Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

November 20th, 2014.

The television was bumping. News coming one after the other, broadcasting going wild.

Seung-Seung laid back on his seat, with a large smile drawn on his lips.

Altough, happiness was short lived. Then, doubt came across his thought. What if the next comeback wasn't as good? What if they couldn't live up to their success?

That large smile only lasted a few seconds before shifting into a horror expression.

He turned around on his seat, reaching out for his phone.

Picking it up, a quick phone dial. 

"Jung-Hwa. My office. Now."

"On my way, boss."

The call went quiet a few moments after that.

Doubts began to struggle for position in Seung-Seung's mind. His eyes quickly darting at the walls. All those platinum records from 4Minute.

"No.. No. We're going to do something bigger."

He got up, placing his hand on the latest record, "4Minute World".

"There is going to be something bigger than 4Minute."

His fingers softly caressing the glass. 

And at that distance, the knocking on the door could be heard.

"Who is it?"

A side glance, rising a brow. 

"It's me, boss."

His expression softened. Taking a breath.

Seung-Seung quickly sat back on his seat. Fixing his tie, and coughing a bit in the process. 

"Come in, Jung-Hwa."

The door opened. The young woman standing in front of his boss. Her arms behind her back.

"What's wrong, boss?"

"This is wrong."

Seung-Seung pointed at the TV, right besides him.

"4Minute's comeback being a success?"

"Exactly."

Seung-Seung stopped pointing. Now resting both of his elbows on his desk.

"What's the issue, boss?"

"That it's not going to last forever. That's the issue. We need another girl group. Something bigger, badder."

Jung-Hwa raised a brow, looking around the room.

"Well.. We do have a couple of trainees. We could try something. Monthly evaluations are just around the corner. It may be a good opportunity."

A moment of silence. And Seung-Seung's smile came back on board. His eyes widening like two pearls.

"You're a genius, Jung-Hwa. Go, do that." 

She gave a short bow. Trying to hide a small smile. 

"Thank you, boss. I try."

Seung-Seung looked back at the television. 

"You can leave, thank you."

November 27th, 2014.

Jung-Hwa was walking, from side to side. Calmly tapping on her notebeook.

"Trainees, on your feet."

Everyone nodded, and got up from the ground.

"You're going to form three groups for your monthly evaluation."

And the young and wild didn't need much time to blend between themselves.

"Not so fast. I've already made the groups."

Jung-Hwa stood in front of a girl. With her eyes set on her notebook.

"First group. Oh Seunghee, Choi Yujin, Jang Seungyeon, Chonnasorn Sajakul, Jang Yeeun."

Her view went up. Waiting for the first group.

And in a matter of seconds, the first group was assembled.

She took a step aside. Standing in a new spot. 

"Second group. Chong Ting Yan, Kwon Eunbin, Jeon Soyeon, Song Yuqi, Nicha Yontararak."

Again, placing her view onto the named. And the group coming together.

Another step to the side.

"Third group, Seo Soojin, Yeh Shuhua, Han Chowon, Kim Nayoung." 

In a few moments, the last group stood together. Jung-Hwa took a step back, beginning to walk from side to side.

"The evaluation will run as you are all used to. Your dancing, singing, and stage presence will come into accounting. The first three of each group will begin. Move forward."

The three having different qualities. Mindblowing singing techniques. One gave a dreamlike feeling, the other gave a dark vibe. Whereas the last wasn't nowhere near the other two. But didn't stood far behind, either.

The next three.

Song Yuqi, Seo Soojin, and Sorn.

Things got difficult. Each had remarkable qualities. Yet, the difficult thing was to ensemble something that could work. It wasn't as easy to copy and paste Hyuna, Jiyoon, and company.

They had to click. Something between them had to click.

Time went by.

"These five, boss."

Jung-Hwa put her hand over a piece of paper. Placing it on the desk. 

"These are the best five."

Seung-Seung placed his hand on his chin while checking out the paper. A half convinced look on his face. 

"Understood. Notice them."

A nod from Jung-Hwa, turning around, and leaving the room.

