Chapter 1 — The World Wants to Know
«"The world knew their songs. Tonight, they would finally meet the people behind them."»
---
Three years had passed since ALPhaaXX first stepped onto a small debut stage with trembling hands.
Since then...
Everything had changed.
They had performed in sold-out arenas.
Won countless music awards.
Toured across Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, and South America.
Their songs had been translated into dozens of languages.
Millions of fans proudly called themselves AXIS.
Yet despite all of their success...
One thing remained a mystery.
Who were the nine people behind ALPhaaXX?
---
One rainy afternoon in Seoul, the members arrived at the headquarters of Global One Network, one of the world's biggest television broadcasters.
Outside the building, hundreds of fans waited patiently behind security barriers.
The moment the black van arrived...
Cheers erupted.
"ALPHAAXX!"
"WE LOVE YOU!"
"SARA!"
"NINE!"
Blue AXIS light sticks illuminated the streets despite the afternoon sunlight.
Inside the van, Gun peeked through the window.
"...They're already here."
Gunn smiled.
"They've probably been waiting since this morning."
Sara pressed her hand gently against the window.
"They're standing in the rain..."
Hushh smiled.
"They wanted to welcome us."
Sara quietly bowed toward the fans through the glass.
The crowd cheered even louder.
---
Inside the studio...
The atmosphere was completely different.
Large cameras surrounded the set.
Bright lights illuminated a stage decorated with blue and silver colors.
Behind the sofas stood a giant illuminated ALPhaaXX logo.
The host, Daniel Park, greeted the members warmly.
"Welcome."
"It's an honor to finally have all nine of you here."
Nine bowed politely.
"The honor is ours."
Daniel laughed.
"The entire world has been asking for this interview."
"So today..."
"We're going to let everyone meet the real ALPhaaXX."
The members smiled.
---
The cameras began rolling.
A countdown echoed through the studio.
"Three..."
"Two..."
"One..."
The red recording light switched on.
Daniel looked toward the audience.
"Good evening, everyone."
"Tonight, we're joined by one of the biggest bands in the world."
"The artists who have inspired millions."
"Please welcome..."
"ALPhaaXX!"
Thunderous applause filled the studio.
The nine members stood together and bowed.
"Hello."
"We're ALPhaaXX."
---
Daniel smiled.
"Let's begin with introductions."
He turned toward the leader.
"Nine."
"What kind of person are you?"
Nine laughed softly.
"I'm Nine."
"I was born in 1997."
"I'm half Korean and half German."
"I'm 183 centimeters tall."
"I'm the leader and drummer of ALPhaaXX."
She smiled warmly.
"I've always been someone who prefers listening before speaking."
"I like helping people solve problems."
"The members say I'm calm."
Gun immediately interrupted.
"That's because she's the only calm person in this group."
The studio burst into laughter.
Nine smiled.
"I also enjoy coffee..."
"...probably a little too much."
Daniel laughed.
"I've heard you can finish several cups during recording sessions."
The members nodded together.
"That's true."
Nine shrugged playfully.
"I never said it was a healthy habit."
Everyone laughed.
---
Daniel turned toward Sara.
"The world has always been curious about you."
Sara smiled brightly.
"My name is Sara."
"I was born in 1997."
"I'm half Chinese and half Bugis."
"I'm 181 centimeters tall."
"I'm ALPhaaXX's main vocalist, center, and visual."
Daniel nodded.
"You've spoken publicly about identifying as pansexual."
Sara answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
"For me..."
"I don't fall in love because of gender."
"I fall in love with kindness."
"With someone's heart."
"With their character."
"I believe love is about the person."
The audience applauded.
Daniel smiled.
"Thank you for sharing that."
He laughed.
"Now..."
"Is it true you eat more than everyone else?"
Every member immediately nodded.
Sara covered her face.
"They're going to exaggerate."
Gun raised her hand.
"She once finished almost an entire catering table."
"I did not!"
"You absolutely did."
Hushh laughed.
"I've stopped trying to estimate how much food Sara can eat."
Daniel looked amazed.
"And yet..."
Sara smiled.
"I never seem to gain weight."
Yona laughed.
"Because she spends half her life dancing."
---
Daniel turned toward Yona.
"You have an inspiring story."
Yona nodded.
"My name is Yona."
"I was born in Japan in 1997."
"I'm 181 centimeters tall."
"I'm ALPhaaXX's lead guitarist."
Daniel continued carefully.
"You've shared publicly that you're a transgender man."
Yona smiled.
"Yes."
"I transitioned years ago."
"It wasn't always easy."
"But I was fortunate to have people who accepted me."
He glanced at the other members.
"They've always treated me like family."
Sara reached over and gently squeezed his shoulder.
"We've never seen you as anything other than Yona."
