Syncing Dream [Aespa x M!Reader]

17. Big Bang

The buzz of excitement surrounding aespa's upcoming comeback, "Supernova," was palpable. The group was in full swing with high-energy rehearsals, promotional activities, and media appearances. Every member was eager and motivated, their enthusiasm infectious—except for Y/n, who was starting to feel the pressure of managing it all.

It wasn't just any comeback. This was aespa's first major project Y/n is with since their last hit, "Drama." Back then, Y/n had been new to the world of managing a high-profile group.

Just to recount his mistakes: overlooked details, misplaced props and costumes, and misjudged the balancing act of handling both the group's needs and the management's expectations...among other things.

The experience had been a steep learning curve, and Y/n had vowed never to mess up like that again. But now, with the weight of "Supernova" looming large, the pressure was back—and it was relentless.

"Y/n, please check through this."
"Look over this again, please."
"When can they be available for this shoot"

Y/n tried to manage it all, running through a mile-long to-do list each day. Yet, it felt like everything was slipping through his fingers. Meetings were getting missed, calls went unanswered, and small mistakes started to pile up. The perfection he was aiming for seemed further away with every passing hour.

"I will die of stress before I actually get a girlfriend..." Y/n complained. "Why does my perfection side is so stingy..."

In the middle of a particularly hectic day, Y/n stumbled into aespa's practice room, his mind a whirlwind of incomplete tasks and urgent reminders. The members were deep into their dance practice, their movements precise and synchronized. Yet, the usual buzz of energy seemed overshadowed by a growing sense of concern for their manager.

Karina, noticing Y/n's disheveled appearance and distracted demeanor, exchanged worried looks with the rest of the group. It was clear that the stress of managing to "Supernova" was taking a toll. The same dedication and enthusiasm that Y/n had once brought to the job now seemed overwhelmed by the weight of expectations and a relentless schedule.

"We need to do something," Winter said quietly, her gaze following Y/n as he absently tapped away at his phone. "That idiot has been working so hard, and it's starting to show."

"Let's try to lighten the mood," Ningning suggested. "Maybe a bit of fun might help him relax."

The members agreed, rallying together to devise a plan that would bring some levity into Y/n's increasingly overwhelming days. They decided on a series of harmless pranks designed to elicit a genuine smile from their manager, hoping to lift his spirits and alleviate some of the stress.

-

Their first prank was an elaborate setup in Y/n's office table (surprisingly, he does have one). The girls filled the room with balloons, covering every surface with bright, cheerful colors. When Y/n finally opened the door, he was greeted by a cascade of balloons tumbling out into the hallway.

Despite the initial laughter from the girls, Y/n's expression remained strained. He looked around the balloon-filled room, his shoulders slumping slightly as he muttered, "This is... a lot."

Next came the "fake meeting" prank. Ningning and Winter organized a mock emergency meeting, complete with exaggerated urgency and absurd scenarios. They managed to get Y/n to rush into a room, only to find it filled with the group, all of them giggling uncontrollably.

Though Y/n cracked a smile, the humor didn't quite cut through his mounting stress. He rubbed his temples and said, "I appreciate the effort, but I really can't afford to be wasting time right now."