chapter 5

The atmosphere in the WINGS dorm was peaceful for the first time in years until a firm, rhythmic knock echoed through the suite. Hana stood up, checking the security camera before opening the door.

Standing there were two men who looked like they stepped out of a high-fashion magazine. They had the same sharp, aristocratic features as the sisters—thick eyebrows and an unmistakable aura of power. The elder one had a cold, commanding presence, while the younger one looked like he was holding back a storm of emotion.

"Can I help you?" Hana asked cautiously.

The elder brother gave a polite, albeit chillingly formal, smile. "Is Kim Ana and Kim Saba here?"

"Who are you?" Hana pressed, blocking the entrance.

The man’s eyes darkened, resembling the sisters' intensity. "I am Kim Dae-hyun, their eldest brother. This is Kim Min-ki. We just landed from New York."

Before Hana could respond, Saba came running from the kitchen. When she saw them, her tough exterior shattered. "Oppa!" she cried, throwing herself into Dae-hyun’s arms. She began to sob—the raw, shaking sobs of a girl who had been the "shield" for too long.

Ana walked out slowly. She stood five feet away, her hazel-green eyes scanning her brothers. She didn't run. She didn't cry. Her 150 IQ was busy analyzing their expressions, looking for any sign of the cruelty their father possessed.

"Ana," Min-ki whispered, his voice breaking. He stepped toward her, reaching for her hand, but Ana instinctively flinched back.

The room went silent. The brothers froze. They saw the fear in her eyes—the reflex of a child used to being struck.

The Promise

They sat in the living room, the brothers' faces turning a terrifying shade of pale as Saba whispered the truth. She told them about the basement, the 100 lashes, the "maid's daughter" lies, and the hunter whip.

Dae-hyun’s knuckles turned white as he gripped his knees. "He told us you were away at boarding school. He told us you were happy."

"He blames me for Mom's death," Ana said, her voice monotone and chilling. "He says I should have died in the car. He beats me to remind me I'm a murderer."

"You are a child!" Min-ki roared, standing up and kicking a chair in rage. "You were six years old! It was an accident!"

Dae-hyun stood up and walked over to Ana. This time, he didn't try to touch her. He knelt so he was at her eye level.

"Listen to me, my princess," Dae-hyun said, his voice vibrating with a deadly promise. "I am taking over the family branch in the US, but I need three years to consolidate the board of directors here in Seoul. I need to become the CEO to strip Father of his power legally."

He looked at Saba, then back at Ana. "Just wait three years. Stay under BigHit’s protection. Build your fame. No one—I repeat, no one—will harm you again. If he even breathes near this dorm, I will destroy him. In three years, I will be the King of the Kim family, and you two will never have to hide your scars again.

The Departure

As the brothers prepared to leave to confront their father at the mansion, Min-ki pulled out two gold cards. "Use these. Don't ask Father for anything. We are funding your lives now."

Saba hugged them again, her light brown eyes filled with a new kind of fire. "We'll wait, Oppa. We’ve survived this long. We can survive three more years."

Ana finally spoke as they reached the door. "Oppa?"

Dae-hyun turned. "Yes, Ana?"

"Don't let him kill the person you are to save the people we were," she said enigmatically.

Dae-hyun nodded, understanding her genius-level warning. "I’ll see you on the stage, little sister."

The Watchful Eye

The next day at practice, the girls were more focused than ever. However, they didn't notice that the BTS members were watching them from the doorway. Jungkook had seen the two mysterious men leaving the dorm the night before and felt a strange, protective jealousy he couldn't name.

"Who were those guys?" Jungkook whispered to Taehyung.

"I don't know," Taehyung said, his eyes glued to Saba, who was dancing with a newfound strength. "But whoever they are, they made the girls look... different. Like they finally have an army behind them."

Six months had transformed the K-pop landscape. WINGS wasn't just a rookie group anymore; they were a global phenomenon. Two albums, three chart-topping hits, and a staggering 900 million views had turned them into the "Queens of the New Generation."

While the world cheered, the industry burned with envy. Other agencies were desperate to find their own "Goddess," and female idols whispered bitterly in hallways about the girls who came from nowhere and took everything.

The Strategy Meeting

In the high-tech meeting room at BigHit, BTS and WINGS sat together to discuss the upcoming MAMA Awards. The air was professional but heavy. Ana and Saba sat at the far end of the table, their faces unreadable.

"We are doing a joint stage transition," the performance director explained. "WINGS will finish their set, and BTS will enter through the same platform. The world is watching this interaction."

As the meeting wrapped up, Eera, always the energetic visual, clapped her hands. "Okay! Enough work! We have two days off before the flight to Hong Kong. It’s time for shopping!"

She grabbed Saba’s hand and then reached for Ana. "Let's go! We need outfits, shoes, and masks that actually look stylish!"

The BTS members watched as the girls stood up. Jungkook’s eyes settled on Ana. Today, she wasn't the "Goddess" the world saw on TV. She wore an oversized grey hoodie, baggy joggers, and her long black hair was tossed into a messy bun. She had zero makeup on, but her raw beauty—the sharp hazel eyes and the tiny mole above her lip—was even more striking in its natural state.

"You're going like that?" Jin asked with a playful grin. "You'll be mobbed if someone recognizes those eyes."

Ana pulled her hoodie strings tight, her voice low and cold. "I’m not going for the people. I’m going because Eera is dragging me."

The Mall: The Shadows of Fame

Despite the security guards following at a distance, the five girls tried to blend in at a luxury mall in Gangnam. Saba was actually laughing at something Eera said, her light brown eyes sparkling. For a moment, she looked like a normal 15-year-old.

But Ana remained alert. Her 150 IQ was constantly scanning the crowd. She felt a presence before she saw it.

"Look at them," a group of female trainees from another company whispered loudly near a clothing rack. "They think they're so special just because they hide their faces. Probably had tons of plastic surgery before the debut."

Saba’s hand clenched into a fist, her anger issue flaring. She stepped toward them, but Ana’s cold hand caught her wrist.

"Don't," Ana whispered in Arabic. "Lions do not turn around when small dogs bark."

Saba took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "You're right. Let's just go."

The Surprise Encounter

As they exited a boutique, they ran into Jungkook and Taehyung, who were also out shopping for the trip.

"Oh! WINGS!" Taehyung beamed, his eyes immediately finding Saba. "Are you guys ready for the red carpet? I heard the designer made something special for you."

Saba gave a small, genuine smile. "We're trying to be. It's a bit overwhelming."

Jungkook walked up to Ana, who was holding a simple black shopping bag. "You didn't buy anything colorful?" he asked, trying to break the ice.

Ana looked at him, her hazel eyes reflecting the bright mall lights. "Color attracts attention. I prefer to stay in the shadows, Sunbaenim."

"But you're the Center," Jungkook pointed out, his voice softening. "The shadows don't fit you anymore, Ana. Whether you like it or not, you're the light everyone is looking at."

Ana went quiet. She looked away, her mind flashing back to the basement—the darkest shadow she had ever known. "Light is dangerous," she muttered. "It shows people where to hit you."

Before Jungkook could ask what she meant, the manager signaled it was time to leave. As Ana walked away, her messy bun swaying, Jungkook felt a pang of realization. She wasn't being "cold" to be cool—she was being

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