The flowerbed - Aespa's Giselle x M!Reader

The calm breeze in Seoul

Sunlight painted patterns across the dorm's hallway as I made coffee, trying to stay quiet in the early morning stillness. Giselle appeared in the kitchen doorway wearing one of my shirts, her hair still messy from sleep.

"You disappeared," she said softly, accepting the coffee I offered.

"Thought we could use caffeine before facing the others."

She smiled, stepping closer to press a kiss to my cheek. "Smart man."

The peaceful moment was interrupted by the front door opening, followed by the rest of the members returning from their suspiciously well-timed overnight plans.

"We brought breakfast!" Ningning announced, holding up bags that smelled significantly better than her usual cooking attempts.

"Very thoughtful of you," Giselle commented dryly.

"We figured you might be... hungry," Winter smirked, dropping onto the couch with her usual grace.

Karina started distributing food with practiced efficiency, maintaining her leader composure despite obvious amusement. "The company called - we have dance practice at ten instead of nine."

"Extra rest time?" Ningning perked up. "Since when are they so nice?"

"Since someone scheduled it that way," Winter glanced meaningfully at me.

"Just being efficient with the schedule," I defended, but couldn't help smiling as Giselle pressed closer to my side.

Breakfast flowed naturally, conversation drifting between upcoming schedules and casual teasing. If the others noticed how Giselle and I kept gravitating toward each other, they were kind enough not to comment. Much.

"The coordi-unnies want to try some new stage outfits today," Karina mentioned between bites. "Something about a concept change?"

"Please tell me it's not another robot theme," Ningning groaned. "The last one had so many sharp edges."

"I liked the edges," Winter defended. "Very architectural."

"You would," Ningning threw a napkin at her. "You didn't stab yourself every time you moved."

Getting ready for practice felt surprisingly normal, despite the new undercurrent of energy between Giselle and me. The others fell into their usual routines - Karina reviewing schedules, Winter perfecting her makeup, Ningning practicing high notes while searching for her missing shoe.

"Under the couch," I called out, earning a triumphant "Found it!" in response.

The practice room was already warm when we arrived, morning sun streaming through the windows. As the others stretched, I caught Giselle's eye in the mirror. Her soft smile made my heart skip.

"Focus," Karina reminded gently, but she was fighting a smile too.

Practice flowed smoothly, everyone motivated by the upcoming shows. Even with my attention occasionally wandering to Giselle, I couldn't help but feel proud watching them work. Their synchronization had reached new levels, each movement precise and powerful.

During the water break, Ningning sprawled dramatically across the floor. "Why does the bridge section feel harder today?"

"Because someone changed the formation timing," Winter pointed out, stretching her shoulders.

"I think it works better now," Karina mused. "Gives more impact before the final chorus."

The discussion devolved into technical details about dance formations and timing, everyone contributing ideas. These were the moments I loved most - watching them build something together, each voice adding to the whole.

Lunch brought a welcome break, everyone gathering in the company café. Giselle sat next to me, her knee pressed against mine under the table.

"The coordi-unnies texted," Winter said, scrolling through her phone. "They want to try the new outfits after vocal practice."

"As long as nothing has actual metal spikes this time," Ningning insisted.

"They were aesthetic spikes!"

"They were weapons!"

Afternoon vocal practice showed their growth in different ways. Ningning's high notes soared effortlessly, while Winter's harmonies added depth to every verse. Karina and Giselle traded rap sections with practiced ease, their energy infectious.

"Much better," their vocal coach praised. "The new arrangement suits your voices perfectly."

Between sessions, Giselle and I found moments together - small touches as we passed in hallways, shared smiles during meetings. Everything felt both thrilling and completely natural.

The costume fitting proved interesting, with the coordi-unnies presenting concepts that thankfully didn't involve any weapons-grade accessories.

"See? No spikes," Winter teased, twirling in her outfit.

"The night is young," Ningning muttered, but she was smiling.

Evening found us reviewing schedules in the company building, everyone tired but satisfied with the day's progress. Giselle sat beside me as we went through next week's calendar, occasionally leaning against my shoulder.

"The Japanese interviews are confirmed," Karina was saying, "and then we have-"

My phone's sudden buzz interrupted her. The caller ID made something cold settle in my stomach:

PR DEPARTMENT - URGENT

"I should take this," I said, already standing. Giselle caught my hand briefly, squeezing once before letting go.

The phone kept ringing as I closed the door behind me, its urgent buzz feeling ominous in the quiet hallway. Something about this call felt different - heavier somehow.

Taking a deep breath, I answered.

"Manager-nim," the PR director's voice was carefully neutral. "We need you in the office. Now."

"What's wrong?"

A pause that felt endless, then:

"You might want to sit down for this."

Through the practice room window, I could see the others still working, Giselle occasionally glancing toward the door with concern. The peaceful scene contrasted sharply with the growing dread in my chest.

"I'll be right there," I said finally, my voice steadier than I felt.

As I headed toward the elevator, I caught one last glimpse through the window. Giselle was watching me go, worry evident in her expression. Our eyes met briefly before the doors closed, and somehow I knew - everything was about to change.

The calm morning felt very far away now.