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Minseok forced his lips into a derisive sneer. “You’re not acting like it.”

“But, Oppa—”

“Stop calling me Oppa!” Minseok snapped. He was starting to feel actual annoyance. Why couldn’t she get the hint and let this go? Why was she forcing him to play the role of the bad guy? He felt like he was always putting out one fire after the next and he was exhausted. “You want someone to hear and misunderstand? Don’t you see how difficult things are for us? I don’t have time to deal with this right now. I have to focus on the group, not your immature crush.”

“It’s not immature,” Hyeri whispered.

Minseok sighed. “Nothing we do is private anymore, Hyeri. All of our actions are watched and dissected. And the smallest thing could make or break a rookie’s career. You should learn that now before you debut.”

“Why is everything just about debuting? There are more things than that!”

Minseok’s face hardened. “Maybe to you, but it’s the only reason I’m here and the reason your parents sent you halfway across the world. You should have more respect for them and stop messing around. Stop being so selfish and leave. Now, before someone sees you.”

He turned back to the mess on the ground just as something smacked into the wall beside him. Crushed flowers rained at his feet and he turned to see Hyeri storming away.

Minseok told himself he did what he had to do. This was for the best for both of them. She’d hate him for a few days, but then she’d get over it.

“He keeps sticking his nose in my business! I wentso longwithout seeing him and now he’s everywhere. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was hiding in the closet.” I jab my finger at the storage closet beside the salon wash basin.

“So you’ve said.” Sohee is sitting in the styling chair, foils covering her head. The music video shoot is tomorrow and they’re updating her hairstyle for it. A bright seafoam teal. I can already tell it’s going to be a lot of early mornings for her with this style. But she doesn’t seem daunted by it.

“And he’s such a hypocrite. He acts like I’m so annoying whenever I have one bad moment, but god forbid anyone catches him in a bad mood. He’ll bite your head off.”

“Hopefully not literally. That’d be some weird praying mantis stuff.”

I laugh despite myself. Sohee’s always able to make me do that. “I think it’s the females that do the head biting.”

“As it should be.” Sohee nods in satisfaction, and I can’t help but laugh again.

“Anyway, it’s fine, I’ll just work harder at steering clear of him when he’s in a bad mood.”

“That’s a good strategy,” Sohee agrees. “But how will you do that if you’re traveling with him?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” I sigh. “I can’t believe I have to go on this ridiculous couple’s vacation with him.”

“Do you think you’re going abroad?” Sohee hums, and I can practically see the dreamy smile on her face.

“Doubt it; I don’t think we’re bringing our passports.” Though that’s usually something Hongjoo takes care of. “I swear if I have to hear Minseok brag about himself in another language, I’ll throw myself into the ocean.”

“The show seems to be going well, though,” Sohee points out, gently patting her foils.

“Don’t touch,” I chide her, and she drops her hands obediently. “The show is fine, I guess. Not as bad as I thought it would be, even though Minseok does everything he can to annoy me.”

“You really think he’stryingto be annoying? Or is he being charming and it annoys you?” She eyes me in the mirror.

“Let’s talk about something else. Are you excited about the shoot tomorrow?”

She grins and pushes against the counter to spin her chair toward me, leaning forward eagerly like she’s about to tell a secret. “I know it’s going to sound silly. I’ve done all this before with Helloglow. But I’m so nervous. It’s just that Kastor feels more likemygroup. Does that make sense?”

I smile because it does. We all knew there was an expiration date to Helloglow. One that came much sooner than we all expected. Though, by that time, I’d been low-key relieved. But I know it hit Sohee hard. She loves performing, and now she can again.

“Kastor is going to be amazing. I love your lead single.” It’s a funk and alternative pop song about being true to yourself. It’s much more intense than the bubblegum-pop cuteness that Helloglow portrayed. “How are the other girls doing? Any of them freaking out yet?”

“All of them are dealing with it in their own way. They’re mostly excited, though there’s a meltdown almost every other night. Minji still sometimes calls me Sunbae, but it’s kind of cute. She’s like a little puppy.” I can hear the easy affection in her voice. Minji is the maknae of the group. She’s fourteen, practically a baby still. But I remind myself Sohee was that age when she debuted. For some reason that feels like so long ago, though. Maybe because I’ve worked so hard to move past that time.

“I want to hear all about how it goes when I get back,” I tell her.

“And I want to hear about your romantic getaway.” Sohee wiggles her brows at me.