chapter 3

The atmosphere in the practice rooms at BigHit was tense. For a week, Ana and Saba had been like shadows moving through the halls. While the other trainees whispered and laughed, the sisters remained silent, their faces always obscured by masks and hoodies.

Three older trainees—Hana, Shara, and Eera—approached them during a water break. They were the top candidates for the upcoming group, and they were curious about the mysterious "Goddess" sisters.

"Hey," Hana said, leaning against the wall with a friendly smile. "You guys are always so quiet. I’m Hana, this is Shara and Eera. We’ve been here two years. Want to grab lunch with us?"

Saba looked at Ana, then back at the girls. Her anger issue made her naturally defensive, but she remembered the goal: survival. "I'm Saba," she said shortly. "We usually eat alone."

Shara tilted her head, looking at Ana. "And you? You're the one everyone is talking about.

They say your eyes are like jewels. Why do you always keep that mask on?"

Ana didn't even look up from her lyric sheet. "Because my face isn't your business," she said, her voice like a shard of glass. "Leave us alone."

"Wow," Eera muttered, crossing her arms. "Cold much? We were just trying to be nice."

The Warning

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Bang Si-hyuk (Mr. Bang) walked in. The room went silent instantly. His eyes landed on Ana and Saba, then he looked at the other girls.

"I see some of you are getting too comfortable!" Mr. Bang yelled, his voice echoing. He turned his gaze specifically toward the sisters. "I gave you strict orders.

No one—and I mean no one—is to see your faces. Do you know what that means? Even if BTS is in the building, you keep those masks on. You are ghosts until I say otherwise!"

He paced the room, his expression grim.

"Listen up. In May 2015, I will release the debut MV and album for my new girl group. The group name is WINGS. There are only five spots."

The room gasped. There were dozens of girls, but only five would make it.

"You have five months," Mr. Bang continued. "In five months, I will choose the five girls who will fly. If you can’t handle the secrecy, if you can’t handle the pressure, leave now."

The Golden Cage Tightens

After Mr. Bang left, the room was thick with competition. The sisters moved to a corner.

"Five months, Ana," Saba whispered in Arabic, so no one could understand. "We have to be in those five. If we fail, Father will bring us back to that basement."

Ana pulled her hoodie lower, her hazel eyes staring at her own reflection in the practice room mirror. "We won't fail," she replied in French, her voice devoid of fear. "I have already memorized every choreography and every vocal arrangement in this building. I am not going back to that hunter whip."

Just then, the door opened again. A group of seven young men—BTS—walked past the practice room, laughing and talking. The trainees bowed quickly.

Saba froze, her light brown eyes locking onto the floor as she remembered Ana’s promise: Don't talk to any men. As the boys passed, V (Taehyung) paused for a second, glancing at the girl with the incredibly long black hair and the cold, intense hazel eyes visible beneath her mask. He felt a strange chill, but his manager pushed him along.

Ana didn't even blink. To her, they weren't idols; they were just more people she had to hide from.

Inside the BTS dorm, the air was relaxed, but the atmosphere changed when Taehyung leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.

"You guys saw them, right?" Taehyung asked, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "The new girls in the practice wing?"

Jin looked up from his phone. "The ones hiding their faces with masks? They’re like ninjas. Why?"

"The one with the light brown eyes," Taehyung whispered, clutching his chest. "Saba, I think her name is. When she looked at the floor, I felt... something. My heart started beating so fast I thought I’d faint. I think I’m in love."

Jimin laughed, throwing a pillow at him. "You fall in love with every beautiful girl you see, Tae!"

But Jungkook, only 15 and usually the loudest, stayed completely silent. He was staring at his hands, but in his mind, he was seeing those hazel-green eyes. They weren't warm; they were cold, sharp, and filled with a sadness that looked like a reflection of a dark past. He didn't say a word, but he couldn't forget the way Ana had looked right through him.

Five Months Later: The WINGS Lineup

Five months of sweat, blood, and secrecy had passed. The bond between the five girls had grown in the shadows. Saba and Eera had become inseparable best friends, often whispering together in the corners. Hana, the oldest, had become the shield for the two sisters, treating Ana and Saba like her own flesh and blood.

Even Ana, who rarely spoke, had grown to respect Hana. She didn't share her past, but she didn't push Hana away when she offered a warm meal.

Mr. Bang walked into the practice room, a folder in his hand. The girls stood in a line, their hearts pounding.

"I’ve made my decision," Mr. Bang said, looking at each of them. "The group WINGS is officially formed. Here are your positions:

* Hana: Leader and Main Rapper.

* Shara: Lead Rapper.

* Eera: Visual and Vocalist.

* Saba: Lead Dancer, Lead Vocalist, and Sub-Rapper.

* Ana: Main Dancer, Main Vocalist, Center, and Maknae.

"You five are the future," Mr. Bang said sternly. "But remember the rules. No one sees your faces until the debut MV drops. No dating. No scandals. If you break the silence, you’re out."

The Secret Celebration

That night, for the first time, the five girls were allowed to move into their own private dorm. As soon as the door clicked shut, Saba jumped onto the bed, pulling Eera with her.

"We did it!" Saba cried out, her light brown eyes shining. "We’re actually going to debut!"

Hana hugged Shara, then turned to Ana, who was standing by the window, looking at the Seoul skyline. "Ana, come here. We’re a family now."

Ana turned slowly. She looked at Hana’s kind face, then at Saba’s joyful one. For a split second, the coldness in her hazel eyes flickered.

"I made a promise," Ana said softly, her voice still cautious. "I will work hard for this group. But we must never forget—the world is not our friend. We only have each other."

Saba walked over and put her arm around Ana's shoulder. "I know, Ana. But look... we aren't in the basement. There are no hunters here."

Saba didn't see the way Ana flinched at the word 'hunter.' Ana knew that even though the basement was gone, their father’s shadow was still waiting for them to trip.

The Encounter

The next morning, as the girls were walking to the recording studio in their masks and hoodies, they ran into BTS in the hallway.

Taehyung stopped, his eyes instantly finding Saba. "Oh! Congratulations on making the lineup," he said, his voice deep and nervous.

Saba remembered Ana’s warning: Don't talk to any men. She bowed quickly and tried to walk past, but her foot slipped on the polished floor.

Taehyung reached out and caught her arm. "Careful!"

Saba’s eyes widened. The physical contact sent a jolt through her, but she quickly pulled away. "Thank you," she whispered in a low voice before hurrying off.

Jungkook stood at the back, his eyes locked on Ana. She didn't slip. She didn't look at him. She walked past him like he was made of glass, her long black hair brushing against his arm.

"She's like a statue," Jungkook muttered to himself, his heart heavy with a curiosity he couldn't explain.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***