Love Square | An Aespa Romance

The Beginning of the Tour

The sun was beginning to set over Seoul, casting a soft, golden light on the bustling streets below. From the tall windows of the practice room, Karina watched the world move, but her mind was elsewhere. They were on the brink of something huge—Aespa's first world tour. The months of preparation, late nights, and endless rehearsals were about to pay off in a way none of them could have imagined just a few short years ago.

She turned her gaze to the room behind her, where the other three members were still going through their routines. Winter, as always, moved with quiet precision, her focus unbreakable. Ningning, on the other hand, was her usual bubbly self, laughing at something Giselle had said even as they worked through the choreo. Giselle, energetic and quick with a joke, was clearly trying to lighten the mood after a grueling day of practice.

Karina smiled to herself. This group was more than just a team—they were her family. And yet, something felt different lately. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Maybe it was the weight of the tour looming over them, or perhaps the increasing closeness between them that went beyond just friendship. There was a tension in the air that hadn't been there before, subtle but undeniable.

"Karina, you okay?" Winter's voice cut through her thoughts, soft yet strong. She had come to stand beside her, concern written in her eyes.

Karina quickly shook off her wandering thoughts and gave Winter a reassuring smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... you know, thinking about the tour."

Winter nodded, her eyes scanning Karina's face as if searching for something deeper behind her words. "It's going to be intense. I don't think any of us have really grasped how big this is."

Karina's heart skipped a beat, not at Winter's words, but at the way her gaze lingered for just a moment too long. She quickly looked away, focusing on the bustling city outside. "We've worked for this. We'll be fine."

Behind them, Ningning's laughter echoed through the room again. Karina turned just in time to see her dramatically collapse to the floor in mock exhaustion, clutching her stomach. Giselle stood over her, pretending to wipe sweat from her forehead as though she'd delivered the final, knockout blow in a battle of wits.

"Okay, okay, I'm done!" Ningning giggled, waving her hands in defeat. "Seriously though, I'm starving. Can we take a break?"

Karina chuckled and walked back to join them. "We've still got another hour, but I think we deserve a short break. Let's get something quick to eat."

As they left the practice room and headed toward their waiting van, Karina found herself in step with Winter again. It had become a habit lately—Winter always seemed to find her side, and Karina found herself comforted by her presence in a way that was difficult to explain. They didn't always need words; sometimes, just knowing Winter was there was enough.

The ride to the café was quiet, a rare moment of calm amid the storm of preparations. Their manager had chosen a small, tucked-away spot that wasn't likely to attract much attention. They couldn't afford to be mobbed by fans right now—not with the tour so close.

Inside, the café was warm and cozy, its dim lighting offering a sense of peace that was almost intoxicating after the chaos of their day. The four of them settled into a corner booth, each of them ordering something simple, something that wouldn't upset their strict diet but would still fill the growing hunger from hours of practice.

"So, where are we headed first again?" Ningning asked, her voice still filled with the same excitement that had been buzzing around her all week.

"Tokyo," Karina answered, her eyes flicking to the others. "First stop, then straight to Paris after that."

"Ah, Paris," Giselle sighed, leaning back in her seat. "The city of love. Maybe we'll get a little free time to explore."

Ningning grinned. "Maybe we'll meet some cute French fans."

Karina shook her head, smiling at her members' lightheartedness. They all knew how unlikely it was that they'd have any real downtime, but it was nice to dream.

As the conversation drifted to their favorite spots in each city, Karina's mind began to wander again. This was going to be the longest stretch they'd ever spent together without any real breaks. Weeks of non-stop performances, interviews, fan meetings, and travel. In a way, it excited her. Being with her members, going through the highs and lows together, was something she treasured deeply. But at the same time, she couldn't shake the feeling that this tour might change everything—for better or worse.

She glanced across the table at Winter, who was listening to Ningning with an easy smile on her face. There was something so calming about Winter, the way she carried herself with quiet confidence. Karina had always admired her for that. But lately, there had been moments—fleeting, but unmistakable—where she'd felt something shift between them. It was in the way Winter's gaze lingered just a little too long, or how her touch felt a little warmer than before. Karina wasn't sure what to make of it. Maybe it was just the stress getting to her.

Winter caught her looking and raised an eyebrow. "You good?"

Karina nodded quickly, her face heating up in embarrassment. "Yeah, sorry. Just... thinking about tomorrow."

"We're going to kill it," Winter said confidently. "We always do."

Her words were meant to reassure, but there was something about the way she said it, something about the quiet intensity in her voice that made Karina's heart race. She quickly turned her attention back to her food, trying to push the strange feelings away.

After their meal, they headed back to the practice room for another round of rehearsal. The atmosphere was lighter now, the break having given them a much-needed boost of energy. But as they worked through their setlist, Karina couldn't help but notice the small moments that passed between them. A lingering touch here, a soft glance there. She wasn't the only one feeling it—there was something shifting between all of them, something they couldn't yet name.

As the night wore on and they finally wrapped up rehearsal, Karina found herself standing alone in front of the mirrors, watching the reflections of her members as they gathered their things. Tomorrow was the beginning of something huge. But deep down, Karina couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't just the tour that would push them to their limits. There was something else coming—something none of them were prepared for.

And as Winter approached her again, that familiar warmth spreading between them, Karina realized that whatever it was, they would face it together. Whether they were ready or not.