Ahrin Lee | the hated member

Regretracha

Regretracha. 8 skz members.

All 8 were regretting what they did.

The news of Ahrin's recovery spread quickly, and with it came an overwhelming wave of relief and support from fans. Stray Kids, who had been burdened with their own regrets, knew they needed to address the situation head-on. They could no longer stay silent, watching Ahrin face the hate alone. The guilt, the realization of how they had influenced fans' perceptions, weighed heavily on each member.

So, after a long discussion, they decided to go live on Instagram. The members gathered together, determined but anxious, knowing that every word they spoke could make a difference.

The screen lit up, and fans began flooding into the chat. The view count rose rapidly, and comments poured in, filled with questions and worries, some showing support and others clearly skeptical.

Chan spoke first, his voice gentle but resolute. "Hey, STAY. We... we know things have been really tense and confusing. We're here today because we need to address something important. And that's Ahrin."

A hush fell over the room as the members looked at one another, silently supporting each other as they navigated this difficult conversation.

"First, let's be clear," Seungmin added, his voice filled with conviction. "Ahrin did not replace Woojin. She was never meant to. Her journey with us is her own, separate from any of that. Woojin didn't leave because of her. He left because of his own reasons, ones that had nothing to do with her."

Hyunjin leaned forward, his gaze steady. "The truth is, Ahrin came into Stray Kids with nothing but respect and love for us, for Woojin, and for STAY. She's a talented, warm-hearted person who wanted to be part of our family. But... we made it hard for her. We let our own struggles and unresolved pain affect the way we treated her. We know it wasn't fair, and we're so, so sorry."

Jeongin, the youngest, took a deep breath, steadying himself as he faced the camera. His eyes shone with sincerity, his voice a mix of vulnerability and strength. "I'm the maknae here, but for a while, I forgot that Ahrin was our maknae too. She needed us, but I let my own fear and insecurities get in the way. I should've been kinder, more understanding. And for that, I'm truly sorry."

The members exchanged nods, each of them owning up to their part.

Chan continued, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "We're asking you, STAY, to give Ahrin the love and support she deserves. She's been through so much, and she's still here. She's still standing, and we're proud of her for it. Please... don't make her suffer because of our mistakes. We know a lot of you feel loyal to Woojin, and that's okay. We love him too, and we'll always have respect for him. But we ask you to also make room in your hearts for Ahrin."

Minho leaned in, his usual sharp eyes softened with sincerity. "Ahrin didn't take anyone's place. She found her own, and we... we need to make things right by her. So, please, let's stop the hate. Let's support her together."

The comments were now filled with messages from fans expressing their surprise, their apologies, and their support. Some were still defensive, but others were beginning to shift, realizing the impact of their words and actions.

Felix, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up, his deep voice filled with a gentle warmth. "We're going to be better, for her and for you, STAY. Because Stray Kids is a family, and Ahrin is a part of that family."

A few moments of silence passed, and then Chan cleared his throat, his voice full of gratitude. "Thank you for listening, and thank you for supporting us. We're doing our best to make things right. Let's make sure Ahrin knows she's loved, that she's welcome, and that we're all here for her."

.....

After the live session, the atmosphere in the Stray Kids dorm was filled with a renewed sense of purpose. Each member felt a weight lift off their shoulders as they collectively decided to show Ahrin just how much they cared. They wanted to make her feel welcomed, cherished, and loved as part of their family.

Gift Planning
The next day, they gathered in the living room, brainstorming ideas on how to brighten Ahrin's spirits during her recovery. "We should do something special for her," Felix suggested, his bright eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "She needs to know we're thinking of her."

"How about we flood her hospital room with gifts?" Hyunjin proposed, a smile breaking across his face. "Flowers, stuffed animals, maybe even her favorite snacks."

"I love that idea!" Seungmin exclaimed, already jotting down a list. "We can each contribute something personal—like a little note. Something to lift her up."

As they put their plans into action, the members split up to shop for gifts. Minho picked out a stunning bouquet of fresh flowers, vibrant and colorful, while Chan searched for a plush toy that Ahrin had once mentioned she liked. Jeongin decided on a heartfelt handwritten letter, pouring out his apologies and wishes for her recovery.

Ahrin's Room
A few hours later, with bags of gifts in hand, the members made their way to the hospital. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the sight of Ahrin's room, which was still fairly quiet and somber. The dim lights, the sterile scent of antiseptic, and the faint beeping of machines painted a stark contrast to the excitement they felt inside.

"Ready?" Chan whispered, glancing back at the rest of the group, his voice filled with anticipation.

One by one, they stepped inside, their faces lighting up with joy as they took in Ahrin's surprised expression. Her eyes widened, and she quickly tried to sit up, but Seokjin was already at her side, gently urging her to stay down.

"Whoa, take it easy there!" Seokjin said with a playful grin. "We have a surprise for you."

"Surprise!" they all chimed in unison as they revealed the colorful bags and flowers. Ahrin's heart swelled at the sight of their effort.

Her gaze fell on the bouquet, and she smiled. "You guys didn't have to... this is too much," she murmured, touched by their gestures.

"Nope! Not too much at all," Minho said as he placed the flowers on the table beside her bed. "You deserve every bit of it and more."

Jeongin stepped forward, clutching his letter tightly. "I wrote something for you," he said, his cheeks slightly flushed. "I just want you to know I'm really sorry for not being there for you."

Ahrin's eyes softened, and she took the letter, her fingers trembling as she opened it. As she read, her heart warmed with the sincerity in his words.

"Thank you, Jeongin," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I appreciate it so much."

The members spent the next hour surrounding Ahrin with laughter and stories, trying to lighten the mood and chase away the shadows of her past experiences. They shared silly anecdotes about their training days, their latest practices, and the little things that happened behind the scenes that always made them laugh.

Daily Video Calls
Meanwhile, Seokjin kept in touch through daily video calls, ensuring Ahrin felt connected to her brother and the rest of the world. Each call was a reminder that she was never alone, that they were all rallying around her, giving her strength when she felt weak.

"Hey, how's my favorite sister doing today?" Seokjin would say, his face lighting up the screen.

"Better now that I can see you!" Ahrin would respond, a smile spreading across her face. "The flowers and gifts were amazing. I can't believe you guys went all out like that."

Seokjin chuckled, leaning closer to the camera. "It's because you're worth it. And you better believe I'm going to keep checking in on you every single day until you're back on your feet. If you ever feel scared or alone, just remember, I'm just a call away."

With each passing day, Ahrin found comfort in their interactions. She could see the love and sincerity in their eyes, the way they genuinely wanted her to heal. She realized that while the journey ahead wouldn't be easy, she had an entire family behind her, supporting her every step of the way.

One evening, as Seokjin's video call ended, Ahrin felt a surge of gratitude wash over her. She looked around her room, which was now filled with vibrant flowers, plush toys, and heartfelt letters.