The audience applauded warmly.
---
Next came P.
She smiled shyly.
"My name is P."
"I was born in China in 1997."
"I'm 184 centimeters tall."
"I'm the guitarist."
Daniel asked,
"How would you describe yourself?"
P thought for a moment.
"Quiet."
The audience laughed.
She smiled.
"I enjoy fixing things."
"I like puzzles."
"And yes..."
"I am a lesbian."
Daniel nodded respectfully.
"Thank you."
Gun whispered loudly,
"She tells the funniest jokes with the straightest face."
P blinked.
"I wasn't joking."
The audience laughed even harder.
---
Hushh smiled as Daniel turned to her.
"I'm Hushh."
"I was born in Germany."
"I'm 180 centimeters tall."
"I'm the rhythm guitarist."
"I'm bisexual."
Daniel asked,
"What do you love besides music?"
Hushh smiled immediately.
"Cooking."
"If the members look tired..."
"I cook."
"If they're sad..."
"I cook."
"If they're celebrating..."
"I cook."
Gun raised her hand dramatically.
"She cooks enough food for twenty people."
Hushh laughed.
"I worry they don't eat enough."
Sara quietly whispered,
"I've never had that problem."
The audience laughed again.
---
Daniel looked toward Gunn.
"My name is Gunn."
"I was born in 1997."
"I'm half Korean and half French."
"I'm 183 centimeters tall."
"I'm the bassist."
"I'm bisexual."
Daniel smiled.
"The members say you're the loudest."
"They're lying."
Every member immediately replied together,
"No, we're not."
The audience erupted into laughter.
Gunn sighed dramatically.
"I've been betrayed."
---
Sway adjusted her glasses before introducing herself.
"I'm Sway."
"I was born in 1997."
"I'm half Korean and half Canadian."
"I'm 183 centimeters tall."
"I'm the keyboardist."
"I'm bisexual."
"I write many of our songs."
Daniel smiled.
"What inspires you?"
Sway answered quietly.
"People."
"Every conversation."
"Every memory."
"Every goodbye."
"I believe every emotion deserves a melody."
The audience applauded.
---
YUI smiled brightly.
"I'm YUI."
"I'm from Japan."
"I was born in 1997."
"I'm 181 centimeters tall."
"I'm ALPhaaXX's percussionist and guitarist."
"I'm bisexual."
Daniel laughed.
"The members describe you as pure sunshine."
YUI laughed too.
"I just like making people smile."
Gun interrupted.
"And she breaks drumsticks."
YUI looked embarrassed.
"Only sometimes."
Nine quietly added,
"Every concert."
Everyone laughed.
---
Finally...
Daniel looked toward T.
T smiled gently.
She signed while an interpreter translated.
"My name is T."
"I was born in Korea in 1997."
"I'm 188 centimeters tall."
"The tallest member."
"I'm ALPhaaXX's DJ and sampler."
"I'm bisexual."
"I communicate mainly through sign language because I was born mute."
The studio remained silent as everyone watched.
Then T continued signing.
"Music became my voice."
"I may not speak with words..."
"But I hope my music says everything my heart wants to express."
Many audience members wiped away tears.
The applause lasted nearly a full minute.
---
Daniel smiled at the group.
"Looking at all of you..."
"You're very different."
Nine nodded.
"We are."
Daniel continued.
"You come from different countries."
"Different cultures."
"Different backgrounds."
"So..."
"What's the secret?"
Sara looked at her eight friends before answering.
"We don't try to become the same."
"We celebrate our differences."
Yona nodded.
"That's what makes us stronger."
Hushh smiled.
"We're not nine identical people."
"We're nine people who choose each other every day."
---
Daniel asked one final question.
"What do you hope people remember about ALPhaaXX?"
The members looked at one another.
Then Nine quietly answered,
"I hope they remember that music can bring people together."
Sara smiled.
"I hope our songs help someone through a difficult day."
Yona added,
"I hope people feel accepted."
P nodded.
"I hope they feel understood."
Hushh smiled.
"I hope they remember kindness."
Gunn laughed.
"And laughter."
Sway looked toward the audience.
"I hope they never stop dreaming."
YUI grinned.
"I hope they smile."
Finally...
T signed one last sentence.
The interpreter smiled as she translated.
"I hope people remember..."
"...that everyone deserves to be loved for who they truly are."
The audience rose to its feet.
The applause echoed through the studio.
As the cameras slowly pulled back, the nine members stood together and bowed.
Millions of viewers around the world had tuned in expecting to meet international superstars.
Instead...
They met nine ordinary people with extraordinary dreams.
And by the time the interview ended...
The world wasn't just in love with ALPhaaXX's music.
It had fallen in love with ALPhaaXX themselves.
