Chapter Text
JYP, 8:00 A.M
Her gaze scanned the hallway. How she wished she could start running from one end to the other to pass the time.
How long would it take for her to go back and forth?
Jinni looked from side to side, to her left, and then to her right.
"Maybe ten seconds... Or five."
Two figures approaching in the distance quickly caught her attention, two faces practically opposite. A big one, and the other much smaller.
"Here you are."
Haewon sighed in relief as she put both hands on her hips.
"What do you mean?"
Jinni raised an eyebrow, looking at her, and then at Sullyoon.
Haewon sighed heavily, rolling her eyes in the process.
"We're running late for the meeting."
Jinni's eyes widened like two pearls, quickly turning around, looking towards the door she had been standing in front of for some time.
"Wha..?"
A quick scan of the words engraved on the door.
Haewon quickly brought her hand to her face, slapping her forehead.
"You were standing in front of the bathroom. Thinking it was JYP-nim's office."
Jinni brought both hands to her head, now leaning against the wall facing the bathroom door.
"Maybe we should leave now; we're going to be late."
Both gazes landed on Sullyoon.
Haewon nodded firmly, quickly extending her hand to Jinni.
"Quick, let's go."
Jinni stared at the hand for a short moment, then shook her head from side to side, taking the hand and starting to run towards the elevator.
"Just out of curiosity. How late are we talking about?"
She looked from side to side, putting her gaze on Haewon for a moment, then on Sullyoon.
"Mm..."
Haewon muttered, looking straight ahead, focusing on the direction signs in the hallway corners.
"Let's say thirty minutes, at least."
Jinni's eyes widened like two pearls, tilting her head back a bit.
"It could be worse, right?"
She let out a small laugh, alternating her focus between them.
"Of course, it could be worse. The only problem is that it's wrong."
A sharp turn to the left, running to the elevator.
The three stopped in front of the elevator. Haewon directed her gaze towards Jinni.
"And the bigger problem is that they're waiting for us."
As the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, Jinni, Haewon, and Sullyoon hastily stepped inside.
Haewon shot a glance at Jinni, her eyebrows furrowing in disbelief. "How on earth did you mistake the bathroom for JYP's office?"
Jinni, catching her breath, offered a sheepish grin. "I don't know, I just went by instinct! It's early, and I guess my brain decided bathrooms and offices are interchangeable."
Haewon chuckled, shaking her head. "I really can't with you sometimes."
Jinni's gaze then shifted to Sullyoon, who stood calmly beside her. "And how did you end up with her?" she asked, nodding towards Haewon.
Sullyoon tilted her head, "I was on my way to the meeting when Haewon spotted me. She needed help rounding up the strayed ones, and here I am."
Haewon interjected, playfully adding, "Sullyoon is my secret weapon."
The elevator continued its ascent.
Jinni shook her head with a smile. "Well, I guess we're in this together now. Let's just hope they won't be too upset about our fashionably late entrance."
As the doors opened, the trio exited.
As they briskly walked down the corridor, Jinni couldn't shake off the growing concern about how they would explain their tardiness without sounding foolish or making it seem intentional.
"How are we going to explain this without sounding dumb or making it seem like we did it on purpose?" Jinni turned to Haewon with furrowed brows.
"Simple. We tell them you mistook the bathroom for JYP's office. It's convincing enough." Haewon replied with a smirk.
"That'll make me look like a rookie who can't even find the right room. I don't want to start my day looking like a fool." Jinni wrinkled her nose at the suggestion.
"What if we say we got caught up in the elevator? It's a plausible excuse, and it doesn't make anyone look bad." Sullyoon chimed in.
Both Haewon and Jinni turned their attention to Sullyoon.
After a moment, Haewon nodded in agreement.
"Not a bad idea. It's believable, and it doesn't put the blame on anyone specifically."
"Yeah, it's better than making me sound like I can't tell a bathroom from an office." Jinni nodded in agreement.
The trio entered the meeting room, and all eyes turned towards them.
Haewon, Jinni, and Sullyoon exchanged silent greetings as they took their seats.
"What took you so long?" JYP inquired.
"The elevator got stuck." Haewon quickly responded.
"The elevator got stuck? How did it get stuck, and no one noticed?" JYP's eyebrows arched in skepticism.
"It was a quick thing, and we got it moving again." Haewon stuttered a bit.
"You were 30 minutes late. How could a quick elevator mishap cause such a delay?" JYP retorted.
"Well, actually.."
Haewon attempted to conjure up another excuse, but JYP cut her off, "I appreciate that you didn't throw anyone under the bus with the lie, but it's not going to fly. Give me the real reason."
A nervous tension lingered in the air as the members of NMIXX exchanged uneasy glances.
"Actually, it was my fault," Jinni admitted, her voice carrying a hint of embarrassment. "I confused JYP's office for the bathroom."
