The sun was just rising over the city, casting golden light across the sleek glass building of Celeste Entertainment. Inside, the group's practice room hummed with the sound of music, laughter, and footsteps.
"Five more minutes!" Kim Taehyung, the group leader, shouted over the music, his deep voice cutting through the chatter. His gaze, sharp as ever, scanned the room. Every member was warming up, stretching, and practicing their lines. Everything was perfect… until the door opened.
And then… chaos walked in.
The door swung open with a loud bang, and all heads turned.
She — no, he — walked in with a head held high, eyes blazing with defiance, and attitude practically spilling out of every step. The boy had a beauty that seemed almost unfair: sharp cheekbones, perfect jawline, and hair that shimmered under the studio lights. Kook, the new maknae, had arrived.
"Who… is this?" whispered Haneul, unable to hide his grin.
Taehyung's eyes narrowed. His chest tightened. "A trainee," he said curtly, though the words didn't mask his curiosity.
Kook's eyes scanned the room lazily, ignoring everyone but Taehyung. His lips curled into a mischievous smirk. "So… this is the famous group leader everyone keeps talking about?" His voice was low, smooth, dripping with both challenge and charm.
Taehyung felt a flicker of irritation. Who was this brat, walking in like he owned the place? But there was something else — something that made him stop mid-step. That smirk. That confidence. That impossible beauty.
"I'm Taehyung," he said, stepping forward, the corners of his mouth stiff. "And you'll follow the rules here. Understood?"
Kook crossed his arms, leaning slightly against the wall. "Rules? Cute. I follow my own rules, actually. You'll just have to deal with it."
Taehyung blinked, stunned. Did this brat just—?
The room went quiet. Even the music seemed to stop. The older members exchanged knowing glances. It was going to be… interesting.
Haneul chuckled quietly, whispering to Minseo, the only older girl in the group: "Oh, this is going to be fun."
Kook dropped his bag to the floor and walked to the center of the room. "Alright, let's see if you guys are as good as people say. I didn't come here to waste my time."
Taehyung's jaw tightened. Every instinct in him screamed to correct the brat. Control the room, control the maknae… But the second their eyes met, something strange happened. A spark. A challenge. A pull neither of them expected.
Kook smirked again. "Ready when you are, leader."
Taehyung's heartbeat betrayed him. He was usually the one everyone followed… the one everyone feared. And yet, here was someone who didn't flinch. Didn't care. And somehow, it made him impossibly aware of his own loneliness.
The music started again. Kook moved effortlessly, dancing with a grace that was both arrogant and mesmerizing. Taehyung watched, trying to hide the growing fascination, the irritation, the… admiration.
By the end of the practice, the room was silent. Everyone knew something had shifted. The group's youngest, most stubborn member had just walked in — and he had just stolen everyone's attention. Especially Taehyung's.
Taehyung clenched his fists, forcing himself to speak. "We'll see if you can actually keep up tomorrow."
Kook's smirk widened. "Oh, don't worry. I always keep up… and sometimes, I even lead the way."
Taehyung swallowed hard, fighting the urge to grin. Or groan.
Either way, he knew one thing for certain: this brat was going to be a problem.
And yet… he couldn't wait to see more.