Between Spotlight and Shadows (NewJeans x M!Reader/OC)

Chapter 11 - Bittersweet

November 25th, 11:45pm @Local Park - Minji POV

I tug my jacket a bit tighter, the November wind biting just enough to keep me awake. It's nearly midnight, but I'm too restless to sleep, so here I am-again-heading to the same spot I've come to rely on.

Tonight, the park seems quieter than usual, the lone streetlight flickering over the stretch of grass and a couple of worn benches. I half-wonder if he'll show. He always does, I remind myself. Sure enough, a silhouette slouches on the far bench, hood pulled low, mask on his face.

When he notices me, he straightens slightly. Even from a distance, I sense the tension in his posture. Like me, he probably can't settle his thoughts before tomorrow. But we never discuss specifics; it's an unspoken rule. I don't ask him for details, and he doesn't pry into mine.

"Hey," I call softly, taking the seat next to him. He offers a tiny smile, the kind that barely lifts the corners of his mouth but somehow warms my chest. "You're out late," he says, voice hushed. "Everything okay?"

I shrug, shoulders tense. "Couldn't sleep," I admit. "Big day tomorrow."

The corners of his lips twitch knowingly. "Yeah... same." No elaboration, just that one word. And yet, I grasp the weight behind it. He's got some major commitment, just like me, but neither of us wants to jinx it by spelling it out.

I rummage through my bag, pulling out two cans of warm tea I grabbed from a 24-hour convenience store. "Here," I say, passing him one. "Figured we could both use something to calm the nerves."

He accepts it with a quiet laugh, tapping the top of the can. "You always think ahead." He pops it open, inhales the mild herbal scent. "Thanks. This definitely beats pacing around my room."

I nod, slumping a little. "I almost did that-pace around, I mean. But I'd just end up riling myself up more. Figured a walk would help." And maybe seeing you... but I don't say that.

He takes a careful sip, his gaze drifting to the dark sky. "You think it's weird we keep doing this? Meeting up, barely talking about... stuff, but still feeling better afterwards?"

My heart does a little flip at the honesty in his tone. "Maybe. But sometimes it's good to talk around the edges, you know? Not everyone gets it." I chew my lip. "Sometimes I'm not sure what exactly I'm so afraid of. But tomorrow... is huge."

He exhales, the cloud of warm breath mixing with the steam from his tea. "Could be life-changing," he murmurs, half to himself. "Makes me wonder if I'm ready."

My pulse spikes in recognition. I wonder the same about me. But I just place a hand on the bench beside him, a small gesture of solidarity. "You'll do fine," I say, voice steadier than I feel. "We both will."

He almost smiles at that, turning his head enough that I catch the glint of relief in his eyes. "Guess we'll hold each other to it," he says quietly.

My lips curve into a faint grin. If only he knew just how massive tomorrow's event really is-for both of us, apparently, although neither of us is admitting it. "All the prep we've done... it has to count for something," I say, letting a hint of conviction seep through. "Whatever happens, we've worked for it, right?"

"Exactly," he replies, fingers tapping absently on the can. His eyes flick to me, almost like he wants to ask more, but then he stops. We've drawn this boundary between us-a comfortable line that says don't push if you don't want to know. And for now, I'm oddly grateful.

Silence settles, but it's not uncomfortable. The wind rustles the bare branches overhead. A distant car horn reminds me how late it is. I take a long sip of tea, letting the warmth coast down my throat.