FIREWORK

KUROSAWA AKIO (黒沢 昭雄) – '01 Just your local japanese boyMember of V&A - Versus unit LEGACY RP

[lgcjunkyu]

junkyu watches as akio leans back into the couch, taking the sight in and he thinks about how it'd be. how it would look with him sitting on a couch in their shared place, even while it'll technically be junkyu's place legally — it would be just as much akio's place too. it was a thought that at one point, he never thought he'd experience. something that was entirely out of reach, but now, it was their reality.

he smiles softly as akio glances at him after saying it fits him, small quiet chuckle falling from him after. part of him wants to say 'i want to stay anywhere as long as it's with you', but junkyu knows it would be a risky thing to say right there and then, especially after his previous words. so instead, he sends akio a knowing look, one to say that as long as they're together, junkyu would be content.

with a small shrug, junkyu smiles sheepishly. "it's not like there's anyone too close to us right now, we're okay." he says, casting a sly glance around in search of people but making it look like he was checking out the furniture around them. "see? we're okay." he wants to say he doesn't care, though he knows that's a whole can of worms that neither of them can open anytime soon. but with that, there was something special about being private like they were too, like no one was in their little bubble except from them.

he laughs freely as akio perks up, shaking his head with amusement but a hint of fondness shows through his eyes too. seeing him so excited at the mere mention of a temperature mattress, his heart swelling with emotions when akio mentions how it'd be good for his leg — he wonders what he'd done in his past life to deserve him by his side like this. like he'd scored the best gem in the whole world. "something tells me you'll be over every chance you get," junkyu teases playfully, the smile never falling off his face. "so i guess that's the mattress idea sorted?"

as akio pushes himself up, junkyu slowly pushes himself up too, following him over toward where the show mattresses were located. yet when he casts that look back at him, the older can't help but shake his head in amusement as he catches up to him. "you are such a tease, you know that?"

[lgcakio]

akio slows just enough for junkyu to catch up, the corners of his mouth tugged into that cheeky smile he always does when he’s trying not to look too pleased with himself but can’t help it. “a tease? me?” he repeats, glancing sideways at junkyu as they walk together. “very bold statement, coming from you.”

there’s a lightness to his tone, but something soft hidden underneath as well. especially after that look junkyu gave him earlier. the kind that says things neither of them can say out loud in public. he chooses not to poke at it too much, otherwise keeping his hands to himself will start being too difficult.

once they reach the mattress section, akio presses a hand down on one to test it, then another, suddenly taking his role very seriously. “i’m just being practical,” he says casually, sitting on the edge of one he thinks felt comfortable. “if i’m going to be visiting, i need to make sure i get quality sleep.” 

he gives junkyu a knowing look, sitting more properly on the bed and testing it with a small bounce. “of course it will strictly be used for sleeping, but you never know…” he lies down on his back next, closing his eyes. “this one’s actually really good.” he opens one eye, patting the space beside him. “come here, try this one. it’s not to influence your decision or anything but if you end up with a mattress like this, i’m never leaving.”

there’s a grin now, more obvious, and his voice dips slightly lower as he adds, “not that you’d mind, right?”

[lgcjunkyu]

truthfully, it feels like it was only yesterday when junkyu had switched to the modelling industry and now, he was able to soon move into his own place. for all he'd known since becoming a trainee was living in dorms, sharing spaces with other fellow trainees and now that he'll get to have his own place — he feels a thrum of excitement and contentment swimming through his body. the best part about it? is that it'd be a space he can share with akio, where the two can hide away from prying eyes and the cameras and be together without having to worry about people spotting them.

on the outside, to others it'd just look like two people shopping together, helping out. but on the inside, between the two of them, only they know the truth and that this was something the two of them were choosing together. junkyu can't wait to finally move in, akio by his side as they both decide where to place the furniture, how to decorate everything, which side of the bed will be who's. it fills him with a feeling he hasn't felt all too much, yet it's a feeling that makes him smile immensely.

upon hearing akio's voice, junkyu turns his attention away from the staged section around him and focuses on the other. a small chuckle escapes him at the slip up, though could he really say it was a slip up? it would be just as much akio's place as it was junkyu's. "i'm thinking something modern but cozy? i think too minimal would make it feel plain so definitely something that has character and makes it cozy and feel like a home. what do you think?" junkyu asks back, eyes glinting a little.

his eyes follow akio as he moves toward a couch, letting himself fall onto it and laughs before deciding to join him. "you'd never be sleeping on the couch, and who said i would want to get rid of you?" the elder says in a hushed voice, quiet enough that no one around them could hear but only the two of them could. "what about mattresses? i've seen those ones with temperature control, you can make one side warmer and the other side cooler."

