The silence stretched.
Too long. Too heavy.
Then—like a spark cutting through a storm—Kang Doyun leaned against the couch armrest and let out a low whistle.
Platinum blonde hair. Edgy energy. The kind of guy who looked like trouble and knew it.
"Hyung, you're scary," he said, lips curling into a mischievous grin. He tilted his head at Soorin, purple eyes twinkling. "Don't worry, noona. He talks tough, but he's just grumpy 'cause he skipped breakfast."
Soorin blinked.
'Noona?'
She was used to Koreans double-checking her age before throwing that word around. But Doyun wielded it like a playful shield, cutting straight through the tension.
Before she could respond, someone else stepped forward.
Seo Minjae.
Warm brown hair. Soft green eyes. The kind of face that belonged on boyfriend-material Pinterest boards.
He brushed back his dark fringe with gentle fingers, voice calm. Almost soothing. "I'm sorry for Haejin-hyung's words. He doesn't mean it the way it sounds." He shot their leader a wary look before returning his gaze to her. "We're grateful you're here. Really."
The kindness tugged at the knot in her chest.
But it didn't last.
Lee Taekyung—slouched in a chair, phone in hand, reddish-wine hair falling over sharp features—smirked without even looking up.
"Don't sugarcoat it, Minjae. Hyung meant exactly what he said."
Soorin's fingers twitched against her bag strap.
'Great. One's a tyrant. One's a prankster. One's a sweetheart. And this one's just… sarcastic.'
She wasn't sure whether to laugh or bolt for the door.
Taekyung finally looked up, lips quirking into a smirk that wasn't entirely friendly. "This is gonna be fun," he said dryly. "New stylist. Pretty hair. Foreign features. And hyung already hates her." He glanced at the others. "Place your bets, guys—how long till she cries?"
"Taekyung!" Minjae warned.
The younger only shrugged, eyes gleaming with sarcasm.
Soorin straightened. Bowed again. Forced herself to sound steady. "It's fine. I'm here to do my job, not cause trouble."
Then a soft, almost childlike voice piped up.
Park Jisoo.
Bright pink hair. Wide green eyes. Pure sunshine energy radiating off him like he didn't know what stress was.
He bounded closer, grinning. "So you're really twenty-five, noona? Wah, I thought you were younger. Like me. I'm twenty." His grin widened. "Can I call you noona too?"
Her chest eased. Just a fraction.
"Of course," she said quietly. This time, her smile was genuine.
Jisoo beamed, clearly satisfied.
Doyun ruffled the kid's hair, tugging him back. The chaotic energy between them was such a stark contrast to Haejin's cold glare that Soorin almost laughed.
'Almost.'
Jisoo leaned in again, wide-eyed and innocent. "Do you have snacks in that bag, noona? I heard stylists always carry snacks."
The unexpected cuteness tugged a laugh out of her despite everything. "I… don't, sorry," she admitted softly.
Haejin scoffed under his breath.
He grabbed a water bottle from the table, twisted the cap off too hard. The plastic cracked loud enough to echo in the heavy air.
Soorin gave him a look.
'What's his problem? Why so serious?'
Manager Park clapped his hands sharply. "Enough chatter. Schedules are tight. Sit down. Let staff work."
The members moved toward their seats.
Haejin didn't glance her way again.
But the weight of his earlier words lingered in her ears like poison.
★☆★☆★☆
Later, Soorin followed the PA down another hallway.
The styling room smelled like hairspray, pressed fabric, and foundation powder. Lightbulbs framed the mirrors, casting harsh, unforgiving light on every flaw.
Four other stylists were already inside, bustling around.
When Soorin was introduced as the newest member of their team, she quickly realized Manager Park hadn't exaggerated.
Only five people total. Including her.
For a group of LUMEN's size? That was shockingly small.
She bowed politely. "I look forward to working with everyone."
Instead of warm greetings, she got hesitant nods. Sideways glances.
Their eyes lingered on her hair. Her eyes. Longer than polite.
Whispers curled around the room like smoke.
"Is that… natural?"
"She must be trying too hard."
Soorin's stomach dipped.
She forced a smile. "It's all natural."
The words came out softer than she wanted. Like she was defending herself.
'Ugh. Great start, Soorin.'
The whispers didn't stop.
The awkwardness wrapped around her shoulders like a heavy coat she couldn't shrug off.
She busied herself arranging her kit. Swallowed the urge to shrink.
Then a warm voice cut through.
"I like it."
She glanced up.
A tall guy with dyed brown hair and honey brown eyes, leaned against the counter, relaxed smile on his face. His apron was smudged with hair dye streaks—proof he'd been working hard.
"For the record," he added, "I can tell it's natural. The tone's too consistent to be fake. And not many people would rock it so confidently."
Relief flickered through her chest.
"Thanks," she said, bowing her head slightly.
He extended a hand. "I'm Choi Daehyun. Hair and general fixer. If something breaks or someone cries, I'm usually the one patching it together."
Her lips curved. "Han Soorin. Makeup."
Daehyun's grin widened. "Soorin-ssi, nice to meet you." He tilted his head. "Out of curiosity—what month were you born in?"
She blinked. "Month?"
He chuckled. "Zodiac month. In Korea, we always ask. Tells a lot about you."
Soorin scratched her cheek. "Oh. My dad told me once… I was born in the Year of the Pig." She wrinkled her nose. "Though honestly, I never liked how that sounds. In America, pigs aren't exactly… a compliment."
Daehyun laughed lightly. "But in Korea, Pig is lucky. Means abundance, generosity, warmth. People trust Pigs—they're dependable." He smiled. "Honestly, I think it suits you. You wouldn't be here otherwise."
She tilted her head, amused. "And yours?"
"Rabbit," he said proudly. "Rabbits are clever, cautious, good with people. Considered lucky too. We avoid fights but always find a way to survive."
She smiled. "That does sound like you."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. "But you know who's the dragon?"
Soorin tilted her head. "Who?"
"Jung Haejin. Or as we all call him—HAEL."
Her heart jolted.
Daehyun's eyes gleamed. "Dragons are powerful. Revered. They rise above others, destined for success. That's why HAEL's been the center of LUMEN all these years. Fans love him because he's… larger than life."
The words stung.
Soorin's mind replayed Haejin's sneer. His dismissive glare.
'Dragon? More like DEVIL.'
Her lips curled before she could stop them. "Dragon does fit his personality. Arrogant. Fire-breathing. Dangerous to get close to."
Daehyun chuckled, clearly taking it as a joke.
But as she lowered her gaze, her skin prickled.
Awareness crawled up her spine.
When she glanced up, Haejin was standing across the room.
Gaze pinned on her.
His expression was unreadable. Eyes narrow slits of ice.
He held her stare for a second too long.
Then—silently—he moved to his chair.
Her throat tightened.
'Had he heard?'