Clandestine

First Encounter

Jaemin POV

I was about to go to the practice room as usual, because NCT Dream comeback was just right around the corner. Seeing the new face of trainees and greet me with 'Jaemin Sunbaenim' was getting common for me since I was debuted 5 years ago. But then I saw one of the SM trainee sitting in the corner of the stairs. She wiped her eyes with her plaid shirt's sleeves. Yep, she was crying. I did really understand being SM trainee wasn't easy. I had been through all of that shit. I decided to come to her, well being a good sunbae I did really want to support my hoobae.

I walked towards her then she stood up hurriedly. The unshed tears were still visible in her beautiful eyes.

"Anyeong haseyo, Jaemin Sunbaenim." She said, "Kim Minjeong imnida!" She introduced herself just like a soldier.

"Ah, it's okay... don't be too formal. Just sit down, I think you have a bad day." I said.

As I mentioned it, she broke down once again. Her lips shook as she held her tears. Her lips curved down until she couldn't hold it anymore.

"I-I'm sorry, Sunbaenim." She said with eyes full of tears.

"It's okay, it's okay. Don't cry..." I patted her small shoulder. Like literally so small. I know maybe she did an extreme diet or something. I knew what pain she suffer.

She looked up as if it could stop her tears. She heaved a long sigh several times. We knew being an idol was hard, yet we exchanged half of our lives to be one.

"Better now?" I asked her.

She shook her head, "Sunbaenim, am I deserve to be an idol?" Suddenly she asked me.

"Of course. Unless you won't be here."

"I'm not beautiful. I can't dance well. Yoo Young Jin Seonsaengnim also scolds me because I can't sing well enough. Eotteohkae?" She cried again.

Seeing her like that really pains me. Inferior complex happened a lot. Once in a while, I also felt that way. But luckily, I had my parents and members to support me. So I really wanted to pay it forward to my hoobae.

"Aniya. You are beautiful. You dance well and you sing well." I said.

"No. Yoo Young Jin Seonsaengnim said that my voice is not good." She rambled again with tears streaming down her face like a faucet.

"Well, maybe he wants to bring out the best in you. You are here right now, having a chance to debut that you can't throw away." I smiled to cheer her up, "I know you can do it, Minjeong ssi."

Minjeong looked at me with her round eyes which were currently swollen, "Is that so?"

"Yes." I smiled at her. "By the way, this is for you." I took some candies that I usually bought in my pocket as an emergency sugar dose.

She accepted it with both of her hands then she smiled, "Thank you, Jaemin Sunbaenim."

"Eat that, sugar always gets you better," I said. "Himnae, Minjeong ssi."

She ate the candy that I gave her then smiled at me, "Thank you! I'll do my best, Sunbaenim!"

"That's a spirit! Fighting!"

"Thank you very much, Sunbaenim." She bowed so deep to me.

"Aniya you don't need to do that." I prevented her to bow again to me, "I should go practice now. Fighting. I'll wait for your debut stage."

Minjeong smiled so wide at me, "Definitely, Sunbaenim!"

I left with a happy heart. Being supportive and kind always recharging. My parents always told me to give something to others. I thought that kind of support was important to her right now. I hope the best of you, Minjeong ssi.