The night air was crisp when Aespa's van pulled into the driveway of the luxurious Tokyo hotel. The city skyline sparkled like a field of stars, the vibrant neon lights casting a glow that reflected off every surface. Inside the van, Y/N pressed her forehead to the glass, her breath fogging the window. The schedule had been relentless, packed with fittings, rehearsals, and media appearances for the upcoming brand event. She was exhausted, but her mind was far too restless to focus on sleep. Somewhere in the back of her thoughts, Lara's name lingered, unspoken but undeniable.
"Are you going to sigh like that all night?" Karina teased, her tone light but filled with curiosity. Y/N turned her head to see her leader's knowing smile, and she groaned softly.
"I'm fine," Y/N muttered, leaning back against the seat and trying to avoid eye contact.
"Uh-huh," Karina said, raising an eyebrow. "Nothing to do with Katseye staying at the same hotel, I suppose?"
Y/N shot her a sharp look, her cheeks instantly warming. "Don't start."
Karina laughed quietly, nudging Winter, who was pretending not to listen. "Just saying, if you run into Lara, try not to look like you've forgotten how to function."
Y/N sighed dramatically, but the teasing wasn't completely unfair. No matter how much she tried to push it aside, Lara had taken up far more space in her thoughts than she was willing to admit. "Can we focus on the actual event instead ofâ"
"Instead of your crush?" Winter chimed in, not looking up from her phone.
Y/N groaned, burying her face in her hands as NingNing joined the laughter from the backseat.
The teasing continued all the way to the lobby, where a mix of staff, stylists, and managers kept the place busy. The grand chandelier above cast a soft glow over the polished floors, and the air buzzed with quiet excitement. Aespa gathered near the seating area, chatting quietly about their next day's schedule.
Y/N was sipping water, trying to focus on the conversation, when her eyes caught a familiar figure near the check-in desk. Lara stood there, dressed simply in a black hoodie paired with some black baggy sweats, her red hair pulled back into a low ponytail. She looked relaxed and effortlessly beautiful.
Before Y/N could even think about looking away, Lara glanced over and caught her gaze. For a moment, neither of them moved. Then Lara's lips curved into a small, warm smile, and Y/N felt her heart stutter.
"I think she's coming over here," NingNing whispered, her eyes wide with delight.
Y/N's stomach flipped as Lara approached. When she reached the group, her attention settled mainly on Y/N, her smile softening. "You look tired."
"Thanks," Y/N said, her tone dry but amused. "Nice to see you too."
"I mean it," Lara said gently, her voice quieter now. "Rough day?"
Y/N shrugged, suddenly very aware of her bandmates' curious stares. "It's been busy. You know how these things are."
Lara nodded, her gaze flickering over Y/N's face. "You're managing, though. I can tell."
The warmth in her voice caught Y/N off guard and made her lose her usual calm. "I guess I am. It's...good to see you."
"You too." Lara's smile widened slightly, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the busy lobby.
Before they could say more, one of Katseye's managers called for Lara, and she glanced over her shoulder before turning back to Y/N. "I'll see you tomorrow at rehearsals?"
Y/N nodded. "Yeah. Definitely."
Lara lingered for just a second longer, her eyes holding Y/N's, then gave a soft, "Goodnight," before walking back to her group.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Aespa broke out.
"Did you see the way she was looking at you?" Karina teased, grinning from ear to ear.
"She basically ignored all of us to talk to you," Winter added, leaning back in her seat with a smirk.
NingNing gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "Oh no, Y/N, I think she's falling for you."
"Guys, stop," Y/N groaned, though the warmth on her cheeks betrayed her embarrassment.
"No, seriously," Karina said, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow. "Do you like her or not? Because it's pretty obvious she likes you."
Y/N hesitated, glancing toward the direction Lara had gone. "It's...complicated."
"Uh-huh," Karina said, clearly unconvinced. "Well, maybe it's time to uncomplicate it."
Y/N shook her head, trying to hide her smile as they headed toward the elevators. The teasing didn't stop until they reached their rooms, and even then, Y/N couldn't shake the memory of Lara's soft smile and the quiet, thoughtful way she spoke.
The next morning, the rehearsal venue was buzzing with energy. The expansive space, lined with mirrors and towering windows overlooking Tokyo's skyline, was alive with the hum of organizers and finalizing choreography.
Aespa and Katseye sat side by side in the front row, their seating arrangement clearly intentional but comfortable enough. The groups had started to find their rhythm together, with casual conversations and shared laughs breaking the ice.
Y/N found herself seated next to Lara, her shoulder brushing against Lara's arm every so often. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep her on edge.
"You look like you haven't slept," Lara said, her voice low enough to avoid being overheard.
Y/N gave a faint smile, trying to play it off. "I got enough."
Lara arched an eyebrow. "You're a terrible liar. Don't overdo it, okay?"
"Noted," Y/N replied, though her heart fluttered at Lara's concern.
Nearby, the other members of Aespa and Katseye were chatting. NingNing leaned over toward Yoonchae, gesturing excitedly. "So you guys get a free day in Tokyo after this event? What are you planning to do?"
Yoonchae grinned. "Probably find a café. Megan's obsessed with those super aesthetic dessert places."
