✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡✩ First Meets year ⋆ 20XX
━━ where Katsumi meets her alleged group mates, but wait... why are they all guys...
Yoshida Katsumi had walked the halls of the HYBE building more times than she could count—between practice studios, the cafeteria, even the famous gym. But this part of the building felt different. This floor felt entirely brand new.
Foreign. Like somewhere she didn’t quite belong.
The tall windows looked out on a wash of greenery, leaves shifting gently in the late morning light. It should have calmed her, but her stomach still twisted.
Her phone buzzed in her hand, and her breath hitched. 9:30.
The meeting wasn’t until 9:45, but Katumi being Katsumi. Being early was on time, and being on time is being late. She slipped her phone back into her bag, exhaling as if that could make her legs feel lighter. Each step toward the meeting room only seemed to drag heavier.
She pushed the door open. Empty. Relief loosened the knot in her chest. She set her bag down on a chair and let herself stand still for a moment, gazing out at the city skyline beyond the glass.
Five minutes later, footsteps echoed closer. Katsumi straightened, but kept her eyes fixed on the window. Better to look calm.
“Oh, Katsumi-ssi,” a warm voice called, “you’re here early.”
Katsumi turned and bowed quickly. “I tend to show up early when I’m nervous,” she admitted with a small, self-conscious laugh. “It’s nice to see you again, Seoyoung-nim.”
“You too.” Seoyoung’s smile softened. “You’ve gotten prettier since last time.” Heat rushed to Katsumi’s face. She shook her head quickly, which only made the older woman laugh.
“Is it just us today?” Katsumi asked, glancing at the clock. 9:46. “Others will join. Jiyoon-nim from A&R as well.” As if summoned, hurried footsteps thundered down the hall. The door burst open and five boys spilled in, breathless from running.
“Sorry we’re late!” one panted, bowing, and the others followed suit. “Training went over.”
Katsumi’s eyes flicked across them. They looked so at ease with one another, their laughter and apologies tumbling over each other. They belonged.
Jiyoon slipped in quietly behind them, bowing politely before taking a seat. The room shifted instantly to something more official, more real.
“Good morning, everyone,” Seoyoung began. Her tone was calm but had a sense of importance. “As I mentioned a few weeks ago, after adding Juhoon, we have been discussing the possibility of adding one final member before we can finalize our lineup and proceed with the debut.” She gestured toward the boy and then turned to Katsumi. “This is who I would like to add, please meet Yoshida Katsumi.”
Katsumi blinked. Her breath caught. “…You want me to join a boy group?”
Seoyoung nodded gently.
Jiyoon leaned forward, her voice steady. “We know this isn’t what we promised you a year ago. But as you’ve grown, we’ve seen more. A girl group wouldn’t let you show all of it.”
Her palms pressed hard against the table. “And what about the other girls? The ones I trained with. What was the actuall point of all that?” Heat prickled under her skin, sharp and restless. She hated when her emotions slipped like this. Hated that her voice shook more with anger than sadness.
The boys exchanged uneasy glances, shifting in their seats as they felt the room grow cold at the sight of the girl's frown. They had never seen her like this before, and in fact, they had never even met her.
“I need a minute,” she muttered. The chair legs scraped as she pushed back. Grabbing her bag, she slipped out before the crack in her voice could betray her further. The waiting area was still, the wide windows opening onto a sprawl of city blocks. Katsumi sank onto a bench and pulled a small stress ball from her bag. She squeezed hard, the blue rubber folding until streaks of neon yellow bled through. Breathe. Don’t break. Don’t let them see.
The door creaked open. One of the boys stepped out. He moved slowly, like she might explode if he got too close.
“Hey,” he said carefully. “I’m Martin.”
Katsumi’s jaw tightened.
“Great first impression right.” She huffed out.
“I'd be the same way.” He shrugged, then tilted his head at her hand. “Is that a stress ball?” She opened her palm slightly, showing him. “It keeps my nails from digging into my skin.”
“You do that a lot, huh?” His chuckle was soft, not mocking. She nodded, easing in the quiet understanding. Before the silence could stretch, Jiyoon appeared, gently waving Martin back inside. She sat down in his place, offering Katsumi a small, steady smile.
“I know this is sudden,” she said, slipping an arm around her shoulders. “But think about what lies ahead. When we asked you to trust us, we meant it. We see your potential. We want the world to hear it.”
Katsumi’s grip tightened on the stress ball. “And I can’t do that in a girl group? We couldn’t try girl crush, or tomboy? Instead, you’re throwing me into a pack of teenage boys.” Her words came out sharper than she meant.
Jiyoon only laughed softly. “A pack of talented boys you can grow alongside. Come on, just listen to what we have to say. Seoyoung’s waiting.”
Her chest ached with resistance, but something else stirred under it. Curiosity, maybe. Hesitation wasn’t refusal. With a heavy sigh, she stood and followed Jiyoon back.
“Welcome back, Sumi,” Seoyoung said warmly, pulling out her chair. “I explained the basics to the boys, but let’s talk about what’s ahead.” Katsumi’s gaze swept the room: the five boys, the restless leaves outside, Jiyoon’s calm nod. Slowly, she sat still gripping onto the stress ball.
“Okay,” Seoyoung continued, “we want you six to be the next big thing. Each of you brings something—writing, producing, choreography, style. Katsumi doesn’t just dream of being an idol; she already has the spark.” Her throat felt tight. She curled her fingers tighter around the ball, grounding herself.
“Boys,” Seoyoung said, “please introduce yourselves.” “Martin,” said the tall one with the easy smile. “James,” added the sharp-eyed one. “Keonho,” the one with thick eyebrows grinned. “Seonghyun,” came a quiet but steady voice. “And I’m Juhoon,” the most recent member she had put a name to a face, bowed politely.
Katsumi bowed back, her pulse thudding in her ears.
a/n: UNEDITED - 9/18/25 | enjoy~ comment and feedbacks are always welcome!
