The door to the YG practice room slid open with a low creak, and you froze mid-step. Your fingers unconsciously tightened around Seung Hyun’s sleeve, heart pounding against your ribs like it wanted to run before you could.

He glanced down at you with a small, teasing smile. “Yah, don’t hide behind me like that. They’re not gonna bite.”

“That’s what you said about your manager,” you muttered, still half-hidden.

He chuckled softly, giving your hand a reassuring squeeze before tugging you gently into the room. The chatter inside stopped immediately — five pairs of curious eyes turned toward you. BIGBANG and 2NE1 were lounging around between rehearsals, sweat-damp hair and laughter filling the air before your arrival silenced it all.

Ji Yong was the first to speak, grinning like a mischievous cat. “Well, well… so this is her, huh? The one you’ve been disappearing for?”

Seung Hyun’s arm slipped protectively around your shoulders. “Don’t start, Ji.”

Daesung waved eagerly. “Hi! I’m Daesung! Don’t worry, we don’t bite. Well— unless we’re hungry.”

That earned him a light smack from Taeyang, who smiled kindly at you. “Ignore him. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Your throat felt dry. You tried to say hello, but the words caught in your chest — years of memories flashing: whispers behind your back, laughter that wasn’t kind, the sting of being unwanted. You lowered your head slightly, afraid your voice might tremble.

Then CL stood up from where she was stretching, walking toward you with confident strides. Her gaze was sharp but not unkind. “You don’t have to be scared, you know. We’re not like those people who hurt you.”

Your eyes flicked up to hers in surprise.

She shrugged, smiling faintly. “You just look like someone who’s been through that. Don’t worry — if anyone ever messes with you now, they’ll have to deal with us.”

A small laugh escaped Dara. “Yeah, and Seung Hyun will probably lecture them into tears.”

Everyone chuckled, and the room slowly filled with warmth again.

You glanced up at Seung Hyun. His thumb brushed against your shoulder as he whispered, just for you, “See? They already like you.”

For the first time that day, you believed him — maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something that didn’t hurt.