The studio lights dimmed slowly, one row at a time, until only a soft glow remained.
Behind them, their real names still hovered on the screen—proof of who they had been before tonight.
Bai Xui Xui.
Leah Vogel Kim.
Taziko Joanne.
Park Mi Li.
Kang So Ji.
The director stood in front of them, hands folded.
"You are the final lineup," he said again, as if repetition might make it sink in. "But debuting isn't only about talent. It's about responsibility."
Silence settled over the room.
"You'll make some decisions yourselves," he added. "Because from now on, you move as one."
Choosing a Leader
They were guided into a small conference room, quieter than the studio, warmer somehow. No cameras. No microphones. Just five chairs arranged in a loose circle.
"The leader will be chosen by vote," the director explained. "Not by age. Not by ranking. By trust."
Each girl was given a slip of paper.
Joanne stared at hers longer than she meant to.
Leadership isn't just standing in front, she thought. It's staying standing when everyone else falls.
Susu wrote carefully, folding the paper twice before placing it in the box.
Mili wrote neatly, without hesitation.
Bella hesitated, then nodded to herself as if making peace with her choice.
Leah wrote one name and slid the paper away immediately, expression unreadable.
The staff counted quietly.
"All five votes," the director said, "are for Taziko Joanne."
For a moment, Joanne couldn't speak.
Susu smiled first. "You make things feel stable."
Mili nodded. "You don't get shaken."
Bella bowed instinctively. "I trust you."
Leah met Joanne's eyes. "You lead without shrinking others."
Joanne inhaled slowly.
"I'll do my best," she said. "Even when I'm scared."
No one laughed.
Stage Names
Next came the question of identity.
"Your real names belong to your private selves," the creative director said.
Your stage names will belong to the world."
Joanne
Joanne spoke first.
"I'll keep mine."
The room paused.
"My name already represents who I am," she added calmly. "I don't want to hide behind anything else."
The director nodded.
"JOANNE," he repeated, writing it on the board.
"Strong. International."
Joanne felt something settle in her chest.
This was hers.
Bai Xui Xui hesitated.
"My family calls me Susu," she said softly. "It's gentle. Familiar."
The vocal director smiled. "It suits your voice."
The name appeared on the board:
SUSU
Softness, warmth, approachability.
Susu touched her hair unconsciously.
She didn't need to change who she was
Leah
All eyes shifted.
Leah stared at the board for a long moment.
"My name is already Leah," she said. "But I want it to mean something… stronger."
She paused.
"My grandmother taught me that names carry destiny."
The room was quiet.
"Then LEAH stays," the director said.
"Short. Powerful. Unavoidable."
Leah nodded once.
A name that didn't ask for permission.
Park Mi Li smiled faintly.
"I'd like to go by MILI," she said. "It's my name—but lighter. Easier to say."
The choreographer nodded. "Elegant. Memorable."
So ji chose Bella, the name her mother used when she wanted her to feel brave. She shifted nervously.
"I… I like Bella," she said. "It means beautiful. My mom used to call me that."
The room softened.
"Maknae with confidence," the director said gently.
Each name was written on the board.
Each one felt permanent.
The Group Name
The room darkened again, and the screen lit up with three words.
ROSIES
VERSE
NOCTYA
The director let them sit with it.
Bella spoke first. "NOCTYA feels powerful… but lonely."
Mili tilted her head. "VERSE feels balanced. Like harmony."
Susu smiled faintly. "ROSIES feels like growth."
All eyes turned to Leah.
She studied the screen for a long time.
"VERSE is music," she said.
"NOCTYA is survival."
She paused.
"But ROSIES is pain and beauty together."
Joanne nodded slowly. "And pressure makes roses bloom."
The vote was unanimous.
ROSIES
The broadcast resumed moments later.
The host's voice rang bright and practiced.
"South Korea," she announced, "meet your new girl group."
🌹 ROSIES 🌹
Below it appeared:
JOANNE
SUSU
LEAH
MILI
BELLA
Online, reactions poured in—admiration, curiosity, skepticism, excitement.
Leah watched her name appear onscreen.
She didn't smile.
After
Later that night, they stood together in the practice room.
The mirrors reflected five girls who looked almost the same—but weren't.
No longer trainees.
Not yet idols.
Joanne broke the silence. "So… we start tomorrow."
Bella laughed quietly. "It feels unreal."
Susu nodded. "Like a dream you're afraid to wake up from."
Mili stretched her arms. "Or a storm."
Leah met their reflections in the mirror.
"Then let's bloom," she said quietly.
This time, everyone understood what she meant.