Because Of... || Seo Changbin

JANUARY 9TH-Part 1

I made my way up the stairs, determined to find her. If she's experiencing the same dream as I am, perhaps she holds the key to understanding why she keeps dying. If she knows how or who, maybe she can break the cycle, and I can finally move forward with my life.
I'd never been to the girls' dormitory before. How would I even find her? And what if she shares a room with someone else? These thoughts raced through my mind as I stood next to the elevator . It hadn't occurred to me that wandering around here might stir up gossip. That is the last thing that I need.

-"Changbin?"

Fuck. My. Life.

I turned the corner to face Jihyo, Dahyun, and Chaeryeong, who were standing there, amusement evident on their faces.

-"I told you it was him! I could spot his short stature from a mile away," Chaeryeoung teased.

-"Well, you know what? It's 5 AM, and I'm not in the mood to argue," I replied, trying to brush off the awkwardness.

-"Why are you up so early, sneaking around the girls' dorm like a criminal?" Jihyo asked skeptically.

-"It's not what it looks like. I was just on my way to the gym with Chan and-"

-"The gym's in the basement. Why are you on this floor?" Dahyun interrupted, her tone sharp.

-"I'm looking for someone," I admitted reluctantly.

-"If you're looking for Jiho, he's a floor above us. Saw him last night sneaking into one of the new trainees' rooms... asshole," Jihyo remarked with a mix of anger and disdain.

Dahyun smirked. "Jihyo unni , I've never heard you'd curse someone like that before. It's kind of entertaining."

-"He brings out the worst in me," Jihyo muttered, her frustration palpable. "I can't stand that guy, and those trainees letting him take advantage of them is just pathetic."

-"Wow, didn't you used to have a crush on him?" Dahyun quipped.

-"USED TO is the key word... you know he's like Jay Park. He's hot as fuck when he keeps his mouth shut," Jihyo retorted.

-"Wow, wow, wow. Jiho is nothing like Jay Park. Why are both you and Minho hating him?" I interjected.

-"Changbin... I'm glad Minho isn't as clueless as you," Jihyo shot back.

-"Jihyo-unni, calm down... Anyway, Jiho is on the floor above us. Room 8D, I believe," Chaeryeong oung said, guiding Jihyo away.

-"Wait, hold up! I'm not looking for Jiho hyung... I'm looking for Miria..."

They all looked at me, a mix of perplexity and surprise on their faces.

-"Why are you looking for her?" Dahyun asked.

-"I... I just... I need to ask her a question..."

-"What kind of question?" Jihyo pressed.

-"Well... you see, it's kind of private?"

-"Hmm, good luck finding her then!" Dahyun said, as they began to make their way to the elevator.

-"Wait, girls, please... it's very urgent," I pleaded.

-"Again, why? If you're looking for her to give her a piece of your mind about the scandal, then you can just piss off. Chan already said something to her the other day, and she's been feeling out of it since then. She's innocent, and the fact that none of you even bothered to ask her side of the story is just unbelievable," Jihyo stated firmly.

- "I understand your concern, but please, this isn't about the scandal. I need to talk to her about.... Hum... a collab.," I pleaded. , desperately trying to catch their attention before they reached the elevator.