First Flight Success and a Sultry Summons
“You got called in by Director Jo?”
As I stepped out of Director Jo Yeonju's office and into the practice room, Kang Kyungtae asked right away. The manager must've told the guys where I'd been summoned.
“Yeah.”
“Mind if I ask what it was about? Anything to do with us?”
I couldn't exactly spill the raw details of my chat with Jo Yeonju.
“She said she's taking over our group.”
“Director Jo?!”
“Whoa, for real?!”
The members, who'd been eavesdropping with perked-up ears, swarmed me with wide eyes.
Kang Kyungtae still looked skeptical. “But why tell you? Jeki's the leader.”
“Huh, yeah, that's true.”
“The manager said you and Director Jo know each other. That real?”
“Nah, nothing like that.”
“Then what?”
His prickly question hung in the air. I racked my brain for an excuse, then hesitated like it pained me to say it.
“Truth is, she was worried about me.”
“Worried?”
“I'm the visual in the debut lineup, right? My skills are way behind you guys, so she was stressing about what happens after we debut.”
“Ah...!”
“......”
The room's vibe turned icy. They finally clocked how touchy a subject this was for me.
Even Kyungtae looked flustered.
“She figured I might get jealous and go off the rails. Said she'd support me hard from now on—help me build skills so I can keep up with you all.”
“N-no way, hyung! Your face is your skill! And you've only been training a few months—you're catching up crazy fast!”
“Yeah! All the teachers rave about your talent and progress.”
The guys fumbled to console me. Such softies. You might mistake Kyungtae or Jeki for tough customers from their looks, but deep down, they're pure and guileless. Kyungtae's like a hedgehog—all spikes on the outside, but peek underneath and it's soft pink tummy all the way.
No more prying about Director Jo; they were too busy soothing me.
“I told her I'd work my ass off. So don't worry about me, guys. I'm grinding so I don't drag you down.”
“I've never worried about that!!”
Ki Uyeon leaped up and clung to me.
“Me too, hyung! Don't even think it.”
Nam Eungyu and Kang Jun piled on, babying me till my head spun. Thank god Kyungtae and Jeki stayed out of it—those big lugs joining in would've had me screaming.
The boy group Airplane, themed around fresh coolness. Album title track and name: both FLY. Straightforward meaning—fly everywhere like a plane, become global stars.
The title track kicks off with Kyungtae's low, husky rap.
What's up in the sky?
Clouds above, rainbows under the sun
Waiting for you
Kang Jun's clear, sweet voice signals the real song's start. His charm perks your ears, then Uyeon pops in with mischief.
These guys—what?!
Suddenly spiking doubt.
Wings on, head high—no giving up
Fly up, shout it loud: high high
With unwavering dreams, charge high high
Doubt cleared before it sets—Uyeon wraps, I step up.
My solid, full-bodied tone hits front-center, dancing. Embarrassing self-praise, but my visuals lock eyes on our stage.
Grab hands, jump high—no matter what, fly
I'll fly to the end: fly
Eungyu and Jun alternate vocals. Then Jeki drops flashy rap.
Kyungtae takes the baton.
Ready? (No hesitation)
Whisper small wishes: go go
Step on wind: fly fly
Tread sunlight: for you
Floating~ drifting skies
Flying to dream-filled continents
That journey's a miracle
Jeki and Kyungtae's stage ends—Uyeon and I alternate vocals. He leads flashy dance; I back with song.
Together, you and me
Grab hands, jump: fly
No matter what, fly high: fly
I'll fly to the end: fly
Ready? Whisper small wishes: go go
What's up in the sky?
Clouds above, rainbows under the sun
Waiting for you
“Huff... huff...!”
Clap clap clap clap!!
Live showcase stage. Two months pre-debut. We nailed it live, no mistakes.
“Yesss!! We did it!”
“Woohoo!”
“Was it perfect? No slip-ups?”
“I didn't mess up!”
“We filmed it. Let's check.”
“Monitoring~ monitoring~”
Footage confirmed: flawless. We whooped, then crashed spread-eagle on the floor, drained.
This is actually happening.
Dance was brutal—live seemed impossible. But try and you never know; it worked.
One win doesn't slack us off, but lighter hearts now. Pride swelled huge—we earned it.
“We finally nailed it—party time?”
“Hell yeah!!!”
“Party rocks!!”
“Yeehaw~”
“Anyone not hit weight goal yet? Manager might nix it if not.”
Jeki's question tensed the room. Eyes darted—no hands up.
“What? Everyone hit target?”
“Whoa!! Food time!! Ask manager quick.”
Too pure to sneak eats; they marched to manager with video proof. Uyeon and Jeki volunteered—fingers crossed.
Wonder if Jua noona's free tonight?
Post-Ahyun sleepovers: 3-4x weekly via doppelganger doll. Mostly her or Jua noona—Ahyun knew company too well, so once weekly max; Jua filled the rest.
I figured yes, casual text.
Uyeon and Jeki returned with green light just as reply hit.
“Not tonight?”
First refusal ever from Jua noona blanked my mind. We met dawns—other plans? Nah.
“Kinda? Weird phrasing.”
Text seemed normal. Figured something awkward to share—then it hit: ladies' magic days.
“Doh! Idiot.”
Explains the week. Embarrassing for her.
“Sweet guys play dumb.”
“What's sweet?”
“Wah! Scared me!”
Damn Uyeon! Thought he was menu-planning with the guys.
“Why you here.”
“What you wanna eat, hyung?”
“You guys pick. I'm good.”
“Opinions split. Every vote counts!”
“Options?”
“Street food or Chinese.”
Kimbap, tteokbokki, sundae. Jjajangmyeon, jjampong, tangsuyuk.
“Street vs. Chinese.”
“Yup!”
“Uyeon, you?”
“Street food for me.”
“Street it is.”
“Yes! Only hyung gets me! Hyung hyung hyung!! Haesol hyung says street food!!”
He bolted yelling—my vote tipped it.
“Nooo~!”
“Revote! Revote!”
Ignoring their chaos, phone out again.
Tch, no Jua noona—Ahyun then?
Texting her—
Personal? No brainer. I bolted up.
“Whoa, where? We're ordering here.”
“Gotta see a teacher quick. Won't be long—eat without me, save mine.”
“Which one?”
Ignored Uyeon, slipped out.
Never dreamed of letting Rose (Park Boksun) off just 'cause she ghosted. Our steamy memories burned fresh.
She held back knowing debut prep's hell.
She knew the pleasures I offered—no malice in distance. Else, last lesson wouldn't blaze like that.
Endured till she couldn't—summoned me.
Nailed it. Entered her private room—she yanked my wrist, sofa'd me. Locked the door.
Click!
“You call, then this? What's the play?”
I feigned innocence.
She snorted. “After all our fun, think I'd buy the pure act?”
Eye contact—shocked. Long-absent Boksun oozed raw sex appeal.