A small laugh escapes her at the sight of Yunho nearly taking down an entire chip display.

"By sneaky snacks, you mean actual meals because someone forgot normal human eating hours again?"

She raises an eyebrow knowingly, eyes briefly dropping to the collection of convenience store food already gathered in his hands before holding up her own basket in surrender. Inside sits an assortment of items that hardly qualifies as a balanced diet either, kimbap, tangerine jelly, chocolate milk, and a suspicious amount of snacks.

"So yes," she admits easily, lips curving into a grin. "Though I prefer to call it creative nutrition."

Stepping closer, she reaches past him to grab a drink from the cooler, glancing back over her shoulder.

"Day off?" she asks. "You look like someone who just woke up five minutes ago."

There’s still humor in it all, but it softens when she actually thinks about the kind of day he’s had. The noise, the pressure, the return. Not just a release, but a weight finally set down too late to feel light.

Her expression eases as she types.

soyeon: no laughing, fresh air after such a long day is doctor's order👨‍⚕️🩺

soyeon: meet near the bike path behind yeouido?

soyeon: less people, more air 👍

soyeon: last one there owes the other food

soyeon: and skateboards count as transportation tools, thank you 🤝

Soyeon pushes off lightly on her skateboard, wheels catching smoothly against the pavement as she turns toward Yeouido. Her phone stays close in her hand, held loosely but never far from reach, like she’s waiting for a message that might come at any second, though her feet had already made the decision before it ever did.

There aren’t many places idols can truly disappear to, but as the day winds down, even the city seems to loosen its grip. Crowds thin out, noise softens, and the streets feel a little less like a stage.

As she passes people along the way, she finds herself quietly people-watching between movements, some heading home to families after long shifts, others still caught between work and wherever they’re rushing off to next. A few just moving to leave quickly, as if the city itself is something to outrun, and some days it felt like that for her too.

Welcome back...

Phrase echoing, drifting through the mind once more, less sharp, less complicated this time. Black hoodie pulled over the head, sleeves pushed up once before immediately pulled back down again. Running shorts. New pair of sneakers waiting by the entrance, Yuta's doing. Somewhere between comeback preparations and military stories and apparently becoming the kind of person who voluntarily suggested morning runs. Barely broken in. Still lacking the scuffs and weathering necessary to earn legitimacy. Not enough miles in them yet. Not enough cities. Not enough river paths.

The apartment door clicks open again, and then shut.

tyong: omw

Cool air washing over immediately, slipping beneath the fabric. First few strides settle naturally—left, right, left, right... Familiar. Measured. City slipping past in steady increments right beneath the soles. Breath even, controlled. Pacing arrives almost immediately now, something that's consistent and reliable. Habit, formed and molded, the navy remains tucked in every cadence and every breathing.

The vibration catches her attention almost immediately. Soyeon glances down at the screen while rolling along the quieter stretch of riverside path, golden evening light painting long shadows across the pavement. A grin tugs at the corner of her mouth the moment she reads it.

soyeon: impossible 🥷

soyeon: i'm disguised as a completely normal citizen right now 👵

soyeon: your idol senses are malfunctioning taeyong-oppa

Yet her eyes lift from the screen anyway, scanning the path ahead. Cyclists pass. A couple walks by with takeaway coffees. The river catches the last traces of sunlight in ripples of gold. And then she spots him. A familiar figure moving steadily along the path, dark hoodie, cap pulled low, pace relaxed enough to finally look like someone escaping a day rather than chasing it. The smile on her face grows despite herself. One foot presses lightly against the pavement. The skateboard gains speed, wheels humming softly beneath her as she glides forward. Smooth. Effortless. Matching his pace within seconds before settling alongside him.

“Well, hello there.” One hand remains hooked around her backpack strap while the other slips casually into her pocket. “Not bad. You actually made it before the professional skateboarder.” The skateboard glides in smoothly beside him, close enough now that she naturally matches his pace, no effort needed to keep up, just settling into his rhythm like it was always meant to be there. The river stretches beside them in quiet motion, reflecting the last soft gold of daylight across the water. She tilts her head slightly toward him, a small smile forming as she studies him for a second before speaking.

After slipping through the door, Soyeon moves through the aisles at an unhurried pace, fingers brushing along old records and newer releases while quiet music hums softly overhead. An old Lenny Kravitz album catches her eye first, earning a small grin before she pulls it from the shelf without hesitation. Further down the aisle, another display makes her slow again. A full stack of Taeyong’s new album sits near the front beneath promotional posters, impossible to miss. Her smile softens slightly as she reaches over, taking one of the copies and turning it over in her hands for a second longer before tucking it beneath the other album in her arms. Eventually, she makes her way toward the cashier, setting both albums down on the counter with a quiet nod. “This one too, thank you.” As she waits to pay, her phone buzzes softly in her hand, stealing her attention once again.

soyeon: i think after military, comeback prep and all the pressure your brain probably forgot people can just be happy for you without something bad happening after..

soyeon: birthdays are nice, i like that comparison because it does feel like that sometimes

soyeon: as a fellow overthinker i still will say try not to think too much about it hah

soyeon: “passing the torch and the nightmare” sounds like the start of an sm horror movie 😭

soyeon: cursed giant idol head haunting every comeback generation 👻

soyeon: id say get away from that statue as fast as you can, you should celebrate today 🕺🕺

The message sends before he can overthink it. Easy. Casual. Safer that way.

