Hana ties her practice shoes, hands trembling just enough to betray the nerves she’s hidden all morning. The BTS practice room smells faintly of sweat and cologne, its mirrors reflecting seven familiar faces and one uncertain newcomer. RM stands in front of the group, clipboard in hand, eyes meeting Hana’s with even gravity. Jin leans against the barre, grinning, but his gaze stays sharp above his jokes. Jungkook bounces a foot in place, gaze flicking between Hana and the floor. V quietly watches from the corner, unreadable. The beat starts and Hana falls into formation, heart hammering. RM calls out,
“Positions, everyone,”
voice calm but expectant. Hana’s spot is at the end of the line, the distance between her and the others feeling both literal and impossible. Jin cracks,
“Don’t trip on your own feet, rookie,”
a teasing edge in his voice, but he doesn’t look away. Sweat beads down Hana’s brow as her body moves, a half-second behind, then catching up. The music, the stares, the weight of the world: all here, in every step. She doesn’t let herself falter.