𝙞𝙞𝙞

( 9 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 )

"Rin!"

The bright maknae's voice was full of energy, yet Aerin's blank expression met it with an impenetrable wall. The confusion in the younger girl's eyes was palpable, though she kept her composure.

Others in the room had noticed the odd tension though only the choreographer dared to break the silence.

"Hey, Aerin!" he yelled, snapping her from her haze.

Aerin quickly straightened, forcing herself into position. "I'm sorry," she murmured, keeping her eyes down as a sign of respect. "I've just been distracted. I'll work harder."

Her words felt rehearsed, empty, but they at least served their purpose. Growing up in a different, much more laid-back culture "respect-wise", she had always struggled with the rigid hierarchy that governed her new world. Here, a misstep or moment of defiance against some oldie could ruin everything.

The choreographer sighed, his tone sharp. "Just stop slacking off. You're not showing leader material, and you know it."

Aerin swallowed her pride, though she very much didn't want to. "Yes, sir. I'll do better."

. . .

The cold night air wrapped around Aerin as she trudged through the quiet streets. It was almost midnight, and exhaustion from the day's chaos weighed heavily on her. Though her members had always been understanding and cooperative, it seemed that the grumpy executives couldn't spare the same attitude. This only worsened as the talks about debut circulated, leaving Aerin with an always exhausted body and always pondering mind.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, the cheerful tune of Pick Me cutting through her persistent thoughts. She fished it out, glancing at the screen: I hate you <3.

A small smile tugged at her lips. Only Jihoon would have the audacity to label himself that way.

"Jihoon?" she answered, her voice flat. "You never call. What do you want?"

"Well, hello to you too," his familiar voice teased. "Care to be a little nicer to your favorite cousin?"

"My bad," she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

He chuckled, the sound tired yet amused. "I'm swamped. No inspiration. None. And you just so happened to be the first person I thought of to bail me out."

Truth be told, Jihoon was almost like an mentor to Aerin, teaching her the basics as well as how to refine her skills over the years. The guy was fucking talented, to say the least. However, once in a blue moon the tables seemed to turn and the oh so creative Jihoon was stumped. Aerin would be lying to say she wasn't flattered that her cousin had chosen her as his first choice, although it would have been nice to be chosen at a reasonable hour, not in the middle of the fucking night.

Aerin rolled her eyes. "So you want me to save you...again? I don't know how I keep getting roped into your messes."

"Because you care and respect your wonderful cousin?" Jihoon responded with an uncharacteristic plead in his voice. Well damn, now she really couldn't say no.

She smirked. "I'll be there in fifteen. The sooner I help you, the sooner I can leave."

As Aerin entered the Pledis building, the familiar hue of fluorescent lights filled her sight. She moved quickly and franticly, hoping to avoid unnecessary interactions that would only result in laughable small talk.

But fate, as always, had other plans.

She abrubtly slammed into someone in the narrow hallway, stumbling slightly before catching her balance.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" the stranger said, his voice warm and surprisingly gentle.

Aerin looked up, ready to offer a polite dismissal, but the sight of him stopped her. He wore sweatpants and an oversized button-down, yet somehow, he couldn't have looked more cool.

"I'm fine," she replied, brushing herself off, still somewhat phased by the guy's inherent charm. "What about you?"

He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I'm good. What's your name?"

Her brows furrowed. Who was this guy? And why was he so intent on prolonging their, now boring, conversation?

"Aerin Kang," she said cautiously, bowing out of habit.

He smiled, a hint of curiosityin his eyes. "Are you a trainee?" he asked, his tone light and friendly.

"Yeah, and you?"

His smirk widened. "You could say that."

The elevator doors dinged open, and Aerin seized the opportunity to escape whag had become an awkward conversation. "Nice meeting you," she said quickly, running out the elevator at top speed.

The man lingered as he watched her retreat. He shook his head slowly, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. Just who was she?

When Aerin finally reached Jihoon's studio, the door creaked open to reveal her cousin in an unsurprisingly disheveled state. His dark circles, messy hair, and usual lazy sweatpants were enough to signify his creative block.

"You look terrible," she said monotonously, stepping inside.

"And you're late," he shot back, though his tone was more teasing than annoyed.

Easing themselves into the vibe of the LED light-filled studio, they worked for hours as they bounced ideas off each other. Aerin's artistic flare and Jihoon's meticulous attention to detail made for an extremely productive session. No doubt the two were family with the way that music and it's creation came so naturally it didn't feel much like a job at all.

By the time the clock read 5:21 a.m., Aerin leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. "This better be fucking worth it."

"It always is," Jihoon replied with a rare smile. He reached for a hard drive on his desk and held it out to Aerin.

He ran his free hand through his hair as if doing so would bring back his energy. "If you could use this to work on the song remotely it would be better. Things tend to get glitchy if i just digitally send the files to you." Jihoon said calmly, watching as Aerin took the device securing it safely in the tote bag she'd brought with her.

"Thanks but uh...how or when am I supposed to get this back to you?"

Jihoon shrugged, slightly ticking Aerin off as she awaited his lazy answer. "Well I'm booked all week except for Thursday. We have a performance at music bank but it's the most local schedule so I guess you could just give it to me there." Clearly he had not thought one wink of the trouble on Aerin's end, forcing her to roll her eyes.

"You seriously expect me to just show up at fucking music bank!?"

The producer shrugged yet again. "Yeah, what's the problem? I'll tell staff that you're coming and they can give you a badge. It's no big deal." Aerin sighed, maybe he did have a point. Despite how awkward it would be simply walking in a place she doesn't belong in, she nonetheless had to deliver the hard drive at some point. And there was absolutely no way she would travel further than Seoul.

Her cousin's calm demeanor almost made her want to lash out, but she simply sighed instead. "Ugh, I can't believe you, but fine. I do all this just for me to have to go out of my way for you again." Aerin's dramatics earned a chuckle from Jihoon who began standing up to walk her out.

He amusingly crossed his arms. "And that's why you're a real one." He grinned as he watched her take a few steps toward the door.

She turned around slightly to side-hug him before finally making her way out with a half-smile on her face. "Yeah, whatever.