From Stage To Barracks

chapter 20

The atmosphere in the room turned heavy as the management questioned Tzuyu and Chaeyoung, and a video played in the background, revealing the rooftop encounter. The tension escalated when one of them accused, "You guys think you can handle everything? Your actions made us pay 6 million."

Confusion marred Tzuyu and Chaeyoung's faces as another executive snickered, "How do you explain the well-edited video? One of the bully's fathers claimed it was you behind those incidents."

The ominous warning continued, "We have to clear this mess for you; otherwise, your group will face a big backlash from netizens. Just a reminder, you're an upcoming group."

Directing his ire at Tzuyu, the executive demanded, "Chou Tzuyu, look at me when I speak. And you, Son Chaeyoung, being older, you should have stopped her from meeting him, but you just accompanied her." He hit the table hard, startling them.

With a hiss, he criticized Chaeyoung, "It all started with the hairstyle you cut without permission. You did things that pleased you ." He then pointed at Jihyo, adding, "I thought you could do better as a leader." Disappointment hung in the air as he continued to throw mean and nasty comments at Twice. The weight of the accusations left Tzuyu and Chaeyoung in a state of shock and disbelief.

Jihyo, though seething with anger, maintained her composure as she apologized for the trouble caused. The management, however, wasn't in a forgiving mood. One of the executives bluntly questioned the group's worth, expressing frustration over the 6 million spent to resolve the issues.

The executive's comments took a derogatory turn as they criticized each member individually. Jihyo, the leader, felt the weight of the accusations, but she knew she had to remain professional. Suppressing her anger, she spoke, "I understand the concerns, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. We value the investment and support from the company."

The management, seemingly unsatisfied, continued their tirade, pointing out perceived shortcomings in each member. Nayeon, the eldest, was accused of not exerting enough influence on the younger members. Jeongyeon faced criticism for not being assertive, while Momo was called out for her playful nature not aligning with the group's image.

Sana, with her cheerful demeanor, was dismissed as lacking seriousness. Mina was accused of being too reserved, and Dahyun's playful antics were labeled as unprofessional. Chaeyoung, the fiery maknae, was reprimanded for her rebellious actions, and Tzuyu faced accusations of not taking her role seriously.

Jihyo interjected, her voice firm, "We are a team, and each member contributes to our unique charm. We appreciate the diversity within our group." She defended her members, emphasizing their strengths and the bond that held them together.

However, the management remained unyielding, expressing doubts about the group's future. Despite Jihyo's attempts to defend and unite the members, the atmosphere in the room remained tense, with the management's dissatisfaction hanging heavily over Twice.Jihyo, her patience wearing thin, responded with a touch of sarcasm, "Well, we certainly appreciate the insightful critique. It's not every day that we get such thoughtful feedback on our worth as a group. I mean, who wouldn't want to be evaluated by the amount spent rather than our artistic contributions?"

The executive, unamused, continued to express dissatisfaction, prompting Jihyo to add, "And here I thought our job was to create music and entertain our fans, but clearly, the budget spent on resolving external issues is the true measure of our success."

The sarcasm in Jihyo's tone was palpable, a subtle rebellion against the harsh criticisms being thrown at the group. She maintained a professional exterior, but her words carried a tinge of defiance, challenging the narrow perspective of the management.The management, taking offense at Jihyo's sarcasm, retorted, "Maybe a cut in your salary will help you understand your worth better. Let's see if that gets your priorities in order."