difficultlife

[difficultlife]

Still, You

→ sophia laforteza x fem!reader

Summary: You weren’t supposed to see her again, Sophia, your first love, now so far away. But when fate brings you face to face, old wounds reopen, and the past refuses to stay buried. Can you find a way back, or is it too late?

Author’s note: English is not my first language. Angsttt. Let me know if you want a part two.

Everyone knew Sophia as the heart of KATSEYE.

The leader with the loud laugh, the bright eyes, always humming between takes or dancing through rehearsals.

She was sunshine, constant, untouchable.

Not even the girls who lived with her, trained with her, cried beside her… had ever seen her truly sad.

Not until she saw you again.

She hadn’t planned to see her again.

Not in LA. Not in that store. Not like that.

The bell above the boutique door jingles softly as you step inside.

The place is quiet, soft music hums from hidden speakers, the walls are neutral, clean, bathed in golden sunlight from the tall windows. You're only here for a gift bag.

Quick in, quick out.

You don’t notice them at first. Why would you?

Across the room, Megan giggles at something Lara says. Sophia lingers a little behind, half-focused on her phone, hood up, head down.

“Laraaa,” Megan whines, pointing to a high shelf. “That’s the one I want, but I literally cannot reach it.”

Lara tries anyway. She’s even shorter than Megan, so it’s a bit of a mystery why she thought she could reach it in the first place. She sighs dramatically and scans the shop.

Then she spots you.

“Excuse me?” she asks, walking over. “Sorry—could you help us get something from the top shelf?”

You offer her a polite smile. “Yeah, of course.”

You follow her over, reach up without effort, and hand Megan the item with a quiet nod.

That’s when you feel it.

The air shifts. Tightens. Like a string being pulled too far.

“Y/N?”

The voice is soft. Familiar. Unsteady.

You freeze, your hand still half-outstretched.

And when you turn, she’s there.

Sophia.

Her hood’s fallen back slightly. Her lips are parted, eyes wide.

Like she’s seeing a ghost.

Like you’re the one haunting her.

“Hi,” you say softly.

You try to smile, but it wavers. It’s been three years since you last saw her. And yet… she hasn’t changed.

No, that’s not true.

She’s more polished now. More distant. A little thinner. A little shinier. A little less yours.

Except—

She’s still wearing that lip gloss. The one you used to tease her about.

“You always overdo it.” “You always like it.”

And she was right. You did.

Megan and Lara glance between the two of you, eyebrows lifting in unison.

“You guys know each other?” Lara asks.

Sophia doesn’t answer. She just stares.

You nod. “Yeah. We... we used to.”

Sophia swallows hard. Her eyes flick briefly to your hands, like she’s looking for a ring. Or maybe a reason. Or maybe just an anchor.

“But... what are you doing here?” she finally asks.

“I thought you were still in the Philippines.”

You exhale, slow and steady. “I moved here. A few months ago. Got a job offer I couldn’t really pass up.”

A beat.

Sophia’s face shifts, the mask returning.

“Oh. That’s… That’s great.”

But her voice trembles at the edges.

You nod once, then take a small step back.

“Well. I should go. Enjoy your shopping.”

You turn, already preparing to forget the way she looked at you.

But her voice catches you again, quieter this time. Like a confession.

“Y/N…”

You pause.

But you don’t look back.

Not yet.

And then, slowly, you walk away.

Megan stares after you as the boutique door swings shut behind you, the little bell still trembling.

Her eyes slowly drift back to Sophia, who’s frozen in place, looking like she just got slapped by a ghost.

“…Girl,” Megan says, very softly. “What was that?”

Sophia blinks like she’s waking up from a dream.

“I—nothing. Just someone I used to know.”

“Used to know?” Megan repeats, unimpressed.

Lara arches an eyebrow. “Because that looked like a lot more than used to know, babe.”

Sophia forces a laugh. It sounds wrong in her throat. “Can we just – can we go?”

The girls exchange a look but don’t push. Megan links arms with her. “Yeah. Of course.”