JYP couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the candid truth.
The room resounded with laughter.
He shook his head, still smiling. "Well, that's a first. Just make sure it doesn't happen again."
A wave of relief washed over the members of NMIXX as they processed JYP's surprisingly light-hearted response.
They nodded in agreement.
"Now that that's out of the way," JYP began, observing the eager anticipation in the eyes of the NMIXX members as they straightened their postures.
"I'm pretty sure you're all wondering why I called this meeting."
He took a moment, creating a bit of a dramatic scene.
"I get emotional every time I have to do this," he said with a sly smile.
The members of NMIXX exchanged glances.
"I'm proud to announce that each one of you has been chosen as the members of the upcoming girl group, NMIXX." JYP finally revealed.
Instantly, the room filled with elation as the faces of the members lit up with disbelief and joy.
JYP stood, like a proud father basking in the thrill of unveiling the exciting news.
"As you embark on this exciting journey," he continued, his voice resonating with a mix of pride and solemnity, "remember that all the years of hard work and dedication you've put into your training have led you to this very moment."
The members listened with a mixture of awe and determination.
"However, let me be honest. What lies ahead will make your training seem like a breeze. The life of an idol is challenging, and it only gets more difficult from here." JYP added with a touch of caution.
Despite the sobering words, the members nodded confidently.
"Oh Haewon, please take a step forward." JYP called out.
The room fell into a hush as JYP declared, "Haewon, you are going to be the leader of NMIXX."
Haewon's eyes widened in disbelief, her hand instinctively covering her mouth.
The room erupted into applause as the moment sank in for both Haewon and the rest of NMIXX.
Haewon gave a small bow in gratitude before taking a step back to address the room. "Thank you all so much. I am truly honored and humbled by this opportunity," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.
"I promise to be the best leader I can be, to support each of you, and to lead NMIXX with dedication and passion." Haewon pledged.
Her words resonated in the room. And was met with yet another round of applause. As a proud smile was drawn on Haewon's face. And as the members smiled to each other as well.
As the applause subsided, the group gathered for an embrace.
The embrace between the NMIXX members lingered.
As they reveled in the moment, JYP, with a warm smile, let the celebration unfold before announcing, "As much as I'd love to let you all celebrate here, I have another surprise for you."
The members turned their attention to JYP.
"With your busy schedules and the need for a fresh start, I've arranged a place for all of you to stay. Your own apartment." JYP revealed.
Gasps of astonishment and delight filled the room as the news sank in.
"Consider it a gift from the company. It's time to start this journey together in a new home." JYP added.
The members exchanged gleeful glances.
"Now, as wonderful as this surprise is, there's a small catch. You're expected to move in today." JYP continued.
The expressions of joy on the members' faces quickly shifted to surprise and a hint of disbelief.
Lily, ever practical, raised a hand and asked, "How much time do we have to get our stuff ready?"
"You've got about an hour." JYP replied with a sly grin.
A collective gasp filled the room.
The members exchanged wide-eyed glances.
"I did mention it only gets more difficult from here on out. Time to change-up, NMIXX!" JYP added with a chuckle.
The members of NMIXX exchanged uncertain glances, a bit overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.
In the midst of the uncertainty, Haewon stepped forward.
"We've got this, everyone," Haewon declared with a reassuring smile.
JYP's grin widened as Haewon took charge, turning around to lead NMIXX out of the room.
Embracing Haewon's initiative, the members of NMIXX exited JYP's office with a spirited determination.
However, as the reality of the tight timeline hit them, a collective sense of uncertainty and exhaustion settled in.
Without missing a beat, they found themselves sitting on the floor in a bit of shock.
"What are we going to do?" Jiwoo asked.
"That's everyone's question. I don't think it's likely that everyone is going to gather their stuff in less than an hour." Bae voiced out.
"Wait a minute.." Lily interjected, "Every moment we spend sitting here is a moment we could spend on packing!"
"She's right. Let's turn this around, everyone." Haewon announced. Standing up.
Lily called for a big "hurray" to rally everyone up.
Despite the initial shock, the members began to rise from the floor.
In a whirlwind of activity, the members of NMIXX members bursted into action, rushing to their dormitory to pack their belongings.
The dorm room buzzed with energy as members grabbed suitcases, threw open closets, and tossed clothes into bags.
Haewon directed the chaos with determination, coordinating efforts to ensure no essentials were left behind.
Jiwoo frantically stuffed a pillow into her bag, while Bae meticulously folded clothes, attempting to maintain some order amid the frenzy.
Lily, always pragmatic, started a checklist, shouting out items like "toothbrushes," "chargers," and "pajamas" to make sure nothing vital were forgotten.
Sullyoon effortlessly navigated the chaos, helping where needed and offering a calming presence.
Kyujin fumbled with her belongings but managed to pack with the assistance of her fellow members.
