Her (Not So) Secret Admirer

4. Her Debut

If there ever was an early MY, Jeno was probably one of the earliest.

He maintained a regular, daily texting habit with Aeri. Nearing her debut, they spoke about it a lot.

A: if you have time, please tell me about your debut.
J: I was still a child, really. I was 16, but I felt a lot smaller. Still, I was happy. I did want to debut, because it's like a finish line of my trainee years. And I wanted to do my best, so I did.
A: your fans really see you grow up, Sunbae.
J: please stop calling me Sunbae, we're the same age 😭
A: mianhae (sorry) , I can't just call your name. I will feel so rude 😭
J: it's not rude 😭
A: why are we using so much crying emojis 😭
J: 🤣

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Another day, another chat:

J: you know, you're SM's first girl group that will debut during the pandemic.
A: yes, a strange time.
J: it's a strange year, like it all feels so unreal.
A: but for me, even being an SM trainee feels so unreal.
J: I guess you can feel that, especially because you get a debut so soon.
A: it hasn't happened yet.
J: November is just 3 months away.
A: please don't remind me 😭
J: there will be no audience. Less reason to be nervous. Everyone will be watching online.
A: true. Can I be grateful for the pandemic?
J: I'll tell no one Aeri-yah 😁

She nearly lost her grip on her phone. That Aeri-yah sounded too intimate, even in her imagination.

**********************************

About her stage name:

A: Sunbae, my stage name is announced today during the meeting.
J: what is it?
A: I'm gonna be "Giselle"
J: omo!
A: do you think it's weird?
J: no, it's pretty. Sounds so European.
A: 🤣

**********************************

If he wasn't sure he liked her, he became sure after he watched her debut teaser.

"Giselle" was so cool, pretty and --yeah, why deny it--very sexy.

J: I watched your debut trailer.
A: I'm scared.
J: why?
A: idk Sunbae what do you think?
J: call my name first, then I'll tell you what I think.
A: I can't 😭 that's too rude! You're my 4 years senior.
J: ok, you don't want to hear my opinion of your debut trailer.
A: aniyo (no in formal language) I want to!
J: call my name casually first.
A: it's hard 😭
J: fine
A: Sunbae don't be angry 🙏🏻
J: mwolla (idk) you don't want to listen to me
A: Lee Jeno-nim (nim is as respectful as Sir), please don't be angry.
J: 🤣
J: Aeri, I'm 20, don't "Jeno-nim" me.
A: it's so hard.
J: just call me Jeno. We're the same age.
A: I can't 😭
J: Aeri.......
A: Lee Jeno-ssi 🙏🏻 (Mr. Lee Jeno)
J: I feel like I'm talking with a customer service officer. Call me Jeno.
J: look. You're saying I'm your Sunbaenim, right?
A: ne, Sunbaenim.
J: I order you to call me Jeno.
A: 😭😭😭
J: you won't listen to your sunbae?
A: aniyo, Sunbaenim. Jeno-nim 😭
J: I guess that's an improvement 🤣
A: chatting with you exhausts me. Are you going to tell me about my debut trailer?
J: you're awesome. You don't appear like a rookie. You look and sound professional.
A: 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
A: Jeno Sunbaenim manhi gamsahamnida 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
A: shall I send you coffee? Cake? Cookies? Sushi? What do you like, Sunbae?
J: none. Just pick up my video call.

On Aeri's screen was suddenly written: LJ Sunbaenim is calling.

She was screaming inwardly, but picked up the call anyway. She didn't dare to reject it, although she's so anxious.

The first time she saw him on her phone screen, she bowed.

"Sunbaenim, annyeonghaseyo."

He was smiling until the two crescents moons that were his eyes appeared.