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It was a crowded Friday night at the Philippine Arena in Manila. Thousands of fans were already in their seats, waiting for the start of tonight’s concert. Above the stage, the screens flashed the tour poster of the upcoming show:
Joon-ho Moon ** July 21 – Manila, Philippines ** Philippine Arena
Pre-Act: Eunice Kang
Music played over the speakers, filling the arena with the sound of an upbeat pop track. Backstage, crew members hurried around, all preparing for the start of Eunice’s set.
Minho had a good feeling about tonight.
Touring so far had been great. He was constantly surrounded by his family, which had actually been kind of nice. His dad and Joon-ho had really made an effort to strengthen the family dynamic. And who knew Minho’s brother was great at telling childhood stories and his dad decent at cracking dad jokes? Minho sure didn’t.
On top of that, he got to see his girlfriend Kitty every day – Kitty, who Minho was currently wandering around backstage for, trying to find her purse in one of the dressing rooms, since she had already made her way to the VIP seats.
It was quieter in this part of the stadium. The music was muffled, and the talking blended into a dull background buzz. In the far back, Minho saw Eunice getting her final touches of makeup, and his dad talking to one of the crew members. Even though the concert venue changed with each show, all of this felt oddly familiar.
He was really getting used to seeing these faces every day. For Minho, time seemed to fly by. They were already in week two of their tree-week long summer adventure.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Eunji coming out of his brother’s dressing room. Still on his mission to find Kitty’s purse he headed straight to Eunji in hopes that she knew where to find it.
“Eunji!” he called out.
“Minho, hey!” Eunji responded, as they walked towards each other now.
“Have you seen Kitty’s purse? She’s already up in the seats, and I told her I would look for it,” Minho said.
“I think it’s probably in Joon-ho’s dressing room. Kitty and I were in here a few times today,” she explained as she stepped inside the dressing room. “Let’s check together before Eunice’s set starts.”
Kitty and Eunji had grown really close during the tour, so it was no surprise the two spent a lot of time together. They almost felt like sisters these days, Minho thought with a small smile as he followed Eunji inside. He was grateful his girlfriend got along so well with his soon-to-be sister-in-law.
When he walked into the dressing room, he immediately spotted his girlfriend’s purse, as well as one of his sweaters lying on the couch. Thief.
“Found it,” he told Eunji while he quickly grabbed all her stuff.
When he made his way to the door, Eunji stopped him.
“Minho wait up. Can you please give these to Kitty?” she said, handing a confused Minho a silver blister pack. “I was looking for my painkillers earlier, but I couldn’t find them in my purse. I just found these in Joon-ho’s bag though. There are only two pills left, so you better stop by the convenience store later and–“
“Whoa, hang on.” Minho blinked at her, puzzled. “What does Kitty need painkillers for?”
Eunji tilted her head. “Because she’s on her period?” She paused, then added, “I figured you knew. She told me she left you a bit early to find me and ask for a tampon before going to her seat. I always carry a few in my suitcase. I don’t think she brought any with her.”
“Oh.” Minho had not known that.
Now that Eunji mentioned it, it made sense – the way Kitty had slipped away earlier instead of staying by his side.
Minho glanced down at the blister pack in his hand, then slipped it into his pocket. “Right, okay. Thanks!”
With that, Minho pushed open the door to head towards the VIP seats, leaving a quietly amused Eunji behind.
“God, boys never notice anything.”
//
Instead of taking his usual detour to wish Eunice and his brother good luck, Minho headed straight to the seats. Normally, he and Kitty would linger backstage a little longer to chat with the crew, but right now, he wasn’t sure what state he’d find his girlfriend in.
Was she alright? He remembered her talking about her bad period cramps before. Did she need anything? How had he not noticed her acting a little off earlier? That had to be rule number one on the list of boyfriend duties: pay attention.
As soon as he reached the VIP section, he spotted the back of her head and made his way over.
Kitty turned at the sound of approaching footsteps and gave him a soft smile. “Hi, stranger.”
Minho slid into the seat beside her. “Hello, beautiful,” he said, kissing her cheek. “I found your purse in Joon-ho’s dressing room and, strangely enough, one of my sweaters right next to it.”
“What a coincidence,” Kitty added softly.
Minho raised an eyebrow. “I wonder how it got there.”
“Must’ve been the wind, “she replied, as she reached for the sweater in his lap.
