"NaRi, wake up."

the just-turned 9-year-old girl was abruptly woken up— after 10 minutes of her mom yelling at her. "finally. dang, we've got to get this whole you can't wake up easily thing under control."

NaRi's eyes were slowly closing, once again abruptly opening when she felt a slight smack on her forehead. the girl groaned, coming face to face with her older brother.

she lightly smiled, "hi, hyungie." she yawned, making her brother, once again, smack her on the forehead. "nani, you've gotta get up! you can't be late~"

now, this got her to wake up.

"OH YEAH!" she exclaimed, almost falling out of her bed as she rushed out of it. her mom just groaned, watching as NaRi tripped over her own feet.

it took about thirty minutes for NaRi to finish, putting on the 'pretty clothes'— as she called them— that her mom had gotten her for this very day. she took a deep breath before getting in the car, her hand reaching over to grab her brother's before they pulled out.

it took a while for the three to arrive to the small, Gangnam-gu—located entertainment building, NaRi's anxiety still through the roof.

the trio walked to the building, her two support systems staying in the waiting room as NaRi walked to the front desk.

NaRi looked around for a second, smiling when she made eye contact with the front desk lady. "hello, what are you here for?"

NaRi continued smiling, masking her nervousness as much as she could, "i have an audition here today... my name is Kim NaRi,"

the lady, who's nametag read Hanuel, went on the computer. "oh yes! Kim NaRi, audition at 10:30! you're right on time! if you go through that hallway and take a left, the audition room is right there! they're all ready for you!"

NaRi smiled brighter, if that was even possible. she gave a slight bow, thanking the older woman. she's maybe like... 20 something? idk.. she's pretty though.

NaRi sent a quick smile to her mom and brother, scratching the side of her nose— a sign Samuel and her had come up with, as if saying "i'll be okay."

she knocked on the door, holding her breath. a faint come in! was heard from the inside, making NaRi mentally prepare herself. okay, you got this! you're good. you're okay, you're okay.

she walked into the room, immediately meeting eyes with who seemed to be the CEO— Bang SiHyuk. he sent her a smile immediately, making NaRi's nerves calm down.

she bowed the full 90 degrees, a slight smile plastered on her face. "hello, i'm Kim NaRi!"

Bang couldn't help the smile that forced its way onto his face. "hello, Kim NaRi. could you tell us a bit about yourself, please?"

she took a light breath in, "i just turned 9 years old internationally, i was born in New York, but moved to Los Angeles.. i can rap, sing, and dance, and i'm told i act a lot older than i look! oh! and i can sort of speak four languages!" she finished off, a sort of proud smile on her face.

Bang looked a bit shocked, "9-year-old who can already speak four languages?! what are they, if you don't mind me asking?"

"oh no, it's okay! uh, Korean, English, Spanish, and Mandarin!"

Bang, yet again, looked shocked. "that's incredible! and, you said you rap, sing, and dance, as well?"

NaRi shook her head, "yes, sir,"

"and i'm assuming you've got something great prepared for us today?"

she nodded again, another small smile on her face.

"okay, you can start and give the cue whenever you're ready! good luck!" Bang sent her yet another smile, making NaRi, once again, smile. man there's a lot of smiling.

NaRi took a deep breath, getting into the performance mode she'd taught herself. she gave the cue, looking at the camera placed before her.

"hello, i'm 9-year-old Kim NaRi!" the beginning notes of Sia's Chandelier played, making NaRi fully emerge into her performance mindset.

when the four people in front of her heard the all-too familiar beginning notes, doubt was placed in their minds. though, when the innocent, little girl's voice transformed into that of a natural-born performer's, all doubt vanished— it didn't help when she began the iconic choreography, either.

why this song? NaRi didn't particularly know, either. she was honestly going to choose one from SHINee, but something in her gut had moved her to switch the song at almost the last-minute, making her mom all the more nervous. they'd taken the risk of even thinking about letting NaRi audition.

the young girl's powerful, deep-ranging voice cut off along with the song, silence being the only thing on the room for a few seconds after. NaRi's nerves were getting the best of her, though they vanished once more when she saw Bang's eyes turn to crescents.

she continued waiting for a bit, the smile returning when she heard claps. though there was already a contract in Bang's hand to sign the girl, he had to make sure she was fit for it.

"are you always this good?"

she sucked in a breath, then nodding her head. "i'm told i was born with it, sir."

he couldn't even try to hide his smile, knowing there was absolutely no way he'd let her go without signing to his company. she smiled at his face, causing the other staff to smile at the two.

"well," Bang began, looking up to make eye contact with NaRi, "if you get your legal guardian in here to sign it, along with yourself, i would be honored to have you become a trainee for us." she smiled brightly, man i even had a rap planned but i guess they didn't want it...

NaRi bowed repeatedly, making her way out of the room towards her mom once again. the two stood up as soon as they saw the tiny girl running towards them, smiling when her face showed nothing but happiness.

"well?"

"they need you to sign some papers and discuss the contract," she lightly said, as if it wasn't that big of a deal.

Samuel paused for a second, "wait, so, you got in?"

NaRi let her big smile show, signaling yes. Samuel cheered, picking his little sister up and spinning her around.

their mom couldn't believe it for a second, finally coming back to reality when she felt herself being dragged through a hallway.

about thirty minutes and fifteen signatures later, NaRi was officially signed to become a trainee under BigHit. the smile never left both NaRi or Bang's face, both somehow happy they'd found eachother already.

little did they know, it'd blossom into the cutest relationship ever.

🦇 ... 끝!