Hidden Patterns | Kpop Demon Hunters x Reader

[ 27 ] approaching storm

I'm so tired.

You let out a heavy, disgruntled sigh. It's strange, really—how even with so much to look forward to, a single encounter can leave you feeling this drained. Jinu's words keep echoing in your head no matter how much you wish they wouldn't. The way he looked at you—upset, betrayed, furious—like you'd stabbed him in the back just by daring to make your own choices.

You don't owe him anything. You remind yourself of that over and over again. He has no say in what you do with your life, but still, the sour aftertaste lingers. He was so firmly against you being involved with HUNTR/X, so completely opposed to the idea of you becoming an idol, that it's hard not to feel unsettled. Almost guilty, in a way.

But you shove the thoughts down. You have to.

You haven't even debuted yet. You haven't stood on that stage, you haven't performed with the group, you haven't felt the weight of the crowd's adoration. Once you do, you're almost certain the doubts will wash away. Once you see it, once you feel it, you'll know for sure you're on the right path.

For now, all you can do is keep moving forward.

Your second training session over the weekend went well, too. You excelled once again—dancing, singing, the whole package. But today, you're more drained than usual. Work has eaten at your energy, and the looming promise of training immediately afterwards feels like a lot. A long day, followed by an even longer evening. Your body can take it, sure—you've lived for centuries, you've endured worse—but the anticipation still weighs on you. The thought of another late night leaves your shoulders sagging, to be honest.

You're in the process of wrapping up at your desk when your manager suddenly saunters over. He's in his early thirties, young for a manager, and it shows. He's practically beaming, clearly pleased with himself for reasons you don't immediately understand.

"So, how's it going?" he asks, voice a little too smug, grin a little too wide.

You narrow your eyes at him. "How's what going?"

"You know," he says, and the smirk deepens. "With Huntrix. You're close to them, aren't you? You definitely have connections somehow."

Your stomach drops, but your expression stays perfectly still. Flat. Neutral.

"I don't know what you're talking about," you reply smoothly.

Even if you wanted to tell him—and you don't—you couldn't. Celine made you sign an NDA, ironclad and binding. Breaking it would mean risking everything, and you won't let that happen. Not when your debut is so close you can practically taste it.

"Okay, okay. I get it." Your manager chuckles knowingly, like you've just confirmed everything without saying a word. "My lips are sealed, don't worry. I'll wait to hear the good news."

And then he walks off, still smug, still far too confident for your liking.

Your brow twitches in annoyance. Since when is a manager supposed to pry into your personal life like that? He's overstepping, plain and simple. He shouldn't have texted you the link to that video in the first place. Part of you wants to complain, to make it known how invasive his little stunt was. But you let the impulse pass. You'll be out of here soon enough anyway. Once you're fully committed to HUNTR/X, none of this will matter.

You finish the last of your tasks quickly and head out the door the moment your shift ends. There's no time to waste. Your schedule doesn't allow for detours or breaks—you have to go straight home, change, and head to training.

You move fast, weaving through the hallways with purpose. But the second you step outside—

"Nuna!"

An all-too familiar voice calls out before you even have a chance to scan your surroundings. In the blink of an eye, arms are wrapped around you.