displaced

“Sadly, that what it looks like – especially those band kids, because they’re not really performers the same way as the rest for them for the most part … I guess that’s why they keep getting invited every season,” Nat said with a shake of her head.

she laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. “oh, absolutely. but she’s not, so i’m stuck with you,” she teased. “it’s alright, baby, i’ll igl the fuck out of you. you’ve got the mechanics. i’ll just puppeteer the game-sense part,” narae assured him. “there’s money, but it’s not a big tier tournament. i really am not that bothered by the money, and siren cares more about the sponsors we acquire and how we perform in algs. it’s fine.”

“baby, i’m going to be honest... i zoned out there for a moment, and all i got out of that is that you’re going to fuck me....” he laughed, fully waiting for her to swat him. “i love you. i’m a good listener. i’ll be the best teammate i can be.... and try not to get in the way of your bag”

“Having watched all the seasons so far…. I definitely feel like they’re going a lot further with it than they did last year. The having them memorize five different choreographies already seemed a touch excessive, but having them memorize nine within a week? I’m not sure how many of those trainees would’ve pulled it off if it hadn’t been for that month-long hiatus between shootings.”

“i wouldn’t have asked you if i didn’t want to,” she told him firmly, adjusting a flyaway and tucking it behind his ear. “it’s a couples tournament– hyeja has her own boyfriend. and this is for fun, nothing else. i think i can carry us to the win regardless.”

“so what you’re saying is that if hyeja wasn’t single, you’d play with her?” he asked teasingly. “okay. i mean, i love playing with you regardless. but like, you’re pro, and i’m very much not, you know? and when i see money on the line i just wonder if it’d be better off for you to find someone else. like, does siren care?”

“They’ll probably name the units after the alphabet, too, just to make it that much more confusing with all the letter grade stuff,” Hinata joked, and then paused momentarily. “Actually… after seeing how hectic that last week was, I don’t think I doubt them pulling something so convoluted.”

“i promise– once you find that clarity and get to the top of the mountain, it feels so much better on the way back down. that hard part is over,” she assured him

she nodded. “you were old enough to have made connections when you moved, and young enough to not be super resilient to change. i think that makes sense,” she answered. “i’m glad you’re finding your place here, though. even if its slow.”

she tucked some of his hair behind his ear, leaning in to kiss him again. “yeah, okay. i love you. i promise you, i’m not neglecting scrims. i am more than focused on that in the moment. i just don’t want to miss, like….a six goal game or something. my scrims can be replayed on twitch. your games can never be rewatched.”

“babe, i love you, but im a defenseman. if i get two goals, that’s a stretch. i don’t think i ever even hit six goals in atom,” he pointed out, rolling his eyes with a laugh. “you’re never missing much of anything.”

“i can imagine that must be so traumatizing as a child, but i’m sure you’ve found things here that make you happy, yeah? things that make seoul feel like home? or like a second home at least?”

“oh god, that’s so much better,” narae laughed, letting out a sigh of relief and throwing her arms around his neck, all but collapsing on him in a floppy heap. “it’s important to you! i want to watch! i like seeing you play!” she whined insistently, shaking her head. “every game is important. just like how algs circuit tournaments get you to grand finals, league games get you to playoffs. i want to be there for the journey!”

he smiled, putting his arms around her and pulling her snugly into his lap. “if you insist. but what’s important to you is important to me too, and i don’t want you screwing over your job because you’re too focused on what i have going on, you know?” he replied, kissing her gently. “yeah, okay. i’m convinced. but only if you stop clowning me for watching you scrim, you hypocrite.”

aeri bit back a surprised laugh, covering her mouth with her hand. “sorry, that just took me off guard,” she giggled. “not a move you were too happy about, i take it?”

“I couldn’t help but think about that when I saw about what they’re doing for the new season of idol project! At least, about the co-ed thing. That’s gotta be some kind of sign. Maybe some giant group is Mnet’s next venture.”

“oh? are you new to seoul? did you move here recently?” aeri inquired

“True enough, it’s always something different with New Age. Keeping everyone on their toes before they get too comfortable.”

aeri suppressed a laugh. “don’t force yourself. i know i’m not for everyone. kpop isn’t for everyone. don’t listen to it if you just want to, just to be polite.”