An Original Short Novel by HOTOYAJI
Chapter 1: The First Spark
On a drizzly spring afternoon, the air in Seoul was damp with the scent of rain, and the dull hum of raindrops drumming against windows filled the practice building. Inside the brightly lit studio, Kang Jisoo adjusted the sleeves of his oversized hoodie and exhaled slowly. A moment of silence spread across the room as he studied himself in the mirror, his hair slightly damp from sweat. He wasn’t just practicing—he was perfecting. Every movement needed to flow with the precision that made him the heart of AURORA, one of the most beloved K-pop groups in South Korea.
Jisoo loved the stage but hated the weight that came with it. Perfection wasn’t optional—it was mandatory. Every smile, every step, every note needed to be flawless.
It was supposed to be a solo practice session, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone peeking from the doorway—a slender figure with tousled black hair and wide, curious eyes. Lee Minjae, a rookie idol from the new group LUNAR, stood quietly, gripping the strap of his duffel bag. Jisoo could recognize that nervous posture from a mile away. He’d been there once too: just a rookie trying not to make a fool of himself in front of his seniors.
“You planning to stand there all day, or are you going to come in?” Jisoo said without turning his head.
Minjae froze for a moment, his hand hovering by the door handle. “I—I’m sorry, hyung! I didn’t mean to interrupt.” His voice was soft but clear, carrying just enough nervous energy to make Jisoo smile a little.
“Relax.” Jisoo grabbed a water bottle from his bag and tossed it at him. Minjae fumbled but caught it with both hands, eyes wide with surprise. “Come in. No need to be shy.”
Minjae stepped inside the studio cautiously, as if crossing some invisible boundary. He bowed slightly, polite and respectful. “I just finished my practice, and… I heard you were still here. Thought I could watch for a bit, if that’s okay.”
Jisoo chuckled. “What, you want to steal my moves?”
Minjae’s lips curled into a nervous smile. “I wouldn’t dare. I just…” He hesitated, his gaze lowering to the floor. “I’ve admired your performances for a long time.”
The sincerity in Minjae’s voice caught Jisoo off guard. He’d heard compliments before—praise from fans, media, even other idols—but something about Minjae’s words felt different. Honest.
“Admiring me, huh?” Jisoo teased, a playful grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I better be careful then. You might end up being better than me.”
Minjae laughed softly, his face brightening in a way that made Jisoo’s chest warm unexpectedly.
They spent the next hour exchanging small talk between stretches and practice routines. Minjae watched closely as Jisoo demonstrated intricate footwork, his eyes lighting up whenever he managed to learn a step or two. There was something refreshing about Minjae—his enthusiasm was unpolished, raw, and genuine. It reminded Jisoo of himself before the industry had worn him down with endless expectations.
As Jisoo danced through the routine again, he caught glimpses of Minjae imitating him in the mirror. The rookie’s movements weren’t perfect, but there was an eagerness to learn that made Jisoo feel… connected.
“You’ve got potential,” Jisoo said, wiping sweat from his brow.
Minjae looked up, startled. “Really? You mean that?”
“Yeah. Just don’t push yourself too hard.” Jisoo tossed him a towel. “I can tell you’re the type who doesn’t know when to stop.”
Minjae smiled sheepishly. “How’d you know?”
“Because I used to be just like that.” Jisoo leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. “I still am, sometimes.”
The two of them sat on the studio floor, the rain outside still drizzling against the windows. There was a strange comfort in the silence between them, like they didn’t need to fill the space with words.
For Jisoo, conversations always felt calculated—polished soundbites for interviews or rehearsed lines for variety shows. But here, with Minjae, things felt different. The younger boy wasn’t trying to impress him. He was just… there.
“So, how’s life in LUNAR?” Jisoo asked after a while.
Minjae sighed, resting his head against the mirrored wall. “It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be. Some days, it feels like no one even notices us.”
Jisoo understood that feeling too well. The industry had a way of chewing you up and spitting you out if you weren’t careful. “It’ll get better. You just have to survive the rough patches.”
Minjae nodded, though the doubt was still evident in his eyes. “I hope so.”
They sat in silence for a little longer, listening to the rain tap gently against the windows.
“You know,” Jisoo said quietly, “if you ever need someone to talk to… or if things get overwhelming… you can come find me.”
Minjae turned to him, his eyes wide and filled with gratitude. “Really? You wouldn’t mind?”
Jisoo smiled. “Not at all.”
In that moment, something unspoken passed between them—an understanding, a connection. It was subtle but undeniable, like the first spark of a flame that neither of them was ready to name yet.
As they stood to leave, Minjae gave Jisoo one last, shy smile. “Thanks, hyung. For everything.”
Jisoo shrugged, trying to play it cool, but his heart felt lighter than it had in months. “Don’t mention it.”
When Minjae walked out of the studio that night, Jisoo stood there for a moment, watching the rain fall outside. He knew something had shifted between them—something small, but real.
And in a world where everything felt staged and rehearsed, that small, real thing was enough to make him feel alive again.
NEXT CHAPTER
How do you feel?
