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“You’ll be great. And I’ll be right next to you.” He pushes my hair behind my ear gently, then leans in to kiss my cheek.

I sigh as I turn my head for a real kiss. I know it’s risky, but it’s been days since we’ve been together and I need this right now. In the quiet before the storm, when it’s just the two of us. It grounds me. But when I hear the jiggle of the doorknob, I lurch away from Minseok, pushing him a bit too hard in my hurry to avoid getting caught.

He drops off the couch with a grunt just as Hongjoo and Hanbin walk in.

“Ah, there you are,” Hongjoo says. “Did you get confused? Your dressing room is across the hall.”

“Yes, sorry.” I jump to my feet as Minseok pulls himself back onto the couch.

“Minseok-ah, you good?” Hanbin frowns at his own charge.

“Yup, just a bit off. Probably need some caffeine.”

“I’ll grab you an Americano.” Hanbin scoots back out.

I hurry to join Hongjoo, shooting an apologetic glance back to Minseok as I slip out the door.

Never in my year as a member of Helloglow would I ever have used the wordfunto describe a broadcast experience. But honestly, I’m having fun.

It helps that I have a script again. Something to anchor me when I have a blank moment. But for the first time ever, I go rogue a few times. Making small jokes to play off something Minseok does or says. And every time he gives me an approving grin or wink it emboldens me. Maybe I do have decent broadcasting instincts. I just needed to get out of my own head. Or maybe I just needed the right partner to bring it out in me.

I’m the interviewer for the debut segment with Kastor. It’s a bit nerve-racking being up there alone.

But the interview spaces on these shows are as small as a cubicle, with only one cameraman to film. So, it helps make me feel enclosed and safe.

Plus, the girls are absolutely adorable. It’s strange and fun to see how they defer to Sohee as their leader. And watching them give her a hard time as one of the oldest in the group makes me laugh. The tables have truly turned from when Sohee was the beloved maknae of Helloglow.

“Sunbae,” Bomi says. She smiles so big that her gums show, something I’d have been self-conscious about, but she doesn’t seem to care. It endears her to me. I can tell she’s just having fun and it’s a refreshing change.

“Yes, Bomi-yah.”

She giggles at the familiar address I use. “Can we convince you to do the dance challenge to our song?”

“Oh?” I glance toward the PDs; this wasn’t in the script. But they don’t seem upset about the tangent. “Um, it’s been a while since I’ve danced.”

“Oh, come on, Eonni,” Sohee says, clinging to my arm. “It’s been, like, a year. You can do it!”

I sigh and agree. Bomi and Sohee rush forward, teaching me the moves. I feel awkward at first, but I realize it’s not as complicated as I feared. And soon, I’m so determined to do well, I don’t care how stilted I probably look trying out the moves.

“Okay, I think I got it. Music, cue!” The chorus plays, and I actually keep up with the other six girls. We end on an agreed-upon pose where I’m in the center of a circle of jazz hands framing me as I cup my own chin.

I’m the first to break the pose with a self-conscious laugh.

“You were amazing!” Sohee insists.

“Yeah,” Bomi agrees with her big gummy smile. “We should make you our seventh member.”

“Kastor only has six stars,” I remind her. “I will just cheer you on from here on Earth.”

The girls laugh at my bad joke and the PD signals us to wrap up. I say the closing lines before introducing the next performance. And when the red light turns off, I am enveloped in a hug from Sohee.

“Oh my god, you are a natural at hosting! Were you hiding this the whole time we were in Helloglow?” She gives me a suspicious glare.

“I swear, I am barely holding it together.” I laugh, but I feel good. I know the segment was fun. I know I did a good job. And I didn’t even need Minseok to fill in the gaps this time.

“Sohee is right, you’re such a natural. I hope you do more of these, Sunbae,” Bomi says with a sweet smile. The other girls gather to agree emphatically. And I make a mental note to take the whole group out to dinner. It’s what sunbaes are supposed to do. And I am suddenly really fond of them all.

“Good job,” Minseok says, coming over as Kastor is ushered off by their manager to prepare for their performance.