“Shall we wrap it up here?”

At the declaration of the meeting’s end, I exchanged greetings with the Scarlet TF team and applauded.

“Great work~”

“Thanks for your effort~”

As the staff filed out like a receding tide, Scarlet’s manager approached.

“I just got a message from ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) the friend picking up the choreographer—he’s coming straight from Incheon Airport to the company now.”

A pleased smile spread across my face at the news that Clay Tyler was heading to Lemon Entertainment. Well, he wasn’t my direct responsibility, but having a world-class choreographer on my project was thrilling. The pay was high and his schedule packed, so inviting him had not been easy—Clay Tyler was a legend in his field.

“All right, choreography is settled.”

Reviewing my notes from the meeting, I drifted into thought about Scarlet’s new single. The title, recently confirmed, caught my eye:

Not Fine

Originally it was going to be “Fine, Not Fine,” but after discussion we settled on Not Fine. For a girl-group track where mass appeal is key, you need a title that listeners can instantly grasp. “Fine, Not Fine” might have become “FanatFan” among fans, but it didn’t hit the ear like Not Fine.

In any case, the song’s meaning was simple:

We’re grateful for everything that made us who we are—yeah, we’re fine. But to the haters calling us done, we’re Not Fine.

Usually the stance is, “I don’t care about the antis, I’ll go my own way,” but Scarlet’s lyrics said:

We have to be honest. We are small-time troublemakers.

You want to tear down our skills? We’ll show you—we keep that energy.

Scarlet will never go down alone. Even in death, we’ll drag you down with us like drowning ghosts.

Through several meetings, I became even more determined to maintain a positive partnership with Scarlet. I finally understood why our debut peer Teen Spirit treated them with such respect.

In that spirit, this song says, “We’re not done yet. You’re all dead.”

I pictured Daisy, clenching her fist. The lyrics the members wrote carried that tone, albeit indirectly—to preserve Scarlet’s signature elegance. If the line “Don’t talk nonsense” existed, we’d phrase it as “I can’t hear your words.”

“Sounds like Biju.”

“Me?”

“Ah, you startled me...!”

A sudden voice nearby made me jump. I looked up to see my fools peering at me from the doorway.

“Look who’s here?”

“We’re not fools.”

The four of them tried to enter at once and got stuck in the doorframe. I laughed triumphantly.

“What brings you here? Weren’t you all busy with your own schedules?”

Since confirming METRO’s choreography, we’d practiced every day; otherwise, we were each off on individual tasks. It was both welcome and puzzling to see them.

“This must be your busiest time.”

“Hyung, we missed you.”

The maknae sat at an empty table. “We were so curious how our precious eldest brother was doing. Were you lonely working alone? Did people treat you like you’re old...?”

“Thanks for worrying about me.”

“And why haven’t you sent us a coffee truck?”

“...”

I added “send coffee truck to Tank” to my to-do list at the maknae’s request. Amid their laughter, Biju said:

“Actually, we came to check on you.”

“Hm?”

“Lately Scarlet’s been buying you meat every day. We were worried you might fall for them...”

At Biju’s shy remark, I smiled. “You feared Scarlet would snatch my composition fee.”

“Yes.”

I laughed at his earnest affirmation. Though he said it that way, they’d come to keep me company. I was certain of it.

“Right.”

Since my brothers were here, I suggested we head down to the underground practice room. Ri Hyuk led the way, carrying documents related to Clay.

“They’re in practice.”

We peeked into the room where Not Fine’s choreography was in full swing. When the music stopped, I knocked and entered. Rina wiped sweat from her face with a towel and raised her eyes.

“...?”

“We came to watch for a bit, and we have something to pass along.”

“Oh.”

The members conveyed that the producer had a message. Scarlet members sat in a circle like a campfire; we joined them.

“You’ve probably heard, but the choreographer is on his way to the company.”

“Waaaah!”

“That makes us the only ones here who’ve already met Clay, so we’ll share some top tips.”

“Ooooooh...”

“Okay, Secretary Seo, please come out.”

Our main vocalist handed out four copies of a handout. Scarlet members’ eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“What Clay Tyler loves most...?”

“Chapter 1. Do you know the principle common to casinos and department stores? No clocks? Oh...”

“Snack bar service?”

The girl-group members flipped through the papers entranced, smiles blossoming on their faces. We nodded at Scarlet in their bright expressions.

“That’s it.”

“Thank you.”

Soon a warm camaraderie between seniors and juniors began to take root as the presentation started.

“Ha ha ha!”

“Kyah ha ha!”

It was a truly joyful atmosphere.

Some time later.

Having traveled from Incheon Airport to Gangnam Sinsa-dong, Clay Tyler and Joy Tyler stepped out of the vehicle.

“Hoo.”

A look of astonishment crossed Clay’s face. ‘What is this?’

It had only been a year or two since his last visit, but the alley that once felt quiet and village-like had completely transformed. Joy glanced around and then at her father.

“Dad, was it always this busy?”

“No. Last time it didn’t feel like this. The alley itself has a whole different vibe.”

Once, Lemon Entertainment stood alone in a peaceful “mushroom village” alley. Now:

“Hey, wanna grab dakgalbi? Looks like there’s a new place.”

“Let’s go a bit further. There’s the barbecue joint NewBlack put on the New-Chelin List—amazing ribeye.”

