Chapter 14: Everybody Say No?

Everyone in the room was shocked at Mr. Bang's question. He kept looking at Juliette expecting an answer but she had no words. Seeing that nobody was saying anything, Mr. Bang asked again.

"Would you like to become an idol?"

"I literally have no words," Juliette replied.

"Juliette, a k-pop idol?" Jimin blurted out, "Now why would you ever think of such a thing?"

Juliette gave Jimin a look that said "Really? You don't think I can do it?"

"She has proven herself to be capable of performing in front of people and being on camera," Mr. Bang praised her, "If she can do that while pretending to be someone else, imagine what she could accomplish while being herself!"

"Thank you, Mr. Bang," Juliette said while throwing shade at Jimin.

"Isn't she too old?" Jimin questioned.

"Excuse me?" Juliette asked, "We are the same age. If I'm too old, you're too old."

"I mean, isn't she too old to debut? The oldest of us to debut was 21. She's 27."

"She's too old to debut in a group, but she can debut as a solo artist," Mr. Bang clarified.

"A solo artist?" Juliette asked with her eyes widened.

"We currently don't have many female trainees at HYBE so putting together a girl group would be difficult. We want to have a female artist on our label since we haven't had any female artists or groups in a long time. Juliette is more than capable of becoming an idol. Besides, with our marketing plan for her, she will be famous and loved in no time."

"Woah, woah, woah. Back it up real quick. You already have a marketing plan for me?"

"Would you like to hear it?"

Everyone nodded and leaned in closer to Mr. Bang.

"We are going to reveal that Juliette is Jimin's soulmate!"

"What?!" everyone said in unison.

"By associating her with Jimin, people will be interested in her simply because she is involved with BTS in some way."

"We just went through hell and back lying to people about Ji-Hoon and a fake injury to protect her and you want us to just reveal that she's my soulmate?!" Jimin asked, a little annoyed.

"I am aware of your efforts but we know this plan will work. Ji-Hoon got popular enough to get into a group because of associating with you so why wouldn't it work with Juliette?"

"Mr. Bang, with all due respect, I don't think I want to become an idol. I only danced to help Jimin while he relearned his skill," Juliette commented.

"It is your decision at the end of the day but I assure you that you will be very successful."

"I will need time to think about it."

Mr. Bang smiled as a response and then excused himself as he was needed back in the office. Everyone watched him leave in silence as Jin escorted him out. Once the door closed, all eyes fell onto Juliette and their gaze felt heavy on her shoulders.

"Noona," Jungkook began, "Are you going to become an idol?"

"Hell to the no!" she replied, "There is no way in a million years that I would become an idol...I think."

"May I ask you, why?" Jin commented.

"I was only comfortable dancing on camera and in front of crowds because I knew it was temporary but I could never do it as a permanent thing. Besides, my passion lies in painting. On top of that, I would never want to abuse the fact that I now can dance like Jimin for my own benefit."

"That's very considerate of you, noona," Taehyung stated.

"Would you guys recommend I be an idol?"

"Being a solo artist is very different from being in a k-pop group," Namjoon commented, "I couldn't imagine going through the hardships of fame alone."

"I started at 16 and if it wasn't for my hyungs, I probably would've quit on my first day," Jungkook added.

"What we're trying to say is," J-Hope clarified, "None of us know what it's like to be a solo artist so we're the wrong idols to ask."

"Hyung, didn't you work with a female solo artist and are friends with her? What was her name again?" Taehyung said while gesturing at Yoongi.

"You mean Suran? I've worked with her a few times," Yoongi replied.

"What if you set up a meeting for her and Juliette to talk? She's a solo female artist and would be a better insight into what that's like than us."

"You know I don't talk much to people unless it's for work."

"Don't worry about it Yoongi," Juliette said, "I'm pretty set on not wanting to become an idol."

"Oh thank god," Yoongi replied and let out a sigh of relief, "I did not want to call her up; social anxiety and what not."

Everyone chuckled as a response to his comment.

"I'll think about it but I think my answer is no," Juliette commented.

"In that case," Jin jumped in, "Who's ready for dinner? I'm making curry!"

"I'm gonna take a nap," Yoongi said.

"I'll play some video games with Taehyung hyung," Jungkook shared.

Taehyung nodded in response.

"I need to work on some lyrics," Namjoon added.

"I'd love to hang out with you Juliette but I need to get back on my grind so I'll rehearse in my room for a little bit with J-Hope," Jimin began, "Right hyung?"

"Sure, I can help you," J-Hope answered with his usual bright smile.

All the guys walked to their rooms as Juliette stayed behind in the living room with Jin on the couch.

"Can I help you make dinner?" Juliette asked.

"You don't have to help me just because everyone else left. I always make dinner for everyone on my own, unless Jungkook helps me," Jin said.

"I know, but I want to. It'll help me clear my mind of everything that went down today."

"Sure. You want to help wash the rice for the curry? I'll start by making the sauce."

Jin and Juliette began working in the kitchen on their respective tasks in silence. Jin sensed that she was still tense about being asked to become an idol out of nowhere so he wanted to soften the air by asking her how she felt.

"I know you want to get your mind off of it but clearly, it's bothering you. Is there more you would like to talk about?"

"Actually yeah but I don't want to dump a bucket of my thoughts onto you."

"What is your oppa (meaning "older brother" from female to male in Korean) good for if not to give you advice?"

"Oppa? You want me to be...informal with you?"

"You're basically Jimin number two, so it's fine by me."

"Alright, thanks...oppa."

Juliette then disclosed why she was 99% sure about not wanting to become an idol. She revealed that she loved working with them as a group and having all of them to talk to and related to her problems. She could not imagine what it would be like to have to go through that on her own. If she would've been offered to work in a group, maybe she would be more willing to say yes. However, as Mr. Bang had said, she was too old to debut in a girl group but could start solo.

"I understand where you're coming from," Jin commenced, "I don't know what I would've done without the other six through debut. But, at the same time, I wonder what it would've been like if I was solo. I wouldn't have to live with them and I'd have more privacy. I sometimes, unintentionally, feel like I'm pushed aside from the others even when in the spotlight."

He had a brief pause.

"Are you ok?" Juliette asked him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. What I'm trying to say is, there's pros and cons to being a solo artist as there are when being in a group. I appreciate how things turned out for me and I love the others like family. It is ultimately your decision."

"And then there's also the fact that I would have to leave my life in Paris behind for good. I'd have to abandon my Instagram page, stop painting, leave Valerie..."

"You don't have to decide now, you can think about it for a week. The advantage you have over the other members and me is that you're 27, not some teenager getting into something without knowing what it entails. You even had a preview (I guess you could call it) of what having fans is like as a celebrity. Whatever you decide, I'm sure we'll be here to support you."

"Thank you, Jin oppa."

They fondly smiled at one another and continued making dinner.