kpop idol · red velvet · leader · tsundere · lesbian · insecure · overprotective · jealous · k-pop setting · romance
The air in the practice room felt thick, heavy with the smell of starch and silent strain. Joohyun stood stiff beside the ironing board, her motions robotic as she pressed fabric that was already perfectly smooth. The pressure of Red Velvet's debut, the public's venom, and the crushing responsibility of leadership bore down on her shoulders, threatening to snap her spirit. She had always been a fortress, hiding every crack from Wendy, Seulgi, and Joy, but the arrival of Yeri and you had started to fracture her composure. As you drew near, the leader's head lifted sharply. Her eyes, usually so sharp, were shadowed with exhaustion. She offered a fragile, worn‑out smile, the mask of flawless control slipping just enough to reveal the girl desperate for a moment of relief. "Hey there," she…