Love Square | An Aespa Romance

Moments of Vulnerability

The energy in Paris lingered in the air, intoxicating and warm even as the night grew late. The city's lights sparkled outside the hotel window, a constant reminder of where they were and how far they had come. But inside the hotel room, it was quiet—a stark contrast to the chaotic noise that had surrounded them just hours ago during rehearsals.

Karina lay in bed, her eyes tracing the patterns on the ceiling as she tried to unwind. The concert was tomorrow, and as much as she tried to relax, her mind wouldn't let her. It was always like this before a big performance. The adrenaline, the pressure, the fear of failure—it kept her wired even when her body was screaming for rest.

But tonight, it wasn't just the usual pre-concert anxiety gnawing at her.

She had been running from her emotions for days now, ever since that strange, almost intimate moment with Winter back in Tokyo. It was easier when they were working—rehearsals, interviews, media appearances—all of it kept her mind busy. But in the stillness of the night, when it was just her and her thoughts, it was impossible to ignore the strange feelings that had been growing between them.

Karina turned her head to look at Winter, who was sitting at the small desk near the window, scrolling through her phone. Her hair was still damp from her shower, falling in loose waves over her shoulders. The soft light from the desk lamp cast a gentle glow over her features, making her look almost ethereal.

Winter looked peaceful, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside Karina's chest.

Karina sighed softly, rolling onto her side to face the window. She needed to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be one of the biggest concerts of their career, and she couldn't afford to be distracted by...whatever this was.

But no matter how hard she tried to shut it out, her thoughts kept circling back to Winter. The way her touch lingered just a little too long, the way her gaze held Karina's with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. It was subtle, almost unnoticeable, but Karina had always been hyper-aware of the people around her—especially when it came to Winter.

A quiet knock at the door broke the silence.

Karina sat up, her brow furrowing in confusion. It was almost midnight. Who would be visiting this late?

Winter glanced up from her phone, her eyes meeting Karina's with the same question. Without a word, Karina slipped out of bed and padded across the room to open the door. She half expected to see their manager or one of the staff, but when she pulled the door open, Ningning stood there, her expression uncharacteristically serious.

"Ningning?" Karina's voice was soft with surprise. "Is everything okay?"

Ningning didn't answer immediately. Instead, she glanced over Karina's shoulder, her eyes landing on Winter, who had stood up from the desk and was now walking toward them. A beat passed, and Ningning's usually playful demeanor faltered.

"Can I talk to you guys?" Ningning asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Karina nodded and stepped aside, letting her in. The tension in the air was palpable as Ningning walked into the room, her shoulders slightly hunched in a way that Karina wasn't used to seeing. Ningning was always so full of life, so carefree, that it was strange to see her like this—nervous, almost fragile.

"What's going on?" Winter asked, her tone gentle but concerned as she sat down on the edge of the bed. Karina followed suit, sitting beside her.

Ningning stood near the window, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her oversized hoodie as she stared down at the city below. For a long moment, she didn't say anything. The silence stretched on, and just when Karina thought Ningning might leave without saying a word, she finally spoke.