The second audition ended faster than Ayoung expected.

One moment she was bowing, thanking the evaluators with a voice that still trembled slightly from adrenaline, and the next she was back in the hallway, clutching the edges of her top in her hands while other girls filed in and out of practice rooms. Her heart was still racing—not from nerves this time, but from relief.

She had danced.

Not perfectly, but confidently. Familiar choreography, movements her body remembered even if she hadn’t danced seriously in years. 

As she stepped out into the corridor, she slowed, scanning the room without meaning to.

That’s when she almost ran straight into someone.

“Oh—! I’m so sorry—!”

She stumbled back half a step, instinctively reaching out. A warm hand caught her wrist before she could fully lose her balance.

“It’s okay.”

The voice was calm, steady.

Ayoung looked up.

For a second, neither of them spoke.

The girl in front of her had the same sharp eyes she remembered from the convenience store, the same composed expression that felt strangely out of place in a building full of frantic trainees.

Mina blinked once, then her brows lifted slightly in recognition.

“…You’re the girl from the convenience store, right?”

Ayoung’s eyes widened. “Y-Yes. I am.”

“I saw you again the other day,” Mina continued, her tone thoughtful. “But I didn’t have time to approach you.”

Ayoung swallowed, then nodded. “I—yeah. I heard a staff member call your name that day. You’re Mina, right?”

Mina gave a small nod. “Mhm” Then, after a pause, “And you are?”

“Seo Ayoung.”

Then Ayoung straightened quickly and bowed. “Um—thank you. Again. For before...At the convinience store that day I mean.”

Mina blinked, clearly recognizing her now. “Ah… don't worry about it.” Her voice was soft, measured. “How was the second round?”

“I think… better,” Ayoung said honestly. “I messed up a little in the first one.”

Mina’s lips curved slightly, not quite a smile. “You didn’t look like someone who messed up.”

Ayoung hesitated, then asked quietly, “Are you auditioning too?”

“Yes.” Mina paused. “You want to be an idol?”

“I do.” Ayoung let out a small laugh, almost disbelieving. “I didn’t really plan on it. I just… ended up here.”

Something flickered in Mina’s eyes at that. “I see.”

There was a short silence—comfortable, but charged in a way Ayoung didn’t quite understand yet.

Then Mina spoke again. “Why though, if I may ask? It's not exactly an easy job.”

Ayoung thought about it. About her empty apartment. About her parents throwing her away like she meant nothing. About the years she’d spent surviving instead of dreaming.

“Money is real struggle...I haven't been able to get a job..and I'm two days away from getting evicted from my apartment..so…I want to start over,” she said finally.

Mina nodded slowly. “Ah..that makes sense.”

Before either of them could say more—

“Mina-ssi!”

A loud, bright voice cut through the hallway.

A girl practically bounced into view, her presence impossible to ignore. She was beautiful in a way that felt effortless—soft curls framing her face, pink-tinted cheeks, wide eyes sparkling with energy. She quickly ran to Mina's side. 

“You’re already done with round two? I knew it, your voice was amazing last time!” she gushed. “Do you want to grab lunch? I found a really good place nearby—” She practically jumped into Mina with the way she was trying to grab her arm causing Mina to trip right onto Ayoung.

"—!"

Everything happened in a blur.

Ayoung stepped forward instinctively, hands reaching out just as Mina lost her balance, but the bump from Mina caused her to almost fall right to the ground herself. Mina's hand caught Ayoung's waist, pulling her forward—

They collided softly, Mina bracing herself against the wall beside Ayoung.

Too close.

Ayoung could feel the warmth of Mina’s body, her breath, the faint scent of soap and something citrusy. Their faces were only centimeters apart.

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.

Then Mina pulled back quickly. “So sorry— Are you alright?”

"I-it’s fine,” Ayoung said, her ears burning.

The girl quickly lowered her overly hyper tone and pouted a bit. “Ah...sorry Mina-ssi..”

Mina said, faint reluctance slipping into her tone. “Yura-ssi… you’re here already...Please lower the enthusiasm next time hm?”

"Sorry...." Yura turned, eyes landing on Ayoung for the first time. Her smile widened instantly. “Oh! Are you auditioning too? Sorry for almost making you trip..”

“It's okay, it was an accident. And yes,” Ayoung replied, a little startled.

“I’m Han Yura.” She offered her hand cheerfully. “Good luck! You look really pretty, by the way.” Despite her compliment her eyes darted to Ayoung's clothes and state for a brief second before turning to Mina again. 

She tugged Mina away again, chattering nonstop as they disappeared down the hallway.

Ayoung stood there for a moment longer than necessary, heart pounding for reasons that had nothing to do with auditions.

The decision came quicker than she expected.

A call. A short meeting. A calm explanation.

She passed.

Ayoung signed the trainee contract first—hands steady despite the weight of it. Dorm housing was offered, training schedules explained, expectations laid out clearly.

She didn’t hesitate.

Two days later, she packed everything she owned into one suitcase.

The dorm was enormous compared to her old apartment. Clean. Quiet. Empty. 

Too empty.

She had been the first to sign up. Her roommates wouldn’t arrive for another day or two since training official began in another three to four days, and the silence pressed in on her chest as night fell.

She sat on the floor, back against the couch, not knowing why she suddenly felt a bit uneasy—

When the doorbell rang.

She startled, standing up slowly and opening the door.

Mina stood there, holding a plastic bag.

"..? Mina-ssi? What are you doing here? Did you sign up for the dorm as well?" asked Ayoung. 

Mina smiled softly and replied shaking her head, "No, I live in my own apartment near the company.... just thought I'd drop by since I heard you were going to be alone here for a day or two."

Ayoung suddenly felt flustered. "Ah..I see... You really didn't have to.. But I appreciate it." Her gaze dropped to the plastic bag Mina was holding.

“I was eating nearby,” Mina said, a little awkwardly. “I ordered too much. So I brought this for you.”

Ayoung stared. “....Really? But why—"

Mina shrugged. “I remembered you said you were getting evicted and since you just moved into the dorm, there's probably not any ingredients or materials to cook with. Thought you might not have food yet.”

She handed the bag over.

“This is too much...Thank you so much,” Ayoung whispered, in awe that someone who barely knew her was doing so much for her.

“Its no big deal. You're welcome. If you need anything,” Mina added with a calm smile, “I live four floors up.”

Ayoung blinked. “You… live here?”

Mina smiled slightly. “Something like that. So if you need anything don't hesitate to come to me.....and definitely don't think it will make me uncomfortable." She paused for a moment then added, a bit more formally, "We'll need to get more comfortable with each other either way if we end up debuting together." 

Ayoung suddenly felt a tad bit disappointed at that reasoning, though she couldn't tell why, but replied with a gentle smile, feeling happy regardless, "Oh right....But either way thank you for the meal Mina-ssi... I'll try not to bother you too much if I need something.." 

Mina chuckled softly. "Mn..Goodnight then."

"Goodnight."

Ayoung waved her goodbye before closing the door, quietly taking a moment to stare at plastic bag and thinking back on what Mina said, feeling grateful to have someone she could go to. 

She took out the food and and layed it out on the table, her eyes widening as she saw grilled beef short ribs, still warm, with rice and small side dishes tucked beside them in the food containers. She hadn't had a proper meal in ages, and the amount was more than what she would eat in a few entire days. 

She sat down and started to eat but wasn't sure she should or even could finish all of it. But when she thought about the fact that Mina had thought about her and gone out of her way to bring her dinner, she smiles and continued to eat feeling a strange and comforting warmth in her heart. 

Before she knew it, within five minutes, she had eaten all of it. 

Was I that hungry...?