The next morning, the hotel alarm buzzed insistently, dragging the five members out of a brief, restless sleep. Jin looked tired, the faint shadows under his eyes betraying the late hours. Yet somehow, he moved with that effortless leader energy—walking ahead, giving instructions, smiling warmly at staff and crew.
Xiao Tian, perched quietly at the edge of the filming set, noticed immediately. Being only ten months younger than Jin, he could read the slightest changes in his leader's energy, subtle shifts in posture or expression that no one else would catch.
During a short break between takes, Xiao Tian approached, voice low. "Jin… you look tired. Did you sleep at all last night? But somehow… you're still… energetic?"
Jin's lips curved into a small smile, brushing off concern. Then, leaning closer, he lowered his voice. "It's… a book."
Xiao Tian raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. Jin rarely shared personal things like this. "A book?"
Jin nodded. "Yes. Five Princes Under the Red Moonlight. I… stayed up all night finishing it. Couldn't put it down. It's short, but… really good. Truly fated, I think."
Xiao Tian felt a spark of interest. Jin—usually so composed, so in control—was genuinely excited about this story. That alone made Xiao Tian lean closer, trying to catch every word.
Jin reached into his bag and carefully pulled out the leather-bound book, placing it in Xiao Tian's hands. The cover glimmered under the studio lights, the golden dragon on the front coiling like it might move at any moment.
"Here," Jin said softly. "I think you might like it."
Xiao Tian's fingers lingered on the cover, a quiet thrill running through him. He nodded, opening the book carefully, already drawn into its world.
⸻
Filming stretched long into the evening, and once the final scene was shot, the group gathered for dinner before returning to the hotel. Xiao Tian shared a room with Liang Ze, the rapper, whose energy was always high, always chaotic.
Sitting quietly in the corner, Xiao Tian flipped through the pages of the book, absorbed, the rest of the world fading. Liang Ze noticed immediately.
"What are you doing over there?" Liang Ze asked, leaning back in his chair, a teasing grin on his face.
Xiao Tian looked up, still holding the book. "It's… a book Jin gave me. I'm reading it."
Liang Ze leaned closer, peering at the cover. "Hmm… why are you so focused? Can I read it when you finish?"
Xiao Tian hesitated, then nodded slightly. "Yes. But… it's really good. You'll see why Jin liked it."
Liang Ze's grin widened. "Perfect. Can't wait. Something tells me this is going to be interesting."
Xiao Tian barely looked up, nodding. The story had already pulled him in, each line sparking his imagination—and a strange sense of familiarity with his own group.
The quiet hum of the hotel and the city outside seemed to fade as Xiao Tian turned the pages, unaware that his brothers were slowly being drawn into the book's world, each in their own way.