Shutters and Strings - MICHAENG

2

Once the elevator doors closed behind Chaeyoung, she instantly fell to the floor. She couldn't help but replay the encounter she just had with Mina in her head, a huge flustered grin on her face. She didn't expect to meet someone so interesting and captivating while running away from Jihyo's demands. Chaeyoung chuckled to herself, realizing how fate works in mysterious and silly ways.

She was grateful that Mina took the time and effort to go out of her way to walk her to the hotel. It was such a small act of kindness, but it made her feel so warm, and not just from wearing Mina's overcoat but from the genuine concern and conversation they shared. She felt a connection with Mina, even if it was just a brief encounter, and she was looking forward to seeing her again, hopefully, at their show.

"Wait shit..." Chaeyoung panicked, realizing she still had Mina's overcoat on. She quickly stood up to take it off, but was immediately, and unfortunately, interrupted by loud noises outside of the elevator. As soon as the doors opened, Chaeyoung was met with all the frantic noise and banter she called friends.

"Who was that?" The main singer of their band Nayeon asked, with a smirk lying proudly on her face, wiggling her eyebrows at Chaeyoung.

"Nobody." Chaeyoung grunted, pushing past them and making her way to her room. She did not have the patience to deal with any of them, especially Jihyo, after remembering why she even stepped out in the first place. Everyone however, continued to follow her as they all barked questions at their guitarist.

The moment Chaeyoung opened the door to the room she was staying in, everyone started piling inside right after her.

"Chaeyoung. Seriously, what was that?" The leader and manager behind closed doors, Jihyo asked. She furrowed her eyebrows and waited for an answer, but she was only met with two things. Silence, and the awkward looks given to her by the other band members. As soon as she wasn't given a reply, she continued.

"Please tell me that my eyes deceived me, because from where I was watching, it seemed like you just freely gave away your phone number." Jihyo scolded, placing a few fingers in between the bridge of her nose, clearly irritated by the interaction. This made Chaeyoung turn to look at her in clear annoyance.

"What, are you telling me that I can't make any new friends anymore? Can I not do that?" Chaeyoung spit back, looking Jihyo in the eyes.

"I never said you couldn't. But what I did say was to be careful, because who knows what she could do with your phone number. Did you not think? She could easily leak it if she really wanted to. We're pretty big here in Japan, so who's to say that she wouldn't sell your information over to the first person that asks?" Jihyo scoffed, walking over to Chaeyoung. The guitarist stood still in her place, not flinching at the other members' sudden approach.

"I agree with Jihyo. She has a point, and I also think it was a pretty dumb idea." A voice behind Jihyo said.

"Oh, of course you'd agree with her," Chaeyoung muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes at their keyboard player, Dahyun.

The rest of the other bandmates exchanged awkward glances at each other, clearly uncomfortable with the atmosphere that was created.

"Jihyo, Dahyun, come on. Let's just give her some space. A few minutes ago you two were both worried sick about her. Now that she's back I don't want any of you fighting, plus, we have to get some rest. We still have a big day tomorrow." The bassist of the group, Jeongyeon, commanded, placing her hands on each of their shoulders.

Jihyo and Dahyun gave Chaeyoung one final look, this time one of worry, and turned to look at Jeongyeon, nodding at her and stepping out of the room Chaeyoung was sharing with their drummer. Now they were met with silence. Only 4 members remained in the room.