Another pause follows.

Longer this time.

Fingers curl once against the phone case, nail catching faintly along the edge. Studio lights hum overhead, thin and artificial, turning everything slightly too pale. Reflection in the window looks more tired than he feels. Or maybe exactly as tired as he feels and that is the problem.

The giant prop watches him from the corner.

❝ Heh. ❞

Jacket picked up from the chair. One sleeve turning inside out, pulling it on too quickly, earning the faintest annoyed sound under breath. Small battle. Fabric unyielding. Shoulder rolling once, then again as if the body has finally remembered it has been held together all day by schedule adrenaline and caffeine and other people's watchful eyes. Cameras lingering much longer now. Headlines too.

Welcome back, indeed.

Phone in one hand. Cap tugged lower with the other.

There’s still humor in it all, but it softens when she actually thinks about the kind of day he’s had. The noise, the pressure, the return. Not just a release, but a weight finally set down too late to feel light.

Her expression eases as she types.

soyeon: no laughing, fresh air after such a long day is doctor's order👨‍⚕️🩺

soyeon: meet near the bike path behind yeouido?

soyeon: less people, more air 👍

soyeon: last one there owes the other food

soyeon: and skateboards count as transportation tools, thank you 🤝

Soyeon pushes off lightly on her skateboard, wheels catching smoothly against the pavement as she turns toward Yeouido. Her phone stays close in her hand, held loosely but never far from reach, like she’s waiting for a message that might come at any second, though her feet had already made the decision before it ever did.

There aren’t many places idols can truly disappear to, but as the day winds down, even the city seems to loosen its grip. Crowds thin out, noise softens, and the streets feel a little less like a stage.

As she passes people along the way, she finds herself quietly people-watching between movements, some heading home to families after long shifts, others still caught between work and wherever they’re rushing off to next. A few just moving to leave quickly, as if the city itself is something to outrun, and some days it felt like that for her too.

Her phone buzzes in her hand while she slows near the sidewalk, one sneaker keeping the board steady beneath her foot. A small laugh escapes her at the messages almost immediately.

soyeon: “survived” is crazy 😭

soyeon: awkward lives build character taeyong-oppa

soyeon: that statue is bigger than some apartments in seoul 😭

soyeon: either you’re rich enough to keep it or sm is turning it into a company landmark, so which is it? 👀💸

soyeon: but seriously, you did well today ✨️

tyong: kinda scary now that i'm alone with it ngl tyong: thank you though really tyong: today just felt... tyong: idk weird i guess

Message just sits there, the unfinished thought echoing the events from earlier. Passing like waves.

tyong: but in a good way tyong: i think it's just all in my head thinking and waiting for something to go wrong but everyone's just being nice to me all day tyong: felt like my birthday, honestly

Another pause, the typing bubble appears. Disappears. Returns again.

After slipping through the door, Soyeon moves through the aisles at an unhurried pace, fingers brushing along old records and newer releases while quiet music hums softly overhead. An old Lenny Kravitz album catches her eye first, earning a small grin before she pulls it from the shelf without hesitation. Further down the aisle, another display makes her slow again. A full stack of Taeyong’s new album sits near the front beneath promotional posters, impossible to miss. Her smile softens slightly as she reaches over, taking one of the copies and turning it over in her hands for a second longer before tucking it beneath the other album in her arms. Eventually, she makes her way toward the cashier, setting both albums down on the counter with a quiet nod. “This one too, thank you.” As she waits to pay, her phone buzzes softly in her hand, stealing her attention once again.

soyeon: i think after military, comeback prep and all the pressure your brain probably forgot people can just be happy for you without something bad happening after..

soyeon: birthdays are nice, i like that comparison because it does feel like that sometimes

soyeon: as a fellow overthinker i still will say try not to think too much about it hah

soyeon: “passing the torch and the nightmare” sounds like the start of an sm horror movie 😭

soyeon: cursed giant idol head haunting every comeback generation 👻

soyeon: id say get away from that statue as fast as you can, you should celebrate today 🕺🕺

soyeon: it was genius you just won't admit it 😔

soyeon: minty fruit.. like decide, is it a fruit or cheewing gum? 🤔

Another concert video plays across the screen, then another, fingers lazily skipping through clips from the previous stops of the tour.