She began her way to the trainee's rooms. 

While passing through, there were still a few trainees hanging around the building.

Walking a few more minutes, and she'd reach her first stop. Softly knocking on the door.

She stood there for a few moments. Looking from one side to the other. While some trainees were still hanging around.

"Who is it?"

Jung-Hwa breathed for a moment. Relief coming out from her.

"It's me. Jung-Hwa." 

The door slowly opened. On the other end, a girl with a somewhat reddish hair color, fringe haircut, and a somewhat larger than normal jaw. 

"Jung-Hwa-nim, what's wrong?"

A small look of worry in Seunghee's face. Standing beneath the doorframe. 

"Congratulations." 

Jung-Hwa handed a notebook to Seunghee. 

"I'm naming you the leader of our next girl group, Oh Seunghee." 

Seunghee's face fell in disbelief. Her jaw dropped in amazement, looking back between Jung-Hwa, and the notebook.

"Well.. I.. I'm really thankful for this opportunity, Jung-Hwa-nim. I'm not going to let you down." 

A small smile relieved a bit of the tension. 

"Don't worry about it. I'm certain that everything is going to be alright. I'll leave and inform your teammates. Have a good night, Seunghee." 

A short bow. And Jung-Hwa kept her path. 

A turn right at the end of the corridor. The next room. 

Same procedure. 

"Who's there?" 

As little as she could understand. Maybe because of the broken Corean, she feared that she wasn't here. 

"It's me, Nicha." 

A short and sweet 'Oh' passed through the door. 

Nicha opened the door, giving a very shy 'Annyonghaseyo'. 

"Is Chonnasorn.. Here?" 

A little bit of exaggeration on Jung-Hwa's side. 

Nicha's eyes narrowed.

After a few moments, she went back to the room. 

"Chonnasorn! Miss Jung-Hwa is here!"

Even if they were speaking in Thai, there wasn't much to guess. 

"Jung-Hwa-nim? What's going on?"

Chonnasorn stood besides Nicha, glancing up and down.

Like with Seunghee, she handed a notebook to her.

"Congratulations, Chonnasorn."

A warm smile.

Both Nicha and Chonnasorn took a moment to analyze the outside of the notebook. 

"What's this?"

She asked, while opening the notebook. Beginning to also turn some pages around. 

"You're going to debut. I want you to be ready. I'm running out of time, and I still have to inform your other teammates."

And so it went. Jung-Hwa went to inform the three remaining members.

November 30th, 2014.

"Let's see.."

Seunghee's view went up, looking at the corners of the corridor.

"If I recall correctly, I had went that way."

She'd give a 180 turn. Her eyes falling on the other end of the corridor.

"Dance Room B, there you are."

She calmly sighed. 

Seunghee peaked her head through the door, glancing from corner to corner. Not a single soul around the room.

"It's quiet, isn't it?"

A voice came from behind her. Whereas a hand held her shoulders.

Seunghee's heart stopped for a moment. Falling to the floor. Looking up to the suprise visitor. 

"Chonnasorn. My god. How long have you been there for?"

Chonnasorn waved her hands into the air. A panicking expression on her features. 

"I'm sorry! I didn't meant to scare you!"

Seunghee sighed. Getting back onto her feet. 

"It's alright. But it's not alright for you to do that, you know?"

Chonnasorn nodded, moving from one side to the other.

"I know, I know. I thought it'd be a cool greeting. Some people like it."

Seunghee waved her hands up, as if she were drawing a wall between her and Chonnasorn.

"I think if they do see it coming, it's better. Far better."

Chonnasorn nodded, once again. 

"I get it, leader. Once again, apologies."

She gave a little bow.

"Don't mention it. I'm still not used to it. Just call me Seunghee."

Her gaze went over Chonnasorn's shoulder.

"Isn't there anyone else yet?"

Chonnasorn turned around. Looking where Seunghee was looking at.

"Nope. Do you know how big the group is going to be?" 

She turned around once again, now facing Seunghee. 

"Jung-Hwa told me that we were going to be five members. You, me, and three more members." 

