As the soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room, Nuri woke up, annoyed that he woke up an hour before his alarm was supposed to go off. Deciding to get an early start, Nuri and sprang into action, and moved out of the room only to find Momo and Mingjue already awake, their movements synchronized in a flurry of activity as they worked on preparing breakfast for them all.
"Where are the others?" He asked.
"Still asleep." Mingjue said
Nuri just nodded and made his way down the hallway. It was at times like this that he was thankful for his years as the leader of the Dark Knights. He went from room, waking up his soulmates with forehead kisses and cuddles. With practiced precision, he got them out of bed and into various bathrooms before going to get Daeshim ready for the day.
Nuri gently roused his child with a tender touch. He brushed a strand of hair from Daeshim's forehead, whispering softly in an attempt to wake him from his dreams.
With a yawn and a stretch, the child stirred, blinking sleepily as he slowly emerged from the depths of sleep, hair tousled much like his Mini Appa. Looking at Daeshim brought bitter sweet memories to Nuri, reminding him of times he had to wake up his Jimin hyeong after he fell asleep on the sofa.
"Good morning, my little one." Nuri smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners "let's get ready, hummm."
Knowing how clingy Daeshim was in the morning he held out his arms for a hug. And true to expectations Daeshim threw himself into his father's arms.
"Good Morning Appa" the little on chirped as Nuri picked him up from the bed. Taking a moment to wrap him in a cozy robe to ward off the morning chill, the father-son duo headed to the bathroom.
He quickly guided Daeshim through their morning tasks with patience and encouragement. He helped the child brush his teeth, the sound of their laughter mingling with the gentle hum of the toothbrush. Then, with gentle hands, he combed Daeshim's soft downy hair, smoothing out any tangles with care.
Quickly getting to their shared closet, they dressed in their signature outfits, the fabric whispering against their skin as they hurried to gather their belongings and head to breakfast.
The duo entered the dining room just as Momo put the last of the dishes on the table.
The table was adorned with an array of dishes, each one a masterpiece of color and flavor. Steaming bowls of rice sat alongside platters of grilled fish, their golden skin glistening in the soft morning light. Kimchi, pickled vegetables, and seaweed salad added bursts of vibrant color to the spread, while savory pancakes and fluffy omelets promised to tantalize the taste buds.
As the family settled into their seats, Daeshim's eyes widened with delight at the sight of the bountiful feast before them. "Wow, it looks so yummy!" He exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.
The adults chuckled at the child's enthusiasm, their hearts warmed by the innocence and joy that radiated from their only child. After days of somber reflection, it was a very welcome change.
"Yes, it does," replied Yuna smiled with a smile. "Let's dig in!"
" jal meokketssumnida" they all coursed before they began to serve themselves, passing dishes around the table with practiced ease. As they filled their plates with an assortment of delicacies, the room filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation, the clinking of utensils against porcelain mingling with the lively chatter of loved ones reconnecting after a long night's rest.
Between mouthfuls of food, Nuri watched as his son ate his food and joined in his soulmates' animated conversation, as they made final plans for the live stream and hashing out any potential problems that may arise.
As they sat across from each other, the tension between them palpable, Junwoo, with his bright eyes and eager demeanor, leaned forward in her chair, ready to make her case.
"I think it's crucial for us to do whatever it takes to keep the fans engaged,"Junwoo's voice firm with conviction. "In today's digital age, maintaining a strong online presence is key to building and sustaining a loyal fan base. We need to be active on social media, respond to comments and messages, and constantly churn out new content to keep our fans interested and invested in our work. It will help us with the Clan leaders as well. The more people asking questions, the more careful they are going to be."
Mingjue, his expression more guarded, raised an eyebrow in response. "While I agree that engaging with fans will keep the clan elders off our backs, there's a fine line between maintaining that connection and sacrificing our privacy. No matter what our jobs are we're entitled to a certain level of privacy, and constantly exposing ourselves to the scrutiny of fans can be exhausting and invasive."
Junwoo nodded thoughtfully, conceding the point. "You're right, privacy is important. But in today's hyper-connected world, fans expect a level of accessibility from their favorite artists. If we withdraw too much, we risk alienating our audience and losing their support."
Nuri leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "I understand that we as soul group need to strike a balance, But we also need to consider the potential risks of over-sharing online. Especially if we are going to introduce Daeshim and the rest of the kids to the world. From cyber bullying to stalking, there are a lot of things we're risking by opening up to the public eye."
"I agree with Nuri-yah." Haesung said "We should be truthful but limited in what we share."
Junwoo nodded typing something on his phone while the others made quick work of cleaning the table and grabbing their gear. "I have discussed all the potential risks with management. They have agreed to limit how much information about the kids gets out."
Let's get going then." Mingjue said as he got up and headed for the door. "We don't want to be late."