At this point, it was almost muscle memory. She barely needed to focus anymore to notice when something felt off, a step half a second late, spacing slightly uneven, a camera angle missing the right timing. Even while half distracted by messages and exhaustion, her eyes still caught everything automatically.

soyeon: maybe those few hours of boxing could come in handy 🤔

soyeon: cube would finally respect me more after surviving australian wildlife

soyeon: so i cant add taeyong oppa as an emergency contact 💔

Screen lighting up notification stacking after notification, mostly from her. Each progression slowly pulling another snicker out of him.

tyong: yah chewing gum? tyong: can't it be both it's called lime crush for a reason tyong: also i don't think boxing classes can save you from australian wildlife tyong: i need you to understand kangaroos are built like 백수 (unemployed) gym bros tyong: lesson 1: know your enemy

Faint huff escaping his lips at the thought alone. Head tipping back briefly against the glass while the rain continues to rattle harder against the windows. Louder. The beat filling the pauses between the exchange of messages naturally.

tyong: mm cube respecting you after surviving one sounds unrealistic honestly tyong: you've survived much more by now anyway :P

Another message, thumb hovering longer this time at the mention of him being a potential emergency contact.

tyong: i mean tyong: you can tyong: just know there's 23 more of you tyong: and if a kangaroo replaces you in idle tyong: at least make sure it knows the choreo better than your dancers in the last tour clip ㅋㅋㅋ

Corners of lips twitching again before settling, then finally...

The kangaroo comment makes her shake her head instantly.

soyeon: “unemployed gym bro” what 😭

soyeon: and for the record i would win

soyeon: respectfully

soyeon: a girl can dream right?

soyeon: 23 emergency contacts is insane btw

soyeon: cube really said i’m replaceable main character energy huh

soyeon: i’ll go rest since i forgot my demon repellent at home

soyeon: you too taeyong oppa, good luck tomorrow 🍀

soyeon: hope today goes exactly the way you want it to 🤟

Umprompted | Always accepting | @yoursoyeon

Post-LIVE atmosphere where the studio is much quieter now, monitor screens dimming one by one until only the city outside remained reflected against the black glass. Notifications continue piling faster than the Neo leader could answer. Her message arriving somewhere in between another congratulatory paragraph from Doyoung and three separate cat photos from the Dreamies in the groupchat.

Thumb pausing briefly, hovering across the phone's lit screen.

tyong: thank you soyeon-ah tyong: i think i'll try to take it easy today tyong: survived another awkward live somehow ㅋㅋ tyong: they said i could keep it should i

Her phone buzzes in her hand while she slows near the sidewalk, one sneaker keeping the board steady beneath her foot. A small laugh escapes her at the messages almost immediately.

soyeon: “survived” is crazy 😭

soyeon: awkward lives build character taeyong-oppa

soyeon: that statue is bigger than some apartments in seoul 😭

soyeon: either you’re rich enough to keep it or sm is turning it into a company landmark, so which is it? 👀💸

soyeon: but seriously, you did well today ✨️

soyeon: you could’ve fooled me

soyeon: taeyong could easily be TEAyong 🧐

Not long after, small droplets of rain begin tapping softly against the concrete around her. Soyeon glances upward automatically, watching the dark sky for a second longer than necessary.

She loved rain. Always had.

But not like this when stuck between schedules, company walls, and exhaustion, with barely enough time to sit near it before having to go back inside.

A quiet sigh leaves her as she grabs the tea from beside her and pushes herself up from the stair, slipping back into the building just as the rain starts falling harder behind her.

soyeon: how will i survive if i dont smoke? besides less harmful than certain batteries 🔋💨

soyeon: unless i meet a kangaroo who doesn't like my music, then im in real danger 🥊

tyong: TEAyong is horrible tyong: and you know it

Thumb hovering above the screen longer this time while rain continues crawling down the windows in uneven paths.

Slow, repeating, repeating...

tyong: at least mine smells like minty fruit tyong: have you heard about the kangaroos? tyong: they could wrestle you

Phone shifting loosely between fingers before another message follows underneath.

soyeon: it was genius you just won't admit it 😔

soyeon: minty fruit.. like decide, is it a fruit or cheewing gum? 🤔

Another concert video plays across the screen, then another, fingers lazily skipping through clips from the previous stops of the tour.

At this point, it was almost muscle memory. She barely needed to focus anymore to notice when something felt off, a step half a second late, spacing slightly uneven, a camera angle missing the right timing. Even while half distracted by messages and exhaustion, her eyes still caught everything automatically.

soyeon: maybe those few hours of boxing could come in handy 🤔

soyeon: cube would finally respect me more after surviving australian wildlife

soyeon: so i cant add taeyong oppa as an emergency contact 💔