Chonnasorn raised her brows in suprise. As a smile began to form on her face. 

"How cool! I can't wait to meet them!" 

She nodded, as the smile got wider. 

While they were talking, a person stood right beneath the door frame. 

"Hey, sorry. Are you guys.. Oh Seunghee and.. Chonna.. Chonnasorn.. Saja..?" 

"Sajakul, yeah." 

Chonnasorn's smile faded as quick as it came. 

"That thing."

The girl got closer to the duo, giving a short bow. 

"Annyonghaseyo, I'm Jang Seungyeon. It's a pleasure to be in a team with you." 

Seunghee raised a brow. Almost frowning with the other brow. 

"The pleasure is mine, Seungyeon. I'm Seunghee, your leader." 

The bow was being returned by Seunghee. But not bowing as much as Seungyeon did. 

"Nice to meet ya, Seungyeon. I'm Chonnasorn. But you can call me Sorn." 

Sorn also bowed towards Seungyeon. 

"Yeeun! Come! Here they are!" 

The three inside the dance room turned towards the door, glancing at the noise coming from outside. 

"Annyonghaseyooo!" 

One of the two shouted at the girls. Waving her hand from one side, to the other. 

"I'm Choi Yujin! I'm sorry for being so late!" 

Giving bunny hops, Yujin got closer to the group. 

"Nice to meet you all! Are you three part of the debuting group?" 

"Yes, that's us." 

Chonnasorn nodded. Smiling a bit uncomfortably. 

"Great! I was dying to meet you all!" 

Seungyeon side-looked at her, whereas Seunghee gave a short bow. 

"Nice to meet you. I'm Seunghee. Who is she?" 

Seunghee looked at the girl on the door. Whereas everyone else's view followed. 

"Oh! Her. She's Jang Yeeun." 

Yujin smiled, turning around. Covering a side of her mouth as she got closer to the group. 

"She's a bit shy. But a good person. Don't mind that detail that much, please." 

Yujin turned around once again, now putting both of her hands in front of her, as if she had a megaphone. 

"Yeeun! Come over here! They want to know about you!" 

At a distance, Yeeun nodded quickly. Coming closer to the group. 

"She's our maknae, I think it's not that bad that she's this quiet." 

Yujin smiled, as Yeeun was getting closer to the group. 

"That's not true, unnie." 

Yeeun gave a short pat on Yujin's back, just to then bow at the rest of the members. 

"Nice to meet you, I'm Jang Yeeun. Pleasure to be a part of your group." 

Seunghee gave a long bow. 

"Nice to meet you, Yeeun. Pleasure to be your leader."

Seunghee then took a seat. Glancing up onto her members. 

"Please, sit down. I'm not good at this. But I have to do it anyways." 

The four of them nodded. Taking seat. 

"As a start, Jung-Hwa told me that our name is going to be Crystal Clear." 

Silence. All eyes were set on Seunghee. 

"But, I asked for a different name."

Sorn raised a brow. 

"Which?" 

Seunghee glanced at the members. 

"CLC."

She smiled. Her white teeth flashing at the members. 

"I promise that I'm going to do my very best as a leader. And when we debut, we are going to be something as big as Girls Generation, 2NE1, even bigger!" 

Seunghee reached out for the members's hands. 

"But I'm going to need your trust. Just as we are going to need to trust each other. They gave us a chance. Let's make the most of it." 

Sorn grabbed Seunghee's hand. 

"I trust." 

Yujin grabbed Seunghee's hand. 

"I trust." 

Seungyeon raised a brow, looking from one end, to the other. 

"I don't want to do these kinds of things." 

Yeeun nodded, as well. 

"Me neither." 

Seungyeon got up. Glancing down at the others. 

"I think we are alright just being teammates. There's no need to go past that." 

Yeeun also stood up. 

"Nothing personal. But this makes me really uncomfortable. I don't wanna make a promise that I don't know if I can fulfill. Nice to meet y'all, though." 

As if, Yeeun was the first to leave. 

"I agree with her. Nice to meet y'all, see you in the next rehearsal." 

