( 𝘮𝘢𝘺 2016 )
Geobi naseo sijakjocha an hae bwatdamyeon Geudaen tudeoldaeji mara jom-
Aerin silenced the alarm with a decisive tap, the remnants of sleep still clinging to her mind. What a terrible idea it had been to set her favorite song as her wake-up call. Day by day, the melody that once brought her joy now grated against her nerves, marking the beginning of yet another morning.
She sat up slowly, blinking into the quiet stillness of her apartment, and allowed herself a few moments to simply exist. Her gaze drifted to the faint sunlight filtering through the curtains, her mind hazy with half-formed thoughts. It wasn't until her fingers found her phone that she stirred into full awareness. Habit pulled her into the familiar routine: a scroll through her social media feed, a brief dip into the curated lives of strangers.
Her feed was a mosaic of glossy images—carefree faces, unending vacations, and success stories that seemed too good to be true. Aerin knew better than to trust it all, but the weight of comparison still settled uneasily on her chest. Productivity, perfection, purpose—all of it felt so unattainable in the quiet monotony of her own life.
She glanced toward the mirror, where a yellow post-it note reminded her of today's agenda: meeting her group members at Pledis. It wasn't something she could afford to forget, though her notoriously scattered memory often tested her resolve. The note was a relic of her mother's habit, one Aerin had adopted to keep her life from spiraling into chaos.
With a sigh, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Today was important. First impressions mattered—a philosophy she clung to, though she wasn't sure if it was a blessing or a curse. Her alarm had gone off earlier than usual, a sacrifice of precious sleep for the sake of looking polished and put-together.
An hour later, she stood in front of her mirror, scrutinizing her reflection. The outfit—a casual yet carefully chosen ensemble—felt almost too much, but it was quintessentially her. If she was going to meet these strangers who would soon become her teammates, they deserved the truth of who she was.
A quick breakfast followed: a sandwich hastily assembled and tucked into a bag. Phone, keys, and courage in hand, Aerin stepped out into the world.
Her first stop was the café around the corner, a ritual as familiar as her morning alarm. The barista greeted her with a warm smile, already preparing her usual iced coffee. Aerin exchanged pleasantries, grateful for these small, comforting interactions.
The bus ride was uneventful but offered her time to think. She could afford a car, but the deliberate act of saving—even at the expense of convenience—felt grounding. The walk to the bus stop, the ride itself, and the moments spent observing the world outside the window gave her a sense of clarity she had come to cherish.
By the time she arrived at the practice room, it was 9:30 a.m. exactly. Her heart beat faster as she double-checked the room number. The fear of barging into the wrong place was enough to make her palms sweat. Peeking inside, she exhaled in relief at the sight of three girls scattered around the room.
She stepped inside, her movements tentative yet deliberate. The girls each had distinct auras: one with a high ponytail and athletic gear, another in a relaxed sweatpants-and-top combination, and the third, a petite figure with caramel brown hair tied in playful space buns.
"Hello?" Aerin's voice broke the quiet, and three pairs of eyes turned toward her.
"I'm Kang Aerin," she said with a polite bow, mustering a smile. "I'll be your co-member starting today."
The girl with space buns was the first to respond, bouncing to her feet with infectious energy.
"Hi! I'm Aki, and you're so pretty!" she exclaimed, her voice warm and bubbly.
Aerin laughed softly, offering her thanks. As the introductions continued, the ponytailed girl stepped forward.
"Hyunjae," she said simply, her tone cool but not unkind.
Finally, the third girl approached. "And I'm Xia!" Her grin was wide, her enthusiasm palpable.
"It's nice to meet you all," Aerin said sincerely. She hesitated before adding, "But wasn't there supposed to be five of us?"
As if summoned by her words, the door burst open. A petite girl with short blonde hair and a flowered romper stumbled in, her cheeks flushed.
"Sorry I'm late!" she blurted, bowing deeply. "My alarm wasn't loud enough. I'm Lee Yuna. Please take care of me!"
The others exchanged knowing smiles, the kind reserved for recognizing the maknae—the youngest among them. Yuna's youthful energy filled the room, softening the tension.
The girls settled into a circle, their introductions tentative at first but growing warmer with each shared detail. Aerin's natural cheer broke through her introversion, and as the hours passed, the room began to feel less like a meeting space and more like the beginning of something extraordinary.
