The tall guy looked almost unreal—like a statue carved to perfection. His hair was a vivid red, though the roots were darkening, hinting that the color had begun to fade. He wore a white suit that glittered subtly under the lights, clearly meant for the stage. I froze for a moment, taking him in, and realized I had no idea if the concert was today. Nobody had told me, and I couldn't tell if what I was walking into was a performance or just a rehearsal.
"So, you're the new staff member our manager mentioned?" His grin was casual, but there was a spark of excitement—or maybe that was just how I interpreted it. His eyes, sharp and calculating, had an almost serpentine quality, and I felt a strange mix of intrigue and unease. Before I could fully register, he stretched out his hand for a shake. I had been so distracted, standing there with my thoughts scattered, that I almost missed it.
"Should I wait forever, or...?" His voice pulled me back, and I realized I had no choice but to respond. Flustered, I reached out and shook his hand immediately.
"Sorry! Nice to meet you. I'm Selene," I said, forcing a smile, praying it looked genuine. He didn't immediately smile back. Instead, he studied me with an intensity that made me shift slightly on my feet. I couldn't tell if he was assessing my professionalism, my intentions, or just playing a mental game. Maybe he had encountered staff before who weren't trustworthy. Maybe he was used to people who talked too much or leaked information. Whatever it was, his glance carried weight—polite, yet edged with a quiet, undeniable authority.
"My name's Samuel, but you can call me Sam," he said, his smirk teasing, almost as if he knew something I didn't. "I hope you won't forget it, since you'll be busy with me and the others all day—even during your free time." I forced a laugh, unsure how much of that was joking.
I gave a weak laugh, and before I could say anything else, another boy appeared in the doorway.
And then I froze.
***
The boy standing in front of me had white hair, sleek and straight, leaning back perfectly. My chest tightened. It couldn't be... could it? A memory clicked. My first interview. The vague familiarity I had brushed off before. The calm, assessing gaze. The subtle British lilt in his voice.
This was Lumina—the biggest boy band in the world. They had just won the Grammys, and the air seemed charged with their fame even before I truly saw them.
It was him.
Leon. The leader. The main producer. The boy I had unknowingly met before, few days ago, back when I had been fumbling through my nerves and trying to seem competent. The same white hair, the same intense eyes—but this time, there was no mistaking him.
"So... you made it through, huh?" His voice cut through my thoughts. And then it hit me fully. He wasn't just any member—he was the British-trained Leon, one of the two who had grown up in England before moving to Korea to complete their training. The pieces snapped together, and I felt my stomach drop.
I stared, too stunned to speak at first. The hair, the accent, the way he carried himself—it all made sense now. The fleeting familiarity in the interview, the quiet impression he had left on me... I had been in the presence of Lumina's leader all along, and I hadn't even realized it.
He smirked, as if reading my thoughts. "Don't worry. You'll get used to seeing me around," he said casually, but there was a subtle challenge in his tone, a way of sizing me up that made my nerves spike again.
I nodded quickly, forcing my voice to cooperate. " I'll do my best.
Before I could even catch my breath after meeting Leon, another boy bounced into view. Dark hair, sparkling eyes, and a grin so bright it practically lit up the hallway. The energy radiating from him was like a sudden gust of wind—impossible to ignore.
"Hey! You must be the new staff, right?" he said, practically vibrating with excitement. "I'm Reo! And don't freak out—I'm way easier to deal with than he is." He gave a playful glance at Leon, who was quietly observing from the side, expression unreadable as usual.
I blinked, surprised at how approachable he seemed. "Uh... I'm Selene," I replied, trying to match his energy with a small smirk. "And i find it hard to believe"
Reo laughed, a rich, contagious sound. "Oh, I don't know, you might surprise me," he said, leaning casually against the counter. "Seriously though, if you need anything—water, snacks, towels, bandaids for blisters, extra pens for notes, a pep talk before you faint from exhaustion—just tell me. Honestly, half the time it feels like I'm the staff around here."
I raised an eyebrow, feeling a spark of confidence. "Oh really? And here I thought I was supposed to be the staff."
He threw his head back and laughed, clearly delighted by my boldness. "I like you. Feisty. We'll get along just fine."
Encouraged, I let my personality shine a little. "Just so you know, I'm not easily impressed, and I've got zero patience for bad jokes."
