Success didn't slow down—if anything, it accelerated.
OG's schedules filled up so quickly that the girls barely had time to process what was happening. One comeback stage blurred into the next, interviews stacked back-to-back, and their dorm slowly transformed into a place they only visited to sleep.
Their debut song refused to leave the charts.
"Top five for three weeks straight," Hana read aloud from her tablet during a short break. "Is this even normal?"
Yuki grinned, spinning her chair. "Normal for legends, maybe."
Sakura rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide her smile. "Don't jinx it."
Their second single was announced sooner than expected. Fans were surprised, but excited. The teaser dropped at midnight, darker and more mature than their debut. This time, there were no silhouettes—just their faces, confident and fearless.
"OG is growing," the caption read.
The song, "Afterglow," shattered expectations.
It debuted at number one.
The music video surpassed their debut views in less than twelve hours, and social media flooded with reaction videos, edits, and theories about OG's concept evolution.
"They're not rookies anymore," one headline declared.
"OG proves they're here to stay," said another.
At their first award show, the girls sat together, hands clasped tightly under the table. When OG's name was called for Best New Artist, Sakura froze.
"Stand up," Kairi whispered urgently.
They walked onto the stage in a daze, lights blinding, cheers deafening. Sakura's voice shook as she spoke.
"We're still learning… but we promise to become artists you can be proud of."
Backstage, Hana collapsed onto the couch. "I think my soul left my body."
Aiko laughed softly. "It came back with the trophy."
Despite the chaos, their bond deepened. Late-night rehearsals turned into quiet conversations. Yuki would freestyle beats on the table, Kairi practiced expressions in the mirror, Hana hummed melodies while Sakura carefully planned their next goals. Aiko watched them all, memorizing these moments.
One night, after a long practice, they sat on the studio floor, sharing convenience store snacks.
"Do you ever feel scared?" Hana asked suddenly.
"Of what?" Sakura replied.
"Of losing this."
The room fell silent.
Yuki broke it with a shrug. "Everything ends eventually. That's why we go all out."
Kairi smiled. "We'll just keep climbing higher, then."
Aiko said nothing, her fingers tightening around her drink.
As weeks turned into months, OG's name became unavoidable. International fans joined in, fan chants echoed in languages the girls didn't understand yet, and invitations for overseas showcases started pouring in.
But with the praise came pressure.
"Your next comeback has to be bigger," their manager reminded them.
"Don't lose momentum."
"The public is watching."
Sakura nodded every time, even when her chest felt tight.
Late one evening, Aiko stayed behind in the practice room, staring at their reflection in the mirror—five girls smiling under bright lights, unstoppable.
She whispered to herself, barely audible, "How long can this last?"
Outside, OG's rise looked flawless. Each step took them further from the ground, closer to the stars.
None of them noticed the cracks forming beneath their feet.
And somewhere in the shadows, a choice was waiting—one that would change everything.