The flowerbed - Aespa's Giselle x M!Reader

The flowers of my memory

7 years ago...

"You're... how old?" the interviewer asked, peering at my resume with raised eyebrows.

"Eighteen," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt in my borrowed suit. "But I have extensive dance training, and I've been teaching at my local studio since I was fifteen. My letters of recommendation-"

"Yes, we've seen those." He shuffled through some papers. "Quite impressive, actually. National dance competition placements, choreography awards, teaching experience. But managing trainees and idols is different from teaching at a local studio."

I sat straighter. "I understand that. But I also understand dedication. I've been dancing since I could walk. I know what it takes to perfect a performance, to help others reach their potential."

The truth was, I'd nearly deleted the email thinking it was spam. A talent scout had seen videos of my choreography work online, leading to this impossibly huge opportunity with a big entertainment company. Most of my friends were starting college or taking office jobs. Meanwhile, I was sitting in this intimidating building, trying to convince them that being barely out of high school wasn't a disadvantage.

Three rounds of interviews followed. Dance evaluations where I had to demonstrate both technique and teaching ability. Management scenarios to test my problem-solving skills. Current trainee directors watching my every move.

Then finally: "Two and a half years," the interviewer said, watching me carefully. "The group has a set contract. A project group from Produce 48. You understand what that means?"

2 weeks later...

"He looks so serious," I heard someone whisper as I entered the practice room, portfolio clutched maybe a bit too tightly. "Do you think he knows how to smile?"

"Yena, he can hear you."

"I know, that's why I said it!"

Kwon Eunbi, shot me an apologetic look while trying to maintain professional composure. Meanwhile, Yena was already bouncing over, absolutely zero fear of the new performance director.

"Do you like dad jokes?" she asked seriously. "Because if you're going to work with us, you need to appreciate quality humor."

"Yena, please," Eunbi started, but I surprised myself by playing along.

"Depends. Are they as bad as your dance transitions?"

The room went silent. Then Yena's face split into a delighted grin. "Oh, he's perfect. We're keeping him."

And somehow, just like that, I was absorbed into their organized chaos.

The thing about working with IZ*ONE was that no day was ever quite what you expected. Yes, there were serious moments - endless hours of practice, perfecting choreography, preparing for stages. But there were also:

- Yena and Yuri's daily "who can hit the highest note while doing a handstand" competitions (nobody ever won, but the attempts were spectacular)

- Sakura's determined mission to teach me Japanese, which mostly resulted in me knowing thirty different ways to compliment food

- Hyewon's secret snack stash that everyone knew about but pretended not to for her sake

- Chaeyeon's dance battles with herself in the mirror when she thought no one was watching

- Hitomi accidentally calling me "dad" during practice and then hiding behind Nako (who was shorter than her) in embarrassment

"Is it always like this?" I asked Eunbi during our second week, watching Yena try to convince everyone that her new "revolutionary" dance move (which looked suspiciously like a chicken dance) should be added to their routine.