STYLISH

Kazuha had become exceptionally good at avoiding people. At first, it hadn't been intentional. She had simply needed a few days to cool off after the disaster that had happened during the dinner she was so excited to be at. A few days had somehow turned into weeks. The argument with her bandmate that same night left her feeling even more unsettled, only making everything worse. The reactions from that evening had lingered in her mind far longer than she cared to admit. She knew she hadn't behaved perfectly, but the entire night had left her feeling small in a way she wasn't used to. Embarrassed. Ashamed. Even during the moments when someone had tried to ease the tension, everything somehow seemed to get worse. Maybe everyone was tired of her. Maybe giving people space was the right thing to do. Or maybe she was simply too afraid to find out otherwise. So she kept busy. Long hours in the studio turned into even longer nights at the gym. She threw herself into practice, into routines, into anything that kept her moving. It was easier that way. Not stepping on anyone's toes. She was a ballerina she should be able to pull it off. Easier to focus on choreography than the growing loneliness sitting quietly in her chest. Easier to keep her head down and pretend her heart didn't feel quite as heavy as it did. The gym had become her safe place. Familiar. Predictable. Quiet. At least, that had been the plan. She had just finished stretching when she looked up, more out of habit than anything. Years in the public eye had made her naturally aware of the people around her, instinctively glancing up whenever someone passed by. It was almost second nature at this point, fans occasionally recognized her even in places she least expected, and she had grown used to offering polite smiles and greetings. This time, however, the moment her eyes landed on the familiar figure across the gym, she froze. Juyeon. Of course. For a brief second, she considered pretending she hadn't seen him. Then another, arguably worse idea formed: leave before he noticed her. Easy. Except it wasn't. Turning around far too quickly, Kazuha's foot caught against the edge of a bench. There was a startled yelp, followed by a loud crash as she stumbled directly into a rack of neatly stacked equipment, sending weights and resistance bands clattering dramatically onto the floor. The entire gym seemed to go silent. Still half tangled in a resistance band, Kazuha slowly lifted her head. Of course Juyeon had seen that.

"...I can explain," she blurted immediately, before pausing.

Then, with a defeated sigh, she lowered her gaze.

"...Actually, no. I really can't."

A small, awkward smile appeared on her face. "Hi..."

Instead of approaching her, he stuck to the weights. Focused on the beat that came from his headphones. He let the sound boom as he worked through a set, then moved again, then again, only focusing on counting and breathing. The music still bled through his ears when he caught the collapse of weights that came from her direction. He saw her mouth moving but heard no sound due. to the music. Juyeon set down the equipment, then tugged down on one side of his headphone before he acknowledged her.

ERIC: [image attached]

JUYEON TRIGGER | 241109