PIB CH 06

Chapter 06 – Caught by the Members

Ji-hyun pulled her hat down like a celebrity hiding from paparazzi and put on her sunglasses.
She thought about adding a thick jacket too—but it was summer, and that would’ve looked suspicious.

Unfortunately, she soon regretted that decision.

The JW Entertainment building wasn’t far enough to justify a bus or taxi, so she decided to walk. But as she walked, something felt strange.

People kept staring.

Every person who passed by seemed to look right at her.

It’s just my imagination. Come on, Ji-hyun, don’t get full of yourself already.

She tried to laugh it off—until someone suddenly stepped right in front of her.

“Um, excuse me…”

“…”

Ji-hyun panicked and tried to wave her hands as if she were saying no, no, you’ve got the wrong person! and hurried away—
but it was already too late.

“Wait, aren’t you… Ahn Ji-hyun from MOA?”

“Ah—no! I’m not—”

The moment the woman heard Ji-hyun’s voice—her distinct, soft voice that fans could recognize anywhere—her eyes lit up.

“Oh my god, it really is you!”

She didn’t shout loudly—just loud enough for people nearby to hear.
But that was all it took.

The crowd reacted like they had been waiting for confirmation.
People turned, gasped, and then came rushing toward her.

Run.

She didn’t need anyone to tell her. She just knew.

There were no bodyguards, no manager—if she stayed even a few seconds longer, she’d be surrounded.

“Ji-hyun!” someone shouted behind her.

She ran.

And just like that, people started chasing—like a wave crashing forward.
Some were holding phones, others cameras. There were fans, reporters, even random passersby joining the chaos.

By the time Ji-hyun finally made it inside JW Entertainment, she was completely out of breath.

“Ah—hah—hah—!”

She staggered a few more steps and dropped to her knees, gasping.

A startled employee rushed over and handed her a water bottle.

“Ms. Ji-hyun? What happened? Are you all right?”

“Huff… huff…”

After chugging down some water and catching her breath, she forced a weak smile.

Her sunglasses were crooked, her hat was gone—probably lost while running—and her hair was a mess.
Of course the employee looked confused; it wasn’t every day an idol stormed in through the front door looking like that.

“I… had something urgent to do,” she said vaguely.

“Should I call your manager?”

“Oh, no, that’s fine. I, uh…”

Her eyes quickly scanned the signboard listing each floor.
The quest had told her to come to JW Entertainment—so maybe the next clue would appear once she got here.

She dusted off her clothes and stood up.

“I was supposed to meet someone at the cafeteria.”

“Should I let them know you’re here?”

“No, no, that’s okay. I already texted them.”

“Huh? But why would you come alone—”

“Really, it’s fine.”

She smiled awkwardly, bowed lightly, and walked away before the poor employee could ask more questions.

The elevator doors closed, and for the first time that day, she let out a long breath.

Next time, she promised herself, she was wrapping up like a human kimbap—head to toe in disguise.

Now… what floor was the cafeteria again?

Her stomach growled. She hadn’t eaten since morning—too distracted by the sudden “event quest” that led her here.

Might as well eat while waiting for the next instructions.

She pressed the button for the 6th floor.

The elevator began to move… but stopped at the 5th.

Someone’s getting in.

She adjusted her sunglasses and prepared a polite greeting. After all, she could handle small talk now.

But she never imagined who it would be.

“Yeah, during the stage rehearsal, that weird light popped out from the side and totally—oh?”

“What? Why’d you stop talking—ouch!”

The girls who stepped in were tall, slim, and far too familiar.
And behind them came a smaller one with a bright round face.

“Unnies, why did you stop like that!”

“Ichika, you should say, ‘Where are you going?’ instead.”

“Where are you going?”

“Good girl. But seriously, what’s wrong?”

The last one poked her head out from behind them—it was Ye-seo, MOA’s youngest member, with her trademark big eyes and cute face.

Everyone froze.
Then, one by one, they recognized her.

“Ji-hyun unni—!”

“Going to eat?”

Winter’s arm shot out, blocking Ye-seo before she could run forward.
Her smile stayed on her face, but her tone was as sharp as ice.

“Perfect timing. We were heading to the cafeteria too.”

Let’s eat together, her smile said. But it didn’t sound friendly—it sounded like let’s talk.

One by one, the others—Winter, Ichika, Yoo Ji-an, and finally Ye-seo—stepped inside the elevator.
But the air grew heavy.

Ji-hyun instantly knew she didn’t belong in that little group.

In fan videos, MOA always seemed inseparable—hugging, laughing, teasing. But in person?
Their polite smiles looked forced.

The elevator ride from the 5th to the 6th floor couldn’t have taken more than ten seconds,
yet it felt like ten hours.

Even at the cafeteria, it didn’t get better.

They asked questions—“Are you feeling okay?” “Why didn’t you rest more?” “Why come here now?”
They sounded caring, but their eyes told a different story.

Especially Winter’s.
Every word she said carried a sting.

Ji-hyun wished they would just say what they really wanted to say.

Finally, Winter did.

“So, why did you show up at the company without telling anyone?”

“Ah, well…”

Because a weird magical quest told me to? Yeah, right.

“I just… had something to do.”

“Something to do?”

Winter’s smile vanished, replaced by a sharp sneer.

“Can’t be work-related, since Sung-han oppa’s your only manager and he’s here.
You don’t have any official schedules, either. So what kind of ‘thing’ exactly?”

Ji-hyun’s mouth went dry. She couldn’t explain the truth, and lying felt impossible.

Her silence only made Winter’s expression colder.

“Figures. Another secret. We’re always the last to know, huh?”

“Winter, I’m… really sorry. But I also—”

“What?”

“Eh…?”

“What did you just say?”

Ye-seo, Ji-an, Ichika—and especially Winter—all stared at her in shock.

“Unni… what did you just say?” Winter repeated slowly.

“Uh… I just meant… I’m sorry?”

Winter let out a cold, humorless laugh.

“Hah. That’s funny.”