[lgcakio]

akio’s grin lingers as junkyu talks, but it softens into something more thoughtful when he actually considers the question. he leans back into the couch, arm draped over the backrest like he’s already claimed the space, letting his eyes scan the staged living room again. yes, he could picture himself setting down after a long day, wrapped in that man’s arms, letting the outside world disappear.

“modern but cozy…” he repeats under his breath before nodding in approval. “yeah. that fits you.” a small glance toward junkyu, a little more fond than teasing. “warm… somewhere you actually want to stay.” akio always enjoys a little chaos, something that doesn’t feel too cold while still feeling organized enough that you can relax at the end of the day and not think about all the mess that needs cleaning up.

the comment about not getting rid of him makes his ears burn slightly, and he ducks his head for a second, huffing out a soft laugh. “you can’t say stuff like that here,” he mutters. not somewhere he can’t pull him closer and thank him properly for making him the happiest he’s been in years.

when junkyu brings up mattresses next, akio perks up immediately, sitting up straighter. “wait, that’s actually genius,” he says, eyes lighting up. “because your leg… if it’s bothering you, you could keep your side warmer. i’m always too hot so i can keep my side cool.” he pauses, realizing he said that a bit too casually. “i mean, whenever i stay over,” he corrects quickly, clearing his throat slightly. “not like every night.” even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t be able to. 

his gaze darts away for half a second before he exhales and pushes himself up from the couch. “anyway,” he says, way too casually, already walking toward the mattress section, “we should test them! this is important research.”

he glances over his shoulder, a faint smile sneaking back in.“for you, of course. i’m only helping you judge their comfort level. as a close friend.”

[lgcjunkyu]

outgoing message: ki 🐦‍🔥💝 @lgcakio

22nd march 2026

[ 3:11pm ] baby [ 3:11pm ] guess who's gonna be moving offsite soon [ 3:12pm ] so i'll need help decorating [ 3:12pm ] and yes you can add pokemon decorations too 💞

[lgcakio]

❪ 4 new messages sent to kyu🐈‍⬛ ❫ → baby it's so sweet of you to think i have any knowledge whatsoever in interior design → ... count me in🩵. and i'll have you know my pokemon decor is very tasteful. → you're gonna need a big couch and a big bed my legs need stretching after years in tiny dorms. → have you found the place already?

[lgcakio]

✩ — daydream

the automatic doors slide open and akio steps inside just slightly ahead of @lgcjunkyu, hands tucked into the pocket of his hoodie like he’s trying to play it cool. he fails immediately, because his eyes are already roaming everywhere. there’s something oddly excited about shopping for furniture that makes him feel like he’s finally an adult. the funniest part being that it’s not even for his own apartment… technically. junkyu will finally move into his own place soon and, of course, it’s a given that akio will spend as much of his free time there as he can. so really, it’s almost a shared space.

in public, they try to behave like friends, but akio still lets his shoulder brush junkyu’s, shooting him a knowing smile as they walk deeper into the store. there are people around, but no one really paying attention. if anybody asks, he’s just here to give his opinion to a friend, rate furniture, and have a good time. but inside, akio’s chest feels light. like this is a step toward something more solid in their relationship.

“important question,” he says suddenly, turning toward him. “which style are we- sorry, are you going for?” they’ve reached the staged living room section, and akio’s mind is already running ahead of him without permission, thinking of late nights sprawled out on the couch watching movies, with no annoying roommates to bother them, nobody to hide from.

as he lets junkyu think about his answer, he heads toward one of the couches, dropping onto one to test it, and sinks right into it. “oh no, this one’s dangerous. i’d fall asleep here and never leave. you’ll have to pick another one if you wanna get rid of me.”

[lgcdom]

dom's eyes peeled open.

a blurry face came to view, accompanied by a gentle voice and a ray of sunshine that draped over the figure's shoulders as if it were a cloak. an angel? it must be. someone up there must've heard him tossing and turning and pitied him by sending down their kindest angel whose touch warmed his bleak soul.

dom blinked. then he blinked again.

the golden aura that swathed the angel had begun to fade, leaving him behind in a dark room that pricked the hairs along his arm. the blurry face slowly sharpened. it was akio.

...

IT WAS AKIO!!!

"get away from me," dom snarled, sitting up and back so fast, he nearly bonked his head against akio's. a quick whiplash of heat crawled up his neck and rose to his face—never before had dom been so glad that they were shrouded in darkness.

what was akio doing? was he trying to sneak up on him? was this a part of some elaborate hazing attempt? it's been a couple of weeks and the members hadn't done anything to him yet ... which meant that they were definitely scheming something vile.

dom clutched the blanket close to his chest as if he were a fair maiden that was caught in a state of undress. his eyes narrowed.

