'Midas Touch' | Aespa Winter x Male Reader

Act 6 | Year 2026: PLEDIS' Reunion

December 2026,

And we're back to where it all started. Fast forward 10 months and here we are. The stage that gave birth to Babylon Garden. The Melon Music Awards. The place that we earnt the title 'The Fastest Kpop Group to win a Daesang'.

Walking out from the car, we were greeted with camera flashes all around us. Waving at them as we walked through the red carpet, it was the usual MO. Now however, we were accompanied by our juniors: Empress.

They were behind us, following our very step. As a guidance. Garam was doing her absolute best to not fall under pressure. Not from the camera. No no. It was from our group. Being Babylon Garden's junior put a really high expectation on them.

S.Coups: Look alive everyone! Say the name!

Seventeen: SEVENTEEN! Hello we are SEVENTEEN!

I chuckled at the scene in front of us. This was SEVENTEEN's first return to the music industry after relieving their duties from the military. They were tasked to do their service for a total 18 months. They just returned fully last June.

But that also served us a purpose. We're not getting younger, and our military service is just around the corner. I still have five more years before I was called upon. But that was a story for another day.

Amy: *gasp! Minjeong unnie!

Amy quickly rushed towards Minjeong who we spotted as we entered the building. It's funny how Amy treated Minjeong more sibling-like compare to when she was with me. The rest of Aespa followed suit. Smiling and greeting them, we walked together inside the break room where we will be getting called for our performance later.

Speaking of Aespa, they really had it all. Last month, they won Top Social Artist and the BBMAs accompanying our win for Top Duo/Group. Making the two of our groups the only kpop group to be awarded at the BBMAs. But I'm sure many more to follow.

I remember their shocked face when they received the awards. Because I remembered Karina stated that them being nominated was more than enough but to win all together was mind blowing. They promised that this was just the start for them.

Karina: So, should we get ready to clap when you guys win all the daesangs?

Jaewoo: Noona! Don't say it like that! This year we have so many contenders! Like them! 

Garam: Ya! Don't say it like that oppa! Don't you know we can't sleep last night knowing how nervous we are!

Jaewoo and Karina were teasing Garam to the fullest. Knowing that these two acted very sibling like with their teasing.

Muchen: Don't try to act like the older ones. You and Minji are just one year older.

Jaewoo: HYUNG!!! DON'T SAY IT LIKE THAT! THAT'S NOT MANLY!!!

Minji: Um but he does have a point....

Jaewoo's mood instantly got shot down as we all had a very good laugh. It was true. The day that Empress debuted, Jaewoo was jumping up and down knowing that he wasn't the maknae of the company anymore.

So he acted like the cool older brother only to fail every single time. Oh well.

+X+

This time around, the seating arrangements were of sofas arranged facing towards the stage. There were multiple seaters, from two seater to a four seaters arrangements. As we passed by the many artists we finally found our seat.

Funny enough, we were situated between SEVENTEEN and Empress. Sitting down, we bowed the other artists that was already there to show the sign of respect. But I realized that we were situated near the fifth gen group that debuted recently.