Seungyeon waved goodbye as well, following Yeeun. 

Seunghee got up. A look of disbelief falling on her. 

"Don't be like that, Seunghee. They'll get it soon enough. I believe in you." 

Yujin stood up, hugging Seunghee from the side. 

"I do as well, Seunghee." 

Chonnasorn also stood up. Hugging Seunghee from the other end. 

"It's fine, it's fine." 

Seunghee patted at both of them, as they slowly backed up. 

December 1st, 2014.

A soft knocking on the door. 

"Come in." 

Seung-Seung's face glowing up as he saw her come in. 

"Oh, Seunghee. To what do I owe the pleasure?" 

Chapter Text

Her legs trembled. If she didn't had a calm expression, it was easy to tell that her heart was hanging from her mouth.

"Seung-Seung Sir. You've called me."

He nodded. Pointing at the seat in front of his desk.

"Please, take a seat, Seunghee."

Seunghee nodded. Almost second guessing her steps as she sat down.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Seung Seung? Did you need anything?"

He nodded once more. Resting his elbows over the table. 

"I want to know something. How's the group coming along? Are you feeling comfortable with this group?"

A shiver ran down Seunghee's spine.

"I'd say that everything is going fine. I think that we are coming together as a nice group. Chonnasorn and Yujin are both very comprehensible people, and they seem to be very loyal as well."

Seunghee's focus roamed around. Sometimes looking at the CEO, some other times looking at the ground.

"What about Jang Seungyeon and Jang Yeeun?"

His hands came off of his face. Now resting his hands on the table. 

"I couldn't get a grasp about them yet, sir. But I think they must be a very important part of our group. They must have chosen them for a good reason."

Seung-Seung sighed.

He got up. His eyes looking at the ground. As he began to walk around his desk.

"Oh Seunghee, tell me. What's the function of a leader?"

Seunghee raised a brow. Her chest tightening. 

"To lead and show the way?"

Seung-Seung quickly turned around. Not looking at her.

"No. That's not the function of a leader."

Seunghee rested her arm on the chair, turning around to watch the CEO.

"What is it, sir?"

Seung-Seung got closer to a 4Minute record. Standing besides the picture of the leader, Nam Jihyun.

"In a girl group, the leader is like the mother of the group. A leader isn't someone that has a strong attitude and is only giving orders. A leader is someone that takes care of those that walk behind of him. Someone that takes care of those with whom he's trusted with. He, or she, is like a second parent. A mother, if you will. That's what being a leader means to me, Seunghee."

Seunghee's eyes widened. Nodding.

"I understand, sir."

Seung-Seung stood still. Taking a step closer to Seunghee.

"Seunghee, I don't need for you to tell me that you get it. I need for you to show me that you get it. Those girls aren't simply your classmates. And you're not simply their leader. From now, the five of you are like a family. Because that's what deep down, a girl group is. A family."

Silence stood. A silent nod from Seunghee. 

"That's what I want you to do, Seunghee. Now, you can leave."

Another silent nod by Seunghee. Now standing up, and leaving the room.

December 3rd, 2014.

The doorbell rang, it had been a while since she had last visited this place.

The door opened. Behind of it, a woman with subtle frowns. Probably barely past her fourthies.

A smile full of suprise.

"Seunghee.."

The woman whispered. Her hands covering her mouth. 

"Hi, mom."

A shy smile coming off from Seunghee. Followed by a little laugh.

The woman stood aside. Now allowing her to enter.

"Come in, make yourself at home, daughter."

A glance around the house. That old school decoration, brown-ish walls, the stairs she used to run down everytime she had to go to school.

"What's the reason behind this suprise, Seunghee?"

She turned around, smiling. 

"I'm going to debut, mom."

Her mother covered her mouth, her jaw dropping.

"Seunghee.."

Little to no hesitation, her mother ran to her, her arms going around the back, hugging her. 

Seunghee raised her arms, hugging back. 

"I've wanted to inform you face to face. It wasn't something I could do over the phone."

Her mother's grip tightened, her smile widening as well.

