The flowerbed - Aespa's Giselle x M!Reader

The new normal

The meeting room buzzed with barely contained excitement as CEO Lee laid out the plans. "A special concert weekend in Tokyo," he announced, spreading promotional materials across the table. "Two days, full production, international press coverage."

I watched the members' reactions from my position near the door - Ningning practically vibrating with energy, Winter already making notes in her phone, Karina in full leader mode asking relevant questions. But my eyes kept drifting to Giselle, who sat quietly absorbing the news, a small smile playing at her lips.

"The Japanese market has been particularly responsive to 'Whiplash,'" Lee continued. "We want to capitalize on that momentum."

The word 'Japanese' hung in the air for a moment, everyone carefully not mentioning the Jung-shaped elephant in the room. I caught Winter's slight tensing at the reference, saw how Karina subtly straightened in her chair.

"The logistics will be challenging," Lee acknowledged, "but I have full confidence in our team." His eyes met mine briefly. "Our management staff especially."

After the meeting, we gathered in the practice room to start preparations. The energy was different now - focused but lighter, the way they'd been since my return from home. Small touches as they passed each other, inside jokes flowing freely, the family we'd become more evident in every interaction.

"I can help with the Japanese interviews," Giselle offered during their break, settling beside me as I reviewed the schedule. Her shoulder pressed against mine as she leaned in to look at my tablet. "The dialect in Tokyo is a bit different from what I learned in Osaka, but..."

"You just want extra coffee runs in Harajuku," Winter teased, dropping down on my other side and pulling out her own tablet. "I've already started location scouting for photo opportunities."

"Of course you have," Karina sighed fondly, but she was already looking over Winter's shoulder at potential spots.

"Can we visit that cat café Sakura-unnie recommended?" Ningning asked hopefully. "The one with the fancy lattes?"

The casual mention of Sakura made me smile, remembering our own Japan preparations from years ago. Some things never changed.

"Schedule permitting," I said diplomatically, earning an eye roll from Winter.

"Translation: he'll make sure there's time," she stage-whispered to Ningning, who beamed.

"I heard that."

"You were meant to."

The easy banter continued as we worked through preparations. But I noticed how Giselle stayed close, occasionally translating phrases under her breath, her hand brushing mine whenever she reached for something. The others pretended not to notice, though I caught Winter's knowing smiles.

Later, during their Japanese lesson, I found myself mesmerized watching Giselle work with the members. She moved between languages effortlessly, patient with Ningning's enthusiastic but chaotic attempts, encouraging Winter's precise pronunciation, helping Karina master the formal phrases she'd need as leader.

"You're staring," Winter murmured, appearing beside me with her usual silent grace.

"I'm observing their progress," I corrected, though we both knew it was a weak excuse.

"Mhm." She smiled that knowing smile of hers. "Just their progress?"

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed with an email from our Japanese coordination team. The preview made my heart skip:

"Director Jung requesting involvement in concert technical planning..."

Winter, reading over my shoulder, tensed slightly. "He's not letting go, is he?"