We noticed her the moment she walked in.

Not because she was loud or dressed to impress — she wasn’t. There was something quieter about her. Something out of place… or maybe above it.

She didn’t smile much. Just scanned the room like she was observing rather than participating, drink in hand, posture easy but not careless. Her eyes didn’t bounce around the room like everyone else’s. They landed. And when they did, it felt like she meant it.

She wasn’t from here. I didn’t need to hear her speak to know that. There was something European in the way she carried herself. Unapologetic, but not showy. Just… grounded.

The others noticed too.

Rosé leaned closer to Jisoo and whispered something, but didn’t take her eyes off the girl. Jennie tapped the table twice with her ringed fingers — a small signal, not meant for anyone in particular, but I knew what it meant: interesting.

I should’ve let it go.

But I didn’t.

I got up before I could talk myself out of it, ignored the teasing grin Jennie threw my way, and walked toward her like I was going for another drink. She noticed me, but didn’t flinch or straighten her posture. Just looked up, waiting.

“Hey,” I said, casual. “You're sitting alone?”

She nodded, eyes narrowing slightly in amusement. “Is that a problem?”

“No,” I smiled. “Just… noticed.I gestured back toward our table. “We’re just over there. You should join us.”

She hesitated. I could feel her weighing it — me, the table, the night.

“I’m okay here,” she said. Not cold. Just honest.

I leaned in a little, lowering my voice. “Come on. Just five minutes. If you hate it, you can glare at me all night and I won’t say a word.”

That got a smile. Small, but real.

“…Fine,” she sighed. “Five minutes.”

But when she followed me back, I had a feeling it wouldn’t just be five.