The walk back is quiet. Too quiet.

Lara usually hums when she walks. Megan usually skips. Today, there’s none of that.

They walk on either side of Sophia like soft guardrails.

Sophia doesn’t speak.

She just watches the sidewalk blur beneath her feet, breath tight in her chest. Her thoughts spinning so fast they’re barely thoughts at all.

She cut her hair. She looks older. She moved here. She didn’t tell me. Why would she? You’re not hers anymore. You’re not anyone’s.

She thinks of the way you looked at her. Not angry. Not distant.

Just… careful.

The same way you used to hold my face when you were about to say something important. The way you used to look at me right before saying "I love you" like you weren’t sure I’d say it back.

And now you don’t say it at all.

They reach the front gate.

Megan finally breaks the silence. “You gonna tell us who she was?”

Sophia doesn’t answer.

She just walks up the steps, pushes open the door, and heads straight inside.

No comment. No shrug. Not even a glance back.

Lara and Megan exchange a look. “…Okay,” Lara mutters.

“Did she even take off her shoes?” Megan whispers.

~

Inside, the house is quiet. The other girls glance up from the couch.

Sophia doesn’t say hi. Doesn’t make a joke. Doesn’t ask what’s for dinner like she always does.

She just walks past them, robotic. Straight to her room.

The door shuts behind her with a soft click.

Too soft for how loud it feels.

Later, when they peek in, she’s lying on her side, fully dressed, curled up, eyes wide open. Staring at nothing.

Later that night.

The dorm is dim. Most of the lights are off, just the glow of the hallway nightlight spilling down the hall.

A quiet knock.

“Soph?”

Nothing.

Another knock, softer this time.

“It’s just me. I brought you something.”

A pause. Then the door creaks open just a little.

Megan stands there with a mug in her hands. Steam curling from the top.

“Chamomile. Don’t come for me, I’m trying to be motherly or whatever.”

Sophia gives the tiniest huff of breath, but it’s not quite a laugh.

She steps aside, lets Megan in.

Sophia climbs back into bed without a word. Pulls her knees up. Megan sits on the edge, careful not to crowd her, and sets the mug down on the nightstand.

They sit in silence for a moment.

Sophia doesn’t cry. She doesn’t speak. She just looks at the mug like it holds answers.

Megan finally says, very quietly, “You looked like you’d seen a ghost.”

Sophia blinks. Her voice comes out raw. “I did.”

A beat. Megan doesn’t press.

“I don’t need to know everything,” she says softly, standing. “But I’m here. Okay?”

Sophia nods once, eyes still on the mug.

When the door clicks shut behind Megan, Sophia finally reaches out and wraps her hands around the warmth.

She still doesn’t drink it.

But she holds it like it’s something to hold onto.

Megan walks away from Sophia’s room and lets herself fall onto the couch where the others are seated.

Manon looks up immediately. “So? What happened in there? Sophia seemed... different.”

Megan sighs, running a hand through her hair. “She’s shaken up. We ran into someone today — someone from her past. I don’t know all the details, but it hit her hard.”

Lara leans forward, voice low. “Sophia didn’t want to talk about it yet. But you could tell it was serious.”

Daniela frowns, concern creasing her brow. “Do you think it’s something we should know? Something dangerous?”

Megan shakes her head. “No, not dangerous. Just... complicated. And private.”

Manon glances toward the hallway where Sophia’s room is. “Well, whatever it is, she’s got us. She doesn’t have to face it alone.”

The group nods, a quiet resolve settling over them.

A couple of days later, everything is still the same. The group is not the same anymore since Sophia is so down.

The soft glow of a desk lamp spills into her otherwise dark room.

Megan hesitates at the door, then knocks lightly.

“Fia? Mind if I come in?”

A pause. Then the door opens just enough for Megan to slip inside.

Sophia’s sitting on her bed, knees pulled up, staring out the window.

Megan sits on the edge of the bed, careful to keep some distance.

“I just wanted to check on you,” Megan says softly. “You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. But if you do... I’m here.”