"what were you trying to do?"

he wasn't going to be taken alive, even if they did send their strongest soldier.

[lgcakio]

akio flinches at the sudden movement, instinctively leaning back so dom doesn’t actually headbutt him. for a second he just stares at him, stunned, one hand still half-raised from where he’d nudged dom awake. for a very, very brief second, the part of him that wants to think the best of people tries to give dom the benefit of the doubt. waking up from an intense nightmare can be confusing.

when he doubles down, though, akio decides that guy is just a jerk. 

he exhales through his nose, forcing his expression into something neutral even as irritation burns hot inside him. “relax”, he says quietly. “you were having a nightmare. ‘was just checking in.”

he straightens a little from his crouch, putting some distance between dom and him. keeping his hands visible because apparently, existing within three feet of ahn cheol is akin to a criminal offense. “i was just trying to wake you up so you wouldn’t keep… panicking, or whatever.” he adds, his voice a bit flatter now. 

“and for the record? i don’t know what the fuck i did to you so if you’re pissed off about something, would you just let me know instead of doing whatever it is you’ve been doing? i’m literally just walking out of the bathroom in my own dorm and you look at me like…” he breathes in and out, not wanting for this to grow into something big. “i’ve just been trying to get to know you… be nice. if you want me to stop, just say that.” his voice drops a little, irritation fading and going back to confusing and hurt.

[lgcakio]

✩ — oneart studio dance concert

the core emotion chosen is AMBITION, because it’s not only something @iseullgc, @lgcsanghyun and @lgcakio can each relate to in a field like theirs, but it also allows for interesting storytelling as they navigate different aspects and stages of ambition through each performance.

performance 1 — “rude boy” by rihanna (klean remix)

Theme: hunger & competition

Main choreographer: akio

Style: sharp, aggressive hip hop

Visuals & Styling: - Vibrant neon lighting. Reds, electric blues, acid greens. - Each dancer wears a distinct outfit: layered streetwear, cropped jackets, harness details, mismatched textures. - No two dancers look the same, as individuality is the point. They look mismatched because they are mismatched.

Choreography Concept & storytelling: their movements are clean and precise, but intentionally disjointed. they keep interrupting each other’s formations, dancers cut in front of one another, steal the center, force the spotlight on themselves to outshine one another. eye contacts are sharp, competitive, almost predatory. they do not like each other nor want to work together. halfway through the performance, akio is the one who starts going from one dancer to the other, pulling them into a more unified group. convinces them that working as a team, as one unit, will help them get stronger and get to where they want to be faster. trying to one-up each other isn’t the solution. coming together as one is better, or so he thinks. iseul is more hesitant about it, and is the last one to join. once he does, the choreography becomes entirely synchronized, as if they share one body, one hive-mind, akio as the leader. the song ends as they stand shoulder to shoulder, breathless, hopeful that they chose the right path.

performance 2 — “heroine” by sunmi (road to kingdom version, leading into the remix version)

theme: performance/pressure

main choreographer: iseul

style: smooth hip-hop

visuals & styling: every dancer is dressed the same. a three piece suit, pin striped, with a tie. they all look exactly the same, no one can tell one person from another. the lighting is somber, dark with just white lights at the beginning.

choreography concept & storytelling: the stage starts with everyone sitting at a desk, it looks like a normal office setting and everyone is working. it’s too perfect, like something out of a utopian horror where the hive mind is the only thing to exist iseul—not one to conform and follow everyone, wanting to be different again, feeling like he’s lost his individuality for the “machine” that’s the system they’re in—takes off his jacket and tosses it. he loosens his tie, and the mob stands up and tries to force him to put it back on. they fight for a bit, disarray on the stage, desks are kicked, papers are thrown. “the show must go on” the show continues with everyone in their neat suits but with iseul looking out of place. they’re still synchronized but it’s obvious that his rebelliousness is started to affect the group. everyone is moving a little less in sync, looking around, someone else loosens their tie a little, a few roll up their sleeves some following iseul's lead while others, like akio, try to reign everyone in again. in the end the choreography goes back to being synced, but everyone looks a little disheveled, tired of trying to be perfect

performance 3 — “i’m tired” by labrinth ft. zendaya

Theme: burnout & perseverance

Choreographed by: akio & iseul, assisted by sanghyun Style: slower, heavier hip hop, incorporating some contemporary elements (help provided by sanghyun) Visuals & Styling: - Suits from Performance 2 are now disheveled. Some of the backup dancers are wearing worn-out versions of their Performance 1 outfit, as a way to bring both worlds together. - Shirts untucked, ties askew, fabric ripped in various places places - Key element: they all have tape over their mouths, symbolizing isolation and being unheard - Stage elements: dark blue&red lighting, smoke near the ground, some props from stage 2 still there, in a state of chaos and the aftermath of the fight

