Midnight

Not a Smart Move

it seemed silent passed by minutes, but it was only a couple second.

"I'm sure that's just a bad camera angle." The MC tried to dust the topic under the rug, but the same reporter cut her off.
"What should be the suitable article for this? Rookie group's members are allegedly not in a good relationship, or perhaps...." His smirk grew wider as he got the reaction he wanted. "....the 'caring persona' leader is in fact a bully to his members. That would promises a huge attention from the public, i assure."

Jeno did not really care about the accusation. In act, he noticed aeri was about to burst in any minute. Yangyang andd Hendery also looked at her in worried. Aeri definitely has not learnt to control her temper well.
"Relax, gi." Yangyang whispered.

Trust her, she really wants to. But that annoying, triggering face of the reporter and the confusion of the other audiences made it hard for her to contain her own emotion. If the person worths of such accusation here, it should be her.
As she reached out for the mic, jeno shook his head. Even his eyes spoke to her, yet she chose to be blind, and snatched yangyang's mic instead.

"As a group, no matter how close we've gotten, disagreement is inevitable. There's two things i want to comment on this specific photo sequence." There, she goes.
Taeyong was crossing his fingers, while manager yoon paused her phonecall, shaking her heads in disbelief.
"Aeri, enough-" the oldest of them finally spoke, using his authority tone, yet the lady still ignored.

"One, this is just one of the tease-turns-to-fight that happens between siblings all the time. So, if i did not see this as a serious matter, i believe you guys should do as well. besides, there is no particular damage for both of us. Jeno and i may not be the most compatible in our group. Despite our differences in personally, we do respect each other professionally." She turned to her leader. "I actually learnt alot from you, leader-nim and thank you for all of the sacrifices you silently took for us."

"Awwwww~" the MC took the opportunity to go along with the twisted plot. "Isn't that sweet? This is all just an misunderstanding." That dispatch reporter seemed to be hesitate to move on, but he definitely had no other back-up plan for now. Thus, he just took a step back.

"Shall we move on to the next question? Time's almost up. Two more questions only."

The press proceeded, as the situation become less tensed.

-----------------------

"Kim aeri!" As expected, she's called immediately by her manager once the press ended. Manager yoon was in rage.
"That was not a good move."

"At least, she did not make it difficult-" Taeyong tried to bug in, but got a pierce gaze shutting him up.
"Lucky for you, this ended well. What if it's not? What if they have other proof? You're gonna step on your foot, giselle."
"Noona, it was first time for her, for us. She's sure this wont happen again." Jeno stepped in for her.
"Yeah, at least aeri took care most of the problem." Yangyang added.

"I'm sorry, unnie." She sighed, having her head down. "I just cannot led them putting words in our mouth, while in fact we're nothing but that-"
"You see? That's the problem." Manager yoon breathed harshly. "As a public-figure, you have to learn control your emotion. I think you've known about this. 'Dont be too excited, you'd seen as overreacting. Dont be too emotional, you'd seen as dramatic. Hold your anger or you'd be seen as Agressive. Hold your words or it'd give you unnecessary trouble'."

Not this lecture again.
"Noona." Taeyong stepped in between. "Give her some time."
"You're too soft on her. She'll never learn." She threw last word before she left for another phonecall with the management. They still have to deal with Dispatch to take those photos down. At least, they don't have to talk personally with the other medias. Obviously, thanks to aeri for her smart clarification which also got herself into personal trouble.
Funny it is.

"You okay, ri?" Taeyong grabbed her shoulder, trying to see her face. She could only shook her head, wishing the unstoppable drop of tear would dry up sooner.
"Noona is just worrying about you. Dont take her words seriously. You actually did great" he told. "All of you did great job. I really meant it." He added. "I've seen many other groups had done worst on their debut press. Trust me." Giving his best assurance to the younger guys.
"Thanks, hyung" dery said. "It was too much pressure."
"Yeah, I was holding my breathes since the beginning, honestly." Yangyang snorted, definitely trying to turn the topic away, and reduce the tension. "which make me realize I'm so so so hungry. Dont you guys think so?" Nudging Hendery who's sitting next to him. "Let's go grab some snacks. I heard about the cafe down the street is famous one."

Understanding the sign, the oldest of the team immediately dragged jeno with them. "We'll come back with your croissant, gi."
Leaving the two siblings alone.

Taeyong shifted to a more comfortable position next to his sister, so that her head automatically fell to his shoulder. One of his arm wrapped securely around, and giving assuring pats. "You can cry now."
There, it all went out.
Though she's not the type to bawl their eyes out, and scream. Tears continued to flow silently.

---------------------------

Two days had passed since the press conference. The management did a great job in negotiating with dispatch. None of the controversial photos of them are leaked. Still, the members are warned to behave, especially jeno and aeri.
That's why the two had been distancing themselves. Luckily the fans have been too excited about their debut, and trying to learn more about the individual members to even notice such small detail.

It is the day of their first ever public performance, inkigayo.
Yangyang made sure to stop by the famous cafeteria of SBS building to get those sandwiches. And man, they were really impressive.

Out of nowhere, Hendery let out a huge gasp, getting everyone's attention.
"Guys guys, our leader got a number from this sandwich."
The whole team was laughing, teasing the guy.
"So, this flirting sandwich is real after all?" Yangyang snatched the small letter note to take a better look. And to jeno's nightmare, he read it out loud.

"Jeno-ssi, congratulations on your debut. Here is my recent number. I do have a lot more to talk. Contact me anytime. ~ J"
Everyone cheered and started to tease him even more.
Yangyang escaped just before he received a smack in the head.
"You come here!" Jeno caught up and tried to snatch the paper, but yangyang threw it to aeri from across the room.

"Ai goo~, who is this lovely J?" She wiggled her eyebrows and quickly snapped a picture of the letter just in case jeno planned to dump it. Which was true.
"Not funny, aeri." He successfully got a hold of the letter and immediately tore it into pieces. "Hand me your phone."
"Not today." She hugged her phone dearly, which only made it harder for both of them. "Aeri." There goes his authority voice. It did nothing to her. thus, he cornered her up against the wall, and nervousness finally sneaked up her face.
This must have been the closest they gotten since the press.

"What's up with you two?" Manager yoon came in to kill the mood.
As aeri was distracted, jeno took the chance to snatch her phone, then ran to the changing room and locked the door before she could catch up.
"Yah! Lee jeno!!"