Jake's palms were sweating as he settled into the plush armchair on the "Celebrity Tonight" set, South Korea's most-watched entertainment talk show. Under the blazing studio lights, he answered questions about C7's upcoming tour with ease.
"So, Jake," the host leaned forward conspiratorially, "rumors say you've been spending much time in the studio lately. Are you working on any special projects?"
Jake nodded enthusiastically. "I've been collaborating on a song that's personal to me. Tina helped me perfect the bridge last week," and he froze mid-sentence, realizing what he had just revealed.
The host's eyebrows shot up. "Tina? As in Tina from Stellar Girls?"
A deafening silence fell across the studio. The cameraman zoomed in on Jake's horrified expression as the magnitude of his mistake became clear. Six months of careful secrecy, undone in five careless seconds.
"I…that is…we're collaborating," Jake stammered, but the damage was done. His phone buzzed frantically in his pocket; no doubt the group chat was exploding with messages.
By the time he escaped the studio, #JakeTina was trending worldwide. Footage of his accidental confession had been clipped, subtitled, and shared across every social media platform.
"Director Blake wants everyone at the company. Now." Minseok's voice was grave when Jake finally answered his call.
* * *
The C7 members sat rigid in Director Blake's office, joined by their counterparts, one from Stellar Girls. Their manager paced behind them, muttering about contract clauses and public image disasters.
"Six months." Director Blake's voice was suspiciously quiet. "Six months of secret dating under my nose. Did you think I would not find out?"
"Sir," Jon spoke up, always the diplomat, "we were fairly certain you would eventually. We just hoped to prove that our relationships wouldn't affect our work negatively before that happened."
Director Blake clasped his hands on the desk. "And sneaking around, lying to your management, that's supposed to convince me of your maturity?"
Tina cleared her throat. "With respect, sir, the dating ban in our contracts is outdated. We're adults who consistently deliver stellar performances regardless of our personal lives."
"The fans…" Director Blake began.
"Have been remarkably supportive," Hana from PR interrupted, sliding her tablet across the desk. "We've been monitoring social media since Jake's slip. The hashtag #LetThemLove is outperforming any negative reactions ten to one."
Director Blake scrolled through the posts, his frown gradually relaxing. Fan-created artwork of the couples, supportive messages, and passionate defenses of their right to happiness filled the screen.
"They're even saying this could revolutionize the industry," Minseok from marketing added cautiously. "Being the first entertainment company to support idols dating openly could be... a competitive advantage."
Director Blake stared at them all for a long moment. "Each of you has twenty-four hours to decide: deny everything and maintain the status quo, or confess your relationships and face whatever consequences come. Either way, I expect your decision as a unified group." He waved his hand dismissively. "Get out of my office."
* * *
"What are we going to do?" Bandmates paced the C7 dorm living room. The members and their girlfriends had gathered to strategize, though "panic collectively" might have been a more accurate description.
"I vote we go public," Jake said firmly. "I'm tired of hiding. I want to be able to support Tina at her performances and celebrate her achievements openly."
"Easy for you to say," Hope countered. "You and Tina are the power couple. Julian and I haven't even told our parents yet." Julian squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Whatever we decide, we do it together."
Jon cleared his throat. "I think we should consider the bigger picture. This could change things for all idols. Maybe it's worth the risk."
As the debate raged through the night, James and Evan sat slightly apart, exchanging glances. Their situation was... complicated.
"Has anyone heard from Muse?" James finally asked, checking his phone for the hundredth time.
"She texted that she needs time to think," Hana replied gently. "Teaching her kindergarten class today gave her perspective."
Evan nodded grimly. "Well, while you all figure out your statements, we have a different mission to plan."
* * *
The next morning, twenty-three five-year-olds stared wide-eyed as twins James and Evan carried guitars, looking terribly out of place among the tiny chairs and finger paintings.
"Miss Muse," a little girl tugged at her teacher's skirt. "Are those your princes?"
Muse's face flushed crimson as she faced James and Evan. "What are you doing here? This is my workplace!"
"We know," James said, dropping to one knee to address the children. "We came because we need your help convincing your teacher that sometimes, loving two people isn't wrong when everyone agrees."
"Like in Princess Pollyanna!" a boy shouted, referring to a popular children's show with a controversial storyline that had recently aired.
"Exactly," Evan smiled, strumming his guitar. "And we wrote a song about it."
Perhaps the most unconventional apology in music history followed: twins performing an age-appropriate song about friendship, love, and honesty to a classroom of delighted kindergarteners who clapped along enthusiastically.
When they finished, a solemn-faced little boy approached Muse. "Miss, my mommy says when someone says sorry and means it, you have to decide if you want to keep being mad or start being happy again."
Muse looked between James and Evan, then at her class of expectant faces. "Out of the mouths of babes," she murmured, then broke into a reluctant smile. "I choose to be happy."
* * *
As the twenty-four-hour deadline neared, thirteen anxious youths assembled in Director Blake's office that afternoon.
"We've made our decision," Jon announced, stepping forward as the appointed spokesperson. "We want to confirm our relationships publicly."
Director Blake leaned back in his chair, his expression inscrutable. After what felt like an eternity, he nodded. "Very well. The PR team has prepared individual statements for each couple. Coordinated release in one hour." He paused, then added softly, "For what it's worth, I think you're making the right choice."
As they filed out of the office, Jake caught Tina's hand, squeezing it openly for the first time without looking over his shoulder.
"No more secrets," he whispered.
"No more hiding," she agreed.
Behind them, James and Evan flanked Muse protectively, their unusual arrangement already drawing curious glances from company staff.
"Ready to break the internet?" Jake grinned, his arm around Tina's waist.
Jon checked his watch. "One hour until we change everything."
Their phones chimed in unison as they waited for their statements to go live. Director Blake had posted a single tweet from the company account:
"Love is not a distraction from art. Sometimes, it's the inspiration. #C7Couples"
Within minutes, it had been shared ten thousand times. The revolution had begun.