Choreography concept & storytelling the group is now broken, and the hunger has subsided. the dancers are exhausted, tired of fighting so hard. the first half of the choreography is more depressing, incorporating sadder, slower movements with a contemporary undertone. it then focuses more on sanghyun’s character, who’s the first to break out of the collective fog. his solo part brings a flicker of hope he holds on to, and then tries to spread to the other dancers, mainly akio and iseul who, as they are too set in their ways, have both negatively affected the group. sanghyun shows a third path, one where individuality is welcomed while still helping each other chase their own dreams. that’s when he rips the tape off his mouth, followed by akio and iseul, then the other dancers as well. The music picks up slightly as well, allowing for more hip hop elements to break through as they transform into this new improved version. their ambition is still there, the hunger, the desire to perform as well, but this time they navigate it with more awareness of how difficult it can be to get to where you want to be without losing sight of yourself, or putting others down in the process. the lighting gets slightly brighter, and the smoke clears out, symbolizing hope of a better future.

[lgcakio]

✩ — behind the spotlight

POST-INTERVIEW

when akio first heard he’d be paired with minji for the interview, his reaction was… cautious optimism. he knew of her, of course. everyone in the company did, and she was his senior. fabula’s minji had the reputation of being bright, charismatic and energetic on stage. in his head, she felt a little untouchable, like someone who had already figured things out while he was still very much learning as he went. but he didn’t know the real minji, not well anyway. that’s the part he was cautious about, not because he thought things would go badly, but because he didn’t want to assume things about her that might not turn out to be true.

as the interview unfolded, akio found himself genuinely surprised by how reflective minji was when the cameras were on, but also when they were off. hearing her talk about performance not as something that came naturally, but as something shaped through years of discipline, made something click for him too. she wasn’t just “naturally energetic” even though part of it came from her real personality. she also had trained herself to know when to act big, and when to tone it down.

what stuck with akio the most was the idea that performance doesn’t stop when the stage lights turn off. that being an idol means they have to perform in fragments all day long, and that exhaustion doesn’t cancel out gratitude. it validated feelings he’d had but never quite put into words. minji naming them too made him feel less alone in that space. 

by the end of the interview, akio no longer saw minji as someone ahead of him, on some invisible ladder. he saw her as a fellow artist, sometime still evolving, still refining her craft, still questioning herself. it made him want to approach his own work with more patience, especially toward himself. and maybe use a tip or two about discipline. 

but if there was one thing he wanted to take away from this, it was that improvement wasn’t always loud or showy. sometimes it was found in the quieter moments or victories.

[lgcakio]

✩ — martine corporation

HEADING TO WORK

fujiwara ren’s morning starts before the sun rises. his alarm goes off at 6am sharp, but he’s already awake. still in bed, staring at the ceiling, mentally reviewing today’s to-do-list for the third time. by 6:02 he’s out of bed. by 6:25 he’s showered, hair neatly styled, outfit of the day laid out with the attention to detail of somebody who definitely googled “how to look professional as an intern”. he double checks his bag: laptop, notebook, pens, charger, backup charger. he pauses, then adds a couple more pens, just in case.

his breakfast is efficient. he eats his toast standing up, coffee brewed but barely touched yet because he’s too focused on rereading yesterday’s notes. he practices a small pitch in the mirror, then tells himself to stop being ridiculous. it’s not like anyone listens either way. he’s an intern who’s barely been there a month. his ideas are rarely considered, if he can even voice any. 

he leaves his apartment absurdly early, his heart pounding like he’s late even though he’s not. he thinks of everything that could go wrong during his long commute: train delays, a crowded platform, spilling coffee on his suit, missing the bus he needs to take after getting off the train. he shouldn’t have to live so far from work, but apartments in that area are so unaffordable he doubts he’ll ever be able to move closer. 

he arrives at martine corporation thirty minutes early. as a matter of fact, he was there an hour early but decided not to be too much of a freak and sit at a small coffee shop nearby. the building doors slide open and ren steps inside like he’s entering a sacred space. he bows slightly to the security guard at the entrance, then speed-walks to the elevators. he slows down when realizing nobody else is there yet. takes time to straighten his blazer, take a deep breath, and switch from commuter mode to professional intern mode. attempt to, at least.

when he finally enters the office floor, he greets the first early employee he sees with a smile that’s just a little bit too rehearsed. his polite “good morning!” echoes too loudly in the mostly empty space. an embarrassing display of overeagerness.

he heads to his desk, determined and absolutely convinced that today, finally, he’s going to prove he belongs here.

