Syncing Dream [Aespa x M!Reader]

8. New Year, New Man(ager)

Y/n paced outside the practice room, glancing at his phone as he triple-checked the schedule for the day. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind after MAMA, but somewhere along the line, things had started to fall into place. He wasn't the same flustered manager he had been when he first joined aespa's team. He'd made enough mistakes to last a lifetime, but he had learned. And today, he was ready to prove it.

"Alright, time to give the pep talk," he muttered to himself, rolling his shoulders back.

Inside, the girls were warming up, Karina and Giselle going over a particularly tricky move while Winter stretched near the mirrors. Ningning was being her usual energetic self, bouncing around between them.

"Okay, everyone! Time to focus up," Y/n said, clapping his hands together as he walked in. The room fell into a mix of mock groans and smirks.

"You sound so official now," Giselle teased, giving him a playful nudge as she passed. "Who are you, and what did you do with the Y/n who booked us in the wrong studio that one time?"

Y/n grinned, shaking his head. "He's still here. Just... learning from his mistakes."

Karina crossed her arms, watching him closely. There was something unreadable in her expression—like she was analysing him, comparing the person in front of her to the frazzled trainee-turned-manager she first met.

"Alright, before you all get back to dancing, I just want to say..." He hesitated, clearing his throat. "You've all been working really hard last year, and I see it. Even when things get tough, you push through, and it shows. Just remember, it's not about being perfect—it's about giving it your all. So let's hit this practice hard, but don't forget to have fun. Let's end the year strong, lads!"

The girls exchanged glances before Winter, grinning, gave him a thumbs-up. "Look at you, giving motivational speeches now."

"I'm impressed," Karina added, finally speaking up. Her tone was thoughtful, not teasing. "You've come a long way."

Y/n blinked, caught off guard by the compliment. "Thanks, J" he said, scratching the back of his head. "I'm just trying to keep up with you guys."

Karina stepped closer, lowering her voice so only Y/n could hear. "It's more than that. You've grown into the role. Leadership doesn't come easy, but you've figured out how to handle things, even when it's chaotic. That's what makes a difference."

There was a sincerity in her words that Y/n hadn't expected. He felt a weight lift off his shoulders, realizing that maybe he wasn't as lost as he had once thought.

"Thanks, Jimin. That means a lot coming from you," he said, feeling the tension that had lingered between them start to ease.

Before he could dwell on the moment, Giselle's voice rang out. "Look at you two, having a heart-to-heart! I give Y/n... hmm, about half-professional status now. What do you think, Ning?"

Ningning, grinning widely, chimed in. "Three-quarters. He still hasn't learned the choreography."

Y/n groaned, throwing his hands up. "Oh shut it. I'm not trying to learn the choreography! I'm just your manager!"

They all laughed, the teasing familiar and light-hearted. As practice kicked into gear, Y/n watched from the side, feeling more comfortable in his role than he ever had before.

-

In the midst of the busy practice schedule, Y/n had noticed something peculiar: the other managers who Y/n met and befriended seemed to be acting a little more attentive and excited than usual. During a quick break, he caught snippets of conversation from them.