The “Gnarly” MV shoot ran late. Not just “overtime” late — it was bordering on 3:00 a.m. The set was dimly lit with flashes of colored lights, stage smoke curling through the air, and the occasional sound of camera rigs being adjusted. Everyone was tired, but the energy stayed high because that was just how KATSEYE worked — relentless, all-in, and somehow still laughing in between takes.

You, though, weren’t laughing much tonight.

You weren’t feeling great.

Scratch that — you were running on two hours of sleep, your body sore, throat raw, and head pounding. But no one could tell. Not on camera.

The makeup team kept checking on you subtly, offering you warm water and the occasional energy pack between takes. But you didn’t say anything. You didn’t need to. The moment the cameras rolled, you hit every mark, every beat, like nothing was wrong.

Every take you gave was clean. Every sharp turn, flick of your wrist, tilt of your chin — flawless. If anything, your tired eyes gave your performance that perfect bite the director kept praising: “More attitude. More danger. Like that.”

But when the cameras cut, and the crew shifted lights for the next shot, you quietly slipped toward a corner of the studio — away from the noise, where the shadows softened. You crouched down, arms folded over your knees, forehead resting against them, just breathing. No complaining. Just trying to reset before the next take.

A behind-the-scenes camera panned across the set, catching bursts of group laughter from one side, Manon teasing Lara near the costume rack, Daniela fluffing Sophia’s bangs — then briefly passed over you in the corner. No words. Just a quiet moment caught in passing, your hand faintly trembling before pulling your jacket tighter.

Yoonchae noticed first.

She didn’t say anything. Just walked over and sat near you, not too close, but enough. Close enough for you to know she saw you.

Megan approached next, crouched beside you, tapped your shoulder gently, and handed you a heat pack from her hoodie pocket without saying a word.

Manon, already mid-bite on a granola bar, paused and blinked. “You were slaying so hard, please don't die.”