I'm Your Only Hope

Aftermath

Misook finds Ami a shirt in one of the dressing rooms then leaves her to change. It's more casual and colorful than Ami usually wears, a pale pink t-shirt with the company logo on the front. Still, Misook insisted there weren't really any other options, so Ami makes the best of it. Everything looks good on her, anyway.

Back in the studio, the staff is sweeping up the remaining debris while the members sit off to the side. Jhope is squatting in a circle with three other members. He shoots her a questioning smile when he spots her. Ami nods and shrugs, eyes wide.

Why are these people so considerate? She's nobody to them, a mere assistant. She should be beneath their notice until they need something. 

She never should've saved Suga. If Abba hadn't mentioned he was Jessica's favorite, he wouldn't have even been on her radar. Well, that's not entirely true since she met him at the fanmeet yesterday, but still. He'd just be another member if Abba hadn't told her to watch out for him.

The staff finishes getting everything back in order, so the members converge on the stage. Jhope seems to take some kind of lead here as they all get into position and discuss whatever it is they're about to film.

Ami sighs, watching him work. He's the one she needs to protect. Not Suga. Not the doe-eyed Oppa nor any of the other's dressed in varying states of decaying denim. Jhope is the Mark. If she gets exposed saving him, she can accept any consequences. But if she allows herself to get exposed protecting anyone else, Jhope will pay the price. She can't let that happen.

"Assistant Go?" Manager Sejin appears at her shoulder. "Are you sure you're okay to keep working?"

"Ne, manager-nim. I'm not going anywhere."

He eyes her for a brief moment, then nods.

"Good. You make an interesting first impression, but at least I know you're committed." He chuckles, then clears his throat. "Once we wrap here, they've got an interview and photo shoot then the rest of the evening is free. It's a busy time for BTS. I'll send you a copy of the schedule for the month so make sure you review it."

"Ne."

He eyes her again, no doubt looking for a sign of weakness. Finding none, he smiles.

"Very good. For today, just stay by Jhope's side and get him whatever he needs, especially water."

He jerks his head towards a pile of packaged water bottles on the ground just as someone calls for silence. Ami nods, wondering vaguely why he can't get his own water, and turns her attention to the stage.

A song blares to life, one she doesn't recognise. It starts somewhere in the middle of a verse, almost immediately transitioning into the chorus. When it does, the members start to move.

Ami's never danced a day in her life, but she's completely amazed. The control they have over their bodies, the smoothness of their movements, and the accuracy of those movements with the beat is truly astounding. She's captivated, actually starting with surprise when one of them suddenly stops, claiming he made a mistake. If he did, she completely missed it. And she's an excellent observer.

The others tease the one who made a mistake momentarily, before Jhope and one in a red shirt try to refocus their energy back on the work. Ami catches herself holding her breath, excited for them to start, and laughs. When Sejin looks at her questioningly, she stops.

When they start back up, Ami tries to learn each of their individual styles of movement; their strengths and weaknesses. They're all amazing, though some better than others, but her eyes keep getting drawn back to Jhope. His fluid, seemingly effortless movements give the impression he's actually setting the beat instead of following it.