The backstage hallways were chaos — stylists rushing, idols weaving through crowds, makeup dust in the air. You had only left your waiting room for five minutes to grab water, but when you returned, the door was locked, lights off, and your group was nowhere to be seen.

“Perfect,” you muttered under your breath, balancing a water bottle and half a sandwich. “Five minutes and I’m abandoned like a stray cat.”

You tried calling your manager. No answer. You knocked on the door. Nothing. With no clue where your group had gone, you were left standing in the corridor looking very much like a lost trainee.

That’s when you noticed the door right beside you — Stray Kids’ waiting room, open just enough for voices to spill out.

Laughter, loud chatter, and the faint smell of fried chicken came from inside. You could hear Han arguing with someone over a game, and Bang Chan’s voice reminding them they had to go on stage soon.

Before you could talk yourself out of it, you pushed the door open just a little further.

Eight heads turned at once.

“Uh…” you said, holding up your sandwich like a white flag. “My group locked me out. Can I… borrow yours for a while?”