Chapter 1
Seoul never slept.
The city kept glowing no matter how many dreams failed beneath its lights.
Inside a small almost-bankrupt agency building, five girls sat silently in practice room darkness.
AURORA.
Once called “monster rookies.”
Now?
Forgotten.
No schedules. No promotions. No hope.
Only debt.
Only pressure.
Only silence.
Rain softly hitting practice room windows while Han Areum threw water bottle across floor angrily.
“I’m sick of this.”
Nobody answered.
Because everyone felt same.
Kim Nari sitting corner me scrolling hate comments quietly.
Choi Yuna trying smile despite swollen eyes.
Leader Lee Sora staring at company bills.
And Kang Seo-ah?
Standing near mirror expressionless.
Beautiful.
Cold.
Untouchable.
At least that’s what world believed.
But truth?
She was simply tired.
Tired of failing. Tired of pretending. Tired of carrying image stronger than her actual heart.
Then suddenly—
practice room door opened.
All eyes turned.
A tall man entered quietly wearing black hoodie and glasses.
Long dark hair slightly covering eyes.
Simple appearance.
Calm aura.
He bowed politely.
“Hello.”
Silence.
CEO awkwardly coughed beside him.
“This is your new temporary manager.”
Areum blinked.
“…Him?”
The man looked toward members calmly.
“My name is Yoo Min-jae.”
Soft voice. Steady eyes.
No fake excitement.
No pity either.
Then slowly—
his gaze stopped on Seo-ah for one second longer than others.
Not because she was celebrity beautiful.
But because…
he recognized that exhausted look in her eyes.
The kind people hide behind perfection.
And somehow—
Seo-ah noticed that immediately.
Which irritated her strangely.
Because for first time in long while…
someone looked at Kang Seo-ah like a human instead of idol.
—
That night after introductions finished—
members left one by one.
Only Seo-ah remained behind gathering her things silently.
Min-jae noticed mirror lights still on.
So before leaving— he quietly switched them off for her.
Simple gesture.
But then softly he said something unexpected:
“You don’t have to practice after everyone leaves every night.”
Seo-ah froze slightly.
“…Excuse me?”
Min-jae adjusted glasses calmly.
“Tired people break faster pretending they’re not tired.”
Silence.
Direct hit.
Seo-ah eyes narrowed little.
“Manager-nim judging me already?”
“No.”
Tiny pause.
“Just worried.”
That answer made her uncomfortable immediately.
Because strangers weren’t supposed to notice her this easily.
And yet somehow…
this quiet man already did.
—
Outside building rain falling heavier now.
Seoul lights blurry beneath storm.
Next morning.
Dorm atmosphere chaotic as usual.
Areum yelling because instant noodles disappeared mysteriously.
Nari accusing everyone dramatically.
Yuna half asleep hugging blanket.
Sora trying stop kitchen fire.
Normal AURORA disaster.
Then dorm bell rang.
Sora opened door lazily—
…and froze.
Yoo Min-jae standing outside holding grocery bags.
Fresh vegetables. Medicine. Breakfast.
Entire dorm silent.
Min-jae blinked behind glasses.
“…Should I come later?”
Areum whispered immediately:
“Why he standing like depressed drama male lead?”
Nari whispering back:
“But handsome though.”
Seo-ah silently watching from hallway.
Still suspicious.
Because people in industry usually acted kind only when cameras existed.
But this man?
Too quiet to be fake.
—
Min-jae entered calmly.
Then without unnecessary talk—
he started cooking breakfast.
Members staring like witnessing supernatural event.
Yuna emotional already.
“No manager cooked for us before.”
Min-jae shrugged lightly.
“You all barely eat properly.”
Seo-ah arms crossed.
“And how do you know that?”
Without looking back from stove—
he answered simply:
“Your dorm fridge looks like survival game.”
Areum immediately burst laughing.
Even Seo-ah almost smiled accidentally.
Almost.
—
Breakfast table strangely warm that morning.
For first time in months—
someone treated AURORA less like failed idols…
and more like people worth caring for.
And quietly while members laughed over burnt toast and terrible jokes—
Seo-ah found herself watching Yoo Min-jae more than intended.
Because his smile looked lonely somehow.
Like someone used to taking care of others…
but never being taken care of himself.
And deep inside—
that small detail stayed with her.
Even after breakfast ended.
Even after day moved on.
Because maybe…
their story had already started from that exact moment.
Neither realized it yet.
But fate probably did.
