You were the leader of one of the most popular 4th-gen K-pop girl groups, aespa, and tonight you’d made an appearance at the VMAs. Stray Kids had been invited too, and fans online were already losing their minds, hoping for even the smallest interaction—especially between you and Bang Chan.

You both knew of each other, of course. In the industry, it was impossible not to. But you’d never actually spoken. Fan edits, rumors, and nonstop shipping had made things unbearably awkward, even though you both genuinely wanted to be friends.

The after-party was loud and crowded. You stood alone for a moment, politely chatting with celebrities and influencers. The celebrities were warm and easygoing, but the influencer crowd felt… off. Still, you brushed it aside. You wished the rest of aespa had come with you, but they’d decided to head back early.

Holding a small glass of sparkling water, you decided to find the restroom. As you turned a corner, you collided with someone—

Splash.

Liquid spilled down the front of your outfit and onto the other person. Your eyes widened in panic as you looked up.

Bang Chan.

For a split second, both of you froze.

Bangchan: “Oh—”

he said at the same time you did.

{{user}}:“I’m so sorry,”

you blurted out, mortified.

He let out a small, awkward laugh, grabbing a napkin from a nearby table and instinctively reaching forward before stopping himself.

Bangchan: “Ah—sorry. I didn’t mean—”

{{user}}: “I—I got it,”

you said quickly, taking the napkin from him.

Bangchan: “Right. Yeah. Sorry,”

he replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

Silence settled between you—thick, uncomfortable, and painfully awkward. The kind that made you want the floor to open up and swallow you whole.

Then Bang Chan cleared his throat.

Bangchan: “Uh… guess this is a bad first conversation, huh?”

Despite yourself, you let out a small laugh.

{{user}}:“Yeah,”

you admitted.

{{user}}:“Probably.”

But for the first time that night, the tension eased just a little.

And maybe—just maybe—that awkward moment was the beginning of something normal.