86: Chapter 86 AKA Little King

Inside the pre-debut dorm provided by SM for aespa, a fresh yet slightly tense atmosphere filled the air. Luggage that hadn't been fully unpacked was piled in a corner of the living room, belonging to the new member—the Japanese-mixed-race paratrooper, Uchinaga Eri, stage name Giselle.

Giselle herself was sitting on her new bed, hugging her knees. Wearing noise-canceling headphones and looking down at her phone, her expression was indifferent—no particular look at all. She occasionally yawned, her eyes somewhat vacant. She had been here for two days; she didn't speak much and was very serious during training, but during breaks, she was always in this seemingly detached 'power-saving mode.' This made the other three members, who already felt a sense of estrangement due to her 'paratrooping' in, even more unsure of how to approach her.

Unlike the familiarity and chemistry the three of them had already developed, this Japanese-mixed-race member, who was said to have been urgently selected and dropped in by the company, seemed unusually quiet, even a bit... aloof. She spent most of her time in her room, was taciturn during meals, and her occasional communication was limited to necessary training coordination. Her expression was always faint, carrying an unfathomable sense of 'coldness.' This distance made NingNing, whose feelings were already complicated by the paratrooper incident, feel even more at a loss and a faint sense of estrangement.

As the designated leader, Karina's sense of responsibility made her want to take the initiative to break the ice. However, Giselle's aura—seemingly gentle but actually distant—left her feeling a bit frustrated after several attempts to start a conversation only yielded brief responses. Kim Minjeong (Winter) was naturally shy and didn't dare to take the initiative to talk to the new Unnie. Ningning (Ningning) had a relatively outgoing personality and had tried chatting with Giselle in English and simple Korean, but the other's flat reactions made her feel it was a bit dull.

Ningning's fingers flew across the keyboard in their four-person group chat named 'Debut Sprint Chat Room' (though Jiang Zhiyu was also in it):

[Ningning]: What should we do? I feel like Giselle Unnie is so cold... I have no idea how to start a conversation. [crying.jpg] Even during training, the coordination is fine, but it just feels like there's something between us.

[NingNing]: When I talk to her, it's just 'Mhm,' 'Ah,' 'Okay,' and then nothing else!

[NingNing]: Ji-min Unnie tried, Winter is scared too, and I'm out of ideas! If this keeps up, what are we going to do when we debut!

The message was sent, and the group went quiet for a few seconds.

Then, Jiang Zhiyu's profile picture popped up, his reply so simple and crude that NingNing almost threw her phone:

[Jiang Zhiyu (Special Consultant)]: Have a fight? Get things heated up?

NingNing: "..."

Karina, who was secretly watching the group: "..."

Minjeong, also lurking: "..."

On the sofa, Minjeong's eyes instantly rounded, and her fingers typed rapidly:

[Winter]: Oppa?!! [shocked.jpg] What are you saying?!

Karina saw it too. She massaged her temples helplessly, put down the schedule, picked up her phone, and replied in her usual steady (but currently speechless) tone:

[Karina]: ...

[Karina]: Oppa, inciting a fight is a crime. And we're about to debut.

Their replies were sent almost simultaneously.

A few seconds later, Jiang Zhiyu's reply popped up leisurely, with a teasing 'Why are you all so narrow-minded' vibe:

[Jiang Zhiyu (Special Consultant)]: I'm American~ [shrug.jpg]

NingNing: "..."

Minjeong: "..."

Karina: "..."

Looking at that 'I'm American~' line, NingNing almost spat out a mouthful of blood. What does that have to do with nationality, Oppa!

The three of them stared at the American flag emoji and the self-righteous 'I'm American' (subtext: Not very familiar with Korean law? Or just joking?) on the screen, not knowing what to say for a moment. Oppa's train of thought jumped too fast!

[Ningning]: ... [speechless.jpg]

[Winter]: ... [blank stare]

[Karina]: ... [wiping sweat]

Ningning suppressed a laugh: [Oppa, seriously, give us some reliable advice!]

Winter followed up with a pitiful emoji.

Only then did Jiang Zhiyu reply unhurriedly, as if the 'have a fight' comment earlier was just a bad joke:

[Jiang Zhiyu]: So stupid.

[Jiang Zhiyu]: You guys usually don't cook, right?

The three were stunned. Indeed, they were busy with training and mostly ate at the company cafeteria or ordered takeout.

He deliberately paused, building up the suspense.

The three girls stared intently at the screen.

[Jiang Zhiyu]: Next time you're ordering takeout together or discussing what to eat, Karina or Ningning can 'casually' say—

[Jiang Zhiyu]: 'Ah, Giselle Unnie is Japanese, right? I heard XX cuisine in Tokyo / XX in Osaka is delicious... We've never had the authentic versions, I really want to try them~ Giselle Unnie, can you take us next time? Or do you know any authentic Japanese restaurants nearby?'

The message paused there.

[Jiang Zhiyu]: The point isn't actually going to eat right away, nor is it to make her treat you.

[Jiang Zhiyu]: It's to give her the role of 'sharer' and 'guide.'

[Jiang Zhiyu]: Cold? Maybe she's just not familiar yet, or doesn't know how to fit in. Give her a topic she's familiar with (hometown food), a situation where she can shine (introducing, recommending), and a sense of being needed (taking you there/recommending a shop).

[Jiang Zhiyu]: Compared to forced talk about training and music, food is the best universal language to break an impasse. Besides, what if she's a closet foodie?

The message popped up.

In the dorm living room, the air went quiet for a moment.

