Chapter 29: CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

Po immediately called Baifern, but she didn’t pick up.

He couldn’t understand why his friend would do something like this.

Baifern had always stood by Mars no matter what. He remembered how, when Mars first debuted and their songs weren’t gaining traction, Baifern did everything she could to make the world see her “kids.” She’d told him, about eight hundred thousand times, that these kids had talent, and she made him help boost their view counts countless times. She was the one who started the official fan account, organized everything, and used her marketing expertise to promote them. Baifern never took anything involving Mars lightly. She was always serious about it, even planning weekly content to keep the buzz going and constantly pushing the label to do more for the group.

But now, at a time when Mars was releasing a new song to break records, and when Pepper was caught in a scandal, Baifern had chosen to shut down her account.

Po:

What the hell is wrong with you? Why’d you shut down the account like that?

He was about to type several more messages when Baifern called him back.

“Po,” her voice was shaky and slightly echoey, as if she were speaking from a bathroom.

“Why’d you shut the account down? Don’t you know how much trouble you’ve caused for them?”

“You think I wanted to? I didn’t want to, but I’m falling apart. Do you understand that?”

“Don’t act on emotions like this! You’re the base leader. Closing the account like this affects everyone. It’s like telling the Sphere not to support the boys anymore.”

“Damn it, Po! When I fell in love with them, I was emotional about it. But now that I’m heartbroken, I can’t act on emotions too?”

She wasn’t wrong. Why is it that people can lose their heads when they’re in love, but when they’re heartbroken, they’re expected to keep it together?

“Baifern,” Po softened his tone, “I know you feel awful, but let me ask you this: now that he has a girlfriend, do you love him any less?”

Baifern took a deep breath to calm herself. “To be honest... a little.”

“Because you wanted to be his girlfriend?”

“No. It’s because I feel like he won’t love us the same way anymore. We used to be everything in his life, but now, we’re not.”

“Listen to me, Baifern. I’ve been documenting them for a while now. They will never love you any less.”

Po said this with conviction because it was the truth. Mars would never love their fans any less. Whether they were in relationships or not, there was never a day they didn’t thank their fans or prioritize them. No matter what challenges they faced, their love for their fans never wavered.

“Are you serious?”

“Absolutely. Do you know why?” Po explained Mars’s feelings in detail.

“Because you’re part of their dreams, their future, their lives. Sphere is that for them. So even if they have someone else, without you, without Sphere, they wouldn’t be able to hold on to their dreams.”

When the label didn’t stand by Mars, it was Sphere who kept them afloat.

Only Sphere could help them succeed in this mission.

Instead of expressing gratitude or getting emotional, Baifern grumbled, “You’re such a sap.”

“Baifern…” Po smiled a little because he knew swearing was her way of venting stress.

“You make being a fan sound like a scholarship program for kids to follow their dreams.”

“I was trying to be poetic, and you turned it into charity work,” Po chuckled. “Anyway, stop running away and reopen the account. You’re the only one who can help them now. You know that not everyone will understand what’s happening, and you know better than I do that this is the perfect time for antis to influence the boys.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ll reopen it. But can you tell them to say something?

Whether they admit it or deny it, people just want the truth.”

—

Thame arrived at the dressing room where Mars was preparing for a live-stream show.

“Did you do what I suggested?” he asked.

“I saw it. Seriously, are you really going to do this?” Dylan replied.

“I told Pepper when we brought him back that we had to keep both the dream and the love alive. We have to make it work,” Thame said firmly.

Dylan turned his monitor to show statistics. “You might have a point, Thame. Pepper’s scandal actually caused a spike in searches for Mars.”

“People are scrolling, searching for info about us—who’s who, who did what. And it’s boosting the song, too,” Nano added.

“Like I said, scandals don’t just create negative effects. They also generate buzz. The question is, how can we use this to our advantage?” Thame explained.

“You mean we should ride the wave and push the question, ‘Why can’t idols have relationships?’ out there?” Pepper added.

“Exactly. It’s a question people are already asking: is it really fair to demand that idols have no private lives?” Jun elaborated.

