Black Pandora | iBigHit

이십일 |21B

Chua Mei parted ways with the journalist that afternoon to get some fresh air by the Han river after the failed encounter with Rin. Right now, she's all alone at the sidewalk, casually sitting on the cemented railing near the light post where there's less crowd; her long, thin legs in a figure-four position as she is granted the freedom to sit and act in whatever way she's comfortable. Her phone has been ringing for about 15 minutes already since her arrival at her current location and she knows exactly who the caller might be.

Right now, Manager Sejin must be storming out in the Bighit building, trying to contact the stubborn brunette several times. Mei is expected to get back at 4, but she's ashamed to tell her manager that she just failed after volunteering to take part of the private journalism. A few days ago, she's been confidently proclaiming in the forum that she could talk to the foreign girl by herself. Unfortunately, none of her assumptions worked out.

She heaved a heavy sigh while leaning backwards, looking at the skyline of Seoul. For the Nth time, the phone kept ringing and the redundant ringtone gets even more bothersome. And so, she pulled it out of her pocket by force and answered with much frustration. "Yes?"

"Where the hell are you? I've been trying to reach you for ages, Jesus!" Sejin scolded with annoyance. Mei simply hummed like that old drained person she is.

"So how did the operation go?" Sejin toned down a bit expecting an answer from the latter. They had a negotiation that Mei will only be given one chance. And when it doesn't come off for her part, she is no longer allowed to join the journalists in their legal terms.

She hates to admit it. But given the time, she had no choice left.

"Mission failed."

"That's it. Get back to Big hit this instance."

"Ah, come on!" The tall female stomped her feet against the ground like child, whining.

"A deal is a deal, Mei. You failed once, no more joining the journalists. Now get back here, now."

The phone call was instantly dropped by the manager, making Mei even more defeated by the sudden feeling of rejection. She deeply exhaled for one last time while rubbing her temples feeling stressed out, causing her to lay down and close her eyes below the sky's haven. To her, that deal was kinda unfair. She may have failed once. But deep down, Mei didn't lose any hope at all.

That's when a sudden urge of idea clicked in to her core. She opened her eyes upon realizing that this is definitely not the end for her.

The deal was about the journalism. But she could certainly talk to Rin without any ample procedures.

She decided to drop the formalities. In fact, listening to someone doesn't require one.

Two days later, another surprise track was released, which became a hot topic in every hidden corners of the social media.

"She's an anonymous K-pop artist. Look. Her contents are circulating the internet." Mieun said, facing the screen towards her cousin.

Rin took a closer look by grabbing the laptop with her bare hands. She took time to clear her vision to have a better reading of the article presented in front of her. With bold texts, the headline, 'Black Pandora at it again!' was instantly witnessed by the young girls inside the room.

She tried to scroll down to search for some pictures and references, yet there's only a girl with a mask on that's seen. Nothing else.

"I've never heard about her." Rin replied while the younger eager cousin was beside her.