ATEEZ imagines

P.S.H | January and December

-

Y/N Choi remembered the first time she walked through the doors of KQ Entertainment as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. Fresh out of college, with a degree in media studies and a heart full of dreams, she had been eager to begin her journey in the entertainment industry. The year was 2018, and KQ was buzzing with anticipation. There was talk of a new boy group in the works—*KQ Fellaz*—a group that was soon to be rebranded as *ATEEZ*.

Her first day was a blur of introductions, office tours, and learning the ropes. Y/N quickly found herself assigned to the trainee team, handling everything from scheduling to managing practice sessions. The trainees she was tasked with assisting were passionate, full of energy, and eager to debut. Though they were all different, each with their own unique personalities, they shared a common goal: to stand on stage and share their music with the world.

From the very beginning, Y/N found herself drawn to one trainee in particular—Park Seonghwa. He was the eldest of the group, and it showed in the way he naturally took care of the others. Whether it was making sure they ate properly or helping them with their choreography, Seonghwa was always looking out for the team. His quiet, almost gentle nature contrasted with the intense dedication he showed in practice. Y/N admired him not just for his talent, but for the kindness he extended to everyone around him, including herself.

At first, their interactions were professional. Y/N was the staff member in charge of coordinating their schedules, making sure they were on time for their vocal lessons, dance practices, and even their meals. But as time went on, and the trainees spent more hours in the practice room than out of it, a camaraderie began to form. Y/N found herself staying late to keep them company during their late-night practices, bringing them snacks, and offering encouragement when the weight of their dreams seemed too heavy to bear.

Seonghwa, always the observant one, noticed her efforts. He began to offer her small tokens of appreciation—a can of soda when she looked tired, a warm smile when she helped him with his vocal exercises. It was nothing out of the ordinary, but it made Y/N feel valued in a way she hadn't expected.

One evening, after an especially grueling practice session, the trainees were sprawled out on the floor of the practice room, too tired to move. Y/N was about to leave for the night when Seonghwa called out to her.

"Y/N, wait up," he said, pushing himself up to a sitting position.

She paused at the door, turning to face him. "What's up?"

"Are you heading home now?" he asked, his voice laced with exhaustion but still gentle.

"Yeah, it's getting late. You guys should wrap up soon, too," she replied, trying to mask her concern with a smile.

Seonghwa nodded, glancing around at his fellow trainees, who were still catching their breath. "We will. I just wanted to say thank you, for staying with us tonight. We know it's not part of your job, but it means a lot."

Y/N felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words. "You don't have to thank me, Seonghwa. I'm happy to be here, and besides, you guys are working so hard. The least I can do is support you."

He smiled then, a genuine, heartfelt smile that made her heart skip a beat. "We're lucky to have you on our side."

As she left the practice room that night, Y/N couldn't help but feel that her job at KQ Entertainment was going to be more than just a stepping stone in her career. It was the beginning of something special—something that, though she didn't know it yet, would change her life forever.

-

The months flew by in a whirlwind of preparations. The trainees were no longer just hopefuls; they were being groomed for their debut. KQ Entertainment was investing heavily in them, and the pressure to succeed was palpable. Y/N was busier than ever, coordinating everything from their training schedules to their showcase events. The atmosphere was intense, with everyone working towards a single goal: debuting as ATEEZ.