Red Velvet had been laying low for a few months now. Because Wendy was still healing, none of you would want to perform the group's songs without her so you found other ways to keep your creativity going and put out content for the fans. Recently, it had been announced that the other five girls had things going on for them: the Seulrene sub-unit, Joy's collaboration with Crush, Wendy's OST for the King: Eternal Monarch show, and Yeri's variety show, Yeri Bang. Being the hype woman that you were, you posted about each activity on your personal Instagram, much to the girls' amusement and gratefulness. The fans were also happy as well but it led to them asking whether you would also be booked and busy like the rest of the girls. You had been quiet on your social media for a while, though this was not something suspicious since you only post when you wanted to, but because the other girls had been posting more than usual as teasers of their activities, the fans were basically petitioning for you to be doing something as well. 

What they didn't know was that you already had something going on that would surprise the fans. 

"Eli-ah, I think Luvies would be very, very surprised when you announce your schedule." Joy was next to you after posting her latest series of Instagram photos, with you being the first one to like the photos on the platform. You do this to as much as you could to each member's posts and it had become a known fact amongst the girls and the fans. 

Joy was very amused. 

You looked up from your phone with a smirk on your lips. "That's the whole reason why I'm doing everything I can to stay quiet, Unnie," you then sighed, the smirk disappearing from your lips. "The fans find out things so quick it's so hard to keep a secret. I'm determined to make this one a  surprise, just like Hyun-unnie and Seulgi-unne's sub-unit announcement." 

Joy hummed and nodded, agreeing with you. "Though you can't deny that some of them had assumed, although jokingly, that Seulrene sub-unit would be announced." 

"True..." 

It was silent for a little before Joy broke the silence again. "What's wrong?" She put her hand on your cheek, making you smile a little. "Are you nervous?" 

Honestly, your members know you too well. "I'm just worried that the fans wouldn't think I fit the role, Unnie," you sighed sadly. "I've never shown interest in acting before, would they see why I'm doing it?" 

Joy frowned at your way of thinking. Times like this she hated how much of an overthinker you are. "Eli-ah, the fans might mean a lot to you but it shouldn't limit you from doing what you like. We all know you're a good actor and you've been wanting to branch out into acting for a while, and that's what matters." 

She gave you a determined look, wanting to let you know how much she meant every word. "We believe in you, Eli, so you should too."

You might not show it too much but you do care about what your fans say and the image of what you're doing would reflect on the group's image as a whole. That's why you always try your best in whatever you do because you don't want to affect the group's image. 

Joy knew that, as she also felt the same way, but she knew that shouldn't hold you back from expanding your horizons and trying out new things so you could grow as an individual.

"You really think I'm a good actor?" You couldn't help but ask. 

Joy scoffed. "I've seen your potential since the first time you helped me read my scripts. I'm an idol actor too, you know, I know talent when I see one." 

You rolled your eyes and shoved her shoulder in response, making her giggle because she was glad she made you feel better. "You don't have to be so cocky about it." 

Joy gasped in mock offence, a hand on her chest. "Me? Cocky? How dare you!" 

You grinned as you felt your worries eased out. You were glad you talked to her about this. You scooted closer to her and wrapped her up in a hug which she reciprocated. "Thank you for your support, Sooyoung-unnie. It really means a lot." 

She hugged you tighter, face snuggled into your shoulder. "Any time you need me I'll be there, dongsaeng-ah. All of us will." 

The day of your announcement came and you waited with bated breath, trying to monitor the fans' reaction. You were in your room, wrapped up in your blankets when Irene knocked softly on your door.

You immediately knew it was her from the specific series of knocks. "Yes, Hyun-unnie?" 

Irene opened the door to see you buried under your blankets and her expression fell into a worried frown. You struggled a little to free yourself from your cocoon of a blanket before lifting one side as a sign for her to join you and she practically ran towards your bed, her lithe figure snuggling close to yours with her head on your shoulder and an arm around your stomach. 

"What's wrong?" 

She heard and felt your heavy sigh. "My announcement is going up in a few minutes." 

She knew exactly where your thoughts were going. "And you're worried about the fans' reactions so you're going to monitor them." 

You rolled your eyes playfully then you poked her side, making her giggle adorably. "Stop knowing  me so well, Unnie." 

She looked up at you with those doe eyes, looking at you so lovingly though you could see the hint of mischievousness in them. "That's my job, Eli-ah." 

Irene went back to snuggling into your shoulder, face comfortably resting near your neck. "The fans would be so excited to see you finally acting, you know." 

You looked down to see her better though she didn't look up. You just continued her arm because you knew it soothed you and her. "How would you know?" 

"Well, you finally get to do something new so I know that alone would make the fans excited for you," she looked right into your eyes this time, face adorned with your favourite smile. 

"You need to remember that real Luvies love you, El, and they would support you in any way they can with whatever projects you have on your hands." 

It was silent for a little but you knew she was about to tease you. "As long as you don't do bad things, that is." 

You shoved her this time, making her laugh and sat up. "Yah, Hyun-unnie! You know I would never do those kinds of things!" You continued to whine, a pout forming on your lips. 

Irene couldn't help but coo, softly pinching your fluffy cheek. "You're just too cute, do you know that?" 

You just blushed but stayed mum, not wanting to admit that you can be cute sometimes, which caused Irene to giggle again because she knew what you were thinking.

She sobered up, turning serious. "I'm serious, El. You need to stop overthinking so much, it's not good for your mental health." 

You looked at her, trying to see if she was just saying things to make you feel better but you found none of that. You sighed, pulling her arm towards you so she would snuggle back into you with your arms wrapped around her in an embrace. "I know, it's just so hard to control because I'm so used to it... I'm trying my best, I promise." 

Irene hugged you tighter. "I know. I also know that you can forget sometimes and that's where I come in to remind you every single time!" 

She said it in such a small, excited voice in made you melt. Seriously, this fully grown lady over here just completely has your heart. "And I'm grateful for that, thank you." 

You just continued to lay there in the warm embrace, completely calm and actually forgetting about why she was in your room in the first place. "You still want to see the fans' reactions?" 

You looked at her with determination written all over your face. "Yes, I genuinely want to know what the media also has to say. You're with me, right?" 

Irene sat up a little so she could kiss the side of your head, then gave you her signature warm smile. "Together, always." 

Irene and Joy were right, of course, because the fans were so excited about you trying out acting seriously and starring in a new mystery drama, which totally fitted your persona. Fans began posting like crazy and you became trending in a matter of hours, which the members teased you for. 

"See, Eli-ah? You had nothing to worry about." 

You just gave them a defeated smile though they could see how grateful you were that they were there for you. "Yeah, yeah, I believe you."