Midnight

You Did Well

the night is still young. the city is not asleep. neon lights shine bright, taking the spotlight from the stars up the darkest of the night.

jeno had been following behind aeri until he found himself in the garage. there, he witnessed her vulnerability for the first time ever since they've known each other.

at that very moment, he'd never seen himself being so weak to give up everything, yet so strong to stand up to whoever made her this broken.

he'd never expected to see himself so willing to do anything for someone.
with just a word from her, he'd give in, without further reasons or thoughts.

despite having an early schedule tomorrow, jeno made a careless decision to take her back home.

aeri was hesitated to ring the bell. thus, he voluntarily did it, receiving a sincere grateful look from her.

the moment the familiar door was opened, she pushed herself into the absent feeling, warmth of her greatest man.

"papa."

"my princess." sir kim gently held his daughter.

jeno just stood there, having a straight eye-contact with the older guys who was just as confused.

-

aeri was accompanied to her room by her mom, leaving jeno and his father in the living room, awkward.

though she gave small introduction of what happened, it was not clear enough to give her father an assurance.

"so, you're really not her boyfriend?" sir kim asked, squinted his eyes, judging the poor guy.
jeno nodded. "yes sir. i'm her just teammate."

"would you mind giving a better explanation of what happen, then?"
"it's complicated."
"I wouldn't mind sitting here all night to hear the story. just tell me what make her so upset. aeri is a strong girl. the last time she came crying to me is when she insisted her brother to move out."

jeno gulped. "as much as I want to disclose, I respect her to tell you by herself. All I can tell is that she's been dealing with so much difficulties by herself. As her teammate... as the leader, I fail to notice... to take care of her. I'm sorry." having his head down in guilt.

sir kim turned away. "listen, buddy. I'm still clueless but I'm sure this is not your intention. if this really what had been happening, it's not under your control." he's a wise man, thus a reasonable one.
"it just concerns me that she will never tell me. her head is harder than a rock." he scoffed. "whatever the reason is, please be there for her. she doesn't like it when people help, she sees herself as a burden. whatever the problem is, she'd be so stubborn to deal with it herself.
all it matters is to make her realise that she's not dealing with it alone....
and this works to you too."

jeno looked up to met his genuine gaze.
"as a leader, it may gives a bit of a burden to take care of the team and be responsible, but that does not mean everything that turns the wrong way is your accountability..... don't be too hard on yourself."

-

aeri was waken up by her alarm. as much as she hates it, she has to prepare for the schedule now.
"unnie, i'm sorry bout last night." she called manager yoon. "i'll take the taxi back in time. don't worry-"

"we're okay, aeri. are you sure you're alright now? I can leave you out of the rehearsal if you want. you guys already did good last night."
"nah, i'll be fine."

"good... oh, is jeno with you? haven't heard from him since last night."

that's when aeri rushed outside her room, ran down the stairs. her heart managed to calm itself when she was greet with the man sleeping soundly on their big sofa.