silent sparks, nishimura riki

the day started off normal enough. solstice and enhypen were both at a large broadcasting station for rehearsals, prepping for another live performance. the air was buzzing with energy as staff ran around, fixing stage lights and adjusting mics, while idols moved between makeup chairs and wardrobe fittings. it was the kind of chaos they'd all grown used to.

yeri stretched her arms overhead as she sat on the floor of the waiting room. her muscles still ached slightly from the previous day's rehearsal, but it was manageable. she glanced over at jiwoo and haerin, who were reviewing their choreography in the corner.

"you good?" jiwoo asked, looking up from her phone.

yeri nodded. "yeah. just tired."

jiwoo gave her a small smile. "we're almost there. just one performance today."

yeri appreciated jiwoo's optimism, but her mind was already racing with everything else they had to do that week.

the door to the waiting room suddenly burst open, and enhypen's jake popped his head in. "you guys ready? they're calling groups for stage rehearsals."

"almost," haerin said, quickly stuffing her phone into her pocket.

"you guys go first," yeri said. "i'll catch up in a second."

jiwoo gave her a quick pat on the shoulder before heading out with haerin, leaving yeri alone in the room. she took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.

a few moments later, there was a knock on the door.

"it's open," yeri called out, expecting one of the staff members. instead, riki walked in, holding two bottles of water.

"figured you'd need this," he said, tossing one to her.

yeri caught it, surprised. "thanks."

riki plopped down on the floor next to her, leaning back against the wall. "you're overthinking again, aren't you?"

yeri frowned. "i'm not."

"you totally are," riki said, smirking. "your face always does that thing when you're stressed."

"what thing?"

"you know, where you look like you're trying to solve a really hard math problem."

yeri couldn't help but laugh. "okay, maybe i am overthinking a little."

"it's just one performance," riki said. "you've done this a million times."

"it's not just about this performance," yeri admitted. "it's everything. the schedule, the pressure... sometimes it feels like too much."

riki nodded, his usual playful demeanor softening. "yeah, i get that. but you're not alone in this, y'know? you've got your members, your fans... and us."

yeri looked at him, surprised. "us?"

"enhypen," riki clarified. "we're your friends too now, right?"

yeri smiled. "yeah, i guess you are."

the rehearsal went smoothly, and before they knew it, the live performance was only hours away. the groups were given a short break to eat and relax before they had to get ready.

"let's order food!" sunoo suggested as everyone gathered in a lounge area.

"what's the point? none of us will have time to eat properly," sunghoon said, adjusting his cap.

"speak for yourself," jiwoo said. "i'm starving."

"same," jake chimed in. "i vote for fried chicken."

"of course you do," jay said, rolling his eyes.

after some debate, they finally settled on ordering a variety of dishes. while they waited for the food, the groups split off into smaller clusters.

yeri found herself sitting with riki, sunghoon, and haerin. they were playing a card game that riki insisted was "super easy," but yeri quickly realized was anything but.

"you're cheating," yeri accused, glaring at riki.

"i'm not!" riki said, feigning innocence.

"you definitely are," sunghoon said, smirking. "you've won every round so far."

"i'm just that good," riki said, flashing a grin.

haerin shook her head. "he's definitely cheating."

"fine, believe what you want," riki said, leaning back with a smug expression.

yeri rolled her eyes but couldn't help laughing.

as the groups gathered again for the live show, the energy backstage shifted. the playful banter was replaced with focused determination as everyone prepared to take the stage.

solstice performed first, and yeri felt a familiar rush of adrenaline as the music started. the crowd's cheers were deafening, and she could feel the energy of her members beside her. for those few minutes on stage, all the stress melted away.

when enhypen took the stage next, yeri watched from the side, nodding along to the beat of their song. she couldn't help but admire how synchronized and effortless their performance looked.

"they're good, huh?" jiwoo said, leaning over.

"yeah," yeri said, smiling. "really good."

after the performance, the groups were ushered into the press room for interviews. the questions ranged from lighthearted to serious, with both groups handling them with practiced ease.

"how has it been working together?" one reporter asked.

"it's been great," jay said, smiling. "we've all gotten along really well."

"yeah, we've definitely learned a lot from each other," jiwoo added.

"who's the funniest in the group?" another reporter asked.

"riki," sunoo said without hesitation.

"haerin," yeri said at the same time.

everyone laughed, and riki raised an eyebrow at yeri. "excuse me, but i'm obviously the funniest."

"keep telling yourself that," yeri said, smirking.

the playful dynamic between the groups was evident, and it wasn't long before the interview wrapped up.

back at their respective dorms that night, the exhaustion hit everyone at once. yeri collapsed onto her bed, her muscles aching but her heart feeling surprisingly light.

just as she was about to fall asleep, her phone buzzed. she groaned, reaching for it on the nightstand. it was a message from riki. yeri sighed before opening up the message to an alarming text.

riksters😈

niki
are you still awake

yeri
barely
what do you want

niki
u were good today...

yeri
wow thank you my glorious king
you were good too ig...

niki
obviously.

yeri
BITCH I COMPLIMENT YOU FOR ONCE
AND THATS ALL I GET
ok i see how it is.
run it tomorrow after dance practice

niki
im not scared of you polly pocket

yeri
im 5'4..

niki
and your just proving
my point here

yeri
FUCK OFF 😭😭😖😖😠😠

niki
are u still gonna "run it"

yeri
im done.
riksters reacted with 😇