━ { Rum Pum Pum Pum Era

Inkigayo. Music Core. M!Countdown. The Show. Music Bank. Show Champion. Stage after stage after stage, and naturally WARdEN was never nominated for any awards. However, their digital album sales did pretty well, and the girls were in high spirit. Sure, dieting and they didn't go on any variety shows, but, thankfully, they did end up on Kiss The Radio after another idol group last-minute cancelled. The girls hardly had time to get from one schedule to another, but thankfully made it in time.

"Please welcome WARdEN, a revived girl group!

"Ah, thank you for having us, Ryeowook-sunbae!" Nari looked around nervously at the set. She certainly wasn't confident about this, they hardly had time to look at the scripts, everything was so last minute. He shortly introduced their new album before turning to the Q&A section.

"So, Rose, you've made an "official debut" with a seperate concept from what's considered your predebut releases. Why make that change?" To her credit, she answered very smoothly, earning an approving nod from Soojin behind the glass.

"It's been quite a few years since Dream Candy was produced. Back then, I was the oldest at twenty. The youngest, Cherry, was sixteen, so an innocent concept really suited us. Now our youngest Byeol is nineteen, and the oldest Nari is twenty-three. While we can still pull off cute, mature and feminine suited us more, so Rum Pum Pum Pum was born!"

"I see, that's interesting. Miyu, you have a lot to your name. It says on your portal site you're the lead vocalist, dancer, rapper, and main visual. Do you think you deserve all those positions?"

"Well, I think I'm good at what I do," The triple-threat replied with a smile, "As for visual, I think that's all up to my company, right?" They all spoke for a while longer, answering questions about their families, trainee life, childhood, and the like before Ryeowook cleared his throat.

"This may be a bit of a sensitive question, but what is it like to only be coming back as five, with two of your original members gone?" He seemed reluctant to ask, looking up at the producer with a glare in his eyes. Good thing it wasn't a viewable radio today. The girls were silent for a moment, gathering their thoughts.

"Ah...Well, of course it's sad. We miss Cherry and Iseul greately, but Cherry is healing well and we're continuing on with our joint dream," Sera replied, voice steady, "We know Iseul is watching us and that's what matters."

"That's a very lovely way of putting things Sera. Please enjoy listening to WARdEN's Rum Pum Pum Pum and cover of f(x)'s Airplane before we come back!"

"That was pretty horrible," Seulki spoke immediately as they were in the van. Yoonmi quietly agreed from the backseat, but was drowned out by Maeri's annoyed words.

"Well, you better get used to it. They didn't even get that personal," She scoffed.

"Uh, didn't get personal? Oh, sorry, I forgot it wasn't your friend that died!" The vocalist pushed the dancer away, immediately asking Miyoung to switch seats with her. At Soojin's insistant glance, the younger relented, knowing it was the best way to avoid arguments at that point in time. The girls were now on their way to a magazine photoshoot. Marie Claire, if Yoonmi recalled correctly? She wasn't looking forward to it that much, as Soojin had said it would be a lot like shooting for their album jacket, which was a solid nine hours of hell.

Soo Jung, on the other hand, didn't mind photoshoots as much. Sure, they were tiring, but that's what being an idol is. Besides, she adored she compliments she got for being the best model out of them all. It really fed her ego nicely...Maybe a bit too much.

For his part, Soojin was doing a great job as a manager. The girls weren't easy, and with Seulki and Maeri's burning rivalry, things weren't doing so nicely. He sincerely hoped they could get along long enough to not fall apart in front of the photoshoot crew, because they didn't need a scandal this early in the game. The shoot itself was actualy meant to be fairly easy, an estimated four hours with a more "masculine" concept. Soojin didn't foresee too many problems, so long as Maeri and Seulki didn't have to do a set of photos with just the two of them. He made a mental note to request Yoonmi and Soo Jung to have a set together, so Miyoung could keep the peace between her older bandmates. Yeah, that was a good plan.

