"Unnie wake up! You and Dawon unnie are the only ones left in bed. Breakfast is ready!"

Exy isn’t usually one of the last to wake up but the past few days have been extra tiring for everyone, especially since they’ve been preparing for so many things.

Today she was just extra tired just because she came from a day of filming with GFriend’s Sowon, Nada, and Giantpink.

She was finally able to express the burdens and hardships of a leader to someone other than the group. She wouldn’t have it any other way though, especially with these 12 other girls.

As soon as she exited her room, she was greeted by the sweet smell of Dayoung and Eunseo’s cooking. Kimchee rice was always a good way to start a soon-to-be hectic day.

Everyone, minus Dawon, was already gathered by the table eating breakfast. It was Seola who greeted her first. “Morning sleepy head, this is a first. You’re usually waking me up. Had fun yesterday?”

Exy sat down between Seola and Bona. Soobin as always was on Seola’s lap, Luda was playing a game on her phone patiently waiting for Dawon, and Eunseo was bothering the maknaes while they were brainstorming for their vlive later. More or less a usual set-up. “Of course I did, I felt like an old mom needing her fun time away from her demon kids”

“More like angelic kids! You already replaced us anyways. She had too much fun with Sowon unnie. Aren’t we enough for you Sojungggg, or you want to go back to the other you?” It was way too early for Soobin’s “endearing” way of teasing, but Exy knew it was just to keep spirits up. Ending promotions always gave them little rest and little sleep to work with.

“Seola, control your girlfriend’s antics unless you both want to start doing laundry duties today. If I remember, it’s two days’ worth.” Even though Exy said this in her straightest face possible, she couldn’t help but smirk as she finished her sentence as everyone started to tease the couple.

For Exy, this was her favorite time of the day. Breakfast was one of the few times the group sat down together and have time for their own. Sometimes at night everyone would just be too tired for some bonding.

Topics would range from the things done the day before, to today’s agenda, to just plain randomness. Although the space the china line left them was evident, the girls knew this separation was temporary. Xuan Yi and Mei Qi would sometimes message them keep everyone updated, while Cheng Xiao messages Eunseo.

Today though just seemed a bit too sluggish for Exy’s taste, just one day of rest and she would be back to full energy.

As Dawon finally joins them for breakfast, Minji their manager enters the dorm to brief their schedule for today.

“Okay everyone, today’s schedule is a private concert at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium. We just need to go back to the company for some polishing, then we head straight there. After that we are free for the day.” Minji leaves the dorm to call the van while Seola gathers everyone.

“For now, shower time! Everyone knows the rules. Winners get to go first. I’ll eat here with Dawon and Exy. We’ll be last for now.” Seola wasn’t nicknamed Dad of the dorm for no reason; she was second to Exy in terms of authority and eldest of the group.

Today, she noticed Exy’s eating her food slowly, and she immediately knew it was a start to a possibly off-day.

As everyone else scrambled for a chaotic rock-paper-scissors tournament, Seola rejoins Exy and a newly awakened Dawon.

Not usually the one to start a conversation, she addresses the youngest of the table first “Can’t believe even though promotions are over the company has so many events for us. Can’t wait till you have another busking trip Dawon.”

“Thank you unnie, Exy unnie helped me with the lyrics my version of Red Flavor. I’m also coming up with another cover! The company finally gave me the go signal. Exy unnie’s been helping with that too” Seola notices a small smile form on Exy’s lips, her plan is working.

As Dawon finishes her food and joins the line for the shower, Seola turns to face Exy “Don’t worry we’re doing fine. You are doing these small things for the group, and it means a lot. We will get that rest soon”

“You’re being awfully nice today but thank you Hyunjung. It means a lot. I just want to be the best for all of you. I could be just tired. Come on, let’s stop being sappy and join the rest.” It’s only in private the two calls each other by their real names, or if it’s something serious so Seola could tell how tired Exy was getting.

It was Exy’s pride to watch out for the girls and be strong for them. The fatigue was catching up to her and admittingly only now she felt really tired.

As Exy and Seola join the rest for shower time, Exy couldn’t help but feel today could be a bit different.

Exy was the last to shower before getting into their blue and black stage outfits. Just a simple tune-up at the company then to the concert. Simple enough.

Seola, Dawon, and Eunseo were the ones left with her in the dorm. The rest went straight to the van. After all the makeup was done, they headed straight to the elevator.

All the girls had their earphones on to look at their recent performance on their cellphones, it was great but of course they can always aim for even better.

Exy was thinking on what she will improvise this time with Yeoreum until the elevator was struck with something. Or someone. It was an arm. Stuck between the elevator doors.

All the girls looked up shocked, they didn’t notice the elevator had stopped. They were more shocked to see that as the door opened, the rest of the body the arm belonged to was this guy in sports gear looking really pissed. It was pretty scary.

As he entered the elevator he managed to utter “How rude and irresponsible”.

Unfortunately for him, he was near Exy. And it was loud enough that she heard him. The girls didn’t hear what he said, but they felt the change of air around Exy.

Exy was protective of her girls, she’d do anything for them. She didn’t mind being called such if it was true. But it wasn’t, and it was addressed not only to her but to the other girls. This pissed her off. Bad.

The first few seconds were tense, then Exy took off her earphones “Excuse me I’m sorry if we didn’t hold the door for you but you don’t have to call us rude or irresponsible. You shouldn’t have stuck out your arm in the first place!”

Seola and Eunseo immediately rushed to Exy’s side to keep her away from the scary athletic guy, while Dawon stayed next to the elevator buttons praying for the elevator to hit ground floor.

Dawon noticed though the scary guy wasn’t angry as they thought despite raising his voice, he sounded more annoyed. And the only person that was shouting was Exy, which was a first.

It was a tense few seconds of shouting until ground floor was reached. Seola passed Exy to Dawon and Eunseo before Exy could regret saying anything else. Seola stayed behind to apologize at least for Exy. “Sorry about that, our friend’s usually not like this. Good luck with your game”.

She does a quick bow, but not before noticing this scary guy actually seemed… regretful it happened. But she couldn’t ponder on this now, she had to catch up with the rest they’re going to be late.

“Exy calm down we’re going to be late!” Seola finally caught up to them, they’re near the van.

“SEOLA YOU SHOULD HAVE LET HIM HAVE A PIECE OF MY MIND. AND LET ME GO EUNSEO I COULD HAVE HANDLED HIM” Contrary to the serious atmosphere, Eunseo was carrying Exy like luggage. And Dawon was there just in case to really hold her down.

Eunseo, Dawon, and Seola couldn’t help but smile. Whatever happened, Exy stood up for them and they were touched.

She might had overreacted though, just the thought of it made them smile a bit more. She could have handled it calmly, but they’ve never seen Exy this worked up, anything could have happened. It was the first time she got mad at anyone like that, showing the girls they shouldn’t mess with their leader.

“Yes, you could have handled a BEEFY MUSCULAR guy like him unnie. But you know what,  scary as he was, you gotta admit he was pretty handsome don’t you think?” Eunseo could feel the glare she got from Exy, but Seola and Dawon were already laughing.

“IS THAT WHAT YOU’RE THINKING NOW EUNSEO? PUT ME DOWN OR ELSE IT’S LAUNDRY DUTY FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH. I WILL HAVE YOUR CELLPHONE CONFISCATED, CURFEW HOU-”

Seola and Dawon sigh, today will definitely be a very interesting day.