Minji gripped the metal railing, taking cautious steps down the staircase as she made her way to the studio basement. Her footsteps echoed off the cement walls, the flourescent lights humming above her. She fixed her eyes down at her feet, carefully scanning the ground before lowering herself to the next step. While her ankle was mostly healed, she wasnt taking any unnecessary risks. A pink tinge creeped up her cheeks as she though back at what she had mentally dubbed the incident.

Though her injuries no longer pained her, her ego was still bruised. Her fingertips would absentmindedly brush past the scab on her knee, or press at the purple mark on her hip and her shame would wash over her like a turbulent wave, threatening to swallow her whole. She wished she could simply push past and pretend it never happened but Jaehee had found an irritating glee in holding the ordeal over her.

"You owe me. In medical costs alone, I deserve a favor." She frowned at his shamelessnes. While she couldn't completely pin the blame on him, she still felt that the gentlemanly thing to do was to move on. It was bad enough she had publicly disgraced herself, reavealing the lengths she would go to in an attempt to avoid him, but on top of that she had been forced to cling to him like a helpless child as he carried her up the staircase. She suddenly recalled his labored breathing, the way his hands cradled her body, his chest tightening against her as they made their ascent to his room. Her stomach dropped, insides churning before she exhaled mindfully as if to expell the thoughts through her breath. I cant believe women romanticize this crap.

She refocused her energy on the task ahead of her. Instead of gracefully moving past her humiliation, Jaehee had used it as a pretex to drag her down to the photo studios to help with his media project. Really, this guy. Doesnt he have a line of doting girls clammoring to spend time with him? Her features dropped in disapproval, imagining exactly the type of thing he thought those girls were good for.

Either way, she didnt see why she had to go on suffering the consequences of her actions.

As Minji reached the studio she could hear the soft sound of music pouring from the cracks in the door. She pushed at the door hesitantly, her head peaking around the cracked opening. The space was industrial, dark and windowless, the walls and ceeiling painted black so as to control the lighting. Tall rolls of paper towered over her and various lighting and sound equipment littered the space. Minji wove around silver stands propped with sandbags and stepped over heavy cables taped over the dark floor.

She made her way towards the spotlit area, catching the sight of Jaehee as he sung off key along with the music. He paused his rendition as he caught her stare, not a trace of embarassment on his face. She envied his confidence.

"Ah Minji!" He beamed at her with a crooked smile, reaching over for a stool before placing it in front of a paper backdrop. "Great timing. I'm almost done setting up" he patted the seat of the stool in invitation before returning to fidget with the camera on the tripod.

Minji nodded and stripped her bag and coat off before stepping under the spotlights to sit on the metal stool. She brushed her bangs from her eyes and fidgeted restless fingers on her lap, unsure of what she should do with her body. Jaehee leaned over the camera, and she suddenly felt overly exposed as he examined her through the lens. She cleared her throat "I hope you know I'm a terrible actress" she mused, hoping her nervous tone wasn't so obvious.

Jaehee peeked back up from the camera chuckling "Don't worry I just needed somebody to help with my lighting and sound test, I'm filming the real thing tomorrow" Minji lowered her shoulders in relief, her muscles relaxing.

"Oh, okay, I can do that" she offered up a reassured smile. Jaehee walked over to the set, reaching over her to adjust a lamp. She watched on as he stretched his body upwards, struggling with the knobs on the stand. The hem of his shirt lifted with his body, revealing the edge of a chisled waist against the branded elastic of his boxers. He was close enough that she could feel the heat radiatinf from his body, her nose recognizing the now familiar scent of his body. Minji coughed, darting her gaze to the dark dark wall accross them.

"That should do it" he shifted his attention to the camera again. "Your lip looks like it's healing well" Minji subconciously lifted a hand to graze at her mouth, tracing the edges he had roamed with his thumb. Her cheeks burned.

"Are the lamps too hot?" He cocked his head to the side at her in question. Minji vigorously shook her head, dropping her hands back to her lap in embarassment.

"Alright, now I just need you to say something so we can test the sound" he pointed up at a microphone hanging from the ceeiling above her.

Minji licked her lips before pursing them together "What should I say?" He tilted his head back, one arm across his waist in support as his opposite hand rested on his chin pensively. A devilish grin spread over him.

"Jaehee is the most handsome guy at school and I'm sorry I avoided him"

Minji scowled "I am not saying that" she crossed her arms defensively, her foot tapping restlessly on the stool bar in annoyance.

"Don't forget, ya owe me" he chimed musically, before his tone shifted to serious "Miss Kwon, time is money, and you are wasting precious studio time" he wagged a finger at her disapprovingly before tapping his bare wrist where a watch would be.

Minji sighed, exasparated at his brazenness. The quicker she could get past this, the quicker she could be rid of him. She rolled her eyes before narrowing them, fury burning in her pupils. "Jaehee..." she gritted her teeth, her jaw tight as she spat out the words. "Jaehee is the most handsome guy at school and..." her eyes widened at him aggressively, searching for a reminder.

"-And I'm sorry I avoided him" he interjected, his voice cheery and gloating.

"And I'm sorry I avoided him" Minji pulled her arms tighter against her protectively, her lips in a pout.

"Wonderful Miss Kwon. Our people will be in touch with your people"