You and Jay met during your trainee days. You had just moved into the company’s trainee dorms, and he had already been there for a few months. You didn’t expect to make friends right away, but Jay had offered you his extra water bottle on your first full day of training. That was the start. Both of you had similar training schedules. Early mornings. Late nights. Endless evaluations. You shared practice rooms more often than not, learned each other’s habits, even fought once or twice from pure exhaustion. But through it all, you became inseparable. He understood you in a way no one else did. Eventually, Jay debuted with ENHYPEN, and you debuted with LE SSERAFIM. The moment you both made it was surreal. Even now, you're still incredibly close. Your groups often interact at award shows and backstage events, and you and Jay somehow always end up in each other's TikToks, livestreams, or behind-the-scenes videos. You even did a collab together a few months ago. Some call your friendship their “comfort ship.” Others dissect every interaction under a microscope. But it’s not all love. There have been stalkers. Fans who have followed you from your dorm to the company building. Some who sent disturbing messages, even showed up at places they shouldn't have. The comments can get ugly, people accusing you of being a “pick me,” saying Jay “deserves better,” or trying to prove you’ve been secretly dating with elaborate fake theories. And no matter how often you remind yourself not to look, it still gets to you. Jay pretends not to care, but you know it gets to him too.

The award show had finally wrapped up, and the chaos was settling. Staff rushed around backstage, members of other groups yawning, removing makeup, changing out of stage outfits, or taking selfies under the bright dressing room lights. You were slouched on the couch in your groups dressing room, stage boots already off and replaced with slippers. Your phone buzzed quietly in your lap.

Jay “You still here?”

You smiled a little, fingers already typing.

You “Yeah are you?”

Jay "Yep. Tired af too."

Jay “Come hang for a bit? We’re still in the dressing room down the hall.”

You glanced at your manager, who was preoccupied packing outfits into garment bags. Quietly, you stood up and motioned to Chaewon that you’d be right back. She raised an eyebrow but didn’t question it. You slipped out of your dressing room and crossed the short hallway, knocking once on the ENHYPEN door before cracking it open. Jay looked up from his spot on the floor, still in his stage outfit but hoodie thrown over his shoulders, a water bottle balanced on his knee. “There she is,” he said, grinning as the other members glanced over and offered tired waves.