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the maknae line sat comfortably on the hardwood floor of their dorm, a camera propped up in front of them, streaming live to thousands of eager fans.
there vlive was a special one, stray kids were heading to japan, and the youngest members of the group wanted to share this exciting moment with their supporters.
rosey sat between felix and jisung, the trio affectionately dubbed the "triplet line" due to their back-to-back birthdays. they were almost inseparable and today was no different. as the camera focused on them, rosey couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness. it had been nearly three years since she last visited japan, her homeland.
this time, however, it was even more special—she wasn't going alone. she'd be returning with her members, her second family.
the room buzzed with chatter as they packed. rosey's light yellow travel bag, adorned with various stickers from places she traveled, already stuffed to the brim with clothes and essentials. it was the only bag that looked complete. she had started packing before the vlive began, worried she might forget something important in the rush of excitement.
yet, despite her meticulous preparation, an uneasy feeling gnawed at her. she turned to jisung, her voice soft, "does it look like i'm missing something?"
jisung glanced over at her fully packed luggage, raising an eyebrow. "i mean, it looks like you've got everything. why? you don't think so?"
rosey frowned. her fingers playing with the edge of her sleeve. "i don't know. it just feels like there's something i'm forgetting."
jisung scratched his head, deep in thought. he knew how careful she was about her belongings and it wasn't like her to be unsure. but before he could offer any suggestions, rosey let out a small groan, leaning back against the wall in frustration. the feeling of missing something lingered, gnawing at her.
then it clicked for jisung.
without a word, he stood up, his movements swift but quiet so as not to disturb the live. he ducked out of the camera's frame and carefully stepped over the sea of open suitcases and scattered clothes that littered the dorm. rosey, confused but too tired to question him, watched as he disappeared into their shared room.
jisung knew exactly what rosey was missing. he approached her bed, scanning the sheets, but it wasn't there. with a small huff, he crouched down and checked under the bed, hoping he'd find it tucked away. sure enough, there it was—a plushie, worn but well-loved, in shades of soft yellow.
he smiled to himself, proud that he remembered. rosey would never sleep properly without it.
when jisung returned, holding the plushie up triumphantly, rosey's eyes widened in realization. "oh my gosh!" she gasped, quickly reaching out for it. "i can't believe i almost left it behind. thanks, ji!"
jisung chuckled, placing the plushie in her waiting arms. "you really can't go anywhere without that thing, huh?"
"nope," she replied with a grin, hugging it close. it wasn't just any stuffed toy, it was something that comforted her, especially during long trips away from home.
without it, sleep would be elusive.
as rosey nestled the plushie in her lap, she gave her suitcase one last look. she shifted the fabric around, mentally checking off her list again: clothes, toiletries, snacks. . . everything seemed in order now. still, her anxious mind played tricks on her, convincing her she'd forgotten something important.
she zipped her bag shut and pushed it away with her feet, satisfied for the moment.
she sighed in relief, tucking her knees to her chest as she listened to the conversation around her. felix and jisung were playfully bickering about whose packing skills were superior, while jeongin was busy adjusting the camera angle, ensuring they all stayed in frame.
a tap on rosey's shoulder brought her back to reality. she turned to see seungmin, who had a knowing smirk on his face. "you're really not going to pack that plushie?" he teased, pointing to the toy resting in her lap.
rosey shook her head firmly. "no way. i need it with me for the flight. if i put it in my bag, i'll forget it before we even get to the airport."
seungmin chuckled. "you do lose things a lot, you know."
their harmless banter continued, with seungmin taunting her about how she'd probably drop the plushie the second they landed. but rosey wasn't budging, there was no way she was letting her comfort item out of her sight.
amid their playful squabble, chan's voice cut through the noise. "alright, guys, let's talk about something important," he said, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. "japanese food! what's everyone excited to eat when we get there?"
the room immediately erupted in a chorus of voices, everyone eagerly shouting out their favorite japanese dishes. "ramen!" "sushi!" "tonkatsu!"
rosey's eyes lit up as she joined in enthusiastically. "washoku!" she exclaimed, her face glowing with excitement.
jeongin smiled sweetly, happy to explain. "it's a traditional japanese meal. it's usually rice and miso soup, served with a variety of side dishes like soba and udon."
the group marveled at her explanation and the fans watching the live could feel the warmth and joy radiating from rosey as she talked about her homeland. japan wasn't just a destination for her, it was home. it was a place filled with childhood memories and now she had the chance to share that with stray kids.
the conversation shifted back to packing, but rosey's mind lingered on the thought of returning to japan. as the members talked amongst themselves, she found herself reflecting on the last time she was there, the familiar sights and sounds she missed.
she couldn't wait to introduce the others to all the small things that made her feel at home.
as the vlive neared its end, the maknae line gathered together, chanting a cheerful goodbye to the fans. they waved at the camera, promising to update everyone once they arrived in japan. the broadcast ended, but rosey's heart was full.
she was going home.
not just with her luggage and her trusty plushie, but with her second family beside her.