[lgcakio]

✩ — pop-up store

SOLO

akio steps into the lgc pop-up store with a quieter sort of excitement that day. he tends to play it up on variety shows, but when it comes to meeting fans and interacting with them, it’s something he takes more seriously. sure, he likes making them laugh and have a good time, but they sometimes share heartfelt or even emotional messages with him that require a genuine attention. 

he doesn’t have much time to walk around and visit. fifteen, maybe twenty minutes at most. but he still doesn’t rush, as if he wants to make each second count. fans are lining the small paths between shelves. some clutching albums in their hands, others their phones or season’s greetings merchandise items. akio bows, smiles, listens. he thanks them when they point out his picture, writes down his signatures on various things they present to him. 

there’s a particularly sweet encounter with a teenage girl who tells him that watching him be himself has given her more confidence to let her personality shine. she shyly hands him an album to sign, which he does gladly, and they take a picture together. they’re not often allowed to do so and, quite frankly, he doesn’t ask permission from managers this time around. 

he pauses in front of the v&a display, taking in the familiar images. himself and his members in their farmer outfits. it still feels surreal at times, to see himself displayed like this for people to see. that fans (even the word itself feels strange) would line up just to have a moment with him. buy things with his face on it. as much as it’s been part of his new reality for almost two years now, he doesn’t know if he’ll ever get used to it. 

what he enjoys most isn’t the merchandise itself, but the way it gives an excuse to meet with others. fans share fragments of their lives with him: school starting again, getting a new job, waiting for a comeback because their music helps heal something in them. he nods, encourages them, thanks them, and files every interaction away into a little drawer inside his memory for when things get so dark and heavy that he needs to remember why he does it.

for moments like these.

[lgcakio]

✩ — season's greetings

HEADCANON

akio picks an eggplant without hesitation, partly because he genuinely likes it grilled with miso, partly because he finds it funny when the staff pauses for half a second before writing it down. “it’s underrated!” he insists, looking so dead serious they have no choice but to let him get away with him. “it’s versatile, people just don’t know how to use it.” the members immediately accuse him of choosing it on purpose (!!!) for the implications. akio? never. he denies this loudly while smirking.

for the photoshoot, he leans hard into the farming-sim fantasy. his overalls are slightly unbuttoned, sleeves rolled-up. he doesn’t go with the cliché straw hat though, opting instead for a baseball cap put on backwards. he looks straight out of stardew valley, just as he wanted. for a city boy through and through, he’s oddly convincing as a farmer, crouching beside the wooden crates used as decor as if he’s done this a thousand times before.

when it’s time to draw his sticker, he gets very focused. designs a chubby, shiny purple eggplant with sparkly eyes and a tiny bandana. redraws it twice, actually, because the first versions didn’t have enough personality to his liking. he’s not especially good at drawing realistic stuff, but cartoony characters are right up his alley. 

during the teaser mini auction, akio unknowingly tries to sell a potato to the other members, cranking up the charm as much as he can. he gestures wildly and delivers a theatrical pitch about finding beauty even in the most unassuming things. something something about personal growth (it makes no sense), and being to transform (quite accurate considering he’s trying to sell a potato). the other boys hesitate between laughter and confusion. he doesn’t win in the end, but an effort was made.

[lgcxminji]

minji laughs when akio mentions her body remembering before her brain. "that happens a lot," she giggles. "especially with choreography. i'll be standing around on stage zoning out during dress rehearsals waiting, and they'll start playing the music just to test the sound and i'll start doing the choreography anyways."

she listens as akio mentions relaxing as his reset button. it's such a stark contrast to minji's theatre warm-up regimen. "ah, it's like we're opposites in that way!" she jokes. not that one is better than the other, of course, but for the most part, minji can't imagine herself being able to just sit down and listen to music (though it's something she's open to implementing).

she pulls a question out of the box, reading it aloud. "what’s a moment you realized you had improved in your skills without noticing?" she thinks. "hm... this is a tricky question, because if you don't notice, how do you know, right?" as she ponders her response, she gestures to akio to allow him to answer first.

[lgcakio]

when she reads the next question and gestures for him to go first, he exhales thoughtfully, eyes lifting toward the ceiling as he searches for the right answer. “mmm… that’s a tough one,” he says. “i think i realized i’d improved when i stopped always being the one who needs the most corrections,” he admits with a small laugh. “like, at one point, our dance coach started using me as an example of how to do a certain move, stuff like that.” he smiles, as though it’s still a bit hard to believe. “not all the time, but enough that i noticed. made me feel ‘ah, i’m doing something good’”

he thinks a bit more, as if wondering if there might be something else. “maybe fans, too?” his expression softens a little. “i’ve seen comments saying my live vocals are getting steadier, or that my stage presence feels more confident.” he shrugs, a little embarrassed to be admitting it out loud. “it’s weird, because you don’t always feel yourself improving, but then someone points it out and it’s… nice, to know that all that effort is actually showing.”

