The clock on the wall ticked quietly, its sound almost drowned out by the low murmur of conversation and the faint clicking of keyboards as the group gathered in the conference room. Dahyun sat at the far end of the long table. Her back was straight but her heart already heavy with anticipation. She had felt the shift in the air even before the CEO had stepped inside, and the weight of what was coming settled over her like a heavy blanket.
It had been months since she'd first noticed the subtle changes. It started with the quiet warnings from their manager, the veiled reminders about professionalism and the group's image. At first, Dahyun had brushed them off, believing they were directed at everyone, just part of the usual company rules about keeping their personal lives out of the public eye. But as the weeks went on, she began to notice the way the warnings became more pointed, more personal. The company knew. Maybe they didn't have proof, but they had their suspicions, and that was enough.
The group was seated in their usual spots, each of the members with varying degrees of exhaustion and wariness etched on their faces. Nayeon tapped her pen lightly against the edge of her notebook, trying to look focused, though Dahyun could tell she was just as lost in thought as the rest of them. Jihyo always sat closer to the CEO, as she was the leader. Her hands were clasped neatly on the table as she listened with a determined expression that didn't quite reach her eyes.
And then there was Momo, sitting directly across from Dahyun, her head tilted down as she scribbled mindlessly in her notebook. Her movements were restless and anxious. Dahyun's chest tightened at the sight, and she had to force herself to look away before her own emotions betrayed her.
It hadn't always been this way. There had been a time when everything between her and Momo had felt effortlessly easy. What started as friendship had deepened into something more, something that neither of them could deny. Their connection had always been natural, an unspoken bond that pulled them together, even in a world where they were expected to stay apart.
But lately, that bond had felt fragile. The pressure from the company, the relentless schedule, the constant lessons—they were all starting to take their toll. Dahyun could feel it in the way her shoulders tensed every time they were in public together, in the way Momo's smile faltered when the cameras were turned off. They were holding onto something precious, but it was slipping through their fingers, and neither of them knew how to stop it.
The CEO cleared his throat, bringing the room to attention. "Let's get started," he said, his voice devoid of the warmth it occasionally held during lighter meetings. This wasn't one of those meetings.
He flipped open the portfolio in front of him, his gaze scanning the room with the practiced authority of someone who had spent years managing the delicate balance between the group's success and the strict image the company demanded. Dahyun watched as his eyes briefly flickered toward her and Momo before quickly moving on, but the brief look was enough to send a chill down her spine.
"As many of you know," the CEO began, "we've been reviewing some of our company policies, especially those related to personal conduct. It's important that we maintain the image of professionalism and unity within the group. The industry is competitive, and the public's perception can make or break a career."
Dahyun's stomach twisted as she listened. She knew where this was going, but hearing the words aloud, delivered with such calculated detachment, made it all the more real. She felt Momo's presence like a beacon in the room, the tension between them evident even as they sat on opposite sides of the table.
"While we understand that personal relationships are inevitable," the CEO continued, "we need to be clear about the boundaries that must be maintained, both within the group and in public. Relationships won't be banned," he added, pausing for effect, "but it's crucial to avoid anything that could lead to misunderstandings or rumors. You are professionals, and the success of the group depends on keeping that professionalism in mind at all times."