“Hey! I’m at NewBlack Alley, where are you?! I can’t see you!”

Crowds chatted loudly in Korean. It felt like Myeongdong. Clay and Joy blinked at the bustling street.

“Excuse me.”

Clay asked the manager who’d picked them up. “We have some time—could we explore the street a bit?”

“Of course. Shall I guide you?”

Restaurants he’d never seen lined the alley. Where there used to be a humble workers’ eatery, now stood lively cafes and shops—like a small town revitalized by a powerful lord.

“That’s all thanks to your lordship,” Scarlet’s manager explained. “When did you say you last visited?”

“About a year or two ago.”

“This is completely different, then. These days it’s called ‘NewBlack Alley.’”

“NewBlack Alley...”

“See those murals?”

Spray-painted portraits of NewBlack and miniaturized versions of the members adorned walls here and there—artistic and hip. Accordingly, the cafes catered to that aesthetic.

“Because NewBlack became the nation’s idols, the area around the company boomed on social media.”

“So that’s why these shops sprung up.”

“Yes. Young people flock here, so the alley’s vibrant. You might not feel it yet... but NewBlack is pretty much its own economic sector. While you were away, ‘NewBlack Friday’ events even started.”

“...”

“Impressive, right?”

His pride in his company’s artists was evident. Clay and Joy swallowed in awe. ‘They’ve grown beyond anything I could have imagined.’

After all, NewBlack was rising as a hot boy-band in the U.S.; in Korea they were already huge. When an artist’s popularity is that high, the area around the company becomes a hotspot. And here:

‘They blend in naturally.’

Innocent tourists wearing hijabs snapped photos; far-flung travelers inspected Lemon Entertainment. Yet Clay and Joy didn’t stand out.

“What are those?”

A group of tourists asked, and the manager said, “Probably Chinese or Japanese tour groups. They’re explaining ‘the birthplace of NewBlack civilization’ with small microphones.”

Amid the crowded scene, Koreans holding signs and raising fists—masked—also roamed. Clay pointed.

“A cheering squad, too?”

“Ah...”

The manager frowned. “Those are nearby landlords. They’re protesting our planned headquarters move next year.”

“Opposing the relocation?”

“Exactly.”

The alley buzzed like Diagon Alley: cafes, restaurants, young couples, tourists, fans, protesters. As they gazed at this lively street, Clay heard cheering from inside Lemon Entertainment’s building.

“Hmm?”

He parted the crowd and his eyes lit up. ‘A famous Korean star?’ It couldn’t be NewBlack—they’d cause chaos. Curious who deserved this greeting, Clay stood on tiptoe—and then:

‘...My goodness.’

He’d never seen anyone shine so brilliantly. A middle-aged man, reflecting every ray of summer sunlight like a living mirror. If Archimedes saw him, he’d want to burn Roman ships with that glare. The man strode out, pursued by applause:

“It’s Park Gyuho!”

“Is that the CEO? I’m so jealous—more than winning the lotto.”

“I want to head an idol company. It’s basically alchemy: put in ten cents, get a fortune.”

Masked and wearing sunglasses, Clay watched the man waved through by his security detail. Joy tilted her head.

“Wow, he must be a huge star. Who is he?”

“That’s our CEO.”

“Excuse me...?”

“That’s our CEO and our department head. They’re probably going to dinner.”

Clay and Joy exchanged astonished looks.

‘Even the CEO is a star?’

‘What on earth happened here in Korea?’

Realizing their time was up, they entered Lemon Entertainment’s building. They felt a subtle pride: people mistook them for insiders as they followed.

Of course, they were just visitors...

“Ahem.”

Two dancers cleared their throats and, graceful as dancers, stepped inside.

“Wow... it’s spooky every time I come here.”

“Right, Dad.”

The building’s eerie atmosphere felt like entering a tiger’s den. A chilling wind blew from the basement—

Goooooo...

They walked as if descending into a dungeon and headed straight for the Scarlet practice room. When they opened the door:

“Waaaaah!”

With a bang of celebratory fireworks, four beautiful girls greeted them. Cheerful Bom placed a flower lei around their necks.

“Welcome to Lemon Entertainment! Waaaah~!”

“Ha ha ha.”

Scarlet’s bright energy instantly lit up the room. ‘They’re so different from NewBlack.’ And Scarlet’s signature beauty won Joy’s heart: Ara’s regal bearing even in casual wear; Bom’s clear, intelligent eyes; Daisy’s soft, adorable vibe; Rina’s dramatic lashes that made her smile irresistibly enchanting.

‘They’re so lovely...’

‘Like the most beautiful people on earth.’

“I heard you’d traveled far, so we prepared refreshments.”

“Oh, these are our favorites.”

They beamed at the snacks and drinks laid out. The setup rivaled anything Clay had ever seen in a rehearsal space: plentiful snacks, plush sofas, even mattresses in case someone collapsed.

‘No clocks, just snack bars,’ he realized.

‘Exactly like we were told.’

Then Daisy opened the door.

“Then... when shall we start?”

As Scarlet members’ eyes sparkled, Clay and Joy exchanged warm smiles.

‘This company must be a breeding ground for ruthless talent.’

‘I was fooled by their looks...’

Somewhere, I thought I heard NewBlack’s laughter. At the moment the potent synergy of Scarlet’s might and NewBlack’s cunning began to tilt in a dangerous direction.