Six years ago: Seoul Korea, JYP offices
(Y/N POV)
"Ah, this chair is so uncomfortable." You exclaim to no one in particular.
The room is small and there are 9 of you jr. managers for division 3 in this water closet they call an office. It always smelled like buldak and crushed hopes and dreams. It wasn't that bad though, the 7th floor had more than enough vending machines for me to pillage whenever we had a spare moment, which wasn't often. It was… safe.
Four years of undergraduate school to get a digital media art degree just being wasted. As a new grad just out of Hanyang uni I was really lucky to land a job at JYP but starting at the bottom was humbling. I guess that business minor really did help.
I thought my art would be seen by millions instead I’m here lifting boxes of merch getting ready to ship them to a bunch of cities I’d probably never get to go to. I guess I'm just floating here. You know, trying to find purpose.
Growing up in America had its benefits, but there's something about moving to Seoul. The city feels alive. I still sketch from time to time, I love the cityscapes that Seoul has and my camera is always on me when I’m not working.
The door swings open and a large looming figure is standing in the doorway “Y/N! Go take this case of waters up to the studio. The girls are almost done with practice.”
“You got it, Colossus-nim.” I said.
I’m usually the one that has to do the physical work. The other jr. managers say it’s because I’m built like an American, whatever that means. I really don’t mind though. This was the best part of my day for the last couple of weeks.
The company has been buzzing like a fever pitch ever since the company announced Twice’s first world tour. Everyone everywhere was running around to make sure the girls had everything they could have ever wanted. The sheer preparation is something I enjoyed, even a little, being a part of.
“Y/N, please just drop the case off. No talking to the artists. No sharing your doodles. Get in and get out. They don’t need distractions, they need to focus.”
I gave him a mock salute. “Aye aye captain!” He rolled his eyes. "You'll have to learn this American humor if you want to survive the American leg of the tour." I said.
“You’re lucky they like you or you’d be fired for insubordination” he said. “I don’t want to have to explain to the girls why their favorite jr. manager is at the bottom of the Han river.”
“There you go Colossus-nim! You’re starting to catch on!” I grinned at him as he swung his clipboard at my head.
“Kid, I’m serious. They are under a lot of stress and need to focus,” he said.
“I got it. In and out,” I said as the door closed behind me. I wheeled a few cases of water up to the studio floor. The low thumping of bass rattling the floorboards as soon the elevator door dings.
When I said the place was vibrating, I meant literally. I opened the door just as the last note finished, a soft hush remained with the sound of heavy breathing of nine absolutely breathtaking women finishing their routine.
"Great job everyone! Let’s take 5," Jihyo said, clapping and very obviously trying to keep morale up after a long practice session.
The team broke their ending poses and scattered to the corners of the studio. I set up the waters in the back table for them to grab quickly.
I stood in the corner like a sentry. Watching them grab the water on the table with delight. I’ve liked Twice ever since their debut and honestly really admired their hard work and dedication. And now they are going on a world tour. Maybe I'll get picked to come along and support the team. Just a couple days before everyone leaves.
I love going to live shows, I love the idea of the production and stages, the lights. I imagine it would be absolutely amazing to design a whole tour. It was a dream to get to see them behind the scenes daily. Even if it was just being their errand boy. It wasn’t showing my art to millions of people, but it was doing the tiny things to make these girls' lives easier. I felt comfort in that.
I know them, or at least I feel like I know them. Or really, I waited for them to need something and then I would go get it, quickly. OK so I was an overqualified gofer, but they seemed to enjoy the goofy foreigner who got them coffee. They always were pleasant to me but they’re professional idols, that's part of the gig.
Nayeon POV
Woah, beautiful! I steal a look at myself in the ceiling to floor mirror. Oh! My favorite toy is here to play. He was at least a foot taller than me, muscular with a cute face. We don't get much eye candy in this building, but Y/N really was just so teasable. I hopped up to Y/N standing in the corner as he quietly watched the room.
"Y/N-ya!!!" What are you doing up here?! What world are you building in that big brain of yours?"
"Same as always Nayon-nim, to do your bidding," He said while stifling a smirk. "And no thinking allowed, strictly forbidden by Colassus-nim."
"You know what sounds absolutely amazing right now?" I asked.
"Let me guess, an iced americano from the cafe downstairs?" He asked dryly.
Just then, Sana and Momo saunter over arm in arm.
"Hi Y/N-kun! Did I hear someone say iced americano?" said Sana, her bright eyes beaming.
"Y/N-kun are you going to the cafe? Can you get me bread? The big one, Melon flavor!" Momo said excitedly with a little bit of drool on the side of her mouth.
I can see Y/N starting to buckle, he could maybe say no to one of us, but the three of us knew that we could get him to do anything.
He sighed, "OK, OK, I'll run down to the cafe, let me grab my wallet." He walked over to the water cart to grab his bag.
"Does anyone else want something from the cafe?! Y/N is paying!" A coy smile plastered on my face.
He looked over at me with wide eyes as a cascade of orders rang out. "Nayeon, why?"
"Because you didn't bring me a sketch today!" I said as he walked past me towards the door.
He beamed, his drawings honestly were very good.
He lingered a bit at the door looking towards the far side of the room, his brows furrowed a quick look of concern across his face.
Something feels off.
Mina is sitting alone. Not tired. Not resting.
Just… still.
(Y/N POV)
What was that look? Mina looked so… empty.
I think I know just the thing that can help.
(Mina POV)
“Yes Unnie I’m ok!” I said to Nayeon as she squatted down and wrapped her arms around my neck plopping herself behind me.
I can feel her stealing a glance and Sana and Momo and I know what’s coming. I got up before it could happen. I see the three of them sharing a look in the mirror.
“I’ll be right back guys, just need the toilet,” I lied.
The words barely left my mouth before I was moving. The hallway tilted as my vision blurred. My stomach twisted hard enough to steal my breath, my hands shaking no matter how tightly I curled them into fists. I kept my eyes on the floor to avoid looking up.
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