"Blocking changes for safety."
Lisa set down her clipboard. "Walk me through it."
Jinwoo pulled up the stage plot. "During 'Violet Hour,' we currently spread to different platforms while we perform the bridge. I want to change it so we stay in closer proximity."
"That's going to alter the visual impact," the lighting designer said.
"I know." Jinwoo didn't apologize. "The visual impact is secondary to ensuring we can be protected effectively."
"Since when do you make these calls without discussing with management first?"
"Since now."
Lisa reconsidered. "Show me the modified blocking."
Jinwoo walked through it methodically. Instead of four separate platforms, we'd use two. Instead of entrances from opposite wings, we'd coordinate so someone was always within Griffin's sightline.
It was smart. Practical. It also asserted a level of control we'd never claimed before.
"What about the extended runway during 'First Light'?" the technical director asked. "You're out there alone for almost two minutes, Rune."
I started to answer, but Jinwoo spoke first.
"We're cutting it."
Everyone looked at him.
"Management's going to push back," Lisa said carefully.
"They can push back. I'm still cutting it." Jinwoo's expression didn't change. "Two minutes isolated on an extended platform with minimal security access is unacceptable."
"Griffin?" Lisa turned toward him. "What's your assessment?"
Griffin stepped forward slightly. "The extended runway does create exposure. I can work with it if needed. My job is to adapt to the performance, not dictate it."
"Your job is to keep us safe," Jinwoo said. "And you can't do that if we're actively creating windows of vulnerability."
Griffin looked at him. Something passed between them—acknowledgment.
"What's your preference?" Griffin asked.
"Cut it."
Lisa scribbled a note. "I'll need to confirm with management—"
"I'm not asking for permission," Jinwoo said. "I'm informing you of the change."
Taemin broke the silence that followed. "I agree. If it tightens security without killing the performance, we'll do it."
Minjae looked up from his phone. "Me too."
All eyes turned to me.
I thought about the extended runway and the vulnerability it introduced. Next, I remembered Jinwoo telling me this morning that staying was choosing ourselves.
We weren't running. We were restructuring.
"I agree," I said.