“But…” Nano interrupted, “won’t it also lead to the counterargument: ‘If you know the rules, why become an idol in the first place?’” “And what other choice do people who want to be idols have?” Jun shot back.

Thame stepped in to clarify. “The main point is, whether Pepper or I have someone in our lives, it doesn’t mean we love our fans any less. Everything we’re fighting for isn’t just for ourselves; it’s for them, too.”

“Honestly, I don’t have any issues with what you’re saying,” Nano said.

“The only question is, will it help us climb the charts?”

“I think we should consult Phi Kaem,” Pepper suggested, dialing her number. When Phi Kaem answered, she shared her thoughts over speakerphone.

“I understand what Thame is trying to do. You’re about to go on a promo show, right? That’s the perfect time to address it. But you have to handle it carefully—don’t sound like you’re dodging the question. If you’re going to answer, answer directly. I think you’re all prepared for this. You’ve already decided to stick together, and I’ll keep monitoring the buzz. It’ll work out.

The base account is open again, right?”

“Got it. Thanks, Phi,” Thame replied, and Pepper ended the call.

Mars exchanged looks. Nano was the first to extend his hand for a group huddle. This was exactly what they needed—to hold on to each other and move forward together.

—

Mars performed their new song flawlessly. After the performance, the host approached them, clapping enthusiastically.

“And that was Mars! The hottest group right now. Today’s audience numbers are record-breaking—350,000 live viewers!”

They knew full well the massive viewership wasn’t just for their song but also because of Pepper’s scandal.

The live stream comments poured in nonstop:

“Slay, queens!”

“So this is Mars? Is that the one from the scandal?”

“How can they stay silent?”

“Pepper, shameless.”

“Betraying fans while hiding a girlfriend.”

“But scandal or not, the song is good.”

“Selling my lightstick. Done with this group.”

“Unacceptable. Betraying the fans.”

“Maybe it’s not true? Let’s wait for them to speak up.”

“Does Mars have anything they’d like to share or clarify? I’m sure many viewers have lingering questions,” the host asked.

“Actually…” Thame began, “we do have some things we’d like to address.”

“Even you, Thame?” the host asked.

“Yes. First of all, I’d like to apologize to everyone for not addressing this situation sooner.”

The live comments exploded:

“What? Starting with an apology?”

“Are they finally explaining?”

“Everyone, come watch!”

The viewer count surged rapidly.

“This situation has taught us many things, and we want to say…” Thame hesitated, glancing at the live comments.

Someone had shared a link: “Here’s the link to Pepper’s girlfriend (click).”

The comments quickly followed:

“The hairstyle matches—it’s her.”

“Pepper really likes this type?”

“She’s pretty, but she looks older.”

“Why her?”

Pepper froze, unable to respond. Thame hesitated, and Jun was about to jump in when the second host spoke.

“Ah, excuse me. It seems the label has just informed us that they’ll be making an official statement. We’ll have to wait for their announcement. In the meantime, enjoy Mars’s new music video!”

The broadcast cut to the music video. The five members of Mars were left stunned, unsure of what just happened. Pepper hurried off to check his phone, desperate to see if Kaem had been doxxed. Meanwhile, Thame spotted Mick entering the studio and rushed over.

“Hia Mick, what’s this statement about? What’s the label planning to say?”

Mick didn’t answer. Pepper called Kaem, but she didn’t pick up. Just as his call ended, Thame’s phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number.

“Hello…” “Thame, it’s Phi Kaem.” Thame froze, glancing at Pepper in confusion.

“Phi Kaem…” Pepper turned to look at Thame, surprised that Kaem had chosen to call him.

“Why didn’t you pick up Pepper’s calls?” Thame asked on his behalf.

“I just got out of a meeting. But I called you first because I have a new plan.

I’ve spoken with the label.”

“What? With who?”

“Khun Pemika.”

“What did you discuss?”

“She said Winner will hold a press conference. But before that… Thame, can you tell Pepper to come see me?”

TO BE CONTINUED.