Chapter Text
The meeting with the company’s executives had just ended on a positive note despite the initial cause for it implying otherwise. The president had called for the three of them–Jing Yuan, Dan Heng, and Ren–to discuss their newly vacant manager’s position. Their previous manager who had been with them since the start of their career had been fired on the grounds of leaking their information to overly zealous fans. It was a heavy blow to the group when it was revealed that their seemingly kind manager who patiently took care of them for half a year was the very culprit putting them in a tight spot.
Their group, Abyss Flower, debuted with a very well-received stage. Maybe it was because they’re from a renowned label that people’s interest was instantly drawn to them. Some would say it’s because they’re friends with an already famous group and were riding their coattails. Others would assume that their looks played the most part. But it's the fans' opinion that matters the most and they're very vocal about their admiration for everything that makes them an idol.
With their booming popularity, they're bound to attract the attention of all sorts of people. Including those weird types of fans who are borderline obsessive.
On the fifth month of their debut, that's when it all started. On one of their stays in a hotel, some fans booked the nearby rooms from the one the group was staying at. It became a frequent occurrence that their company had to suspend the group's activities for a while.
But even in their private time, when they're hanging out in a cafe or some place, fans would flock to them in an instant regardless of their disguise.
The situation grew progressively worse, it had gotten to the point where they even received text messages on their personal numbers.
Arriving at the conclusion that there was someone from their staff who was responsible for leaking their information, an investigation was ordered. It went on for weeks until they hunted down the pest–who turned out to be their own manager.
Now, they're on their way to meet their new manager and Ren is absolutely apprehensive of this new guy. They were informed beforehand that their new manager is a man as opposed to their previous one in hopes of avoiding an incident of the same nature to happen again.
"I think they hired a man so we wouldn't be reminded of our previous one," Jing Yuan, as if continuing his train of thought, says beside him.
Dan Heng nods, "It is a wise decision that I'm thankful for. Fortunately, we auditioned in a company with considerate people as the higher ups."
"Who hired a scheming person as our manager," Ren adds, his tone acrid.
They walk in silence after that. All praying in their minds for their new manager to be some god sent saint to help them back in the scene.
A faint music is heard on the hallway as they near their destination. It was another meeting room where they usually monitor their performances so it is smaller and without soundproofing. As they're right outside the door, Ren recognizes that it was one of their songs that was being played inside. Being the one who's closest, he turns the knob and opens it.
The man inside turned around at the sound of the door opening. He flashes them a gentle smile as he stands up and bows for a greeting. The stranger has long blond hair that shines in a way as if the room is bathed in warm sunlight instead of the glaring fluorescent. Ren notices that the blond is tall when he straightens up, as tall as Jing Yuan who was already welcoming the man, Dan Heng at his trail while Ren continues to silently observe.
"Hi, I'm Luocha and I'm going to be your new manager," he finishes his introduction with that same gentle smile that induces an imaginary halo above his head in Ren's mind molding him as the very god sent saint they needed.
Ren's observation on Luocha: An angel.