A few weeks had passed since Ayoung first moved into the dorm. Training had intensified. Days blurred together in a haze of dance counts, vocal drills, and endless repetition. Her throat, legs and arms ached constantly.

The improvement never seemed to be enough. Everyday at practice was another lecture and another headache, whether it was about her missing the beat, her terrible posture, or her tripping halfway. The mentor might as well have four eyes with the way she would point at every misstep Ayoung took. 

A ranking system for the trainees had been introduced as well—Ayoung at second last place. 

The dorm, however, had grown chaotic ever since Chae-in and Ji-ah moved in. Clothes were strewn across the living area, music blasted at odd hours, and arguments over trivial things became a constant background hum. Every corner reminded her of her own lack of space, her lack of control, and sometimes it made her just want to climb the stairs to Mina’s apartment.

Today, though, something was different. Ayoung had gathered her courage. She had been practicing alone in the living room earlier, replaying the mentor’s corrections in her head, and when the schedule finally allowed a short break, she found herself walking toward Mina’s door.

She paused, hand hovering near the door. I hope she’s not busy… I can just ask quietly… maybe she’ll say yes.

Knocking lightly, she waited.

“Come in,” came Mina’s calm, measured voice.

Ayoung opened the door. Mina was in her open living room area, headphones around her neck and a tablet in front of her. She looked up, expression calm as always, and inclined her head. Of course she was already practicing...no wonder she was perfect..

“Hey, what's up?” Mina asked. Her tone was neutral, but inviting.

“Yes… if it’s not too much trouble, Mina-ssi,” Ayoung said, voice small, careful. “Could we practice together..? Of course not if you're too busy- I… I just want to get some of the things I messed up on yesterday… right.”

Mina’s eyes softened almost imperceptibly, and she nodded. “Of course. We can do it here. Let’s start with your posture and breath control.”

Ayoung was a bit surprised that Mina agreed so easily. "Huh-? right here..?"

"Mn. I'm already practicing so we might as well do it here. C'mon."

Ayoung swallowed and stepped forward. Mina adjusted the song that was playing and gestured to the center of the room. “Stand here,” she instructed.

As Ayoung began her performance, Mina moved closer, hands guiding her arms, shoulders, and waist. The contact was functional, correcting alignment, but something about it felt… unusually precise. The brush of her fingers over Ayoung’s waist to guide her stance made Ayoung pause, quickly reminding herself to focus.

“Keep your eyes on me. Don’t force your neck when you sing. More expression,” Mina said, her voice calm and steady. Ayoung followed, mimicking the motion. When she faltered, Mina lightly held her again to reposition her shoulders.

"Alright, now let's practice just your second verse without the choreo. Your voice sounds slightly strained," Mina instructed as Ayoung began singing, her voice cracking just as she was about to reach the high note, making Mina stop her. 

"Nope. Again." 

Another voice crack.

"Again" 

And another one. 

"Ayoung. I know you can do better. Again" 

Ayoung tried her best this time. Her voice still cracked. 

"Mina-ssi...Seriously..I don't think I can do this..lets move on to something else?" Ayoung asked hoping to spare herself of anymore embarassment infront of Mina. 

Mina stood up and walked over to her—arms crossed, not looking pleased. "You can't give up. You're going to get scolded by the mentor again tomorrow. Come on, I'll help you. Do it with me.."

Ayoung sang the segment along with Mina, once, then twice. After a few attempts at trying to mimic how she sang, she was getting better, but still not enough to reach the note. 

Ayoung sang again, but this time, Mina suddenly leaned forward and held her chin—her thumb almost brushing along the underside of Ayoung's bottom lip, making her breath hitch. Mina spoke in a serious relaxed tone, "Relax your jaw. Don't open your mouth too much. It's causing your voice to sound strained and forced." 

Ayoung sang again and couldn't believe it but her singing had gotten significantly better..maybe not that much, but enough to reach the note. 

They practiced for another three hours. 

“Good girl, that was perfect,” Mina said when Ayoung finally did the dance routine perfectly after several repetitions, hands falling to her sides. “You listen well.”

The words landed heavier than Ayoung expected. She blinked, looking down, momentarily flustered. Good girl…? It wasn’t the praise itself—it was the calm, almost sultry way Mina had said it, as if every movement she guided Ayoung through suddenly felt intimate.

“Thank you, Mina-ssi,” Ayoung whispered. She reset herself and ran through the motions again. This time, her timing snapped into place, her posture aligned, her voice more controlled. Mina’s calm nod of approval was enough, and Ayoung finally exhaled, feeling like she had earned it.

The next morning another evaluation took place, and then the results came. Ayoung waited nervously as the staff called out ranks. When her name was announced, her pulse quickened. She had risen in the standings—her practice, her discipline, had begun to show. She allowed herself a small smile before the mentor continued with instructions for the day.

