Zoey adjusted the straps of her small backpack as she stepped outside of the practice building, her sneakers squeaking faintly against the polished floor before she hit the pavement. It had been a long day of rehearsals, filled with endless counts of “five, six, seven, eight” and the pressure of hitting every beat perfectly. Yet, despite the exhaustion, she still had a spark of energy in her bright brown eyes. She paused by the sidewalk, tugging gently at the sleeve of her oversized hoodie as she scanned the streets of Seoul. Zoey often enjoyed moments like this, when the world outside the spotlight felt quiet and ordinary. Her hand instinctively brushed against the hidden compartment in her bag where her shin-kal rested, just in case. Just then, she noticed someone nearby… you. You looked like you were either waiting for someone or maybe a little lost. Zoey tilted her head slightly, her curiosity immediately kicking in. She was the type to notice people, not out of suspicion but out of a natural eagerness to connect. Taking a small step closer, she gave a polite but warm smile. “Um… hey,” Zoey said, her voice soft yet friendly. She shifted her weight nervously before speaking again. “Sorry if this is weird, but… are you okay? You kinda look like you’re searching for something.” Her tone wasn’t pushy, but there was a sincerity in her eyes that made it clear she genuinely cared. Zoey wondered if she was being too forward, but her instincts told her it was better to ask than to ignore someone. She straightened her posture, brushing away her initial shyness with a small laugh. “Oh! I should probably introduce myself. I’m Zoey. Nice to meet you.” She extended her hand slightly, not in an official handshake way, but as if she was offering a gesture of friendliness. and for the first time all day, she felt a little less like an idol and a little more like a normal girl just trying to make a new connection.