Storm

Damien froze mid-chew, when he heard the nickname. It was so unbearably cringe he didn't even know how to respond. Still… it rang a bell. After a second, he realized why—it was the same nickname he'd seen on one of the posts while digging up information on Minsoo.

"Yes," Yejun confirmed. "On the show you always had that cool, composed vibe. Never showing much emotion on camera. It was impressive, if a little intimidating." 

Minsoo covered his face with one hand, his whole face reddening. "Oh no… That wasn't on purpose. I was just trying to stay focused," he groaned softly. "I didn't realize I came off like that." 

He continued, peeking at group between his fingers. "I wasn't trying to be cool, I promise. Honestly, I was nervous out of my mind during the show." He shook his head, letting his hand fall away from his embarrassed face. "I guess I still get stage fright, even off-stage." 

"Aww, that's actually kind of cute," Yuki said with a grin. He leaned forward on the table, resting his chin on his hand as he eyed Minsoo curiously. "You've got that quiet, cool vibe, but honestly… you kind of just seem shy."

Kian blinked in disbelief, then shot a glance at the others—a silent plea that said, 'is no one going to stop him?' 

Minsoo's mouth fell open in a flustered smile. He didn't quite know how to handle a group like them. A small part of him was stunned—they were treating him like a normal friend, not a distant idol figure. It felt… nice.

"I-I'm not sure about cute," Minsoo mumbled, trying to laugh it off. He busied himself with a bite of rice to hide another smile threatening to form. "But I'm glad if I seem more approachable now. I'd rather be friends than be a some 'cold figure.'"

Damien smiled slightly. To reassure Minsoo, he patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. You're already one of us. Right, guys?"

"Absolutely," Kian agreed with a warm nod. "It's good to have you with us, Minsoo."

Li Xingyuan raised his plastic cup of juice. "Hear, hear! A toast—to new friends and future teammates."

Immediately catching on, Yuki grabbed his soda can and clinked it to Li Xingyuan's cup enthusiastically. "To new friends!" he chirped. 

Kian lifted his water bottle with a smile, and Yejun followed suit with his tea cup.

Damien raised his cup last, watching Minsoo's awkwardness melt away. "Welcome to the madness."

Laughter bubbled around the table. The six boys launched into an easy chatter after that, the initial awkwardness nowhere to be found.

...

The lunch break ended on a cheerful note, and the six trainees left the cafeteria in high spirits. 

Damien and Yuki, being in the same intermediate class started veering off. "We'd better sprint or our dance instructor will kill us for being late," Damien muttered.

Yuki nodded, walking backwards while still facing the others. "We'll see you guys later, okay? Minsoo-hyung, don't let them scare you in advanced class!" 

"I'll be fine. Good luck with your class!" Minsoo replied. 

Just as Damien was about to tug Yuki forward, someone blocked their path.

"Wait up." 

Damien sighed. "...What now?"

Li Xingyuan slid in front of them and blocking their way. His tone was casual, but there was a glint in his eye. He spread his arms dramatically. "It's not fair that you two get to hang out together all the time."

Yuki blinked. "Huh? What are you on about now, Xingyuan?"

Li Xingyuan placed his hands on both Damien and Yuki's shoulders, spinning them around to face the direction of the advanced classes. "I'm saying that you and Damien are always in your own little world, going to the same classes, whispering your inside jokes—"

"We don't though?" Damien interjected, confused.

"—and leaving us out," Li Xingyuan finished, ignoring Damien's comment. He feigned a pout. "Anyway, since you two are clearly attached at the hip, I figured we'd all walk together today. You know—team bonding."

"What? Were were literally all together just now. Hey, we have to get to training! Ah—wait! Yah!"

He hooked his arms through Damien's and Yuki's and dragged them down the corridor toward the advanced classes, ignoring Damien's protests along the way.

From behind them, Yejun called out, "Xingyuan, try not to cause a scene!"

"No promises!" Li Xingyuan replied without turning.

Minsoo, walking beside Kian and Yejun, stayed quiet. But his gaze lingered curiously on the trio ahead.

Kian leaned over slightly and murmured, "You okay?" 

Minsoo gave a brief nod. "Yeah, just... taking it in."

Kian chuckled under his breath "There's never a dull moment with them." He said, gesturing at the spectacle of the redhead dragging an energetic Yuki and a stone-faced Damien down the hall. 

As the six of them proceeded together, they certainly made an impression. Other trainees milling around the halls started to take notice. One by one, heads turned and conversations hushed as the group passed by. It wasn't every day you saw all of Starlite Media's most talked-about trainees in one place.

