First Impressions
683 Words
The early morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the ECLIPSE practice studio, casting a warm glow on the polished wooden floors. The members were scattered around, stretching and chatting softly as they prepared for another grueling day of rehearsals.
Minho entered the studio, his presence immediately drawing attention. Dressed in a crisp white button-down shirt tucked into tailored black trousers, he exuded an effortless elegance. His dark hair was styled neatly, framing his chiseled features and sharp jawline. With his tall, lean frame and poised demeanor, he could easily be mistaken for an idol himself.
Jaemin nudged Seojun, whispering, "Hyung, are we sure he's not part of another group?"
Seojun chuckled, "If he starts dancing, I'm convinced."
Minho approached the group, offering a polite bow. "Good morning, everyone."
Hyunwoo smiled warmly. "Morning, Minho-ssi. Ready to make us look presentable?"
Minho grinned. "Always."
As the members settled into their makeup chairs, Minho began his work, his hands moving with practiced precision. He started with Daehyun, the group's leader, applying a light foundation to even out his complexion.
"You have a good eye for detail," Daehyun remarked, observing Minho's focused expression.
"Thank you," Minho replied. "I've always been more comfortable with brushes than microphones."
Jaemin, seated nearby, tilted his head. "You never considered becoming an idol? With your looks, you'd have a massive fanbase."
Minho chuckled, shaking his head. "Aniyo. I can't sing to save my life, and my dancing is... let's just say it's better left unseen."
Seojun laughed. "That's hard to believe."
"It's true," Minho insisted. "But give me a brush, and I can create magic."
As Minho moved on to Hyunwoo, he noticed Jace standing off to the side, arms crossed, observing silently. Their eyes met briefly before Jace looked away, his expression unreadable.
Hyunwoo leaned in, whispering, "Don't mind him. Jace takes a while to warm up to new people."
Minho nodded, continuing his work. "I understand."
After finishing with Hyunwoo, Minho approached Jace. "Your turn."
Jace hesitated before sitting down, his posture tense. Minho began applying a light foundation, noting the smoothness of Jace's skin.
"You have great skin," Minho commented.
Jace shrugged. "I guess."
Minho continued, adding subtle touches to enhance Jace's features. "You have strong features. It's easy to work with."
Jace glanced at him, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "You really never wanted to be on stage?"
Minho smiled. "I prefer being behind the scenes. Creating looks, enhancing performances—that's where I thrive."
Jace nodded slowly. "Fair enough."
As Minho finished, he stepped back. "All done."
Jace examined his reflection, a subtle smirk forming. "Not bad."
Minho raised an eyebrow. "High praise."
Jace stood, his usual aloof demeanor returning. "Don't let it go to your head."
The rehearsal began shortly after, the members diving into their choreography with energy and precision. Minho watched from the sidelines, admiring their dedication.
During a break, Jaemin approached Minho, handing him a bottle of water. "You know, you should consider modeling. Seriously."
Minho laughed. "I'm flattered, but I'm happy where I am."
Hyunwoo joined them, nodding. "Still, it's impressive. You're the first makeup artist who's managed to get more than a grunt out of Jace."
Minho glanced at Jace, who was sipping water and avoiding eye contact. "He's... interesting."
Hyunwoo smiled. "That's one way to put it."
As the day progressed, Minho continued to observe the dynamics between the members, noting the camaraderie and occasional tensions. His interactions with Jace remained brief but charged, each exchange leaving him curious about the enigmatic idol.
By the end of the day, as the members prepared to leave, Jace approached Minho.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
Minho looked up, surprised. "For what?"
Jace hesitated. "For not treating me like a project."
Minho offered a gentle smile. "You're welcome."
Jace nodded, turning to leave. "See you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Jace-ssi," Minho replied, watching him go.
As the studio emptied, Minho gathered his tools, reflecting on the day's events. He couldn't help but feel a growing intrigue towards Jace, the idol who kept his walls high but occasionally let glimpses of vulnerability show.
- Writer
