They are twenty‑seven minutes from Seoul when Ryu's group chat explodes.
Niña 🍋 9:07 AM
Y'ALL CHECK TWITTER RIGHT NOW
Hestia 🐱 9:07 AM
what's trending at dawn—
Aeri 🦊 9:08 AM
uhhhh aria's van?? 👀
⤹ ❀
Aria, half‑asleep in the passenger seat of Kaelira's SUV (hair in a messy braid, still wearing the cabin's oversized hoodie), blinks awake as Kaelira's phone lights up on the dashboard. A single notification makes her stomach drop:
PopBuzz Dispatch: "WHO IS RIDING SHOTGUN WITH KARINA YOO? Fans spot idol's car at countryside gas stop—mystery passenger sparks dating rumors."
The photo is blurry—rain‑smeared windshield, dark hood, Winter's profile barely outlined by the dash‑lights—but it's enough.
Kaelira exhales. "Well… that didn't take long."
⤹ ❀
By the time they reach the city, three hashtags are trending:
#KaeliraMysteryPassenger
#RoadTripWithWho
#FloristTheory
Fan detectives are already matching hoodie drawstrings to Evergreen Bloom Instagram posts. Aria's DMs overflow with polite curiosity, supportive "if it's true we love her," and the inevitable "hands off my idol!" comments.
Kaelira pulls into the underground garage of the dorm building. No cameras here—only the nervous energy of six twenty‑something women who are suddenly aware the world is watching.
Hestia meets them at the elevator in pajama pants and a blazer ("Zoom interview in ten, priorities in check") and waves a phone like a white flag.
"Manager‑nim wants an emergency meeting. Now."
Aria squeezes Kaelira's hand. Kaelira squeezes back—hard.
⤹ ❀
The conference room on the twelfth floor is far less scary once Aeri dumps a tray of convenience‑store snacks in the middle.
Management sits on one side; Kaelira, Aria, and the rest of the members on the other. Everyone looks equal parts anxious and protective.
Manager Jae clears his throat. "The photo is circulating. Dispatch says they have more shots—inside the gas station—nothing compromising, but… recognizable enough."
Kaelira straightens. "Whatever you need me to do, I'll do it. But we're not pretending Winter doesn't exist."
Aria's eyes widen; her heart does a little leap of terror and pride.
A moment of silence.
Then Ryu—feet propped on the table—grins. "We vote for honesty. The fandom is, like, 70 percent ready. The other 30 percent will write angsty fan‑fiction and move on."
Hestia adds, calmer, "Damage control is easier if we lead the narrative. A soft statement, no staged apologies."
Manager Jae massages his temples. "And you, Aria‑ssi? This affects you most."
All eyes turn.
Aria's voice shakes but stays steady: "I love your artist. And I love my shop. I don't want either hidden. But… I'll follow what keeps Kaelira safest."
Kaelira reaches across, lacing their fingers on the table, right in front of management. "Safety is feeling free to hold her hand."
Silence again—until Yuki sniffles loudly. "They're so cute, can we adopt them?"
The room breaks into relieved laughter.
Decision made.
⤹ ❀
That afternoon, the company releases a simple, two‑line post:
"Kaelira Solene and florist Aria Bloom have been building a quiet relationship based on respect and shared happiness. We ask fans to support them with warmth."
Underneath, Kaelira hits post on her fan‑app message—no managers editing this one:
"She's my calm. Hope you'll let me give her the same."
(attached: a photo of two matching flower pins—rose & daisy—resting in joined hands)
Aria, from the shop, posts a picture of a white tulip on the counter and writes:
"Tulips mean honest love. Thank you for the kind messages."
Within minutes #TulipCouple trends worldwide—accompanied by oceans of fan art that make Kaelira squeal and Aria cry into a tissue Niña mailed by scooter.
⤹ ❀
The shop closes early. Kaelira arrives in plain view, no disguise—heart hammering, but head high.
A few curious fans across the street wave shyly, holding phones but not filming. One shouts, "Happiness only, unnie!" Another hands Kaelira a tiny bouquet through the half‑open door: baby's breath and mini sunflowers, tag reading For the florist who caught our star.
Aria, teary, arranges the flowers in a glass jar by the register.
Kaelira helps her flip the sign to CLOSED, then pulls her into the dim shop lit only by fairy lights.
"How's the heart?" Kaelira whispers.
Aria presses their foreheads together. "Thumping… but okay. How's yours?"
"Same." She smiles. "Wanna calm each other?"
They slow‑dance between rose buckets, no music except the hum of the fridge. Outside, someone starts an impromptu chorus of Kaelira's newest song—soft, respectful—fans giving their blessing in melody.
Aria laughs into Kaelira's shoulder. "We're never getting peace again, are we?"
Kaelira kisses the corner of her mouth. "This is peace. You, me, flowers, and a world finally knowing I'm in love with the prettiest florist in Seoul."
Aria cups her cheeks. "Cheesy."
"Certified."
They kiss—gentle, relieved, triumphant. And when they pull apart, the shop smells sweeter than any bouquet Winter has ever made.
⤹ ❀
Epilogue snippet (fan view)
Twitter user @petalDetective posts a fresh photo: Kaelira and Aria through the shop window, swaying under fairy lights, silhouettes framed by blooms. Caption:
"Never thought paparazzi would teach an idol how to love openly. Rooting for #TulipCouple forever."
Top reply:
"If my future relationship doesn't look like a florist shop slow‑dance, I don't want it."