𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐀𝐓 [𝟏] 𝐃𝐞𝐣𝐚 𝐯𝐮 || 𝐋𝐞𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔

POV Minho

In approximately fourteen minutes, I will see Dayu again.

I'm already dreading the inevitable awkward silence. The same question keeps running through my mind.

How did she get my number ?

I'm sure I never gave it to her, and only Mi-cha has it. Yet, I can't see any reason why Mi-cha would lie to me.

Anyway, my glaring at Chan obviously isn't enough to convey how much I despise him right now, as he's calmly whistling a tune from "Domino."

I hate him.

Especially since the morning started so well: I woke up peacefully —which hasn't happened in a month— without the usual shouting matches between Seungmin and Jeongin. Jisung announced that the girls' scandal was resolved after a Gold —a fan— revealed a photo of the credits, proving that the trio of producers didn't make the song.

Then he had to tell me that the seven-member group was coming over tonight to celebrate our album release.

I calmly pointed out that celebrating an album release a week after its release wasn't the most logical thing, but he politely told me to shut up.

Well, if throwing a slipper at my head can be considered polite, then yes, politely.

— They're here !

He rushes to open the door, and the girls walk in one by one, greeting all the guys. Our dorm isn't small, but with fifteen people, it quickly feels cramped.

— Hi, Lee Know ! Dayu exclaims, sitting next to me after arriving a few minutes later than the others. Did you get my message ?

— Yes, I even replied, I say, raising an eyebrow.

She laughs nervously and admits :

— I get nervous around your group, you're quite intimidating.

I laugh and reassure her, understanding. I get her point of view : she's only eighteen and surrounded by guys in their twenties. Plus, she isn't friends with any of us, and I must admit she's not the one I thought I'd get close to.

Of course, there's Shizuka —currently laughing with Changbin— but I have to admit that Malee and Jiu impress me a lot too. I have a lot of admiration for them since I trained with the two girls and Yeou for a few months. They joined in 2013, 2017 —same as me— and 2016, respectively.

I never took a deep interest in the survival show details, but I know the general events. I know Yeou and Shizuka sacrificed themselves for Dayu during a challenge, and also that Shizuka and Malee were the prodigies of the group. I heard about the Thai girl two days after I joined the agency. It was about the basic dance moves JYP asks us all to learn. She supposedly learned them in two weeks —like me— and never missed an evaluation.

— Hey, are you listening ?

I look at the Chinese girl, not realizing she was talking to me, and nod.

— I was lost in my thoughts. What were you saying ?

She sighs, seemingly annoyed, and resumes her monologue about a TV series she watched a few days ago, complaining about the main actor's poor performance.

But my eyes remain fixed on the black-haired girl sitting next to 3Racha. I've probably been staring at her for several minutes, and I'm even surprised Dayu hasn't commented.

She's not my usual type : long black hair, gray eyes, freckles, and most notably ten centimeters shorter than me, but when she's in a room, I automatically focus on her.

It's probably just pure and simple admiration, but that's enough for Jisung to tease me weekly. I give him a dark look when he flashes me a mischievous smile, and Dayu finally finishes her story.

— Dayu, can I ask you a question ?

She looks up at me, a bright smile on her face.

— How did you get my number ?

— Oh, Mi-cha gave it to me, she lies, waving her hand dismissively. Does it bother you ?

Yes.

— She didn't give it to you, Malee states. Mi-cha told us yesterday.

The Chinese girl shoots a frosty look at her older sister, who raises her hands in innocence.

— Someone asked if I gave it to you, and I told the truth.

All eyes are on Dayu, except for Seungmin and Jeongin, who are fighting over what to watch on TV.

— I snooped through your phone when you went to shower, she admits, looking at the brunette with the bob. I didn't want to wait, and you always take forty minutes !

My friend sighs and is about to say something when Jiu steps in.

— It's not a big deal, we should let it go.

Several people shrug, and the evening resumes normally.

Even if listening to the fifteen stories about the Chinese girl's favorite series wasn't what I had in mind.

— I'm going to get some beers upstairs, the blonde announces, standing up.

— Wait for me, Ha-yoon ! Dayu exclaims, jumping off the couch to join her older sister.

Finally rid of her. Sorry, that was mean.

I smile as the Japanese girl sits next to me and ask :

— So, how's the album release going ?

— Great, she assures me. Now that the scandal is over, everything's going smoothly. We even have a concert in Seoul tomorrow.

I congratulate her when we suddenly hear screams. We all rush outside and see Yeou at the bottom of the stairs, and Dayu kneeling beside her.

— I slipped, the dancer grunts, holding her ankle. The stairs were wet.

Dayu and Jiu help her up and sit her on the couch.

— I'll call a doctor, Chan says, taking out his phone.

▪︎▫︎▫︎▫︎▫︎

— I sprained my ankle a day before a concert, what an idiot, the injured girl mutters, looking sadly at her brace.

— And no way are you dancing, Jiu adds, crossing her arms over her chest.

— She's the center from what I understand, Felix points out.

A silence hangs, and the second dancer suggests :

— Since Dayu wanted to do that part, she can fill in until Ha-yoon recovers, right ?

I see Shizuka's pursed lips and Malee's grimace, but they eventually nod.

— I have to go, the Thai girl then says.

The evening ends with fourteen people, and only two are drunk by the end : Hyunjin and Jisung.