blind spot ? skz 9th member

The venue lights had dimmed, the crowd's echo still lingering like thunder in their bones. Ivy stood just off-stage, chest heaving, sweat trailing down her temple, mascara smudged faintly from the whirlwind of emotions. The moment their final pose hit—cheers crashing, confetti falling—she'd felt it like a wave: they'd just performed in Australia.

Her home.

Chan was the first to speak, his voice hoarse but lit with pride. "We did it. Aussie soil, baby."

Felix let out a giddy laugh, arms slinging around both Ivy and Chan's shoulders. "You know how long I've dreamed of this?" he breathed. "Performing in front of my mum? My friends? I—" His voice cracked mid-sentence. He covered it with another bright laugh, even though his eyes shimmered.

They staggered toward the waiting staff, limbs trembling, adrenaline pumping. Manager Jung Hyunwoo greeted them with a clap on the back and water bottles. "Incredible show," he said, grinning. "The crowd was insane."

Yoo Saera appeared next, brushing confetti from Ivy's shoulders. "You were glowing, Ivy. That last note? Goosebumps."

The Aussie trio made eye contact and collapsed into a heap of tired laughter, limbs tangled as they plopped onto a backstage couch. Ivy kicked off her boots dramatically.

"Do you hear that?" she said.

Felix tilted his head. "What?"

"The ocean. And magpies. And... kookaburras or whatever the hell."

Chan rolled his eyes. "Alright, calm down, Steve Irwin."

They stayed like that, piled together, hearts still racing. Ivy tucked her legs under her, glancing toward the exit doors beyond the stage curtain. "My mum was in the second row," she whispered. "I saw her smile the whole time."

Felix leaned his head against her shoulder. "Mine too. She waved at me during MIROH. I nearly choked."

"Channie cried," Ivy teased Chan gently, nudging him.

Chan groaned, covering his face. "Shut up. I didn't cry, it was the lights. And emotions. And pride. And... shut up."

They laughed again.

Later, as the other members filtered into the dressing room, there was a different kind of joy buzzing in the air. One rooted in homecoming, not just achievement. The staff passed around local snacks—Tim Tams, lamingtons, bags of chips with weird flavors—and Ivy squealed as someone handed her a Bundaberg ginger beer.

Felix caught the moment on camera, her messy blonde hair up in a bun, still glowing from stage lights, eyes crinkled as she took a long sip. He didn't say anything, just saved the photo. Another one for the gallery he never showed anyone.

When they boarded the van that night, Chan sat beside her, thigh pressed to hers, voice quiet. "You proud of yourself?"

Ivy leaned her head against the window, watching the night blur. "Yeah," she whispered. "For once, yeah."

And Felix, humming softly under his breath, leaned over the seats to say what they were all thinking.

"Home's a bit brighter tonight."

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It had been barely fifteen minutes since Ivy poured herself a cup of tea and flopped onto the living room couch, when her younger sister, Jisu, strolled in with a smirk far too smug.

"So," Jisu began, flopping dramatically beside her sister, "when's your boyfriend getting here?"

Ivy groaned instantly, burying her face in a cushion. "He's not my boyfriend. How many times—?"