BlackPink emerged from the stage’s glow, backstage greetings washing over them like a wave. Managers embraced them, hands meeting calloused palms, sweat-slicked skin, and the lingering electricity of performance. The four members – Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa – were still vibrating with adrenaline. They linked hands, a silent current passing between them, unable to shake off the shared euphoria. Wiping dampness from their faces, they leaned into the comforting solidity of their managers' arms.
Rose’s joy overflowed, tears blurring her vision as she buried her face in her manager’s shoulder. A tissue appeared instantly, blotting the salty trails. Lisa radiated pure elation, her energy infectious. Jisoo’s eyes welled with emotion, but she held back the tears, a quiet strength in her composure. This was it. The debut. The culmination of years of training, sacrifice, and dreams. The roar of the crowd, the dazzling lights, the sheer weight of their fans’ adoration – unforgettable.
They shed their damp performance wear, exchanging them for fresh outfits, makeup artists swiftly restoring their flawless looks. Escorted from the immediate backstage area, they were guided towards a vantage point overlooking the ongoing performances. As they navigated the corridors of the center, they passed other groups.
EXO strolled by, then GOT7 – Lisa and BamBam’s childhood connection already a solid bridge between the two groups. Seventeen, MONSTAX, and then, looming larger than life in Lisa’s estimation, BTS. Her eyes lit up, a familiar warmth spreading through her. Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Jungkook was her age, maybe even younger, yet they hadn’t had the chance to compare birthdays.
BTS noticed BlackPink’s approach, smiles blossoming across their faces. “Anyeong BlackPink,” RM greeted, his dimples deepening as he made eye contact with each member. “You did incredibly well out there.” The others nodded in agreement, offering welcoming smiles.
“Kamsamida, sunbaes,” Rosé replied, the others echoing her gratitude. V detached himself from the group, gravitating towards Lisa. “Annyeongggggg, you’re Lisa, right?” he asked, his signature box smile widening. Lisa returned the smile. “Ye, I’m Lisa. I’m actually a huge fan.” BTS exchanged glances, a collective flush rising in their cheeks. They heard it often, praise from fellow idols, but rarely from girl groups.
“Ah, really? I’m so happy to hear that. I love your songs too, especially ‘Boombayah!’” V giggled, a playful energy radiating from him.
“Thank you, sunbae,” Lisa said, bowing her head slightly. V’s gaze lingered on her, a smile tugging at his lips. He playfully tapped her nose, eliciting a blush. Such casual touchiness was unusual, but this was V, the group’s resident goofball. Who could deny him?
“Yah, stop with the ‘sunbae,’ call me ‘oppa,’” he demanded, earning a playful smack on the head from Jimin. “But that goes for all of us. It’s much better that way,” Jin added, his voice laced with amusement. One by one, the members of BlackPink took turns addressing BTS as ‘oppa.’
“We have to go now, sorry, oppas,” BlackPink excused themselves, heading towards their waiting van. The performances were winding down, and there was no reason to linger.
. . . . . . .
“Hyung, why did you tell her to call us all ‘oppa’?” Jungkook whined. “You know I hate it when noonas call me ‘oppa.’” Jin regarded his younger brother with a questioning look. “But Lisa is your age, isn’t she?”
Jungkook pondered for a moment. He knew she was the same age, but hadn’t checked her birthday. Dismissing the thought, he pouted. He hated the term ‘oppa,’ it made him feel older than he was.
Bored, he wandered to their personal practice room and switched on the radio. Their own song was playing. Jungkook slipped into the choreography of ‘Blood Sweat & Tears.’ After finishing the dance, he waited for the next song. As it began to play, he found himself mimicking the moves to ‘Boombayah.’ A smile crept onto his face.
Lost in thought, he imagined Lisa’s silhouette during their performance, her body moving with the music. He blushed, embarrassed by his own thoughts. He knew he shouldn’t fixate on girls like this, but Lisa was undeniably beautiful.
Back at the BlackPink dorm, the members were scattered, indulging in their own quiet pursuits. Lalisa, restless, began scribbling her thoughts on paper, headphones blasting her favorite tunes. She hummed along to a BTS cover, a familiar melody weaving through her mind.
The page quickly filled with scribbles and doodles. After a few minutes, she tore it out, examining the messy script. She mostly wrote down goals: a boyfriend, more fans, international stardom. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw a name scrawled in her handwriting: Jungkook.
She rolled onto her side, bewildered. Why Jungkook? He hadn’t done anything to merit a mention, and their meeting had been fleeting. She grabbed her pen, scratching out his name, then crumpling the paper and tossing it into the bin. She didn’t need to dwell on a man she’d barely met. She already had enough thoughts swirling in her head.
Leaving Rose’s room, she crept towards the kitchen, drawn by muffled voices. A sly smile touched her lips as she realized what was happening. She’d caught them before, and she loved playing the oblivious card.
Peeking from beside the wall, she saw Jennie and Jisoo locked in a tender embrace. Jisoo’s face was buried in Jennie’s neck, Jennie’s hands drifting lower. Lisa smiled, a secret thrill running through her. She turned and walked away, letting the couple enjoy their privacy. She wished she could do the same with the man she loved, but it was a nearly impossible dream.
Their agency enforced a strict ‘no dating’ rule, unbreakable unless a more powerful entity intervened.
Lisa continued to walk towards the kitchen. As she neared, she heard moaning noises. They were definitely getting it on.
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