Stolen Moments | Yang Jeongin

Twenty-Six

After dinner, Jeongin and I made our way back to my apartment. The city streets were quieter now, with a cool breeze that cut through the lingering warmth of the day.

I smiled, feeling the tension of the day melt away a little. Being with Jeongin always did that—he had a way of making everything feel less heavy.

When we finally stepped into my apartment, Jeongin yawned and stretched, already looking like he was ready to collapse. "Alright, love, I'm about to pass out. Today was exhausting."

I nodded, but my mind was already racing with ideas. "You go ahead. I think I'll stay up a little longer and work on the debut plan."

He paused, giving me a concerned look. "Are you sure? You've been running around all day. You need rest too."

"I know," I said, smiling. "But I'll feel better if I get a head start. Don't worry—I'll be right behind you."

Jeongin sighed but knew better than to argue. He kissed the top of my head and disappeared into the bedroom.

As soon as the door clicked shut, I grabbed my laptop and settled on the couch, pulling out a notebook filled with half-formed ideas. First things first, I needed to make a list of people to contact. Stylists, videographers, performance directors—anyone who might be able to help with the debut in one way or another.

I scrolled through my phone, jotting down the names of people I'd met over the years, mostly through working with Stray Kids. A few had offered favors in the past, and now was the time to cash them in. If I could just secure a few things—like equipment and locations—I could make this work.

I found a few local stores that rented out cameras and production equipment. I jotted their numbers down, mentally preparing for a round of pleading and negotiation. The boys were good—great even—but if they didn't have the tools, we were going to be stuck.

Hours passed in a blur, and I barely noticed the time until Jeongin wandered back into the living room, his hair a mess from sleep. He rubbed his eyes, squinting at me as he realized I was still hunched over my laptop.

"You're still awake?" he mumbled, half-asleep. "What time is it?"

I glanced at the clock and winced. "Uh, almost three."

Jeongin groaned, walking over and practically dragging me off the couch. "Nope. You're done. Bed, now."

"Wait—Jeongin, I'm not finished yet!" I protested weakly, but he was already leading me toward the bedroom.

"You can finish tomorrow," he said firmly, his grip on my arm surprisingly strong despite how groggy he looked. "You need rest."

With a resigned sigh, I let him pull me into bed, my mind still buzzing with ideas. But as soon as my head hit the pillow and his arms tightened around me, exhaustion finally won, and I was out like a light.

***

The next day, I woke up early, feeling a new wave of determination. After a quick breakfast, I loaded the boys of Dazz It into a van, my mind buzzing with excitement and nervous energy. They seemed a little unsure about what I had planned, but there was an eagerness in their eyes.

We drove to a quiet, narrow street tucked away from the main city. It had the perfect mix of urban grit and charm, with old brick buildings, faded graffiti, and colorful alleyways. It wasn't glamorous, but it was exactly what I had in mind.

As soon as the driver parked, I hopped out of the van and handed a camera to Taejin, who blinked at it in surprise. "What's this for?"

"You guys are going to film your music video," I said, grinning. "Get creative. This place has a ton of character—use it. I want something authentic. Just be yourselves."

The boys exchanged excited but nervous looks. Taejin held up the camera awkwardly, turning it over in his hands. "Uh, we've never done anything like this before..."

"That's the point!" I said, clapping him on the back. "Trust me, the fans will love it. I've also got these," I added, pulling out a few smaller vlogging cameras and handing them out. "Record everything. Behind the scenes, the funny moments—whatever you want. We're turning this into more than just a music video. It's a story."

Taejin took the camera, a determined glint in his eyes. "Alright. We'll do it."

I smiled, feeling a surge of pride. "Good. I'll pick you guys up in a few hours. Have fun with it."

After leaving them to their own devices, I headed back to the car and pulled out my phone as the driver took me back to the company. The first thing on my list? Contacts. I spent the next few hours making calls, trying to pull as many strings as I could. I hit a few dead ends, but then—jackpot.

One of my old contacts, a producer, picked up, and after some back and forth, I managed to get Dazz It a performance slot on a big award show. I nearly squealed when they confirmed it. Performing there was huge—especially for a pre-debut group. This was exactly the kind of exposure they needed.

Now, I had a whole new challenge: planning their stage concept. I'd need to coordinate with stylists, choreographers, and lighting designers. I called a few stylists I knew and began working out ideas for their stage outfits—something that would stand out but still feel like them.

By the time I returned to pick up the boys, my phone was buzzing with messages from industry contacts, all eager to help make this debut a success.

The boys piled back into the van, their faces flushed with excitement. Taejin handed me the camera, his eyes gleaming. "We got some good stuff. I think you'll like it."

"I'm sure I will," I said, feeling the rush of everything falling into place. "And I've got some news for you guys. I got you guys a performance."

The van erupted in cheers, the boys practically bouncing in their seats. Taejin stared at me, wide-eyed. "Are you serious?"

"Yup," I grinned. "We're going big, guys. This is your moment."

As we drove back, my mind raced with all the details I still needed to work out, but for the first time, I felt like this was really happening. Dazz It was on the path to their debut—and I was going to make sure it was everything they deserved and more.