Chapter Text
El comienzo.
04 february 2024
Most idols used variety shows to promote new projects or make important announcements; for Huntr/x, going on a variety show meant a level of tension so astronomical it couldn’t even be matched by the end of a world tour. Every time they appeared on one, three things happened:
- One of them ended up being criticized for her outfit or appearance.
- New conspiracy theories started circulating.
- They ended up getting canceled online…
The latest scandal had cost them two full weeks of intense public relations. The cause? Just as stupid and insignificant as all the others...
—Welcome to ZY! Your favorite comment show, where one of your favorite idols asks the juiciest questions submitted by fans to the most popular group of the week! — The host smiled at the camera and clapped along with the audience. —Today’s guest interviewer has been the most requested in the history of the show; give it up for… Mira from Huntr/x!
The audience went wild, jumping from their seats and clapping as they watched Mira step onto the stage, waving. She paused halfway, and the applause began to fade—only to erupt again, even louder, as the chorus of “Fancy” by Twice blasted through the speakers. Mira continued her walk toward the host, striking a catwalk-worthy pose as she went. Once she reached the host, she bowed to the audience.
—I’ve always heard you’ve got modeling skills, and they are insane! Am I right? — the host said, turning to the crowd, who responded with thunderous cheers. Mira bowed a few more times before sitting down on the couch next to the host.
—You’re all too kind! It’s part of the training. A lot of our dance routines include some modeling elements, — Mira replied.
—I’m glad you shared them with us. And now… let’s welcome tonight’s guests. Please give it up for… the Saja Boys!
The host and Mira stood up to applaud the five idols as they entered, the perfect public relations machine: smiling, blowing kisses to the audience. Baby formed a heart with his arms, and Romance tossed a rose into the crowd. The rose was instantly destroyed by two fans fighting over it.
Once the boys reached the host and Mira, they gave a deep bow. Both women returned the gesture, with Mira bowing even deeper than the host.
They took their seats, with Abby at the edge of the third couch: the one closest to Mira.
Each member was handed a microphone. The usual protocol was: Jinu would greet the host and the audience first, then introduce the group. But this time, Abby jumped ahead and turned on his mic.
—What? Aren’t you going to greet me properly?— Abby exclaimed, raising his eyebrows suggestively and flashing a wide grin as he leaned toward Mira.
No amount of media training or PR coaching had ever prepared Mira to suppress her expression in a moment like this. The disgust on her face was impossible to hide: from the boy group members, the host, or the audience.
She twisted her mouth, wrinkled her nose, and gave him a full once-over with her eyes.
The host had made a similar expression, though she managed to suppress it almost instantly. Mira, on the other hand, couldn’t change her expression for a full eight seconds... and by the time she did, it was too late.
The hashtags: #CruelMira, #Sassylittlebeach, and #ProtectAbby were already trending, and memes of her reaction were everywhere. On top of that, people were demanding an apology for her “offensive behavior” toward the Saja Boy.
Mira refused.
Two nights later, while Mira was livestreaming, she began receiving messages from Saja Boys fans. She was wearing a high ponytail and had a small mirror in front of her as she did her makeup. She was blending a brown eyeshadow into her eyelid when she paused to read the chat.
—What eyeshadow am I using? It’s a brown shade, kind of like leather. Honestly, I have no idea what brand it is. I borrowed it from Rumi’s room and as you can see...
Mira held up the eyeshadow palette —...it’s worn out and the letters are completely faded.
She picked up more color with her brush and tapped the palette while reading the chat.
With an exasperated huff, she said, —I’m not apologizing to that little bitc…
The chat exploded with thousands of messages flooding the livestream, but Mira ignored them and continued with her makeup. Five hashtags went viral that week:
- #GofundmeforMiramakeup
- #Miraisbroke
- #Thatlittlebitch
- #ProtectAbby
- MiraApology
When Abby saw the internet’s reaction to that specific moment, he burst out laughing so loudly that Jinu had to apologize to the crew in the room, they were in the middle of a scheduled photoshoot that day. By the end of it, the group forced Abby to make a videocall to apologize to Mira.
When she answered, instead of apologizing for his behavior on the show, Abby took one look at her angry face and started laughing even harder than he had in the studio. He was gasping for air by the time Mira told him to go to hell.
LillyFlowrz23
"The fact that our society is canceling Mira instead of focusing on @Abbyhotabs' complete lack of manners on the show just proves—once again—how normalized verbal aggression toward women really is. #SorryNotSorry"
—154 replies.
ThanosLoverCards
"A massive @MiraMira cancellation was not on my Bingo card."
Mimibutter122
"Well, @ThanosLoverCards go cry somewhere else. #ThatLittleBitch #ProtectAbby"
Hiccupoftheheels
" ¿Qué tiene que haya dicho pequeña perra en un live? ES UN SER HUMANO. "
Iconicazz
@Hiccupoftheheels Exactooo hermana… qué imperdonable que una mujer demuestre su descontento cuando se sintió ofendida #SassyMiraisthebest
SajaSaja55
"Anyone defending @MiraMira’s behavior must be the most toxic people you’ll ever meet in your damn life."
AlejandrooFyp
"@SajaSaja55 Oh, so you can curse, but she can’t? What a fucking double standard. #SassyMiraIstheBest"
—454 replies.