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"Thank you for making this possible, Juyeon-sshi!" Subin smiled, showing her dimples. The man in front of her rolled his eyes. "I still dislike you a lot, Subin" he made a dramatic pause and looked at his former Trainee. All of a sudden, a warm, fatherly smile appeared on his stone-cold features. "You grew up a lot, since the last time I saw you. I hope the people in Brandnew Music are treating you nice."

Surprised by her former Co-Presidents words, the student blushed. "Ehm, yes! My teacher is really nice and I get along with the trainees as well. It's sometimes lonely in the studio but I think I'll get used to it." Subin said and Go Juyeon laughed. "I can't believe we were so stupid for not realising your real talent." The man said and stroked his three-day-old beard.

"When will she be back? I still have an appointment at JYP later." Subin said with a glance at her Apple Watch—a present from Brandnew Music's CEO Rhymer, for passing her monthly evaluation and for her good grades in school. 

"Look at you being a busy producer" he laughed and looked at his cellphone. "Her pre-recording ended an hour ago, so she'll be back any minute." He looked at Subin once more. She really grew up since the last time he had seen her. 

He also heard, from other staff member and Ahn Mari herself, that Subin's name had popped in the music database a lot lately. He never knew she was this talented. Out of curiosity, he had sat down with one of Blue Soda's producers and listened to the tracks she uploaded on the database. 

Some of them were high quality; especially knowing it came from an almost seventeen-year-old. 

Subin felt Juyeon's eyes on her and turned to face him. These past months, the Co-CEO of Blue Soda Entertainment had made the man look older. He had a lot to do since Ok Taecyeon was barely in the office, and managing two solo artists wasn't that easy.

"You know" she started, looking at her sweater paws. "I really hated you back then. When you got mad at me for sneaking out to that late-night Simon Dominic concert. I was really sad. But I still took all the blame on me." She chuckled, remembering her escapade when she was still a Blue Soda Trainee. "FYI, Yoobin went to the concert with me. But since I didn't want to stand in her way of becoming a ballad singer I took all the blame."

Juyeon's mouth opened at Subin's sudden confession. "But if I wouldn't have taken all the blame, I would've never gone to SM Entertainment and learned the basics of being a producer." She smiled. "So I am really grateful" Subin gave her former president a warm smile when his telephone rang. "Excuse me," he said and picked it up.

After a quick exchange of words, he hung up and looked at Subin. "Yoobin just arrived. She's in her practice room. Go on" he gave Subin a grin and the girl jumped from the chair and walked towards the door. She played with the paws of her black Brandnew Music hoodie before she turned to Go Juyeon one last time.

"Thank you so much for being patient with me, while I was a Trainee here. I'm sorry that I have caused you so much stress back in the day." She bowed politely and Go Juyeon sighed. He had a bittersweet feeling in his stomach. This felt like a real goodbye; it felt as if his own daughter was ready to go out to the world. 

He nodded his head, once she lifted her own again and bowed. "Always work hard and try to walk on the flowery path as long as possible, Han Subin. You were Blue Soda's hidden prodigy and we're really proud of you."

― 💌 ―

Go Juyeon's words haunted Subin's mind, as she made her way to the basement of Blue Soda's tiny office. It was nice talking to her old mentor again—even if he had been a pain in the arse at times. While she walked over to the elevator she heard someone call her name and turned to the voice seeing none other than her former label mate, Ahn Mari.

"It is really you!" The Canadian lass widened her eyes and dropped her tote bag on the floor, rushing over to crush Subin in a hug. "I can't believe it! I thought you disappeared!" Mari held Subin's face. "You look amazing" Mari let out a soft sigh. "It's been so quiet without you. Yoobin has been really quiet, I was actually worried!"

Mari smiled and tilted her head. "You grew up so much! What are you doing all the time?" Subin chuckled. She didn't think she would bump into Ahn Mari—who was currently preparing for a two day concert in Seoul and Busan. Subin laughed and patted Mari's hands. "I went back to school and I am currently training to become a producer." Subin said proudly and Mari smiled. "I saw your name popping up in the database!" Mari smiled. 

"Is Brandnew treating you nicely?" - "I can't complain. My teacher is a gem and everyone else is also really sweet!" Subin grinned and let Mari hug her one more time. "I'd love to chat more, but I have a photoshoot in an hour" while talking Mari walked back to her tote and took out her phone. "Please give me your new phone number! I'd hate myself if I couldn't keep up with you anymore." The Idol sighed and Subin nodded and typed in her number. "There you go, Unnie." Subin held the straps of her backpack and Mari grinned.

"You're off to meet Yoobin, I guess?" - "Yes... There's a lot I have to talk about." Subin smiled and Mari nodded softly ruffling the youngers hair. "Good luck," Mari said. "She changed since you left." With a smile, Mari said Goodbye and Subin walked to the basement, where her former best friend was practicing.