He taps the edge of his cup, then adds, “And the second one is… fans.” His expression softens a little. “I’ve seen comments saying my live singing is getting steadier, or that my stage presence feels more confident. That I look like I belong there now.” He shrugs, a little bashful. “It’s weird, because you don’t feel yourself ‘level up’ day by day. But then someone points it out and you’re like… oh. Maybe all that effort is actually showing.”

he then looks back at minji, curious. “what about you?”

[yum-nyang]

K

[rowonlgc]

akio doesn't like him. that much is evident. it would've been easier for rowon to leave him be. would've been better if they each went their separate ways, pretending their prior encounters never happened.

but rowon doesn't trust akio. he needs a little more ... insurance, if you will. insurance in the form of pity, guilt, or fear. he'll even be nice about it and let akio choose which.

he stalks akio to the corner of the office. there's no need to sugarcoat it; that's what he's good at doing. he knows it, he's sure akio knows it. still, rowon plays it casual. he feigns concern like a compassionate seasoned actor who's looking out for the new actors on set.

"don't mind him." the director. "you could be lee byunghun and he still wouldn't be impressed."

akio looks like a kicked puppy. deflated, defeated. this might be the first time he has performed without praise. "you did well," rowon assures, his words smooth as velvet like it usually is when he lies. only, he's not lying. not this time. akio's ren is the same as the script book's ren except with a bit more bite which rowon, and by extension yohan, likes.

"they'll keep it in. yohan's written to be antagonistic, but they don't have anyone opposing him. it reads flat. ... when i envisioned his character, i had this idea that his favourite employees were those who stood up to him. he thinks a fighting spirit is necessary to make it far." rowon smiles. brief. "i've decided that ren will be his favourite."

[lgcakio]

his shoulders are still tense when rowon corners him, script still in hand like it can somehow shield him from the director’s tone when he corrected him twice in a row. if akio wanted anything other than to run away from rowon at the first opportunity, he might ask how he’s doing it. because ever since that cursed day he witnessed the… incident, it sometimes feels like rowon just materializes in front of him. he just appears, always just a little bit too close.

right now, his voice is dripping with concern. akio’s first (and rightful) instinct is to assume there’s a hook hidden in every kind sentence. but the way rowon says you did well lands somewhere new inside him. maybe it’s because he desperately needs to hear it that the words sound so convincing. 

but it’s still rowon. so when he replies, akio’s eyes are a little sharper than those of the ‘kicked puppy’ feeling he hates on himself. “you don’t have to… babysit me,” he says, voice low like he’s trying to keep it from turning into something too petty or childish. “i’m fine.” it’s a lie, and they both know it.

when rowon starts talking about ren, about needing a character to push back against yohan so it doesn’t read flat, akio’s grip on the script loosens. “ren being his favorite,” he repeats, like he’s testing the words for sincerity. again, the first instinct is to brush it off. scoff. roll his eyes. dismiss him. but the need for it to be true is stronger, and it reads all over his face, of course. 

his gaze darts away, then back, then away again. he clears his throat, as if that will help with anything. “okay… i can do that, i guess.” no matter what akio’s feelings are toward rowon, he’s not stupid enough to ignore advice from someone more experienced and more talented in his craft. “if that’s what makes the scene better, i can lean into it more. i just-” he pauses, his pride battling with exhaustion. “i’m trying not to waste anyone’s time.”

and there it is: the desperation he hates hearing in his own voice, the part of him that always wants to be told he’s doing well. his eyes narrow slightly, defensive even as he clings to the praise. “so don’t say it if you don’t mean it,” he adds, a tad softer, but almost a warning. “because i’m… not in the mood to be messed with today.”

but even as he says it, the smallest thing betrays him. the tension in his shoulders easing, the way he holds onto that bone rowon threw him like it might help get him through the next take… it truly makes him want to die, but he’ll have all the time in the world to hate this after getting through the day. “so how does yohan act around his favorite employees then? from his reaction during ad-lib, i’m guessing he pushes them to be more… what’s the word…” he frowns. it happens sometimes, trying to find the right words in korean. “assertive.”

[lgcxminji]

minji nods in agreement, knowing that this is likely a shared feeling amongst all idols, not just herself. she hopes this conversation reaches them as well. "being an idol is performing, all the time. even when we're just filming a vlog or something like that, we want to still give our fans a good experience." that's always been one of her goals, after all, to make sure every performance is one that fans will enjoy.