As the minutes ticked down, the dorm room transformed from chaos to organized chaos.
Suitcases were zipped, bags were filled, and the members gathered their belongings.
With the dormitory now in a state of organized chaos, Haewon called out, "Is everyone ready?"
Nods and affirmations circled the room as the members, holding their packed belongings, gathered together.
"Alright, let's make sure we haven't forgotten anything important," Haewon suggested, her eyes scanning the room.
"How much time do we have left?" Kyujin asked, adjusting the strap of her bag.
Jinni, quickly pulling out her phone, glanced at the screen. "We've got about ten minutes," she replied.
A collective gasp filled the room as the sense of urgency heightened.
Ten minutes seemed like an eternity and a blink of an eye simultaneously.
"Ten minutes!? Seriously!?" Lily exclaimed, a hint of panic in her voice.
Haewon, keeping her composure, urged everyone, "Okay, let's move. Double-check your things and grab anything you might have missed. We can't afford to forget something important."
In a frenzy, the members began their last-minute checks. Suitcases were zipped and unzipped, pockets were patted down, and anxious glances were exchanged.
"Where's my phone? Has anyone seen my phone!?" As she held her backpack, Jiwoo looked around.
"Here you go, Jiwoo." With a reassuring smile on her face, Sullyoon handed over the phone.
As the seconds ticked away, the room transformed into a tornado of activity.
"Five minutes!" Jinni shouted.
"Are we really going to make it?" Bae asked, holding a few more items in her arms.
"We have to. Now, grab your stuff, and let's head out. Move quickly, but don't forget anything important." Haewon ordered.
In a final surge, the members of NMIXX gathered their belongings, ensuring nothing was left behind.
With a nod from Haewon, they moved out of the dormitory.
With a heightened sense of urgency, the members of NMIXX rushed through the corridors of the JYP building, suitcases in hand, making a beeline for the front door.
As they bursted through the exit, the vibrant energy of their sunbaenims, TWICE, overwhelmed them.
A moment of awe struck the NMIXX members as they glimpsed at the accomplished girl group.
However, the rush proved too intense for the newly formed girl group.
In their haste, they collided with each other, falling one above the other outside of the building.
As the members of NMIXX scrambled to regain their balance, the senior idols of TWICE hurriedly approached to offer assistance.
Nayeon, extending a helping hand to Kyujin, asked with concern, "Are you guys okay?"
"Oh, we're fine, thank you. We're just in a bit of a hurry. We're the new girl group, NMIXX, and we've got a lot to do!" Lily replied.
The explanation tumbled out in a rush as Lily, caught up in the excitement and urgency, tried to convey the whirlwind of events leading up to the present moment.
As the NMIXX members gathered their composure after the collision, they found themselves face to face with the smiling members of TWICE.
Nayeon and Jihyo, with warm smiles, approached them.
Nayeon spoke first, "Don't worry about it, it happens to the best of us. Good luck with everything, NMIXX!"
Jihyo added, "Enjoy every moment of this journey. It's a wild ride, but you'll love it."
Sana chimed in, "Hope to bump into you guys more often! Fighting!"
With genuine smiles and encouraging words, TWICE waved as NMIXX hurriedly made their way to the parking lot.
The NMIXX members reciprocated the farewell gestures.
As they walked, Sullyoon couldn't contain her excitement and turned to the others, "Am I the only one wanting to fangirl about meeting TWICE?"
Jinni grinned, "Not at all. I'm with you."
"As much as I'd love to fangirl, we're on a tight schedule, remember? We need to focus and get to our new place quickly." Haewon interjected.
Sullyoon nodded reluctantly, "Right, right. Let's save the fangirling for later."
As the members of NMIXX hurriedly reached the parking lot, they spotted their car waiting for them.
The driver, a seasoned employee of JYP, greeted them with a knowing smile.
"Rough start, huh?" he commented.
Haewon, catching her breath, exchanged a glance with the others before offering a good-natured laugh. "Well, it's our first day on the job. We're just getting started."
"You've got quite the journey ahead. Enjoy the ride." The driver grinned.
With nod and determination, the members of NMIXX piled into the car.
The members quickly found their respective places inside the car, a mix of excitement and nervous energy filling the vehicle.
Haewon took a seat near the window, Jinni next to her, and the rest arranged themselves in the cozy space.
As the car began to enter the highway, Lily suddenly blurted out, "Hey, you know, the last time I traveled like this was that one field trip with Chaeryeong."
Her unexpected comment hung in the air for a moment before the car erupted in laughter.
Lily joined in, a lighthearted smile on her face as the others found amusement in the randomness of her memory.
Bae, still chuckling, turned to Lily, her eyes wide with curiosity. "How can you be so calm and make a comment like that at a moment like this?"