Sophia finally turns, eyes meeting Megan’s. They’re tired but grateful.

“Thanks,” she whispers. “It’s just… complicated. Someone from my past. Someone I thought was gone.”

Megan nods slowly, giving her time.

“When you’re ready,” Megan continues, “you can tell me. Or anyone here. We’ll listen.”

Sophia’s lip twitches into a faint smile. “Maybe one day.”

Megan stands, gently squeezing Sophia’s shoulder before heading to the door.

“Take your time. No rush.”

The door closes softly behind her.

The group is scattered across the couch in the living room, soft chatter fading as Sophia walks in.

She lingers in the doorway. Arms folded. Eyes puffy. That nervous Sophia they rarely see, the one behind the sparkle.

Megan notices first. She sits up. “You okay?”

Sophia shrugs, steps in slowly. Her voice is thin. Her face is blank. But her eyes are swimming.

“She’s… her name’s Y/N,” she says, sitting slowly on the arm of the couch. “She’s my ex.”

A silence falls. The kind that hangs heavy, like fog or ash. No one dares speak first.

“Oh,” Daniela says gently. “You okay?”

Sophia opens her mouth, then closes it again.

She shakes her head.

“She’s in LA,” she murmurs. “She wasn’t supposed to be here. She’s supposed to be back home. In the Philippines. She never said she was leaving. She never told me.”

“Maybe she didn’t know you were here either?” Manon offers, softly.

“She knew,” Sophia says, her voice breaking. “She knew. We were together since we were fifteen. And when I got invited to Dream Academy, we… we broke up.”

Lara blinks. “Wait. Fifteen? You were together for like… five years?”

Sophia nods, eyes fixed on her shoes. Her voice is quieter now, almost dreamy.

“She cut her hair,” she says.

The girls glance at each other.

“She always talked about it,” Sophia continues. “Said she wanted to try it. But never did. Said she’d wait until something changed.”

A pause.

Her throat tightens. “I guess everything changed.”

No one says anything.

And Sophia, for once, lets the silence stretch.

A tear slips down her cheek. She wipes it away, quick and rough.

“I left her,” she says suddenly. “I told her I had to go — that I couldn’t be in both places at once. She didn’t fight it. She just… let me.”

Her hands curl into fists. “And I thought I could handle that. I thought I could be okay with chasing my dream. But then I saw her the other day, and it was like—”

She exhales shakily.

“Like my whole chest cracked open.”

Megan shifts closer, resting a gentle hand on her back.

Daniela offers softly, “Do you still love her?”

Sophia doesn’t answer. Not with words.

She just nods.

Once.

And everyone understands.

The room stays quiet for a moment, not judging, just letting it settle.

Then Lara says, almost thoughtfully, “She looked at you like she still loved you.”

Sophia’s breath catches, eyes flicking to her lap.

“And you looked at her like you never stopped,” Manon adds, soft but honest.

Sophia doesn’t reply.

She doesn’t have to.

The girls exchange glances, quiet, supportive, curious.

Then Megan says, “So… what now?”

Sophia blinks at her.

And Megan shrugs, smiling gently. “You want us to back off? Help? Meddle just a little?”

That draws a reluctant laugh from Sophia, small, but real.

“I don’t know yet,” she admits. “But… if I try… I wouldn’t mind not doing it alone.”

The others nod, one by one.

“We got you,” Manon says.

“Obviously,” Daniela adds.

“Team Sophia,” Lara grins, raising her hand.

Sophia wipes quickly at her eyes. “Thanks.”

And for the first time in days, she breathes just a little easier.

The days that followed were… different.

The house didn’t echo with Sophia’s laughter anymore. No sudden bursts of off-key singing. No playful bickering over who stole whose hoodie. Just a quiet that clung to the walls, thick and unfamiliar.

Sophia moved like a shadow of herself. She did the choreography. Hit her lines. Smiled when the cameras were on. But the moment the spotlight faded, so did she.

The others noticed. Of course they did.