Minho chuckled under his breath. “Mhm, right.”
Without another word, Kitty pulled the sweater over her head. He watched her quietly as she adjusted her sleeves, her fingers slow, almost absentminded.
“Looks better on you anyway,” he murmured and placed the rest of her things down on the seat beside him.
A moment later, he slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in just a little.
“Hey,” he said gently, catching her gaze. “You alright, Kitten?”
“Yeah, I’m good!” Kitty replied flatly, as if she had rehearsed the line in her head. Her attention shifted to the crowd. “Can’t wait for the concert,” she said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
After a moment of silence, Minho reached into his pocket and quietly pulled out the blister pack Eunji had given him, gently resting it on her knee.
Kitty glanced at him, then to her lap.
Wordlessly, she picked it up, slipped out a pill, and tucked the silver pack into the pocket of her sweater. “Thanks,” she murmured, barely louder than the music drifting through the stadium.
She didn’t say anything else. She didn’t need to. The slight drop of her shoulders said enough. For the first time that day, she let Minho see the exhaustion on her face.
“You don’t have to pretend you’re fine,” Minho started, “it’s okay if we’re not attending every concert. Especially when you’re on your period and in pain.”
Kitty pulled her knees up slightly as she leaned further into his arms.
“I wasn’t going to say anything,” she muttered, “didn’t want to worry you and miss the concert.”
Minho reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Hey, worrying about you is literally my job,” he said, nudging her lightly. “Boyfriend. Emergency supply unit. Part-time-therapist.”
The corner of Kitty’s mouth twitched. Minho heard the faintest chuckle.
For a minute, they just sat like that. The low rumble of the crowd and music filled their thoughts.
“My last period ended just before tour started,” Kitty said evenly, “so I assumed I wouldn’t get it again while we were away.”
He nodded. “That’s okay. Travelling can throw things off. Your cycle probably shifted a bit due to stress.” Kitty hummed.
For a moment, Minho drifted into his thoughts.
They only had one week left of tour. One week until they had to return to Seoul. And Minho couldn’t think of anything worse. Out here, she was only his – mostly, when Eunji and Eunice didn’t steal her away, at least. But just having her close, far away from the noise of school and the rest of the world, was something he didn’t want to lose.
His thoughts quieted when Kitty shifted.
“Minho...”
He looked down, catching the flicker of discomfort on her face just before she spoke. “My cramps hurt really bad.”
Minho reacted without missing a beat.
“Do you want to go back to the hotel?” he asked, already pulling out his phone from his pocket. “I can call my driver right now.”
At that, Kitty let out a quiet sigh. “Yeah. I think I’d like that.”
//
After Kitty gave him the okay to leave her alone for a minute, Minho headed straight backstage to inform his dad about their departure. The signal in this stadium was awful. He didn’t want to risk anyone getting worried if his texts didn’t go through.
Backstage, the hallway was a blur of people rushing in every direction. Crew members darted around with headsets, and dancers warmed up in cramped corners. Eunice’s set was starting any minute now.
Minho quickly scanned the crowd.
Instead of spotting his dad, his eyes landed on Joon-ho and Eunji, standing side by side near a stack of equipment cases.
“Joon-ho!” Minho called as he approached. “Have you seen Dad?”
“Uh, last time I saw him, he was near the stage entrance, talking to the dancers,” Joon-ho replied.
Eunji glanced at Minho’s expression. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, sort of. Kitty’s not feeling great,” Minho said. “I’m taking her back to the hotel; I’d rather get her some rest. Just wanted to let Dad know.”
But when he looked towards the chaos around him, he added, “Actually, can you guys let him know? I’d tell him myself, but if I go all the way to the stage, I might not make it out again.”
“Sure, bro,” Joon-ho nodded, “We’ll find him and pass it on.”
“Thanks,” Minho responded. Joon-ho gave him a quick pat on the shoulder as they turned to leave.
Before they could get too far, Minho quickly stopped Eunji. “Wait, one more thing.”
Eunji glanced back, stepping aside to speak privately.
“Can I borrow a few tampons for Kitty? I don’t think I’ll be able to stop by a store tonight.” Minho knew one wouldn’t be enough; he’d grown up with sisters, after all.
Eunji nodded immediately. “Yeah, of course. I left some in Joon-ho’s dressing room. They’re in a small pink makeup pouch in the side pocket of my bag.”
He gave her a grateful look. “Thank you.”