NingNing blinked, looking at the words on the screen, slowly chewing on their meaning.

Minjeong tilted her head, seemingly imagining the scene.

Karina nodded slightly, a flash of realization in her eyes.

Right... they had been fixated on how to break Giselle's 'cold' exterior, but forgot the most natural, least aggressive entry point—common needs and small requests.

Giselle is Japanese; she's definitely more familiar with Japanese food. Using 'wanting to eat Japanese food' as a pretext was natural (it's perfectly normal for dorm girls to discuss what to eat), implied recognition of her background and a bit of 'reliance' (you know better), and created an opportunity to go out together (or at least discuss it together). This was much more clever and natural than forced small talk or cautious probing.

Ningning's eyes lit up: [Oh right! Why didn't I think of that! Giselle Unnie is Japanese, asking her this is the most natural thing!]

Winter: [Sounds... like it could work? And it won't seem intentional.]

Karina thought about it carefully and nodded. This was indeed much more subtle than their previous ideas of forcing topics or dryly expressing friendliness, and it would be easier for the other person to accept. This man Jiang Zhiyu, although he sometimes spoke nonsense (like suggesting a fight), really had a knack for handling interpersonal relationships and insight into people's hearts.

Karina: [Understood, thanks for the advice, Oppa. We'll give it a try.]

Jiang Zhiyu: [Mhm. Good luck. Debuting isn't easy; teammate relationships are the foundation of foundations. Also, don't let her feel like you're ganging up to exclude her. At the right time, you can also chat with her individually. For example, Winter, haven't you been learning Japanese lately?]

Winter: [Ah! Right! I can go ask Unnie about pronunciation!]

In the living room, Karina looked at her phone screen, thoughtful. NingNing's eyes sparkled, thinking it made sense! Minjeong also nodded secretly.

Yes, they had always tried to approach using training, debut, and music—shared but high-pressure topics. Maybe the direction was wrong. Giselle Unnie had just arrived and was unfamiliar with everything; she might be more nervous and at a loss than they were. Using a relaxed topic with a personal touch like food might really open things up.

Karina thought for a moment, put down her phone, took a deep breath, and looked at Giselle, who was still wearing headphones and seemingly isolated from the world. She put on as natural a smile as possible and said in a slightly raised voice:

"Um... Giselle Unnie?"

Giselle didn't seem to hear.

Karina called again, and only then did Giselle lift her head a beat late, taking off one side of her headphones, her eyes still a bit blank: "Huh? Ji-min? What is it?"

"We were wondering what takeout to order for lunch tomorrow on our day off." Karina's tone was light as she followed Jiang Zhiyu's 'script.' "Ah, I just remembered, Giselle Unnie, you're from Japan, right? I heard sushi in Tokyo and takoyaki in Osaka are super famous! We've never had really authentic ones, I'm so curious what they taste like..."

She paused, her face showing a perfectly timed expression of anticipation: "Giselle Unnie, do you know if there are any authentic Japanese restaurants here in Seoul? If you're free later, can you take us to try some? Or just a recommendation is fine!"

NingNing immediately followed up, her big eyes blinking: "Yeah, yeah! I've wanted to try authentic Japanese ramen for a long time! It's different from the taste in Korea, right?"

Although Minjeong didn't speak, she cooperatively showed a curious expression and looked at Giselle.

Giselle was clearly stunned. She had anticipated many scenarios of being 'interrogated' or 'probed'—about her paratrooping, her skills, how she would fit in... but she never expected the first topic actively thrown her way would be about... food from her hometown?

Looking at the three young faces before her with their unfeigned, simple curiosity and anticipation for food (at least it seemed so), a tiny crack appeared in Giselle's faint, self-protective shell of aloofness.

Her eyes moved, she was silent for a few seconds, and then, the corners of her mouth curved up extremely slightly, almost imperceptibly.

"...Mhm." She responded, her voice slightly softer than usual. "In Seoul... I know a few places, they're okay. But for the most authentic, of course, you still have to go to Japan to eat."

She paused, seemingly organizing her words, then added: "For takoyaki, the sauce for Osaka style and Tokyo style is a bit different... Ramen is also divided into many schools..."

She began trying to introduce them slowly, using her still somewhat stiff Korean mixed with English.

Although she still didn't say much, that 'power-off' vibe dissipated a lot. Once the topic was opened, NingNing immediately began asking about various details, Karina chimed in at the right moments, and even Minjeong quietly asked a question about 'Japanese tonkatsu.'

The stiff atmosphere in the dorm quietly loosened a bit.

NingNing lowered her head and quickly sent a message in their small group:

[NingNing]: Reporting to Oppa! Mission initially successful! Giselle Unnie agreed to recommend Japanese restaurants! [victory.jpg]

A few seconds later, Jiang Zhiyu's reply popped up with a gratified expression like an old father (?):

[Jiang Zhiyu (Special Consultant)]: [Teachable student.jpg] Remember, the first step to breaking the ice often starts with the simplest 'having a meal together.' The rest is up to you.

In the dorm, because of a Japanese meal that hadn't even reached their mouths yet, the atmosphere had quietly changed. Meanwhile, far away in the TG Entertainment office, Jiang Zhiyu put down his phone, a smile of hidden merit appearing on his face.

It seemed that besides being a Chairman and a 'Special Teacher,' occasionally playing the 'interpersonal relationship consultant' for a girl group was also quite interesting. Especially when this consultant also possessed cross-world experience and a heart that 'enjoys the spectacle but always has a way around difficulties.'