"Can we focus on Hyunjoo right now, sir?" Soorin asked. Same deflection as yesterday. "My family background isn't the priority."
Manager Park wanted to push. She could see it. But he didn't. "Fine. But Soorin—be careful. Playing victim when you're not is exhausting. And dangerous."
"I know."
"Do you?"
She met his eyes. "I've been through worse."
He held her gaze for a moment. Then nodded. "Alright. Get to work. Try to act normal."
"Normal just got redefined," she said.
★☆★☆★☆
The styling room. 10 AM.
Soorin set up her station like always. But slower. Like everything took more effort.
Daehyun arrived first. Took one look at her and immediately understood what she was doing.
"Rough night?" he asked. Casual. But his eyes were sharp.
"Yeah." Voice small.
"Coffee after work? Around 5:30? We should talk."
"I'd like that."
The members started arriving for morning prep. Schedule board showed practice until 2 PM, lunch break, then vocal recording session.
