Hidden Patterns | Kpop Demon Hunters x Reader

[ 07 ] sneaking around

You're wildly taken aback by Rumi's suggestion—and even that's putting it lightly.

Become a K-pop idol? You, of all people?

The words echo inside your head, looping without rest. It's so unexpected that, for a moment, you can only blink. Then again. Then again. And regretfully, it still doesn't make any more sense.

"Me?" you ask, your voice soft, uncertain, as if you need her to clarify what she just said. Part of you is still waiting for her to laugh. To admit that this was all a big joke.

Instead, however, Rumi just beams at you, like it's the most natural suggestion in the world. "Yeah. I mean, why not? Your voice is amazing. You're also really pretty, calm, and collected. I feel like you'd be able to hold yourself together even if you were to perform in front of large crowds. You're not even scared of demons. You'd fit right in with us."

Your heart lurches. It's a strange, hot sensation. Not quite panic, not quite excitement. More like the jagged edge of both.

You adore spending time with Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. You've never felt this close to anyone before, not counting the recent friendship you've forged with Jinu. Recently, you've been letting your walls down little by little, basking in the odd joy of letting people see you, not just as a demon hiding in plain sight, but as a person. Someone who actually matters.

But a K-pop idol?

You've spent your whole life avoiding the spotlight for a reason. You've learned how to blend in, but also, how to be transparent. How to say just enough and never more. There's a rhythm to your survival. And this suggestion—this dream—throws all of it out of tune.

Yes, you realized a while ago that you have a passion for singing. Jinu's song was an awakening of sorts. You've had a passion to help tide you through these innumerable lonely years. Otherwise, to be honest, you might have given up at some point. Living for the sake of others is a selfless pursuit, but sometimes, it all becomes too much to bear. Especially when you have no one to share your happiness with, however brief it might be.

Well, used to be.

But still. Becoming a member of HUNTR/X? Can you even do that? You're a demon. Even if your patterns are perfectly concealed now, there's always the possibility of slipping up. Losing focus. You might end up drawing attention to yourself that you can't explain. Certainly not to a group of demon hunters, of all people. A single wrong move could expose everything.

You swallow hard.

Maybe, and as much as it pains you to admit, it's better this stays what it is now. A dream.

Just a dream, and nothing beyond that.

But before you can put your thoughts in order and politely refuse, Mira speaks up.

"Rumi, what are you talking about?" she asks, completely bewildered. "We're supposed to be a trio. Every generation has always been a trio." Rumi opens her mouth, but Mira steamrolls ahead. "Not to mention that [Name]'s not even a demon hunter like us."

You wince. Yeah, you're definitely not a demon hunter. Very much the opposite, for that matter.

"But she knows our secret," Rumi protests.

"Yeah, she knows our secret," Mira says, exasperated, "but that doesn't mean she can do what we've trained for all our lives! Come on. I get where you're coming from, and I like her too, but this isn't the kind of thing you can just bring up so casually."

Rumi flinches like she's been scolded, and your chest tightens uncomfortably. Mira's right, though. You know she is. Her response is perfectly logical, and that's not even taking into account the side that you see.