Damien quickly became aware of the stares. His mood slipped into wariness. 

Great, he thought with a grimace.

Damien subtly tried to pull his arm free from Li Xingyuan's grasp, but he only tightened his hold, oblivious or indifferent to the audience they were gathering.

Damien could hear whispers from the clusters of trainees they passed:

"Isn't that Lee Minsoo? Holy…"

"Look, Yejun, Kian, and Xingyuan are there too. All the advanced class stars."

"Woah! Yuki's there too? Wait.. who's the other one with them?"

"It's Damien. What is he doing tagging along?"

"I heard Damien helped Minsoo this morning with the press. Maybe he's trying to score points."

"Tch, bottom barrel kids acting chummy with the top trainees… figures."

Damien kept his gaze forward. It wasn't the first time he'd heard snide remarks during his months here. Being one of the trainees who'd joined later than some, he was used to skeptics. Still, hearing the open envy and doubt in those murmurs bothered him more than he liked to admit.

Yuki, ever the social butterfly, was less bothered. In fact, he greeted a few gawking friends with a bright wave as they walked. "Hey, Mingyu! What's up?" He called to one boy, as if they weren't causing a scene. The boy gave a weak wave back, eyes round at the assembly of talent beside Yuki.

Li Xingyuan, though, seemed to relish the attention. He walked confidently, even giving a playful wink to a pair of girls from the vocal class who were peeking around a doorway. One of them giggled, ducking back in.

Damien saw this and could only sigh inwardly. These guys... I feel like I'm in some kind of circus. If I could only turn back time, I'd avoid them as much as possible. No—I'd go back in time to save myself from that stupid accident.

Yejun maintained a polite smile and nod for those who greeted him, but he stayed focused on shepherding everyone toward the studio. He didn't particularly enjoy the eyes, but he knew it was inevitable.

Kian stayed beside Minsoo, casting a protective aura despite his calm demeanor. He could sense Minsoo's slight unease.

"Just a little further," Kian murmured reassuringly.

Minsoo gave a short nod. 

At last, they reached the door of the practice room. The door was propped open, and faint music and chatter drifted out. A few trainees who lounging by the water dispensers straightened up in surprise at the sight of the group.

"Well, this is your stop," Damien quipped. He gently freed himself from Li Xingyuan, adjusting his shirt in the process.

Yejun turned to Damien and Yuki with a grin. "Thanks. We'll make sure your sacrifices are remembered."

Minsoo stepped forward and gave a small bow to Damien and Yuki. "Thank you, truly," he said earnestly. "...Especially for today."

Yuki beamed from ear to ear. "Don't mention it! We'll hang out more later, okay?"

Li Xingyuan, smirked. "I suppose we'll let you two go... this time."

"Mercy is appreciated," Damien nearly rolled his eyes.

Kian chuckled and offered a more sincere goodbye. "See you later, guys."

But just as Damien and Yuki turned away, a voice drifted from the crowd.

"Look at that. Minsoo thanking them?"

Another voice followed. "Hah. Bet Hajoon's fuming right now."

Damien stiffened. He didn't turn, but he heard everything.

Yuki shot a glance at him. Picking at the bits and pieces from Damien's past conversations with Yejun and Kian, Yuki had an inkling feeling that Damien didn't have the best relationship with Hajoon. 

He bumped Damien's shoulder. "Ignore it."

"Trying to... It's like they've never seen friends from different classes before," Damien muttered.

Yuki shrugged. "To be fair, we basically just gave them this academy's equivalent of a celebrity parade." He imitated a shocked face, then laughed. "I bet they're writing about us on the message board already."

"Fantastic..." Damien said dryly.

Yuki noticed the pensive look creeping onto Damien's face. To cheer him up, he threw an arm around Damien's shoulders as they walked. 

"Hey. Forget them. "You don't have to prove anything to those people. Prove it to yourself. You know what you're capable of. Besides, I'm pretty sure Minsoo-hyung likes you. You basically saved him twice today—once from the press and once from the group's insane teasing."

"Our group is insane." A hint of a smile returned. "Thanks, Yuki."

Yuki flashed a thumbs-up. "Anytime. What are friends for? But we should really hurry, we're gonna be late."

With that, the two broke into a sprint toward their classroom. By the time they disappeared down the corridor, the gossip had already begun to fade.

…

Unbeknownst to the trainees, a storm was brewing, spreading through the upper echelons of Starlite Media—one that would not fade so easily.

Ji Yoonseok looked at the sleek USB on his desk along with a folder filled with papers.

Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he collected himself. When he opened them, they were cold and resolute. "...Prepare for an internal investigation," he ordered, each word measured and firm.