Seoul — Incheon International Airport, Early Morning
The sky over Incheon was still pale with dawn when the first scream broke through the terminal.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds the arrival gate was a storm of noise.
Fans pressed against the barricades, phones raised like glowing constellations. Security struggled to maintain a corridor while airport staff exchanged exhausted looks.
LUCENT had landed.
"THEY'RE COMING!"
A ripple of excitement surged through the crowd.
The doors slid open.
First came their manager, already looking ten years older from the tour. He scanned the crowd like a soldier walking into battle.
Then—
Jeremy stepped out first, stretching dramatically.
"Ahhh, Korea's air! I missed—"
The scream that followed nearly knocked the words out of his mouth.
Jeremy grinned. "Okay yeah, missed this too."
Behind him, Gage appeared, adjusting his cap like a prince pretending he wasn't royalty. Cameras flashed like lightning.
Jayden emerged next, instantly scanning the crowd like a nervous younger brother.
Then he saw her.
"Hannah!"
The name slipped out before he could stop it.
Near the barricades, Hannah (Oh Sae-oh) bounced excitedly on her feet, waving both arms like she was directing air traffic.
"JAYDEN! YOU'RE BACK!"
The other REBUS members winced slightly.
Beside her, Na Yoon rubbed her temples.
"She's going to embarrass us again, isn't she."
"Without question," Shantel replied.
But someone else pushed forward first.
A flash of pink ribbon and designer sunglasses.
Bo Ra.
"ROMEOOOO!"
The scream cut through the crowd like a fire alarm.
Right on cue—
Romeo stepped out of the gate.
Tall. Calm. Effortlessly composed.
He paused for half a second, taking in the chaos.
Then Bo Ra shoved her way forward.
"Oppa! You're finally back!"
She shoved a gift bag through the barricade like a royal offering.
Jeremy leaned toward Gage and whispered, "Princess Bo Ra has arrived."
Gage sighed. "May the gods help Romeo."
Romeo accepted the bag with polite grace.
"Thank you."
Bo Ra beamed like she had just conquered a kingdom.
Behind her, Hannah jumped again.
"Jayden! Did you eat on the plane? You looked tired last time you called!"
Jayden smiled nervously.
"Uh— yeah. I'm good."
He leaned toward Romeo.
"She scares me."
Romeo smirked faintly.
"You'll survive."
Meanwhile—
Two figures exited quietly behind them.
Dain walked with headphones still around his neck, the faint sound of ambient nature music escaping them. His eyes looked calm, but tired.
Beside him, Ashe checked his phone.
A message blinked.
Madigan: Landed yet?
A small smile tugged at his lips.
Jeremy noticed immediately.
"Oh ho."
Ashe slid the phone away. "Don't."
"Someone's thinking about someone."
"Jeremy."
"Girlfriend energy detected."
Gage chuckled.
Their manager clapped his hands loudly.
"Okay! Move, move, move! Vans are waiting!"
Security quickly ushered the group through the corridor while fans screamed louder.
Cameras flashed.
Videos streamed.
Within minutes the internet would explode with headlines.
LUCENT returns to Korea after historic world tour.
Outside the Airport
Three black vans waited near the curb.
As the members climbed in, Bo Ra practically bounced beside the vehicle.
"Romeo oppa! We prepared something for you!"
Romeo paused. "Prepared?"
Shantel sighed. "She means she prepared something."
Na Yoon added dryly, "Against our will."
Hannah waved again.
"Welcome home!"
Jayden waved back awkwardly.
The van doors slid shut.
The vehicles pulled away.
Inside the van Jeremy leaned back dramatically.
"Home sweet chaos."
Dain closed his eyes again.
Ashe checked his phone once more.
Another message.
Madigan: My mom is acting weird today.
He typed back.
How weird?
Before he could send it—
Their manager spoke from the front seat.
"Enjoy the rest while you can."
Everyone looked up.
"School starts next week," he said.
Groans filled the van.
But then he added something else.
"And your contracts with SEVYN Music expire in two months."
Silence.
Even Jeremy stopped joking.
Gage leaned forward.
"What?"
"Negotiations will begin soon," the manager continued.
"Renewal? New terms? Transfers?"
"Nothing decided yet."
Romeo looked out the window at the city waking up.
"Two months," he murmured.
Ashe frowned slightly.
Outside, Seoul passed by in streaks of glass and steel.
Later — SEVYN Music Headquarters
The SEVYN building stood tall in Gangnam — polished stone, dark glass, quiet prestige.
Inside the executive conference room, a folder lay on the table.
Across its cover:
LUCENT — CONTRACT RENEWAL REVIEW
Two months remaining.
A board member tapped the document.
"They're the company's biggest asset."
Another nodded.
"Which means negotiations will be expensive."
But a third executive spoke quietly.
"There's another problem."
The room turned.
"A new bidder has expressed interest."
"Who?"
He slid another document forward.
Three letters printed across the header.
YHSeol Group
The room went silent.
One executive frowned.
"Why would a conglomerate want a K-pop group?"
No one answered.
Because somewhere across the city—
Choi Yeonhwa was already making her move.
And she had started with LUCENT.