"Not just me," Megan interjected. "Manon's the one who keeps a whole list of spots for every city we visit."
Manon shrugged, not looking the least bit embarrassed. "You all benefit from my research, so you're welcome."
"Next time, share it with us," Winter said, leaning into the conversation. "NingNing and I always end up picking places at random."
"Sometimes that's better," Daniela chimed in. "Some of the best spots aren't even online."
"True," Giselle said, nodding. "When I was in Kyoto, I just wandered around and found this little shop. No sign, no tourists just..incredible food."
"I've heard about places like that," Sophia said, leaning forward with interest. "They don't need advertising because the locals already know they're the best."
The conversation flowed easily, with everyone chiming in about their favorite travel finds. Even Karina, usually reserved, shared a story about accidentally ordering something entirely wrong at a tiny street market and loving it anyway.
By the time rehearsal wrapped up, the initial shyness between the groups had all but disappeared. As they packed up, Sophia turned to Aespa with a bright smile. "There's this ramen place nearby I've been dying to try. Want to come with us?"
NingNing was the first to agree, her enthusiasm setting the tone for the rest. Soon, the two groups were navigating the lively streets of Shibuya together, the neon lights painting the pavement in shades of blue, pink, and gold.
The ramen shop they found was small and bustling, the scent of rich broth filling the air. They crammed into a long table, their conversations overlapping as they flipped through the menus.
"You like spicy food?" Lara asked Y/N, glancing over.
"I can handle it," Y/N said, though the hesitation in her voice was hard to miss.
Lara smiled, catching it immediately. "I'll order something mild for you."
Y/N opened her mouth to protest, but Lara gave her a look that shut it down before she could start. "Trust me. You'll thank me later."
Across the table, Karina and Sophia exchanged knowing glances, both of them watching as Y/N and Lara laughed quietly together.
Karina raised an eyebrow. "They've been talking a lot, haven't they?"
Sophia smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Yeah, I've noticed. It's pretty cute, actually."
Karina chuckled softly. "You think so?"
Sophia nodded, her eyes following Lara's every movement. "Definitely. You can tell Lara's been a little more... focused when it comes to Y/N."
Karina glanced over at Y/N, who was trying her best to keep her cool but couldn't hide the small smile every time Lara said something. "I see it too. Y/N's not as subtle as she thinks she is."
Sophia tilted her head, still smiling. "It's like they're both pretending not to notice. But we all see it."
Karina smirked, her tone teasing. "Do you think Lara will make the first move?"
Sophia shrugged, her eyes never leaving the pair. "I don't know. But if they keep this up, one of them is gonna crack eventually."
Karina grinned. "I'm not sure who it'll be, but it's definitely fun to watch."
Sophia laughed quietly, nodding. "It's like they're both trying to figure it out without actually saying anything."
Meanwhile, Winter and Megan were sharing their favorite guilty pleasure TV shows, with NingNing and Yoonchae chiming in enthusiastically from across the table. "Wait, you actually like that one?" Yoonchae asked, her eyebrows raised in disbelief as she sipped on her juice box.
"Dare I say, its one of the best...!" NingNing said with mock offense. "You have no taste, Yoonchae."
At the other end of the table, Giselle had somehow roped Manon and Daniela into a passionate debate about whether pineapple belonged on pizza.
"Only if it's paired with something salty," Daniela said, waving her chopsticks.
"Exactly!" Giselle said, nodding. "The balance is the whole point."
"Still sounds weird," Manon said, though she couldn't hide her amusement.
By the time the meal ended, the groups felt less like strangers and more like old friends. As they left the shop and walked back to the hotel, the conversation turned quieter, the relaxed energy of full stomachs and the cool night air.
When they arrived at the hotel, most of the members headed straight to their rooms, eager to crash after the long day. Y/N lingered in the lobby, sinking into one of the plush chairs near the windows. The city lights glittered in the distance, and for a moment, she let herself relax.
Lara appeared moments later, holding two kids' chocolate boxes. "Thought you might need this," she said, handing one to Y/N before settling into the chair across from her.
"Thanks," Y/N said, tearing open the straw and taking a sip. This was exactly what she needed.
They sat in silence for a while, the distant hum of the city filling the quiet. Finally, Lara spoke, her voice soft. "Today felt... different. In a good way."
Y/N glanced at her. "Yeah. It was nice."
Lara nodded, her gaze drifting to the windows. "I don't usually open up to people this fast, but your group makes it easy."
Y/N smiled faintly. "Same. I didn't think we'd click this well."
They fell into another comfortable silence before Y/N hesitated, then spoke up. "Hey... if you're not too tired, do you want to come up for a bit? I've got some snacks stashed away, and we can just... hang out."
Lara looked at her, surprised for a moment, before a small smile spread across her face. "Yeah. I'd like that."
They stood and headed to the elevator, their footsteps soft against the polished floors. As they reached Y/N's room, a quiet sense of ease settled over them, the kind that came from shared moments and unspoken understanding.
The night wasn't over yet, and for the first time in a long while, Y/N felt completely at peace.
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honestly got inspo for this chapter because I had the best chicken noodle soup at this restaurant oml.... ð