The announcement came quietly.
Too quietly.
"Mandatory meeting tomorrow."
That was it.
No explanation.
No details.
But everyone knew.
The air shifted instantly.
Practice felt different that day.
Sharper.
Faster.
Mistakes less tolerated.
Seoryeon felt it immediately.
This wasn't normal.
This was preparation.
SYSTEM ALERT:
Major Timeline Event Approaching
Her chest tightened.
"…It's starting."
"You're quiet."
Seoryeon looked up.
Mina sat beside her.
"…Just thinking."
Mina nodded.
"…About tomorrow?"
Seoryeon hesitated.
Then "…Yeah."
Mina looked forward.
"It'll change things."
Not dramatic.
Not heavy.
Just true.
"…I know."
A pause.
"You won't disappear," Mina added softly.
Seoryeon froze slightly.
"…You don't know that."
Mina shook her head.
"I do."
That stayed with her.
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Emotional reassurance detected
Affinity: Mina +3
"From the top."
Jihyo's voice carried across the room.
Everyone moved.
Together.
No hesitation.
No holding back.
This time it felt like a group.
Not perfect.
But connected.
Seoryeon felt it.
That same flow as before but stronger.
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Group Synchronization: High
Condition Achieved: "Pre-Debut Cohesion" (Locked)
The music ended.
Silence.
Then "…Good."
Jihyo nodded.
Simple.
But meaningful.
As everyone started leaving Seoryeon stayed.
Again.
"You always do this."
She turned.
Nayeon.
"…Stay late?"
Nayeon nodded.
"Yeah."
A pause.
"…You're ready, you know."
Seoryeon blinked.
"…For what?"
Nayeon smiled slightly.
"For whatever tomorrow is."
That felt different.
Not teasing.
Not joking.
Real.
SYSTEM NOTICE:
External confidence validation
Affinity: Nayeon +3
The dorm was quieter than usual.
No one really talking.
Everyone thinking.
Seoryeon sat by the window again.
Same spot.
But everything felt heavier.
Tomorrow could change everything.
Her place.
Her future.
Her relationships.
SYSTEM STATUS:
Phase Transition Imminent
She closed her eyes briefly.
"…I'm not the same as before."
And this time she meant it.
Because now she had something to lose.
And something to fight for.
As she stood to leave a thought crossed her mind.
Not fear.
Not doubt.
Something else.
Resolve.
Because whatever happened tomorrow She wasn't going back.