As the first ray of sunlight pierced through the window, Mike slowly opened his eyes. He gently removed the arm draped across his chest and was the first to climb out of bed.
The room was in shambles, a testament to the chaos of the previous night...
The girls, thoroughly exhausted from their "strenuous activities," were still sleeping soundly.
Without disturbing them, Mike freshened up in the bathroom and headed downstairs to prepare a breakfast made with love.
Milk and juice were mandatory...
The girls needed serious rehydration.
Next, some simple but delicious sandwiches...
To ensure nutritional balance, Mike decided to fry a few heart-shaped eggs to slip inside the sandwiches.
---
While Mike was frying the eggs, Regina, lured by the aroma, appeared at the kitchen doorway.
Compared to the other girls, the "Queen Bee's" physical constitution was noticeably superior.
She leaned against the doorframe like a newlywed wife, staring entranced at the busy figure in the kitchen.
Bathed in the morning light and wearing an oversized t-shirt, she exuded a softness that was completely different from her usual imperious "Queen Bee" persona.
"What is it, Regina?" Mike, busy with breakfast, noticed her staring at him for an extended period.
"Mike, do you realize how incredibly attractive you are right now?" Regina smiled, walking up behind him like a devoted wife, intending to plant a morning kiss.
They say a man who can cook is attractive.
But a man who is both handsome and a skilled chef? That charm is maxed out.
That was Mike in a nutshell.
"Hold on. Have you brushed your teeth yet?" Mike dodged the kiss.
Even if you're a goddess, morning breath is non-negotiable. No brushing, no kissing.
"Tch."
Seeing Mike's blatant rejection, Regina huffed in dissatisfaction and released her hug.
She pretended to head for the bathroom, but when Mike wasn't looking, she spun around and planted a fierce kiss on his cheek.
It was punishment for his lack of romance.
As it turns out, no one can truly reject the Queen Bee's affection.
Success achieved, she watched Mike wipe the saliva off his cheek and left the kitchen, satisfied.
Shortly after, just as breakfast was plated, the other girls woke up and finished their morning routines.
Since they hadn't brought a change of clothes, all the girls were wearing Mike's oversized men's t-shirts.
The same shirt style, yet worn with distinct flair by each girl.
The view was simply breathtaking.
Once breakfast was served, everyone gathered around the sofas in the living room.
"Alright, dig in," Mike invited everyone.
Though simple, the breakfast was hearty enough to replenish the energy the girls had expended.
"Is there something on my face?"
Once everyone started eating, Mike turned to Regina, who was sitting next to him, ignoring her food to stare at him again.
"No," Regina shook her head. Her gaze drifted meaningfully toward Mike's lower half as she whispered mysteriously, "I just realized... you're getting better and better at this."
Zero to sixty in one second.
"Eat your breakfast," Mike shot her a glare.
Better? Mike knew exactly how good he was.
With the buffs from his "Moonlight" trait and his high-level "Sacred Spear" skill...
Let's just say, in the realm of horizontal aerobics, Mike was undeniably gifted.
"I really miss these leisurely days..." After finishing her milk, Regina lay back on the sofa, stretching her body luxuriously.
The American music industry was currently booming. Superstars were emerging constantly; it was a battle of the gods.
For the Plastics to make a splash in this environment, their pre-debut preparations over the last six months had clearly been grueling.
"What is the company's strategy for you?" Given their relationship, Mike was genuinely concerned about their career trajectory.
At the mention of this topic, Katie (who had almost debuted with them) and Lena (curious about the outside world) put down their food and perked up their ears.
"The company has prepared several electronic pop songs and dance routines for us..." Since everyone here was trustworthy, Regina spoke openly about the company's plans.
"That style seems suboptimal. Is Miracle Records trying to package you as a 'visual' group?" Mike quickly identified the flaw.
Based on Miracle Records' roadmap, the Plastics were being molded into a generic girl group—Spice Girls knockoffs focused on flashy dance numbers and quick cash grabs, rather than musical quality.
"We don't have much choice. We aren't famous yet, so top-tier songwriters won't collaborate with us," Regina acknowledged the downside, but felt helpless to change it.
Good songs are hard to come by.
"Let me process this," Mike's brain went to work.
"Visual group" wasn't a great label, especially for girls who wanted longevity.
Setting aside external factors, the three girls were essentially small-town girls.
Small town... Countryside...
This vibe inexplicably aligned with Country music.
Country music? Taylor Swift.
Perfect. That's the one.
"I will compose a few songs for you. Afterward, you can negotiate a new development strategy with the company," Mike declared, having made his decision.
"You're going to write songs for us? That's amazing!" Regina squealed, throwing herself onto Mike.
What do singers need most? Hit songs.
And everyone had witnessed Mike's songwriting prowess last Christmas.
Utilizing his Memory Palace, Mike quickly transcribed several new songs while the girls watched in awe.
"Love Story? This is an interesting composition..."
The three girls huddled around Mike, examining the notes on the sheet music.
After six months of music theory training, while they couldn't compose, they had developed basic appreciation skills.
"It's a fresh, acoustic style. It looks really promising..." Gretchen offered her opinion.
Being the gentler personality of the group, her original dream was to be a pure singer. She had zero interest in being part of a generic pop group.
Now, Mike was giving her a chance to realize that dream.
"Mike, I knew you were the best..." After reading the sheet music, Regina's gratitude was more direct—she wrapped herself around Mike again.
Unlike Gretchen, the Queen Bee seemed to interpret the romantic style of the song as a direct expression of Mike's love.
As for Karen, the angelic airhead, she didn't analyze anything.
She simply followed her instincts and joined Regina in physically assaulting Mike with her ample assets.
Teenagers, hormones... it only takes a spark.
Battle commenced immediately, and the front lines expanded rapidly.
---
"You seem preoccupied." During a ceasefire, Mike approached Katie.
During the previous skirmish, she seemed distracted.
"I don't know..." Katie looked conflicted.
"Talk to me. What is the variable?" Mike pressed.
"It's my parents. They want me to join their animal observation and research work in Africa after I graduate high school," Katie explained, looking lost.
Having been homeschooled most of her life, she was wavering between going to university for further education or joining her parents' studio.
While she had some talent for mathematics, she wasn't exceptional compared to top-tier mathematicians.
Moreover, she was realizing she didn't love math that much.
However, the idea of returning to Africa to study animals with her parents also caused some internal resistance.
Having tasted the comfortable life here, she wasn't sure she could handle the rugged lifestyle again.
At this moment, Katie actually envied Regina and the others. At least their goal of becoming stars was clear.
"Follow your intuition. Whatever decision you compute, I will support you," Mike encouraged her, sensing her confusion.
Confident in his own bright future, Mike had the resources to back her up, regardless of her choice.
Of course, provided she actually wanted his help.
"I understand. I'll give it serious thought." Receiving Mike's thoughtful encouragement, Katie's mood visibly improved.
"Hey, what are you two whispering about?"
Having recovered her stamina, Regina sidled up curiously.
judging by the flush on her cheeks, her motives were far from innocent.
War was about to break out again...