It was the same peaceful day as before. After concluding their schedules for their imminent comeback, the girls were just resting.

The teasers will be released this week. Teasers for the most anticipated music video, as well as the highlight medley.

Everyone was making the most of their leisure time while it lasted because they were anticipating another hectic schedule, especially since they were making a new comeback.

Although on the other side of the said good things, there's Jinsoul doing the so-called forbidden act; reading the comments.

There was nothing wrong with reading people's comments and statements, but Jinsoul was reading the polar opposite of the positive ones.

The girls had already agreed not to read the negative comments if they were to be influenced by them. Jinsoul, on the other hand, couldn't help but read them, especially since they had already piqued her interest.

Jinsoul was upset by the harsh remarks, which added to her stress. She was also reading comments from netizens who were skeptical of her and Hyeri.

They were gradually connecting the dots, and that surely isn't a good news. It would be contentious if they found out about what was going on between her and Hyeri.

As she considered how this might affect her entire life, she began to feel regret. Yes, a very bad news it is.

"Jinsoulie!"

Hyeri exclaimed, clutching onto Jinsoul as though her life depended on her. Jinsoul proceeded to scroll through her phone, ignoring her.

"Yah, don't ignore me!" Hyeri pouted before cupping the older's cheeks and turning Jinsoul's head to face her.

Jinsoul ignored her once more as she yanked Hyeri's hands away from her, frightening and upsetting the younger. "Hey Soul, are you okay?" Hyeri inquired, her tone indicating concern.

When Jinsoul ignored her existence yet again, the younger girl furrowed her brows and yelled, "Could you at least look me in the eye and respond to me? You're acting like I'm nobody!"

Her voice cracked due to how hesitant she was. It wasn't her first time to shout but she was concerned of how would Jinsoul feel.

Jinsoul finally confronted the girl with her furious expression and her teeth clenched, her chest moving up and down as she breathed heavily.

"Could you please leave me alone?! I've had enough of your childish antics, and people have been judging us recently because of you!" Jinsoul yelled, pointing her finger at the teary-eyed Hyeri.

"Since when did you start caring about other people's opinions? You were the one who told me that if ever the public slowly connects the dots, you'll accept whatever harsh comments they make, and now you're being influenced by it. That's so foolish, eonni!"

Hyeri sniffed as tears rolled down her cheeks, despite her best efforts to keep them from falling, "And the fact that you blame me for everything makes me feel bad, Soul. I wasn't expecting you to be this way. What went wrong? What's the matter? Did I did something wrong that made you like this? I'm sorry-"

"Maybe if we never even had romantic feelings for each other then perhaps we wouldn't be in this kind of situation, we're being criticized and you're acting like it's not a big deal. We're well-known, for Pete's sake!"

Hearing the older's remarks, Hyeri felt as if her world had collapsed. Her air struck, when at that time she found it hard to breathe, the fiery anger reigned when Hyeri spoke, "Excuse me? Is looking at the bright side such a mistake?"

"You'll never understand," Jinsoul said as Hyeri looked at the door she had just slammed shut.

Hyeri's knees collided with the ground as she sobbed uncontrollably and her chest ached. Hyeri crept to the far corner of the room, pulling her knees up to her chest as her arms slid around them, hiding her face underneath.

If anyone were to enter the room, the girl's sobs would immediately be heard.

She had never been in such a heated argument before, particularly not to anyone. A decent soul like hers would never engage in such a fight, but she just did.

Hyeri's mind and body were both restless, add the fact that she was drowning in her own thoughts. It would totally leave her in a bad mental and emotional state.

-

A few minutes had passed, the girl was still having a mental breakdown in the corner of the room, her puffy eyes and dry tears obvious to anyone who would happen to look at her in this state.

The door creaked open just as I narrated, and a girl peered into the dim room.

Hyejoo entered as she searched for Hyeri. When she heard sobbing, the wolf's eyes widened as she looked around for the girl.

Hyejoo came across Hyeri embracing herself in the corner of the room as she slipped her way towards her. It was a good thing she was wearing pants or her knees would have been scraped in process.

Hyejoo embraced the crying girl and cradled Hyeri's head against her chest, allowing her to cry out all of her tears.

So that's what the noises I heard in here, she thought, her hands balled up into a fist and her teeth gritted in anger.

The older Hye comforted the younger, caressing her back and saying encouraging words until Hyeri fell asleep in her arms.

Hyejoo carried the sleeping girl to her own bed and tucked her in, taking a glance at her one more time before leaving the room.

-

"Jung Jinsoul, what did you do?"

Hyejoo exited the OEC room, her gaze falling on the agitated Jinsoul. The wolf became enraged when the older girl failed to respond, snatching her by the collar as the other girls attempted to pull them apart.

"Listen to me, you dumbass, I gave you a chance to make Hyeri feel valued and you've wasted it. Mess things up again, I'll never hesitate to steal her away from you. Mark my words." With that, Hyejoo stormed off as she entered the room once again to look after Hyeri.

Jinsoul was speechless as the other girls stared at her in disappointment, "You should fix things with her, eonni," Jiwoo told.