Lily, nervously playing with her hair, shrugged with a smile. "I don't know. It just popped into my mind. But hey, it's true, isn't it? Life is full of unexpected moments."
"Well, that was certainly an unexpected moment." Sullyoon remarked with a smile on her face.
As the car smoothly merged onto the highway, the rhythmic hum of the engine seemed to lull some of the members into a state of drowsiness.
One by one, eyelids grew heavy, and some succumbed to the gentle sway of the vehicle, slipping into a peaceful slumber.
Those who remained awake gazed out of the car windows, taking in the daytime scenery of Seoul as it flashed by in a blur.
Eventually, the car approached its destination.
The driver, glancing at the members who were still awake, asked, "Could you wake the others up? We're here."
Haewon nodded, taking charge.
"NMIXX!" She shouted.
The sudden call echoed through the car, and the sleeping members jolted awake in surprise.
Blinking away the remnants of sleep, the members exchanged bewildered glances, slowly realizing that they had arrived at their new home.
As the car came to a stop, they excitedly piled out.
The car door opened, and the members of NMIXX stepped out, their eyes widening in awe as they looked up at the impressive building that would be their new home.
The sleek architecture and modern design left them in silent admiration.
Lily, always one to break the silence, glanced at the others with a mischievous grin. "Do you think we'll be able to see the JYP building from our floor?"
The rest of the members turned to her, expressions ranging from amusement to disbelief.
Haewon chuckled, "Unnie, we just left there. Let's focus on settling in first."
Lily shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes, and they began making their way into the building.
The lobby welcomed them with its polished floors and elegant decor.
As they approached the elevators, some members opted for the stairs, eager to explore their new surroundings.
Jinni, Kyujin and Haewon settled for the stairs.
In contrast, Sullyoon, Bae, Lily, and Jiwoo chose the elevator.
The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped in.
Panting, Jinni, Haewon, and Kyujin finally reached their floor after tackling the stairs.
The other members awaited their arrival with amused glances.
Lily couldn't help but tease, "Taking the scenic route, were we?"
Brushing off the exhaustion with good-natured smiles, Haewon led the team toward the apartment.
As they entered, reality struck them—it was empty.
The members exchanged puzzled glances, searching for an explanation.
Sullyoon spotted a note lying on the floor. She picked it up and began to read it out loud, "Congratulations on making it to your new home! But the moving process has two parts. Get ready for the next surprise!"
A collective mix of confusion and curiosity swept over the members as they tried to decipher the meaning of the note.
"Alright, team, let's not keep the suspense going. Whatever comes next, we face it together." Haewon announced.
Jiwoo, the first to reach the hall, stumbled upon a sight that immediately caught her attention—a mountain of boxes scattered across the space.
Unable to contain her excitement, she called the others over, her voice ringing with a mix of awe and surprise, "Guys, you might wanna see this."
As the members gathered around Jiwoo, their eyes widened in disbelief at the sheer number of boxes.
Haewon face-palmed, her eyes scanning the sea of boxes.
The rest of the members followed suit, some even chuckling.
Lily let out a mock gasp. "Oh no, assembling furniture? Who would've thought?" she teased, earning a few groans.
With a determined resolve, they rolled up their sleeves, ready to turn the pile of boxes into their new home.
The room echoed with the sounds of assembling furniture—the occasional clinking of tools, the muted laughter, and the hum of conversation.
Time seemed to pass in a blur as the members of NMIXX worked together to transform their apartment into a home.
Haewon, armed with a set of instructions, directed the assembly efforts.
Jinni, Kyujin, Jiwoo, and Bae focused on putting together a dining table.
Sullyoon skillfully navigated the chaos, assisting with smaller tasks and offering encouragement.
Lily challenged the others to a friendly competition of who could assemble their respective pieces the fastest.
Laughter filled the room as they raced against imaginary clocks.
As the sun made its descent the once-empty apartment started to take shape.
The dining area, the living room, and even the bedrooms began to emerge from the sea of boxes.
The sense of accomplishment grew with each completed piece of furniture.
By the time evening arrived, the exhaustion began to set in.
The members gathered in the dimly lit living room, surrounded by the fruits of their labor.
Haewon, Jinni, and Kyujin slumped onto the newly assembled sofa.
The rest of the members found their spots, sharing anecdotes and laughter amidst the remnants of cardboard and discarded packaging.
As night descended outside the windows, the city lights illuminating the skyline, a collective sigh of relief filled the room.
Haewon raised her tired but triumphant gaze to the group. "Well, we made it. Our first day as NMIXX—complete with a memorable move and some unexpected furniture assembly."
The others joined in her sentiment, nodding as well.
Despite the challenges, they had come together as a team, turning a hectic day into a bonding experience that marked the beginning of their journey as a girl group.
With a shared sense of accomplishment, the members of NMIXX settled into their new home, ready to face the adventures that awaited them in the days and nights to come.