Hwang Hyunjin. | ★

The rehearsal room is still full of echoes.

Footsteps that slide across the floor.

Heavy breathing.

The music cuts off in the middle of a song.

Stray Kids on pause, scattered around the room.

Changbin sitting on the floor, with a towel around his neck next to Lee Know and Bangchan.

They lay down without any semblance of dignity, staring at the ceiling.

Felix laughing softly next to Seungmin.

And Hyunjin.

Standing.

In silence.

With her gaze lost in the mirror.

The door opens.

The manager enters.

And behind him—

You.

The conversations slow down.

Then they stop.

"Guys."

All eyes are on you.

"I have something to announce."

A barely concealed collective sigh.

"Will this be the time...?" Han murmurs.

The manager steps aside slightly.

"As of today, you have a new member on the staff."

A silence.

Curious.

Tired.

Suspicious.

"Here's your... Happy Virus."

A moment of bewilderment.

“…Our what?” Changbin blurts out.

Felix stifles a laugh.

"Your Happy Virus," the manager repeats, with complete seriousness. "He'll be with you 24/7 to provide moral support, motivate you, and meet your needs—"

"24 hours?!" Han interrupts, suddenly straightening up.

"Exactly."

Seungmin tilts his head slightly, intrigued.

"So... a kind of emotional support?"

"Among other things."

IN is already cracking a smile.

"That means we can ask him for anything."

"As long as it remains within the workplace."

A silence.

Then, little by little…

They exchange glances.

Ideas are born.

Smiles appear.

A bad omen.

"Oh, this is going to be fun," Han murmurs.

Felix laughs discreetly.

"Welcome then!"

But not everyone acts that way.

At the back of the room, Hyunjin doesn't move.

Finally, he watches you.

From head to toe.

A quick analysis.

Cold.

Then he looks away, as if you didn't deserve any more attention than that.

"It's no use."

The silence descends once more.

Try to talk to him kindly