the latter’s hand was curled into fist, slightly trembling.

She was worried for the younger one so she reached her hand and intertwined their