LVLUP X DO:ZEN

Chapter 4 - Trouble

Park Minji

The bell over the door chimed as the idol exited and it didn't take long for her manager to put out his cigarette and be by her side. "Ready?" Minji nodded to the man and followed him around the corner to the van.

The ride was quiet and Minji was surprised when her manager broke the silence. He spoke calmly without looking at her. "Do I need to know who that was?" He paused but continued before she could break out of her surprise. "You know I want you to be able to do normal things, but it's part of my job to keep you out of trouble."

Minji took a moment to think and study the man. They had been working together for over a year now, since she had won Next of Level Idol. He had always let her do more than her members and the other idols she knew were allowed to do and he'd had given her plenty of privacy. He trusted her and she was grateful. The girl wanted to be able to tell him that there was nothing to worry about; but honestly, they could get in a lot of trouble. If Dispatch got a hold of photos of Katsu and her out together there would surely be rumors that would get all three, well, all four including KAT's manager, in trouble. 'But I can't just not see Kat...'

"We're being careful Kyungsoo, don't worry. Would you like a cake pop?"

It didn't escape Kyungsoo's attention that Minji had dropped the honorifics like he had requested, as well as basically ignored his question. "I'm alright, thank you."

Minji leaned forward and turned the radio on to some random pop station. The rest of their ride was in silence.

The van pulled up in front of the dorms and Kyungsoo spoke before he unlocked the doors. "You represent all of those girls in there Minji. Make sure you're making the choices of a leader." Even after the click of the doors unlocking it took Minji a moment to gather herself and climb out. Her usual cheery expression was gone, all the joy and peace she felt from seeing Katsu, gone. 'Is he right?' Minji deeply respected her manager and his opinions, he had always treated her well and looked out for her, and if he spoke up it was only from a place of concern.

"Thank you Kyungsoonim, I'll be the leader they deserve."

She climbed out and gave the man one last look as she closed the door before walking slowly inside.

*buzz buzz*

New Message
Katkun ☺️🌳

"MINJI!!" The leader quickly tucked her phone back in her pocket as Chun Hua barreled towards her. The latter gripped the bag filled with cake pops in Minji's hand, "I'm so glad you're home Unnie!"

Minji slapped on a half hearted smile and handed the cake pops over, hoping they would be distraction enough that the perpetually hungry, younger girl wouldn't notice how off she was. The leader began to move quickly towards her room.

She could hear Sun and Ayaka talking in the living space so they wouldn't be an issue. Unfortunately for her though, the path to her room took her past the kitchen. Past Eunbi and her watchful gaze. It was rare that Minji could get anything past her roommate. They were incredibly close after being roommates during Next Level Idol and continuing through today. The two of them hadn't gotten along at first, their personalities being nearly polar opposites, but it hadn't taken long for them to realize how much they balanced each other out. It was actually quite beautiful. Minji wasn't sure where she'd be if she didn't have her tough as iron friend by her side.

✨flashback✨

It was elimination night which was always the absolute worst. Another friend gone and this time a close one. Chun Hua. They had been trainees together at SM and Minji knew how incredibly talented the girl was. She had already snuck off to see Katsu and that had helped a bit, but he had faced another tough elimination too. They had both, mainly her, cried but elimination nights always had lots of cameras to catch all of those juicy bits so they hadn't been able to comfort each other for long.