---

"Okay girls! Listen up, photoshoots aren't that hard, even if this is your first magazine shoot. Just do what we tell you to, slightly change your position after every flash, and you'll be golden. Don't forget your expressions! Right now we're going serious. Rose and Byeol, you two stand a bit off to the left, Miyu take your hand off your waist..." The cameras flashed left and right, and after two hours, Rose was feeling a bit dizzy. Thankfully that was their last group photo run. They'd get a fifteen minute break before going into the duo and trio sets, and finally the solo sets. Honestly, her biggest problem at the moment was the way the magazine stylists did her hair- The ponytail freaking hurt and she wanted to rip it out, "Okay, group photos are done. Go ahead and take your break!"

"I'm so tired..." Miyu mumbled, leaning onto Nari. The leader wrapped a comforting arm around the maknae liner, looking up at Soojin.

"Oppa, what do we get to eat?" She nearly groaned at the apologetic expression on his face.

"Just a protein shake," He handed each girl their travel mug. Byeol made a face- It was truly a disgusting taste- And sighed, sitting on a little couch they had. She shook the travel mug again and took a long, horrible drink. She was glad the makeup artists would be redoing her makeup, because she was certain the sludge had completely removed her lipstick. The rapper looked at her elder bandmates, and was unsurprised to see Nari already done. The poor girl rarely ate breakfast (Where they were allowed a protein shake, chicken , and a small bowl of rice) anymore, too busy doing whatever it was that leaders did. If Byeol had to think back, she was certain the dancer hadn't had breakfast in five days at least. She only ate dinner (Chicken and vegetable juice) three of those days.

"So, Oppa, what are we doing after this?" Miyu asked, looking up disappointedly from her cup.

"You have vocal practice from six to nine, and dance practice from nine to eleven. Then we're headed on a long drive to an event. We're only stopping at the dorm for a few minutes for you guys to change and grab anything you need. You'll have to sleep in the car," He warned, running a hand though his hair. Maybe he should nap while they finished up here-

"I don't want to," Rose mumbled, putting her empty cup back in Soojin's bag.

"That's too bad," He snorted, "It's your schedule, don't think I'm that happy with it either."

"Woah, I think Soojin Oppa is mad," Sera whispered to Nari, who nodded.

"Of course Rose would be the one to piss him off. He probably just wants to see his wife, I can't particularly blame him." Before any more words could be exchanged, the girls were whisked off for new clothes and makeup.

---

"And these are the final results!"

It was four in the morning when the girls arrived. Soojin felt dead at the wheel, and was thankful for Seulki who woke everyone. The girls sleepily put on their hats, masks, and sunglasses- Except for Soo Jung, who just wrapped her hood around her tighter. Soojin checked them in and off the girls were to their adjoined hotel room. All five of them shared, and in the other room would be Soojin and, when he showed up later, their makeup artist Sungki. He was currently on some personal business but would meet up with them for the two-day event. There wasn't a word as the girls changed into pajamas and went to bed- Seulki and Sera sharing a bed, Miyoung and Byeol in another, and Maeri kindly taking the couch. Soojin woke them up at six the same morning.

---

Inkigayo. Music Core. M!Countdown. The Show. Music Bank. Show Champion. Stage after stage after stage, and WARdEN, truthfully, did nothing that important during debut era. On September 12th, 2015, WARdEN finished their debut promotions. They won no awards and didn't make any charts, but did gain a solid fanbase. They had the rest of September off before taking only a few weeks to create their new EP, Pepe.

(author's note) (Victoria- Maeri, Krystal- Soo Jung, Luna- Seulki, Sulli- Miyoung, Amber- Yoonmi.) Sorry for the wait, but the fic is revamped and read to go. I'm trying to write ahead so there should be a new chapter or two next week. For the next while, the chapters will encompass the beginning of an era and a summary of the rest of it before moving on, so I can speed up to get to the present.