"right... i definitely am not ungrateful, we'd be nothing without the fans," she continues to smile, though a bit less energetically and a lot more thoughtfully. "my mom was a hagwon teacher and now runs her own daycare, so i think i learned a lot about that. it's a very fulfilling job to work with kids, but it's also exhausting and sometimes you just want a break, and both sides are valid."

as for a reset button? minji's not sure that she's ever thought of one. so, she thinks back to some of her recent schedules, coming up with a rather unorthodox habit she has. "i'll do some theatre warm-ups i learned as a kid. it's almost like i have a fight-or-flight response because that used to be what we always did before shows. that tends to get the adrenaline back up. do you have any yourself?"

[lgcakio]

akio nods along as minji speaks. “that’s absolutely right. wanting a break doesn’t cancel out gratitude, both can exist at the same time.” the so-called ‘fans’ who can’t understand that are not worth it either way. even if they push themselves to death, some people would still not be satisfied. when minji mentions the theater warm-ups, he breaks into a small laugh. “wait, that’s actually kinda cool,” he says, “it’s like your body remembers what to do before your brain catches up.”

when the question is mirrored back to him, akio leans back into his chair, thinking for a few seconds. “for me… i guess it depends on how i feel. when i’m overwhelmed or not feeling like myself, i put some music on, cut myself off from the world for a bit.” he doesn’t need that often, or, well, he didn’t before this year. “if it’s just been… a long day and the energy levels are low, i might mess around with the members backstage. remind myself i’m not alone in this and feed off their energy, you know? that usually pulls me back pretty well.”

after he’s done, he gestures toward the box between them. “alright, your turn! time for the next question.”

[lgceunwoo]

eunwoo snorts and chuckles, knowing his friend all too well. this face means 'please so it again', not the opposite. "got it, i'll be greeting you like this everyday from now on" he replies, as the corner of his lips rise, content with akio's judgement of his acting.

"yeah! seriously! we've had improv workshops before this and in the end it's quite similar to varieties; you begin with a context and must react to what others throw at you in a way that will give an opening for the next person to react, all while being entertaining. that's the essence of varieties too, right? and you've been on a couple so far. dig into that experience for those scenes. i believe it'll be more comfortable if you look at it from this point of view."

the young actor scratches the back of his neck, a little embarrassed. his element. "well, to be fair, i'm just a rookie. it'll be on your for trusting too much a greenhorn like me" he declares all too innocently to be serious

[lgcakio]

“every day? ugh,” he groans, not very convincingly mind you, but still. “i’m filing a formal complaint with hr. and by hr, i mean you,” he adds, pointing at eunwoo with a laugh that gives him away completely. he listens more seriously as eunwoo explains what he means by variety being helpful, face lighting up the more it clicks. “okay… yeah. that actually makes a lot of sense. “react, give something back… i can do that. if i survived days on an island with a bunch of idiots, i can survive this.”

he frowns slightly at his friend’s self-deprecating joke. “hey. don’t sell yourself short. you know your stuff. and even if you are a greenhorn, you’re my greenhorn. that alone should make you feel better,” akio teases with a grin. “if this goes wrong, let’s just agree to blame the director.” he chuckles before turning more serious again. “you happy with your role?

[lgcjunkyu]

junkyu watches in a mix of amusement and astonishment, shaking his head playfully. "you know exactly what you're doing, don't try to hide it." he replies, turning his attention again to the rest of the items in the bag. he can't see akio looking at him with that fond gaze, but he feels a warmth spread that leaves him thinking that he's watching him. the corners of his lips curl up at the knowledge.

"because it is, i promise. i can endure it now, it's not the worst pain." junkyu says, glancing back at him with a soft smile, his eyes also soft to hopefully ease akio's worries a bit. he knows that he worries and cares about him, and the older is genuinely blessed to have him by his side. "am i a good liar?"

when akio hums out loud, junkyu chuckles softly, tightening his fingers with the other's and squeezes them gently. something so soft, so sweet, so domestic and quite honestly, junkyu wishes that chuseok would end a little later than it really did. that they had some more time to themselves, away from the world and spotlight. he mimics akio's hum, playfully swaying their hands before leaning in to bump their noses together. "how about we do both? i think we'd be able to devour it."

the quick peck makes junkyu smile, watching akio break away to continue putting the shopping away. "i'm going, i'm going!" he calls out, pushing himself off the counter to head toward the bathroom. "don't miss me too much, okay?"

[lgcakio]

akio snorts, rolling his eyes as junkyu is already on his way to the bathroom. “what, you think i can’t live without you?” he shoots over his shoulder, already turning back to open cabinets. there’s very brief pause before he adds “... you’d be right about that.” his laugh echoes through the house, shaking his head as he puts groceries into their places. he’s still smiling long after he hears the bathroom door click shut. 

the house quiets down while junkyu’s bathing. it feels… weird. they’ve lived together before, but they were sharing a small dorm with three other people, and barely had any time to do regular things. he could not have predicted that he would end up here a year later. washing produce, stacking snacks in cupboards, filling the fridge, and glancing down the hallway occasionally like he’s waiting for something to reappear. 

when that something finally does, akio looks up automatically, face glowing. it’s stupid, he thinks, to be this happy to see someone who’s only been gone for at most, twenty minutes… but he can’t help it. he doesn’t even think, crossing the space between them in three steps, fingers grabbing junkyu’s shirt to pull him in into a kiss.

