WebNovels

Chapter 1 - “Back Then...”

The girls are sprawled out across beanbags and a squishy couch. Robin is lying upside down, sipping something sparkling from a straw jammed into a pineapple-shaped tumbler. On the table: an old magazine, glossy and pink, cracked open to a full-page spread of five familiar faces—slightly younger, slightly goofier versions of themselves.

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Minnie(covering her face with both hands):"Ughhhh... why didn't anyone stop me from calling that cap RREEZ?!"

Jasmine(smirking, arms crossed):"At least you had a cap. I'm the only one bare-headed. Guess I hadn't unlocked the 'cap rank' yet."

Kayla(grinning):"You were the newest. We weren't sure you could handle the responsibility of headwear."

Minnie(groaning dramatically):"No, seriously. I thought 'RREEZ' sounded so cool. It stood for like... Radiant Rhythm Energy Explosion Zone... or something like that."

Robin(sitting upright, flipping her hair):"That's actually... not terrible. Better than half the clubs I've been to."

Mona(fondly, holding her tea):"RREEZ. Wow. That takes me back. And look at that book I'm holding—I was reading 'Group Harmony and Idol Structure: A Practical Guide.' I took that so seriously... I wonder if I still have it somewhere."

Kayla(finger guns):"You probably have it bookmarked and color-coded."

Robin(squinting at the picture):"Also. Hello? Me? Why did I look like a guy?? That hairstyle did me no favors."

Minnie(laughing):"You kind of looked like someone's older brother who tagged along for a free trip."

Robin(grinning proudly):"Still pulled it off though. Genderless cool. But growing out my hair? One of my best decisions. Go me."

Mona(gently smiling):"I still remember that day. We were so nervous. I was trying to hold it together like I knew what I was doing. We had no clue what we'd become."

There's a soft pause as everyone looks at the photo again.

Kayla:"You know what this calls for?"

Everyone(in various tones):"New photo."

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Impromptu chaos. Robin is dragging in a ring light, Minnie is digging through the wardrobe corner for matching jackets, Jasmine is taping a pink cloth to the wall, and Mona is already checking everyone's posture. Kayla is practicing a pose and accidentally knocks over a mic stand.

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Jasmine(half-laughing):"Six years later and nothing's changed."

Mona:"Except now we're professional."

Robin(sipping):"Professionally chaotic."

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As the shutter clicks and the new photo appears on-screen — five grinning faces, champagne bottles, peace signs, and perfect chaos — the girls cheer and begin arguing over who looked best.

But off in the corner of the room, near the cracked doorframe, someone watches quietly.

It's Luna.

She hadn't meant to be seen. She never does. Arms crossed loosely, her stance half-curious, half-ready-to-run — she just watches them, as she always has, from a step removed.

Until Mona notices.

"Luna?" Mona says gently, not missing a beat. The group quiets just a little. "You're part of this too, you know."

Luna blinks, caught. "I wasn't really... I mean..."

Kayla grins wide. "Get over here, deadly one. You're absolutely in this photo."

Before Luna can object, Kayla's already beside her, grabbing her wrist and practically dragging her in. Jasmine slides aside, leaving a space. Luna doesn't resist — not really.

She positions herself in the middle, just behind Jasmine and Kayla. Close... but not too close. The others adjust instinctively to make room, no one saying a word, but everyone knowing just what to do.

The camera flashes again.

A new photo is taken —Updated versions of their younger selves. Still loud. Still loving. Still NOISEKISS.And now, finally, complete.

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