August, Ahn Jae, and Silas arrived in LA looking fresh, clean, and suspiciously un-jetlagged for three men who'd just crossed the Pacific.
"LA, here we come!" August cheered, his voice bright enough to turn a few heads. People smiled at him on instinct — he had that kind of puppy-cute aura that made strangers' hearts do little somersaults.
But the moment they stepped out of the terminal?
Chaos — the wholesome kind — hit them like a wall.
A couple hundred fans were waiting outside, banners raised, phones up, voices already at a happy scream. It wasn't stadium-level huge, but for the boys, who weren't expecting anyone?
It was overwhelming. In the best way.
"August! Can I get an autograph, please?! You're my bias!" one girl shouted, practically vibrating.
August lit up, ready to sprint toward her like an excited golden retriever, when Salazar's hand shot out and snagged him by the hoodie.
"Please be careful," Salazar murmured, still calm under all the chaos. 'And don't dash anywhere unless one of us is guarding you.'
August blinked, chastised but still glowing, then approached the fan properly.
"Oh my gosh! Thank you for supporting me!" he said as he signed her shirt, smiling so sweetly it could melt glaciers. Medics really should be stationed nearby with how often fans nearly flatlined at that smile.
The fan didn't quite faint — she just rebooted, screamed again, and bounced away.
Ahn Jae, meanwhile, spotted a fan holding a banner with his name plastered across it, and something in his chest squeezed — warm, soft, not painful. With Iliyana hovering protectively beside him, he walked over.
The fan shrieked as if she'd been personally blessed by the heavens.
"Jae! Can I have your autograph, please?!" she yelled, offering a pink binder covered in a lovingly chaotic collage of him.
Ahn Jae's eyes glimmered. He took the fluffy pink pen, signed carefully, and even added a tiny handwritten message. When he handed it back, he looked up with a watery smile."Thank you," he said softly.
"Jae fighting! Don't give up!!" the fan cheered at full volume.
He bowed, touched, then moved on to another fan asking for a selfie.
Silas's fans, on the other hand?Built.Like they'd deadlifted the plane for warm-up.
Surprisingly chill, too — but loud enough to show their love. They were also the unofficial crowd-control squad, shushing people and reminding everyone to behave so airport security didn't yeet them out before Silas even made eye contact.
It was impromptu, unexpected, but deeply appreciated.
The Vampire Squad eventually signaled that time was up. The trio lined up shoulder-to-shoulder and bowed deeply, gratitude written all over their faces, before being whisked into a luxury van waiting outside.
LA had greeted them with warmth, love, and a whole lot of screaming.
And damn… it felt good.
Inside the van, the three were still buzzing, hearts full and spirits stupidly high.
August even caught Ahn Jae quietly wiping away tears.
"(형, 왜 울어요?)
Hyung, why are you crying?" August asked, confused and concerned all at once.
"(아니… 그냥 너무 행복해서.)
No… I'm just really happy." Ahn Jae replied with a small, sincere smile.
Silas let out a breath as he watched LA's busy streets rush by the window.
"(왠지 모르겠는데… 뭔가 진짜 좋은 일이 올 것 같아.)
I don't know why, but… it feels like something great is waiting for us."
"(응… 나도 그렇게 느껴.)
Yeah… I feel that too," August agreed softly, while Ahn Jae only nodded, still too overwhelmed to form proper words.
They eventually fell into a comfortable silence as the van wove through LA traffic. Before long, they pulled into a private lot in front of a sleek, modern building — their new home base. Bread Music Entertainment.
"Whoa…" August breathed, eyes wide.
"(베이커리에 온 걸 환영한다.)
Welcome to the Bakery," Salazar said warmly.
"(베이커리요?)
The… Bakery?" the trio echoed, completely confused.
The Vampire Squad chuckled.
Seth stepped forward, hands tucked casually behind his back.
"(브레드라는 이름이랑 맞추는 거야. 여기서 아티스트들을 정성 들여 '굽고' 다듬어서 세상에 내보낸다고 해서, 대표님이 본사 별명을 베이커리라고 지어놨어.)
It matches the whole 'Bread' theme. The CEO calls the headquarters a Bakery because this is where artists get crafted with love and hard work before they're sent out to be enjoyed by the world. Like freshly baked bread."
Iliyana added with a soft laugh,
"(보면 알겠지만, 대표님은 빵을 진짜 좋아해.)
If you couldn't tell already, the CEO really loves bread."
Silas opened his mouth.
"(대표님… 좀—)
The CEO is kinda—"
He stopped himself, fearing accidental slander.
Seth finished for him with absolutely zero shame:
"(—덕후지.)
—quirky."
Silas's eyes went wide like, Sir?? You said that OUT LOUD??
Iliyana patted his shoulder.
"(걱정 마. 대표님은 자기 quirks 다 인정하고 잘 웃어넘기는 분이야.)
Don't worry. The CEO is very self-aware and totally owns his quirks."
Silas exhaled in relief.
The moment they stepped inside Bread Music, the trio's jaws collectively hit the floor. The place looked like a high-end café and smelled like heaven — fresh bread and rich coffee everywhere.
The front desk receptionist noticed their arrival, her entire face lighting up like the Fourth of July.
"Ahh, yes, the Vampire Squad returns," she sang.
"It's good to be back," Salazar smiled. "You're as beautiful as always, Hanna."
"Oh please," Hanna laughed, rolling her eyes. "Don't start."
Then she spotted the others.
"Iliyana! My girl! My queen! You're back!"
"It's good to see you too," Iliyana chuckled.
Hanna turned pink the moment her eyes landed on Seth.
"Hiiiiii Sethhhhh," she said, tucking her hair behind her ear like she was in a webtoon.
"Hanna, it's good to see you. It's been a while. Did you do something new with your hair?" Seth asked, voice smooth enough to butter a whole baguette.
"Staaaaph… how did you notice?" she squeaked. "I just wanted to try something new."
"Well… it suits you," he said with his trademark grin — the one responsible for ruined underwear across nations.
Salazar cleared his throat loudly, the verbal equivalent of dumping ice water on a burning building.
"Hanna, I'd like to introduce our first-ever artists," he said, switching to a more professional tone.
"Right! Sorry!" Hanna straightened up. "Hello! It's so great to finally meet you. I'm Hanna Grace — I manage the front lines here. So if you ever need anything, I probably know the answer. People say I know everything."
She flashed them a warm smile — the kind that immediately makes people relax.
"Hello," the trio said in unison, bowing politely.
"I just need you three to sign here," Hanna said, handing over a tablet and stylus. They filled everything out and returned the device.
"Perfect!" Hanna chirped. "The CEO's been expecting you. You can head straight to the Kitchen."
"Thank you, Hanna," Salazar replied.
"Happy to serve," Hanna said with a little tongue pop — because of course she did.
As they walked off, Ahn Jae leaned toward the others.
"(방금… 부엌이라고 했어?)
Did she say 'Kitchen'?"
Iliyana giggled.
"(응. 거기는 아이디어 '요리'하는 곳이야. 크리에이티브 팀들이 다 모여서 작업하는 방.)
Yeah. It's the room where all the creative departments 'cook up' ideas."
Only Ahn Jae and Silas blinked back at her, nodding politely while mentally drowning. The slang was way too advanced for beginner-level English.
But that was fine. They were here to learn — and the smell of fresh bread was helping.