Lisa nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll have revised blocking ready by lunch."
The production team dispersed. Jinwoo returned to his notes.
Minjae stepped up close to Griffin. He crossed the invisible line between performer and security, approaching with his phone out.
"Can I show you something?" he asked Griffin.
Griffin nodded.
Minjae pulled up a venue map. "During load-in this morning, I noticed this access corridor. It's supposed to be crew-only, but they didn't secure the door."
"Did you report it?"
"I told Chief Kang, but I don't know if he flagged it with you."
Griffin took the phone and studied the image. "Thank you. This is helpful."
"Should I keep watching for things like that?"
"If you're comfortable doing so, yes."
Minjae stepped back. He smiled. He'd chosen to participate rather than passively receive protection.
Griffin caught my eye. I didn't look away.
A few minutes later, I stood between Taemin and Minjae, watching Griffin work.
A cooperative agreement formed. Band plus security equaled shared responsibility.
"You okay?" Taemin asked quietly.
"Yeah."
"You sure? You looked pretty rough this morning."
I thought about the hotel room and my conversation with Griffin.
"I'm better now."
Jinwoo called us over to review more modifications. We gathered around his tablet, working through the adjustments.
Griffin stayed at the edge of our circle, close enough to contribute, and far enough to maintain role clarity. When Jinwoo asked for security input, Griffin gave it—precise, practical, and respectful.
He didn't try to control us. He helped us control the variables we could.
By the time we broke for lunch, I understood something I hadn't seen clearly before.
The band wasn't absorbing risk for me.
They were choosing to stand with me.
Chapter seventeen
Griffin - San Diego - May 15
The ocean was too open. Too many uncontrolled variables.
I tracked everything around us without meaning to, approach angles and blind spots.
