#episode2

The universe blinked awake inside the practice room the next morning.

Fresh sweat. Loud music. Teenager chaos energy humming like electricity in the walls.

And then Manager-nim walked in with a clipboard.

That clipboard always meant drama.

“All of you, listen,” she said.

Everyone froze mid-stretch, mid-complaint, mid-snack.

Manager-nim cleared her throat.

“Your official debut date is set. August 18. Digital single: ‘What You Want.’”

Silence.

Then all six of you exploded like firecrackers.

“NO WAY.”

“WHATTT??”

“LET’S GOOO.”

James gasped dramatically, clutching his chest.

“My heart just left my body.”

You flicked his ear.

“It left a long time ago, babe.”

Martin sat in front of a fancy camera setup, hair styled, posture perfect, looking like a walking TED Talk.

The staff had him talking about all the songs he’s helped produce and his creative process.

He was trying so hard to look mature and professional.

And then there was… you.

Sitting off-camera.

Making the dumbest faces known to mankind.

Fish face. Cross-eyed stare. That one cursed grin you do.

Martin’s left eye kept twitching.

Meanwhile in the other room:

James and Keonho were fighting like two middle schoolers sharing one brain cell.

“Maknae, stop stealing my socks.”

“I didn’t. They crawled to me. They like me more.”

“That’s not even funny, give them back!”

“No.”

Seonghyeon was just sitting there laughing like a proud audience member.

He clapped softly.

“Go on. This is better than any K-drama.”

In the corner, Juhoon was boiling water with the seriousness of a surgeon.

“Five minutes,” he whispered.

“Five minutes and the ramen gods will bless us.”

James yelled, “SAVE ME SOME.”

Keonho yelled, “NO ONE SAVE JAMES HYUNG ANYTHING.”

Juhoon nodded like a wise ramen monk.

Martin FINALLY finishes the interview

The staff bowed and thanked him.

He bowed back calmly.

And the moment he crossed the doorway into the practice room…

His eyes locked onto you.

You froze mid–silly-face.

Martin didn’t say a word.

Just took a slow, dangerous breath.

James whispered, “Oh yeah… he’s gonna kill her.”

You tried to run.

He lunged.

“MARTIN— NO—”

Too late.

He tackled you onto the practice mats like a giant 6'3 human avalanche.

The impact made the whole group scream and laugh.

You were squished under him, wheezing dramatically.

“GET OFF ME YOU ELEVATOR,” you yelled, slapping his shoulder.

“WHY ARE YOU SO TALL? WHO LET YOU BECOME A BUILDING?”

Martin was laughing so hard he couldn’t even get up.

“You distracted me the entire interview,” he said between breaths.

“Well maybe don’t be six-foot-freaking-three,” you snapped, still trapped under Mount Martin.

Keonho was rolling on the floor laughing.

Seonghyeon had tears in his eyes.

Juhoon filmed the whole thing.

James clicked his tongue.

“This is going in the documentary bonus clips.”

Martin finally stood, dusting off his shirt.

Then offered you a hand to help you up.

You smacked his hand away.

“I’ll get up myself. Elevators can’t lift me.”

The whole room combusted again.

And that’s when practice began.

All six of you dancing together

Sweat flying. Music blasting. Laughing between counts.

Everyone messing up the chorus at least once.

Keonho: “NOONA YOU’RE TOO FAST.”

You: “ANI YOU’RE TOO SLOW.”

Martin: “FOCUS.”

Eventually, all of you crashed onto the floor like defeated warriors.

James lay on the ground with his legs in the air for no reason.

Martin was using his shirt as a towel.

Keonho was staring at the ceiling like it held answers.

Seonghyeon was fixing his hair.

And you and Juhoon were gulping water like an Olympic athlete.

Martin sighed.

“August 18… It’s happening.”

You smiled through your exhaustion.

“CORTIS. We got this.”

boys shouted at the same time:

“YES, Y/N NOONA!”

James rolled his eyes.

“I’m the only one who doesn’t call you that.”

You winked at him.

“And that’s why you’re my favorite.”

All other boys gasped in betrayal.

“NOONA??”

“WHAT ABOUT US??”

“YOU CAN’T SAY THAT—”