Reo's grin widened. "Oh really? Zero? We'll see about that." He leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially, "Some of these boys think they're comedians. You might need a survival kit for the sarcasm alone."
We wandered down the hallway together, joking about all sorts of things—the worst rehearsal snacks they'd ever been served, whose shoes mysteriously disappeared every week, the member who always forgot his water bottle, and the one who accidentally wore two different socks on stage. Reo was full of stories, and I found myself laughing despite the nerves that had weighed me down all morning.
"So," he said, glancing at me with a mischievous sparkle, "which one do you think is the most dramatic?"
I shrugged with a grin. "Hmm... Leon seems like he'd dramatically sigh if someone misplaced a jacket. And Sam seems like he'd actually celebrate someone making a tiny mistake just to tease them."
"Exactly!" Reo laughed so hard I thought he might fall over. "You get it! You're not scared of us, are you?"
I crossed my arms playfully. "Not a chance. I'm here to do my job—and maybe survive the chaos while I'm at it."
"Good answer," Reo said, nodding approvingly. "You've got spirit. I like that."
He clapped his hands together. "Okay, enough about us being ridiculous. Time to meet the others." We turned a corner, and I caught glimpses of Kim, who waved cheerfully while juggling a water bottle and a notebook, and Sam, who gave me a teasing nod with that infuriatingly confident grin. Leon stayed back, quiet and composed as ever, watching us with a calculating gaze.
Then we reached a quieter corner, where a lone figure sat slouched slightly, shoulders hunched, eyes downcast. Kairo.
Reo's smile faltered just a little as he gestured toward him. "Well... he doesn't seem to be feeling well today."
I glanced at Kairo. He didn't look at me at all, and he didn't move. There was something heavy in the air around him, a quiet that made the bustling studio feel even louder.
"What happened?" I asked cautiously, stepping a little closer.
Reo shook his head, still smiling faintly but now careful, almost protective. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing."
Kairo didn't speak. He didn't even acknowledge me. I wanted to ask more, but I held back, sensing that pressing him would only make things worse. Some people carried things they weren't ready to share.
Reo clapped his hands, bringing the energy back up. "Alright! That's everyone for now. You've met the leader, the loudest member, and the grumpiest one. Time to get down to work!"
I smirked, feeling a spark of defiance and confidence. "Oh, I'll survive. Don't you worry about that."
"Good," Reo said, nudging me playfully. "Because surviving around here isn't just about carrying costumes or setting up microphones—it's about keeping up with us, keeping up with me, and laughing when chaos hits. You ready for that?"
I nodded, grinning. "Bring it on."
And for the first time that day, I truly felt like I belonged in Lumina's world—not just as a rookie staff member, but as someone who could hold her own.
****
I was just beginning to relax when the atmosphere shifted.
"Alright. That's enough."
Viola's voice came from behind us, sharp and perfectly timed. I spun around, my heart leaping into my throat. She stood there with her arms crossed, expression unreadable, as if she'd materialized out of thin air. For a moment, I wondered how long she'd been listening. Knowing her, probably long enough to judge every word I'd said.
She looked between Reo, Leon, and me before nodding once. "Since you seem settled," she said coolly, "it's time for a real task."
My stomach flipped.
"A real one?" Reo echoed, eyes lighting up. "Careful, Viola, you might scare her off."
"She hasn't run yet," Viola replied flatly. Her gaze settled on me. "That's a good sign."
I straightened instinctively, suddenly very aware of my posture, my hands, my breathing. "Yes," I said, not entirely sure what I was agreeing to.
"You'll be following Leon and Reo to the main studio," Viola continued. "They're recording today. Not rehearsing. Recording." She emphasized the word like it carried weight—which it did. "Your role is to assist. That means preparing water, managing notes, keeping track of time, and anticipating needs before they're spoken. You are not a fan in there. You are staff."
My heart skipped violently.
The studio.
Recording.
That was it. That was the thing I'd dreamed about for years—being close to real music being created, not just polished performances. I could practically feel the electricity already.
"I—yes," I said quickly, my voice betraying a flash of excitement despite my effort to stay composed.
Viola stepped aside, gesturing sharply down the hallway. "Then go. And Selene?" She met my eyes once more, her expression still strict—but not unkind. "Don't make me regret giving you access to that room."
Access? What did she mean by that?....