Eunji smiled gently. “Take care of her,” she said, before disappearing towards the stage.
Minho nodded to himself.
“Always.”
Because when it came to Kitty, he’d always show up. There was no version of this tour – of anything – where he didn’t. Where he wouldn’t.
And right now, Minho just really wanted his girlfriend back in his arms.
That thought alone carried him down the hallway, weaving past a few rushing staff members. Luckily, Joon-ho‘s dressing room was right around the corner.
The hum of backstage noise faded behind him as he opened the door to step inside.
Back in his brother’s dressing room, Minho found the period products exactly where Eunji had said. He quickly took out the pink pouch from her bag, grabbed what he thought was needed, and stored it all in a plastic bag he had found backstage.
But before he could leave, a bowl filled with chocolates and candy bars caught his eye. Joon-ho wouldn’t mind. He shrugged and slipped a few into the bag as well. Rather a mad brother than a hungry Kitten.
After quickly scanning the room to see if he had forgotten anything, he made his way out of the door and back to the VIP section.
//
Minho spotted his girlfriend exactly where he’d left her – curled slightly into her plush seat, mindlessly scrolling on her phone, her face blank.
He slowed as he reached her. “Guess who survived the backstage apocalypse to steal overpriced venue snacks and hygiene products,” Minho announced.
Kitty looked up. “If it’s not you, I’m calling security.”
“You say the sweetest things,” Minho said with a smirk, reaching for Kittys purse. “Ready to go, Covey?”
She nodded, already shifting forward. He offered both hands to steady her as she stood, then rested a gentle hand on her back as they moved through the aisle.
Out of the seating area and in the hall, the couple followed the signs towards the artist entrance. That’s where their driver was scheduled to pick them up. Thankfully, the car was already in sight by the time they stepped outside.
From out here, they could hear the rising swell of cheers from inside the stadium. Eunice's set must have started. Without wasting time, they climbed into the air-conditioned car.
The moment the car pulled away from the stadium, Kitty leaned into Minho’s side. Her head rested on his shoulder; his arm draped around her. He held her quietly, fingers brushing lazily along her arm. The hum of the car engine and the cool air wrapped around them. For a while, there was nothing but the quiet comfort of being close.
Outside, the city lights of Manila passed in a blur. Kitty watched the skyline in awe.
“This is such a pretty view,” she said.
But while Kitty looked outside, Minho watched her.
“Yeah.”
Gently, he kissed the top of her head and let his hand rest at her waist. Kitty sighed as she curled into him. Minho found himself tracing slow circles on her back.
“Oh, before I forget.” He handed her the plastic bag from backstage. “This is for you.”
Kitty shifted to peek inside. “You brought chocolate!” She announced. “Look at you, hitting all the essentials.”
“Wasn’t about to lose my boyfriend status,” Minho replied, a flicker of amusement in his voice.
She gave him a deadpan look. “That’s what passes for affection these days, huh?”
He smirked. “Rough crowd. I even risked Joon-ho’s eternal wrath.”
“Wow. Just when I thought chivalry was dead,” Kitty responded, eyes meeting his with mock surprise. Minho raised a brow.
“Nah, still breathing. Maybe just a little bruised.”
Then, he leaned in, just enough to close the distance between them.
For a second, the teasing faded. The way Kitty looked up at him, soft around the edges. His gaze met hers just as gently, a quiet spark settling between them. His fingertips rested on the side of her face.
He lifted her chin, leaning in until their lips met – soft, deliberate. Like he’d been waiting all night to do it.
When they pulled away, Minho ran his fingers through her hair.
Moments later, Kitty’s head was back on his chest, with Minho’s arms curled around her.
“You’re warm,” she murmured against him. He smirked, settling his chin on her hair. “Perks of dating me.”
Kitty just hummed in reply and pressed her cheek a little firmer against his chest.
“How are your cramps, love?” Minho asked.
“Mh,” she mumbled, “not great.”
“How can I help?”
“You already are.”
Minho felt the steady rise and fall of her breath against him. “Get some rest,” he whispered.
The last thing he heard her murmur, just before she drifted off, was how lucky she felt to have him. Minho didn’t even try to fight the smile tugging at his lips.
As Kitty slept, his hands continued to hold her close, like he never wanted to let go.
And if Minho ended up carrying her to their hotel room that night, he’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Yeah.
He’d always take care of her.