“mhm,” akio hums against his lips. “bath did its job?” his hands linger at junkyu’s waist, head pulling back just far enough to look at him. “you know,” he says, “we don’t have to go to the beach right away.” a small, mischievous smile tugs at his lips. “we’ve got a whole house, plenty of food, you… plenty of nice things we could do right here.”

he tilts his head, pretending to consider it seriously. not an oscar-worthy performance by any means. “purely for relaxation purposes, obviously.”

[lgcminnie]

his confidence in her abilities was nice to hear. most instructors didn't give them much to work off. mostly criticisms and what they should do better. although isn't that the point? the lack of criticism means that aspect is decent, right? it didn't work for minnie. she was the type to like to hear the praise. (thanks, akio!)

minnie's eyes widened when akio's expression softened. this person is precious to him; that much is clear. she stares, waiting for the revelation only to realise that oh, the gender was supposed to be the surprise. "oh— wow!" she says, although it's obviously forced. it was clear that minnie didn't really care about the gender. ( and a part of her probably knew but she digresses. ) she scrunches her face apologetically, knowing that she wasn't really convincing. "sorry," she says with a chuckle, "maybe i did guess that part from before."

though lame recovery aside, minnie's expression softened as well. akio seemed to really treasure this person — junkyu — a lot. the confession of who it was actually garnered a more genuine surprise out of her. "oh wow, him? i wouldn't think. he always had such a cool aura about him. i would've assumed he was married to the life or something."

at least that reaction was genuine.

minnie leaned her head on his shoulder, the smile ever present on her face. "it's nice to see you like this. happy, i mean. really happy." it seemed like the clouds that plagued him before were nowhere to be seen. that's all minnie could ask for. it really sounded as though akio has found his person. well, he technically found his person before but now he has him. that was nice to think.

"oh—" the name brings a blush to minnie's cheeks easily. she straightens at the mention. no use denying what akio obviously knew but ... "i mean, it's not like anything is happening," she says cooly, eyes suddenly more fascinated with the floor than making direct eye contact with her best friend. she fidgets in place. "we just... enjoy each other's time. we've always been friends."

she bit her bottom lip nervously. being friends didn't stop her from wanting more. but the drives, the dinners, hell, even the kisses — she and seyoon had always seemed to naturally orbit one another. minnie falls silent for a moment. her heart was drumming in her ears. every thrum was deafening. she was sure akio could hear. " — but i did invite him over for chuseok. he met my family."

"....it meant a lot to me."

[lgcakio]

akio lets out a small laugh when minnie apologizes. “minnie, it’s fine,” he says, bumping his shoulder lightly into hers. “if anyone was going to clock me, it’s better it’s you than someone else.” he knows he can trust her to be understanding, and to keep the secret. he’s not ready to tell everyone yet and even if he were, it wouldn’t be possible anyway. dating is already frowned upon, let alone… anyways. 

at her comment about junkyu’s “cool” aura, he raises both eyebrows. “what, as opposed to me or something?” he tries to act offended, but it fails spectacularly. he only manages to look whipped for the supposedly cool guy he’s now… seeing? dating? “but yeah, you’re right. he does look cool. trust me though, he’s just as much as a loser as i am,” his smile turns soft. “anyway, yeah. i’m happy. i really am.” he didn’t think he’d be able to say that earlier this year, but it feels so good to finally be at peace.

with minnie’s head now on his shoulder, he stays quiet for a second, letting the moment just exist between them before the conversation stirs again. he hoped he wouldn’t scare her off by mentioning seyoon, and thankfully she’s not. just a bit shy, which he half expected. he gives her space to answer, careful not to interrupt or rush her into anything. the first part isn’t surprising. the next part though? there’s genuine surprise flashing across his face. “he met your family?” he repeats, like making sure he heard right. when he turns to look at her properly, he knows his ears were not mistaken. minnie is avoiding his eyes, biting her lower lip, face slightly redder. 

the sight is so adorable he can’t resist leaning in to kiss the top of her head. he would have hesitated otherwise, ever since they crossed a line. “minnie, that’s not nothing. that’s… a big step.” it wouldn’t be if seyoon were ‘just’ a friend, but they both know it’s more than that. “how did it go? i need a full recap. was he polite? did your siblings like him?”