Home for the Holiday

Onstage, LUXIA truly made their name proud as the light and stars of a new generation. They set the stage and audience ablaze despite the winter song being a delicate yet gripping pop-ballad.

Although not matching or even quite similar, a comparable song to LUXIA's winter single, "Welcome Home," within the company was BTS's song, "Spring Day." Both winter songs received tremendous praise and record success in South Korea.

People connected with the message and mood of the song as the five members navigated through life trying to find their philosophical "home" and happened to meet one another along the way. About change and passing of years, the relatable song sparked nostalgia and gentle hope.

Thus, no one was surprised by LUXIA's solid win over the hype of Baby Monsters' debut stage. LUXIA's pre and post-debut activities had simply been too successful as their large fanbase now had a strong foundation. In comparison to Baby Monsters' energetic stage that still deserved well-earned praise, "Welcome Home" simply struck a resounding chord with the Korean audience this winter.

After joyful tears were shed receiving their award on stage, LUXIA headed back to their dorms to unwind. That had been their last stage for this winter single promotion, and they were free to relax and spend time with each other for the upcoming holidays.

But unfortunately, as with most idol trainees and rookies, LUXIA couldn't go back to visit family. Their "family" was each other along with the entire company.

With BTS's solid standing in the charts despite having less members; TXT's steady growth as now one of the leading, junior boy groups; and LUXIA on an upstart takeover as powerhouse rookies, Big Hit wasn't cutting any corners in expensing a Company Christmas Bash for all their artists and employees.

Before the day of celebration, the LUXIA members went about their separate business, trying to hide and gift wrap presents from one another. They too wanted to make it an extra special Christmas.

Iris decided to a mini-cart full of goodies for each member. She had gotten most of her gifts to place in each cart specialized for every LUXIA member. The only missing item was fresh tea leaves gift bundles from her favorite little cafe.

Usually, Iris wouldn't wait to finish buying all the items the day before, but today's last minute purchase was purposeful. She usually met with Jackson of GOT7 once a week in the mornings at this cafe. So she took this chance to do two things in one trip.

Here, they had little powwows on music and life, sometimes a little silliness too as to be expected of Jackson's fun-loving persona. Since clicking from the start, they had now become close friends.

"You again? What're you doing here?" Jackson laughed and opened his arms in greeting. He carried a bag of purchases himself.

"Haha, good to see you too, Jackson!" Iris chuckled and punched his arm lightly for his usual tease.

"Yes, good to see you, Iris." He bent down a little to her level to look into her eyes directly and grin.

Although it was his typical, nonchalant yet charming lopsided smile, as a girl, Iris couldn't help feel her heart beat a tad faster whenever he did that.

While he was a gentleman, Jackson's personality and body manner was more casual and up close. So Iris still had to get used to when that handsome face swooped down to talk or ask her something.

She always grumbled in her mind during these times how unfairly good-looking idols were despite being one herself for several years. Being in the field, one would think they'd get used to seeing pretty or handsome faces.

Yet it still awed and dumbfounded Iris every time. She was still young, but it seemed like so many idols were youthful forever. It was stunning. Just like how Jin looked to be younger than his actual years.

On that thought, she wondered how he was doing. It seemed they wouldn't ever be able to share a Christmas together. She had heard that people could change after military service such as falling out of motivation with music or not returning to old social circles.

These concerns weighed on her mind, making her feel a little lonely this Christmas Eve morning despite Jackson's company. Noticing her sudden shift in mood, he leaned over to observe her mien.

"Hmm? What's up? Looks like something's on your mind?" He inquired sincerely with a tilt of his head.

"Oh! Just wondering what holidays are like in the military, how strict they might be, but more so, not being able to go back home."

"Ahh~" Jackson slowly nodded. "Yeah, I'm from Hong Kong, so I don't have to enlist. I don't know what it's like, but being cut off from the world sounds tough for sure."

With Iris, he spoke mainly in English. She found it interesting how his manner of speech altered somewhat between languages while still remaining distinctly Jackson.

"Yeah..."

Although Iris understood why South Korea had mandatory military service for men, it didn't make her wish any less that it was voluntary instead. Perhaps now she had a personal reason for that wish, but regardless, BTS was doing well even while some enlisted.

Plop! Something flashed in front of her face before landing on her hands that reactively shot out to grab the nearby item.

"E-Eh?! Jac—" She began, stuttering at the deluxe collection of tea leaves box now in her hands.

But before she could go any further, Jackson quickly interrupted, rushing through his words. "Here, for you! Merry Christmas Eve! For all the good times together, I feel grateful to be with you."

Iris flushed pink at his choice of words and heartfelt sincerity. She had been caught unprepared and responded hastily, "Jackson! You didn't have to do this!"

She hadn't prepared anything for him, and yet he had thought of her first. This made her feel guilty, but she hadn't wanted to overstep her boundaries by giving non-verbal clues or ideas to him if she gave a gift proactively.

As it was, she was beginning to think that this friendship was also starting down the path of Cindy and Yugyeom who had recently been opening up to one another about their feelings.

Despite Iris finding Jackson very attractive, her heart and mind was still torn over lingering thoughts about Jin. Perhaps it was the holiday having an effect on her, but the feelings she thought she had quashed started bubbling up again.

However, she wasn't sure what exactly this complicated emotion was.