HOP (WARPED Spin-Off Story feat. NewJeans)

Five

(Lee Hyein's POV)

"And this award goes to...NewJeans! Congratulations!" the host announced after we went to a prestigious musical award event that night. "Everyone, let's give these five girls a round of applause!"

"Kamsahamnida!" the five of us said right before Minji Unnie gave a short speech, thanking the management who put their trust in us and the Bunnies, our fandom supporting us for the past year.

(Later that night...)

"Whew, I'm spent," Minji Unnie commented while lying slumped on the sofa inside our house. "The school year's already approaching, and we're still jam-packed with schedules, so we need to rest whenever possible."

"I agree, Unnie. After all, I'll also study at Hanlim this year," Danielle Unnie answered. "I'm concerned about these two, though."

"Eh? And why are you worried about us, Unnie?" I asked.

"Well...now that I'm not there, I'm pretty sure that the Student Council will definitely try to recruit you under their ranks," Danielle Unnie replied. "I might have stopped them in the past, but right now, it's impossible."

"I don't see anything wrong about us becoming one of them, though. Rather, it would be more advantageous for us," I commented.

"Not really, Hyein-ah. After all, the reigning Student Council has a bad reputation when dealing with students they deem problematic," Danielle Unnie answered.

"I didn't know about that. Will you please enlighten us, Dani Unnie?" Haerin Unnie asked.

"According to the rumors and verified information that I obtained from other students, it seems that those voicing their concerns about the Student Council's policies are being bullied," Danielle Unnie said. "That policy was supposed to be enacted to make the students contribute money for the so-called school beautification."

"School beautification? Isn't our school beautiful already?" I asked.

"Precisely. That's why I also find that policy nonsensical," Danielle Unnie replied. "Moreover, there are scholars and students with financial difficulties studying in our school, so there's a chance for them to get discriminated against once that policy is enacted," she added.

"So...what happened then?" Haerin Unnie asked.

"The policy wasn't enacted due to the efforts of the Journalism Club to enlighten the other students about the situation," Danielle Unnie replied. "A few months later, however, someone forcibly entered the club's room and burned it. The administration blamed the club, saying that the inks they were using to print their publications contained toluene. This volatile substance eventually led to the club's disbandment. Because of what happened, all of the members got severely bullied up to the point that they decided to transfer schools. All except one that is," she added.

"Who?" Haerin Unnie and I both asked at the same time.

"Jang Seungwon," Danielle Unnie answered.

"Seungwon Oppa's a journalist before?" I asked.

"Yup. Moreover, I also found out another juicy piece of info about him," Danielle Unnie replied.

That night, Haerin Unnie and I listened to Danielle Unnie's information.

***

(Seungwon's POV)

"You sure are very dedicated in whatever you do, Seungwon-ah," Shin Hyeri, his 'aunt' commented as she called me via phone while I was jogging. "How's your first week as a seventh-grade student?" she asked.