Echoes of the Alley

13 - Building Bridges

The warm, rhythmic hum of the studio buzzed softly in the background as Jisung stepped into the room as usual, but instead of it just being Minho, he was greeted by the lively chatter of Minho's group—Hyunjin, Chan, and Changbin. He hadn't expected them to be there, but he supposed it was okay. They were sprawled comfortably around the space, exuding a sense of easy camaraderie that was both inviting and slightly intimidating. Hyunjin was the first to notice him, his sharp eyes lighting up with curiosity.

"Jisung, right?" Hyunjin asked, extending a hand. "Minho told us you'd be coming. Welcome."

Jisung hesitated for a beat before shaking his hand, his nerves bubbling just beneath the surface. "Yeah, uh, thanks for having me."

Chan grinned from his spot near the keyboard, motioning for Jisung to sit. "Minho said you've got some skills. Don't be shy—we're pretty chill."

Changbin, leaning against the wall, chuckled. "Don't let Chan's smile fool you. He's got high standards. But seriously, it's good to meet you."

As Jisung settled on the edge of the couch, the group quickly fell back into their rhythm, their banter flowing naturally. Jisung observed quietly at first, unsure of how to insert himself into the dynamic. But their openness gradually chipped away at his apprehension, and he found himself laughing along with their stories.

It was Hyunjin who steered the conversation toward Jisung's own circle of friends, setting the stage for what came next.

"So, Jisung," Hyunjin drawled, leaning back against the mixing console with a mischievous glint in his eye. "You've been hanging out with us for a little while, but you keep talking about your group of friends. Felix, Jeongin, Seungmin, right?"

Jisung blinked, caught off guard by the sudden attention. "Uh, yeah. That's them."

"We should meet them shouldn't we?" Hyunjin continued, a teasing lilt in his voice. "Are you keeping us a secret?"

Chan chuckled from his seat near the keyboard. "Hyunjin, give the guy a break, we just met him." Then he turned to Jisung with a genuine smile. "But honestly, it'd be cool to meet them sometime. You've been vibing well with us. Would be nice to know the people you're close to."

Jisung fidgeted with the hem of his hoodie, the thought of merging his two worlds making his chest tighten. "I mean, I guess I could ask them. They'd probably be cool with it."

Changbin smirked. "Probably? Come on, Jisung, sell it better than that."

Minho, who had been stretching idly in the corner, glanced over. "If you want to. No pressure." His voice was calm, almost indifferent, but Jisung caught the subtle encouragement beneath it.

Hyunjin clapped his hands together. "It's settled then! Let's plan something soon."

Jisung nodded hesitantly, his mind already spinning with scenarios of how it would all play out. The idea of his two groups colliding felt like opening a door he couldn't close. But part of him—maybe a braver part—wanted to see what would happen.

—
Jisung's initial nervousness about introducing his friends to Minho's group hadn't entirely faded by the time they all met up later that week. Felix, Jeongin, and Seungmin arrived at the studio with their usual easygoing energy, Felix practically bouncing as he surveyed the unfamiliar space.

"This place is sick," Felix exclaimed, his voice bright. "I can't believe you get to hang out here all the time, Jisung."

Hyunjin grinned, stepping forward with his signature charm. "And you must be Felix. Jisung's talked about you." He glanced at the others. "Jeongin and Seungmin, right? Nice to meet you guys."

Jeongin gave a small nod, his gaze flitting curiously around the room, while Seungmin offered a polite smile. "Likewise. Jisung's mentioned you guys too. Hyunjin, right?"

"Guilty as charged," Hyunjin said with a dramatic bow, earning a slight laugh from Seungmin.

Chan and Changbin quickly joined in the introductions, and soon, the room was filled with a lively mix of voices as everyone started to settle into a rhythm. Jisung watched quietly from the sidelines, his chest tightening with a mix of pride and anxiety as his two worlds blended together.

Minho, true to form, stayed relatively quiet but observed everything with a keen eye. He caught Jisung's gaze at one point and gave a small, reassuring nod that made Jisung feel slightly less like he was walking a tightrope.

—
As the evening wore on, the energy in the studio shifted. Felix and Hyunjin bonded over shared dance styles, while Chan and Seungmin debated music theory with Changbin chiming in now and then. Even Jeongin, usually more reserved, found himself laughing at one of Changbin's exaggerated stories.

Jisung lingered near the snack table, nibbling on a granola bar as he tried to keep his breathing steady. The anxiety that had been quietly simmering all day began to bubble up, the noise and activity of the room feeling like too much.

Minho noticed. He always did.

Sliding away from the conversation he'd been half-listening to, he approached Jisung with an almost casual air. "You okay?"

Jisung startled slightly, then nodded quickly. "Yeah. Just... taking a break."

Minho raised an eyebrow, not buying it. "You're overthinking again."

"I'm not—" Jisung started to protest but stopped when he saw Minho's unimpressed expression. He sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Okay, maybe a little. It's just... a lot, you know? Them meeting you guys. What if it's too weird or awkward?"

Minho leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "They're fine. Everyone's getting along. You're the only one freaking out."

Jisung frowned, looking down at the granola bar in his hands. "I just want everything to go well."

Minho's gaze softened slightly. "It is going well. You need to give yourself a break."

The simplicity of his words grounded Jisung more than he expected. He nodded, letting out a small, shaky laugh. "Thanks."

Minho shrugged as if it was nothing, but the slight upward curve of his lips said otherwise.

———————

— A/N: Hii, only one chapter today! How are you guy's doin

— Recommended song for this chapter: "Television / So Far So Good" by Rex Orange County