"I'm glad you've came back."

Seunghee smiled a bit, as a tint of red colored her cheeks. 

"Mom..!"

She shyly laughed.

"You aren't going to deny your mother a moment like this, are you? You know how important this is?"

Seunghee patted. Softly caressing her mother's back. 

"I know.. I know."

Her mother took a step back. 

"How long are you going to stay?"

She held Seunghee's sides. Locking eyes.

"I'm going back tomorrow."

Her mother's smiled widened. An ear to ear smile. 

"Put me up to date, then."

She invited, pointing at the living room.

"Is there a debut date?"

She inquired, taking a seat in one of the one piece sofas. 

"Not yet. We still have songs to record. But it is certain that we are going to debut."

The ear to ear smile held still. 

"Great! Your sister is going to go nuts when she hears about this."

A short laugh by Seunghee. 

"I mean, I don't know if it's worth putting that much effort."

Her mother stood up. Both hands on her hips. 

"How come it's worth that much effort? It is a big deal!"

Seunghee waved down, signaling for her to take a seat. 

"I know, mom. But we haven't even debuted yet."

Her mom shrugged. 

"And? You're still going to debut, aren't you? That's all that matters."

She skipped around, clapping in the air.

"Make yourself at home. I've gotta do a few calls."

Seunghee's brows went up. As well as her eyes widening.

"What did I get myself into."

She sighed. Her hands then folding into her pockets. A half turn, and she was on her way upstairs.

Reaching to the second floor, her mind couldn't help it but bring back some memories.

A third-grader skipping on her way to school.

Back when life seemed to be that much simple.

Her attention shifted, as she opened her bedroom's door.

The imagery of that girl putting some make-up. Her hair was a mess. But she was still smiling about it.

She glanced at the walls. Posters of Alicia Keys. A small piano that laid over her bed.

"What should I do.."

She whispered. Just to then drop herself onto the bed, looking at the roof.

"Am I really capable of leading a group?"

She sighed.

"Looks like the only thing I'm good at making everything look fine."

She sat up. 

"When nothing really is."

She sighed, yet again. Only to then fall over the bed again. 

December 3rd, 2004.

"Mom.. I've always wanted to know. How do you always have such a good mood? After all, you have to put up with the three of us!"

Little Seunghee asked, as she cleaned the dishes. 

"Hun.. It's not because there's three of you."

Her mother passed the sponge over the plate, foam falling from the sponge. 

"Then why is it? I mean, you're always helping Sun Mi, and Mul Li, too! You must be tired!"

Little Seunghee wiped a small drop of invisible sweat.

"It's because I love you. All of you. That's why I never get tired."

A large smile came on the woman's face.

"But! I love them a lot, too! But they exhaust me sometimes!"

Little Seunghee laughed, as she took a seat.

"You're still young, Seunghee. One day, you'll understand."

December 3rd, 2014.

"And I still don't get it."

She sighed, sitting on her bed. 

The daylight had passed by, as night time took its place. 

"Dear! Dinner's ready!"

Her mother shouted from downstairs. 

Seunghee placed both of her hands to the sides of her mouth. Grabbing some air through her mouth.

"On my way, mom!"

She shouted back.

Her steps were heavy. As if almost little to no strength were placed in walking.

Coming out of the room, some voices could be heard. Some laughters, and almost what sounded like mumbled words.

Seunghee crouched, going down the stairs, and watching the living room from upstairs.

"I thought we were going to be us two.."

She whispered. Looking from one extreme, to the other. A packed living room. 

Her eyes caught a bald person. Well, mostly bald. With some white hair on the sides.

Seunghee's eyes squinted.

"Grandpa?"

She took another step down. More faces coming to vision. 

"Sun Mi?"

Seunghee stopped.

Lots of people. Lots of people she knew. Smiling, laughing, having a good time.

Someone stood up. Pointing in Seunghee's direction. 

"There she is!"

She shouted, her eyes going back and forth between Seunghee and the family.

Seunghee's brows went up. Her eyes widening. As her heart skipped a beat.