Her (Not So) Secret Admirer

5. Black Mamba

Days to the release of Black Mamba MV, Aespa practiced daily.

And Jeno wondered would it be alright to visit them in the practice room.

It was actually normal for a senior to visit the juniors to give them encouragement, but not in this case.

He was interested in a member, not because he was just there as a senior.

The solution was to ask Jaemin to accompany him.

"Come with me to the office."

"What for? We got no schedule today. I'm going to the gym."

"Just come with me."

"Why should I see the office when I got no schedule?"

"Visit Aespa's practice with me."

"Oh. That's why you bother me this early."

"It's lunch time. Let's have lunch then help me think of what to bring."

The ahjumma that cleaned and cooked for NCT Dream at their dorm already prepared a good meal on the dining table. 

The two dined without much talking. When they're done, Jeno came up with another question, "What should we bring for them?"

"The usual things we buy when we practice? Coffee or tea, and some snacks. Why are you cracking your brain for this?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Just nervous."

Jaemin side-eyed him.

"You're her sunbae, Silly! She should be the nervous one when you visit her practice! Not the other way around!"

"She just makes me nervous, can't describe why."

His friend rolled his eyes.

Jeno ordered lots of snacks and coffee. They then asked their manager to send them a car and a driver, then they went together to SM Building. 

SM made an internal app where everyone could see who booked each room at the building. It's useful when you need to book a meeting room or a practice room. Everyone could also see who were practicing or recording a song. 

Aespa could be seen practicing everyday lately, and nearly for eight hours per day. 

Their music video would be released the next day. They would start promoting at music shows soon, although, since it was still the pandemic, they would have no audience. 

After they arrived at SM Building, the two directly went to the practice room's level, and knocked the door. 

Kwangya was different with SM's old building. They used fingerprint to enter each room. 

Jeno had previously contacted Aespa's manager, telling her that he wanted to visit them during practice.

The manager opened the door, and they greeted each other. 

"Oh, you bring snacks! That's great! The girls will be happy."

He entered the room with Jaemin at his heels.

"Annyeonghaseyo," the girls bowed. 

Though Jeno and Jaemin knew Ningning, Karina and Winter quite well since they used to train together from time to time in the past, the girls still bowed at them for formality. They were friends, but the girls were still their juniors. 

Giselle bowed at them too, looking shy.

"Have a break first. We bring coffee and snacks," Jeno announced.