Temporary groups were being announced.

Ayoung’s group was to include Mina, herself, Soojin, and one other trainee. Her stomach fluttered nervously. Being placed in a group with Mina was… intense, but atleast it was someone she knew.

“Han Yura, you’ll be in the next group,” the mentor said as she listed some of the weakest trainees as Yura's members.

Yura who was relaxing on the side froze, then threw a fit. "Excuse me?! W-with them?! I'm literally ranked at the top..What if this affects my performance and my rank??" Rushing over to Mina, Yura clutched her arm whining. “Unnie! I mean… Mina-ssi! We have to be together! Please convince her...Don’t leave me in another group!”

Mina’s expression remained calm, measured. “Yura, both of us are at the top. Being in the same group will make it an unfair advantage. Focus on your own team.” 

That was indeed true that they were at the top. After the ranking system had started for the trainees, Yura was with no doubt placed at first place by the staff and mentors, with Mina coming in at second. 

Yura pouted but let go, though her eyes lingered on Mina with subtle disappointment.

The mentor assigned roles. To Ayoung’s surprise, she was named leader of the temporary group. She tried not to let it show, but the weight of responsibility made her heart hammer in her chest.

Thankfully her role as leader wouldn't begin till later, so practice in the group went smoother than she expected. Mina’s calm guidance helped Soojin and the other trainee align. When it was her turn, Ayoung’s prior practice with Mina showed. She moved more confidently, her voice steadier, her timing tighter.

After training she returned to the dorm. She had practice with Mina at night again. While Ayoung was tidying up her things, her phone buzzed. She opened it: a message from Mina.

“Sorry Ayoung I won't be able to practice tonight, Han Yura wants me to go out for dinner with me. If you're free, come with me tonight. Korean BBQ. Yura is paying. Some trainees will join. —Mina-ssi”

Ayoung hesitated. Mina was supposed to continue practice. Should she…? She typed back quickly:

“Okay. I’ll come.”

"I'll pick you up in a few minutes then."

Dinner that night was lively. Mina arrived with Ayoung and sat down on one of the seats. Ayoung approached, sliding into the seat beside her, careful not to crowd her.

Yura joined shortly after, her usual energy restrained just slightly to appear polite, though the subtle disappointment in her eyes didn’t escape Ayoung. 

"Ah..unnie...you should have told me Ayoung-ah was coming...I thought it would be just us.." said Yura. 

Mina looked slightly irritated. "You're the one who said it was a dinner amongst trainees, did I have to ask you before I invited her?" 

"Of course not- jeez so serious....anyways" 

Ayoung spoke realizing there was no one else here. "Yura-ssi, is no one else coming?"

"Well I did invite one other trainee..I doubt she'll show up," Just as Yura was about to continue, a girl with dark blue hair, tied into a low ponytail, with a cap on her head poked her forehead. 

"Ya-! What did I say about doing that?!" 

The girl in the cap chuckled and spoke in a low, relaxed voice, "Sorry princess Yuraaa~ Hiii everyone"

“Aish- Whatever..anyways this is Jung Haein,” Yura said, turning back to Ayoung and Mina, gesturing to the girl with an unassuming demeanor. Haein offered a small wave. Ayoung noted how different she seemed from Yura—relaxed, quiet, almost childish.

The meal was busy and chatty. Plates clattered, steam rose from bowls of sizzling meat. Mina remained mostly quiet, speaking softly when spoken to, but her eyes occasionally flicked to Ayoung.

Ayoung found herself laughing at small jokes Haein made, glancing sideways at Mina. Mina’s calm gaze caught hers for a fraction of a second. Ayoung smiled softly and turned her attention back to Haein.

By the end of the night, plates cleared, everyone full and tired, Ayoung realized this was the first time she got to sit down and get to know the other trainees better. Han Yura seemed to be warming up to her as well...just slightly.

As they left the restaurant, Mina and Ayoung walked together, side by side. Mina’s steps were quiet, with Ayoung slightly humming as she walked beside her. She was learning Mina’s rhythm, her pace, her presence, and for the first time, she realized she wanted to match it.

“You seem cheerful..did you have a good time tonight?” Mina said finally, turning to Ayoung slightly. 

“Yeah,” Ayoung said softly, nodding. She smiled faintly, a mixture of gratitude and exhaustion. “Thanks, Mina-ssi.”

Mina inclined her head gently. "You know,"  She paused. "You can call me unnie if you want to..Yura already does so sometimes..no need to keep calling me Mina-ssi.."

Ayoung hummed and replied, "Mn....I'll think about it.." 

She didn't know if it was because of the tiny bit of alcohol she drank after a long while, but she felt at ease. 

Mina scoffed teasingly. "Wow Miss Ayoung.. I thought we were close enough and you refuse..I'm hurt" 

Ayoung smiled. "Hey when did I refuse? I said I'll think about it..unnie"