Leader of Late Notice, Abra’s POV

"Hyung…. What should we do now?" 

I looked at the hand Ace put on my arm for a few seconds and raised my gaze to meet his. Tears still ran down his face, even though his eyes were inflamed from sobbing since the day before. Seeing his face made me well up. I moved closer to him to put him between my arms. As the leader, I don't want him to see me in distress; I need to be strong for him and for them.

"Don’t worry. Everything will work out. Hyung will take care of it, okay?" I tried to calm him. But he is still continuously sobbing on my shoulders. I was rubbing his back up and down when I heard my other members enter our dorm.

"Hyungg!!" They all spoke at the same time.

Me and Ace stood up as they approached us to join the embrance. 

"Hyung…" They whimpered as they all squeezed in together.

Neither of us could hold back our tears as we clung to each other for support. We're clinging to one another's presence like a lifeline. This is where our strength comes from. We may be vulnerable and wounded as individuals, but as a group, we are strong. We draw from one another's strength while also providing the strength others need.

No one still wanted to speak. Only our tears may be heard ringing in our ears. We were too busy savoring the possible last moment we'd be whole as "Late Notice."

Minutes had passed when I saw our manager going inside. He hasn't been noticed by the other members. Despite my reluctance to let them go and hear what he had to say, I tightened my hold on the members and motioned for them to have a seat near us on the sofa.

I wiped my tears out and regained my composure. All my efforts were focused on being ready for the worst. I'm praying that I can hold out. I'm hoping I can provide the strength my group needs.

I looked into my manager’s eyes and nodded for him to proceed. 

"Abra, Late Notice." He greeted us. I couldn't help but feel anxious. Everything will be okay. I'm repeating this in my mind. 

"As you all know, your reputation has been tarnished by the spread of malicious rumors, anonymous witnesses, and alleged evi-"  

"YOU KNOW THEY'RE NOT TRUE, DON'T YOU? THE ORIGINAL PICTURES WERE FROM 'THE STAR'S BALL' AFTERPARTY!" 

Ha-ru, the group's youngest member, interrupted our manager as he quietly sat in the chair adjacent to us.

"We know-" Our manager tried to speak over him, but terribly failed.

"THEY EDITED THEM OUT!!" Ha-ru, who was breathing heavily, finished off.

He was about to speak again, but I intervened. "Please let him speak, Ha-ru." 

"Sorry, hyung." I saw him backing down and queued for our manager to continue. "You can go on." The manager waited for a while before continuing.

"Look, we know they’re false and most were taken out of context. And believe me when I say Mr. Azure has done everything in his power to retract and pursue legal action on the malicious reports and comments."

He’s explaining too much. I can't stay put. Why can’t he go directly to the point? I asked him, "What are you trying to say, Manager-nim?"

Our manager took a while before continuing. He seems to be contemplating what's the right thing to say.

"The allegations already have lives of their own. They’re spreading like wildfire. The general public wouldn’t listen and the media wouldn’t stop reporting all these conspiracy theories about you." 

I couldn’t speak. I feel like there’s something stuck, itching in my throat. It’s like I’m choking on air. Ace must have noticed my dilemma as he asked the question I’ve been dreading asking again.

"Manager-nim, what are you saying?"

I could see our manager on the verge of panic. Drops of sweat are coming down and are visible on his forehead. He kept shifting his gaze when he said,  

"Mr. Azure decided to disband you."

Everything became hazy. It seemed as though everything was in slow motion.

"Manage….. Pl… No…"

Why is it getting harder to breathe? I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I’m becoming dizzy. 

"After… All we’ve done…."

"What…."

I could hear the beating of my heart piercing through my chest. It’s about to pop out! 

"Ab….Ab…"

Like an alarm clock that you couldn’t hit snooze on in the morning, my ears started to throb.

"Please… Please…"

I could feel my legs trembling while I feel a thousand million needles prickling my palms.

"Hyung…. Ung…"

I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!

"HYUNG!!!" 

A sudden loud voice woke me up. I looked in the direction where I heard it from. It was Ace. 

Against my other members who were on a riot, we were stuck staring into each other’s eyes. I could see how he was concerned for me, asking me if I was okay. Asking me if I was still here. At the same time, they were begging me to do something. For me to carry out my everything to let our group still live. 

He squinted his eyes as he gave me a wry smile. And that gave me courage.

When you’re put into a situation like this, there aren't many choices you have left. 

I rose to my feet and made my way toward where the manager was sitting. I could hear my other members calming down a bit as they saw me stand up. As I arrived in front of our manager, I looked into his eyes.

Even if I have to lose all my dignity. 

I went to my knees and begged as I looked up at him.

This is for Ace, for Late Notice. 

I couldn’t help but burst into tears that flowed down my face when I said, 

"Please give us a second chance…. Please….. I beg you, manager-nim."