"Chuu eonni is right, I mean we all know what Olivia is capable of. She could prove everyone that she can claim Hyeri as hers since all of us know that she has romantic feelings for Hyeri, but the girl was too blinded by her love for you and never noticed Hyejoo's," said Heejin.

"Take your time to contemplate your life choices, Soul. Not only you, will be affected by the choices you make but anyone around you too," Sooyoung said, leaving the frozen Jinsoul.

"We're not blaming you for anything, eonni, but Hyeri doesn't deserve this," Yerim said, putting her hand on the older's shoulder.

"I know she's the type of person who forgives easily since she doesn't like seeing others upset," she sighed as she continued, "But you know we shouldn't take advantage of it."

"We put our trust in you to look after Hyeri, and I hope you don't let us down," Yerim patted her back. "You seemed to break Olivia's trust, and I don't think she'll forgive you that easily."

"Hey, if you need someone to talk to, I'm one call away," she says with a smile.

The ray of sunshine took off on her own. Jinsoul sighed and went to the restroom to freshen up.

Jinsoul frustratingly brought her hands to her hair, heaving another deep sigh for the nth time, "Oh god, what did I do."

"You're so stupid, Jinsoul. You've hurt such a precious girl," The girl punched her own chest continuously. Unknowingly, tears began to flow down her face but still continued punching herself.

"Now how am I suppose to apologize to her? I'm sure she doesn't want to talk nor see me for now," She talked to herself in the mirror.

Jinsoul considered giving her more time, but she understood that Hyejoo might use this opportunity to grow closer to Hyeri. And one thing Jinsoul is certain of is that she will not allow this to happen.

She realized that a little assistance might be all she needed. When she considered the notion, a specific person sprang to her mind: Choerry.

That girl was the one who offered help when she needed it the most. She never knew she would need someone to lend her a hand until this day happened.

Jinsoul then exited the restroom and immediately began searching for Yerim, eventually finding her in 1/3's room with Jungeun.

The two odd eye girls were unable to enter their own room since Hyejoo had effectively locked the door in order for Hyeri to have the peace she required.

With her head dropped low, the older girl entered the room cautiously. She felt humiliated in front of the girls because of what had just occurred, and she knew it was entirely her fault.

When Jinsoul initially stepped in, Yerim and Jungeun instantly turned their attention to her. Knowing why Jinsoul had come, the youngest of the three ran up to her and gave her a big hug.

Because Yerim was aware of Jinsoul's current state of mind, she hugged her for consolation. She thinks a hug can mend anything.

Sure, a hug won't solve your problems entirely, but it can help relieve some of your tension and stress. Yerim, of course, was clearly aware of that.

Jungeun then joined the hug, letting Jinsoul know that she will always have someone by her side.

Jinsoul was led to the bed by the two younger girls, who caressed her back in a soothing manner. They sat in silence for several minutes to prepare for whatever they were about to say.

After the few minutes of deafening silence, Yerim eventually took the opportunity to break the stillness and begin their chat. Who else is going to make the initial move if she doesn't?

A sigh left her mouth as she speak, "Eonni, I know you're stressed out because of the people's comments being suspicious about your relationship with Hyeri."

It took Jinsoul by surprise. She hadn't expected Yerim to know, but here she was, acting like a fortune teller and telling the truth.

Jungeun, silently nodded, her eyes drew directly at Jinsoul's with concern evident, "What did we say about reading comments especially the hate ones? C'mon we've talked about this with the others before."

"You can read them, but you should never let them affect you."

"That's right, and what exactly did you do?"

"I inflicted great pain on someone who had nothing to do with what I did."

Jinsoul buried her face to her palm and let out a heavy sigh. Guilty for what she has done. Jungeun then wrapped her arms around the older whilst rubbing her back in a comforting way.

"You see, you can't control how people think about you or anyone you have contact with. It's impossible. All you can do is control the way you think about yourself," Jungeun started.

"If you think that ignoring them is the best thing you could do, then you're right. People might think that it's selfish but your opinion is all that matters. What would you do with their opinions anyway? It's your life, therefore you live by your own set of rules."

Listening silently to the girls' reassurance, it did made her think about it. Jungeun was right; why would she care about other people's opinions anyway when she have her own?

Yerim leaned onto Jinsoul's shoulder with her arm wrapped around her as well, "Hey, it's alright to feel sad although don't let it be the reason of your downfall."

"Think about this; an entire sea of water can't sink a ship unless it gets inside the vessel. Similarly, the negativity of the world can't and won't bring you down unless you allow it to get inside you."

After hearing wise remarks from Yerim, Jinsoul made a mental note of everything. Every word the girls uttered sank deep into Jinsoul's mind, making it impossible for her to repeat the same error.

"You know, sometimes people hate you because of the way other people love you," Jungeun pointed out, "Hyeri loves you so much she puts all the negativity aside. She doesn't care if some people hate her because she know she still have those who love her."

Yerim agreed with a passionate nod, "Yup! As long as there is still someone who believes her, she would still keep living her life like any normal day," she flashed a big grin. A vivacious and hopeful grin.

Jungeun chuckled at Yerim's cheery disposition, nodding as well since Hyeri is indeed so positive it would make you think if negativity does even exist.

Patting the older's back, she advised, "You better fix things with her. We wouldn't want anyone to be in bad terms when our comeback is literally few days ahead."