third person pov.
The streets of Seoul shimmered under a blanket of freshly fallen snow, transforming the bustling city into a serene, postcard-perfect winter wonderland. Strings of twinkling lights adorned every streetlamp, casting a warm glow over the icy sidewalks. The distant sound of carolers drifted through the air, mingling with the enticing aroma of roasted chestnuts, cinnamon, and holiday spices. For Sakura, it felt as though she had stepped into a dream.
Adjusting her scarf against the biting cold, she stepped out of the taxi, her boots crunching on the fresh snow. She took a deep breath, watching her breath curl into misty clouds before dissipating into the crisp night. Her heart raced with anticipation and nervous excitement. She was here—standing in front of the towering JYP Entertainment studio building, about to meet Stray Kids. A group she admired, sure—but spending Christmas with them? That felt like an impossibility just weeks ago.
The invitation had come completely out of the blue. A mutual friend of hers and Stray Kids, a college classmate named Yuqi, had planted the seed of the idea. "Why not come to Korea for the holidays? You'll love it," Yuqi had said. "The snow, the music, the food... and I have a surprise for you."
Sakura hadn't known what to expect when she arrived, but the promise of something unforgettable was hard to resist. Yumi had never mentioned what the "surprise" was until just a few days ago, when she casually texted: You're spending Christmas with Stray Kids. Prepare for chaos (and cookies).
She had laughed at the time, but now, staring up at the illuminated studio entrance, the reality of the situation was sinking in. What if they didn't like her? What if she said something awkward? She could imagine herself tripping over her words—or worse, spilling something on one of them during dinner. The thought made her cheeks flush with secondhand embarrassment.
She shook her head, willing herself to focus. "You've got this," she muttered under her breath. "Just be yourself."
Summoning her courage, she pushed open the heavy glass door and stepped into the building. Warm air greeted her instantly, along with the faint hum of holiday music and the distant sound of laughter. Her boots squeaked against the polished floor as she followed the directions Yuqi had given her.
The rehearsal studio was on the fifth floor. As she approached the door, the sounds grew louder—cheerful chatter, bursts of laughter, and faint music. The nerves in her stomach swirled anew, but she forced herself to knock softly.
"Come in!" a voice called, cheerful and welcoming.
Taking one last steadying breath, Sakura pushed the door open. Inside, the studio was alive with energy, the scene so warm and bustling that it momentarily overwhelmed her. Stray Kids were scattered throughout the large, brightly lit room, each member engaged in something different. Bang Chan was seated near the soundboard, his head bobbing to a track as he scribbled notes in a notebook. Han and Changbin were huddled in a corner, laughing uncontrollably over something on Han's phone. Felix was at a table nearby, diligently applying icing to what appeared to be a rather unfortunate-looking batch of gingerbread cookies.
"Ah, you must be Sakura!"
The cheerful voice belonged to Seungmin, who had spotted her almost immediately. He crossed the room with an easy stride, his warm smile radiating kindness and easing her nerves.
"Welcome! We're so glad you're here." He turned back to the others, raising his voice slightly. "Everyone, this is Sakura!"
"Come on grandpa stop working!" he said earning a glare from the older.
The chatter in the room came to a halt as all heads turned toward her. For a brief moment, Sakura felt frozen, unsure of how to respond. Then Felix bounded over, his freckled face lighting up with an enthusiastic grin.
"Hi, Sakura! I made cookies—well, I tried. Want to taste one?"
Before She could respond, Han chimed in from across the room. "Don't do it! Felix's cookies are a health hazard."
"Hey! That's rude!" Felix protested, holding up a lopsided gingerbread man as if to defend his honor. The sheer absurdity of the cookie, with its uneven icing and slightly burnt edges, sent Sakura into a fit of laughter.
The tension she had been carrying melted away in an instant. The room erupted in playful banter as the group rallied around Felix, debating the merits—or lack thereof—of his baking skills. It was a whirlwind introduction, but Sakura already felt a spark of belonging amidst their camaraderie.
Bang Chan stood up, brushing his hands off on his jeans as he approached her with a welcoming smile. "It's great to finally meet you, Sakura. Welcome to our little winter wonderland." He gestured around the room, where twinkling lights and scattered Christmas decorations added a festive touch. "We've got a lot planned for the holidays, and we're excited to have you join us."
She smiled, bowing slightly in gratitude. "Thank you for having me. I'm looking forward to it."
Minho, lounging on a nearby couch with a steaming cup of hot chocolate in hand, raised an eyebrow. "Let's see how long that lasts. We can be a handful."
"Speak for yourself," Hyunjin said, tossing a snowflake-shaped ornament at Minho with dramatic flair. Turning to Sakura, he added with a charming grin, "I'm the charismatic one, by the way. Stick with me, and you'll be fine."
Jeongin snorted from where he was sorting through a box of ornaments. "Yeah, and I'm Santa Claus."
The playful back-and-forth had her laughing again, the group's infectious energy putting her completely at ease. They were loud, funny, and utterly unpretentious. For the first time in days, the weight of her nerves lifted.
After a quick round of introductions and a tour of the studio, Bang Chan gathered everyone into a circle. "Okay, since Sakura's joining us for Christmas, I thought we'd do something special this year. We're calling it the Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge."
"Twelve days of what?" Minho asked, looking skeptical.
"It's simple," Bang Chan explained. "Each day, one or two of us will team up with Sakura for a Christmas-themed activity. Snowball fights, baking, decorating—whatever gets us in the holiday spirit. By Christmas Evel (hehehehehehhe), we'll all have worked together to create the best Christmas ever."
Sakura's eyes widened. "That sounds amazing, but... are you sure? I don't want to intrude on your plans."
"Nonsense!" Felix said, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "You're part of the team now. Let's make this the best Christmas ever!"
The group cheered in agreement, their enthusiasm filling the room. They began brainstorming ideas, each suggestion more elaborate than the last. From building a massive snowman to hosting a gingerbread house competition, the list quickly grew longer and more ridiculous.
As she listened to their chatter, but couldn't help but smile. These weren't just world-famous idols—they were genuinely kind, funny, and welcoming. Despite her initial hesitation, she already felt like she was part of their family.
When the planning session finally wound down, Bang Chan clapped his hands together. "Alright, first challenge starts tomorrow. Everyone get some rest—we've got a busy twelve days ahead of us."
As the group began to disperse, Felix caught Sakura's arm. "Hey, before you go—try the cookie?"
Sakura hesitated, glancing at the lopsided gingerbread man in his hand. Felix's hopeful expression made it impossible to refuse. She took a bite, chewing slowly as the others watched her expectantly.
"Well?" Felix asked eagerly.
"It's... unique," Sakura managed diplomatically, earning a round of laughter from the group.
"Unique?" Felix repeated, pouting. "I'll take it. Just wait—tomorrow, I'll make something even better."
Sakura grinned. "I can't wait."
As she left the studio that night, the streets of Seoul seemed even more magical than before. The snow glistened under the streetlights, and her heart felt lighter than it had in weeks. She was about to embark on an unforgettable holiday adventure, surrounded by music, laughter, and new friends. It was going to be a Christmas like no other—and she couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring.