At first, they tiptoed around it, unsure how to help her, unsure if she even wanted help. But then one night, curled up on the couch with half-eaten popcorn and a half-hearted movie playing in the background, they made a decision.

If Sophia wouldn’t talk to Y/N… maybe Y/N would talk to her.

They’d find her. Somehow. The mysterious girl with the short hair and the heartbreak in Sophia’s eyes.

Not to fix everything.

Just to give them a chance to speak.

Because whatever Y/N was to her, whatever she still was, it mattered.

And none of them could watch their leader fall apart without trying to catch her.

~

The café hums with quiet energy, the low whir of the espresso machine, soft indie music spilling from overhead speakers, the clink of cups on ceramic saucers.

You sit tucked in the corner, headphones in, fingers idly scrolling through your phone while your coffee cools beside you. Just a quiet afternoon. A small pocket of peace.

Until you feel it, that odd sensation. The kind where someone’s watching you.

You glance up casually.

And lock eyes with Megan.

She freezes mid-step, one hand wrapped around a caramel frappe, the other tugging Lara along by the sleeve. Lara follows her gaze… and her eyes widen when she sees you.

You blink.

They blink.

Nobody moves.

Then Megan recovers first, walking over like she wasn’t just stunned two seconds ago. Lara follows, clearly unsure but curious.

“Hey,” Megan says, her voice soft, cautious.

You take out one earbud. “Hi.”

“We, uh… saw you from outside. Didn’t expect to run into you again.”

You offer a small smile. “Yeah. LA’s big.”

“But not that big, apparently,” Lara adds, half-joking, half-nervous. “Mind if we sit?”

You hesitate for a beat… then nod. “Sure.”

They slide into the chairs across from you, awkward but trying.

There’s a moment of silence. Then Megan leans forward, gently.

“She hasn’t been the same since she saw you.”

You blink again. “Sophia?”

They both nod.

“She didn’t tell us anything at first,” Lara says. “But eventually she did. Said you’re… important.”

“She didn’t say it like that,” Megan mutters. “She said it like you were everything.”

You look down at your coffee. “It’s been a long time.”

“But you still care,” Megan says, reading you too easily. “I saw it. The way you looked at her.”

You don’t deny it.

“Would you talk to her?” Lara asks. “Not to… fix things or whatever. Just… to let her breathe again.”

You take a slow sip. The heat burns your tongue, but it gives you a second to think.

You look back up at them, kind eyes, full of hope for someone who’s not even here.

You nod.

“Okay.”

A couple of days later, you’re standing near the edge of their yard when the door opens behind you.

She steps out quietly, arms crossed, jaw tense. The air changes. You feel it before you even look.

You turn.

Her hood’s off. Her eyes are soft and guarded all at once.

“Hi,” she says.

You nod. “Hi.”

She walks toward you. Not quite hesitant, not quite confident, somewhere in between.

“You cut your hair,” she says softly.

You smile faintly. “Yeah.”

“It suits you.”

“You always said it would.”

Her lips twitch upward, but the smile doesn’t last.

“I didn’t know you were here,” she says.

“I didn’t know you were still wearing that gloss.”

Her breath catches.

“You noticed?”

You shrug. “Hard not to.”

She’s quiet. Then, in a small voice: “I didn’t leave because I wanted to. I left because I had to. Dream Academy wasn’t a halfway kind of dream.”

You nod. “I know.”

“I didn’t think you’d move on so quietly.”

“I didn’t.”

That surprises her.

Her eyes flick to yours. “You didn’t?”

You shake your head. “I didn’t know how.”

She blinks fast.

“I missed you,” she says. “I still do.”

“I know.”

A silence, warm and terrifying.

Then you take a small step forward. “Can we talk? Really talk?”

She hesitates.

Then nods.

“Yeah. I want to.”

They sit on the edge of the old wooden bench, the kind that creaks if you shift too much. The sun is beginning to sink, bathing the yard in soft gold. Neither of them speaks at first.

You tug at your sleeve. “I thought I’d be okay seeing you again.”

She looks down. “I thought you’d be mad.”

“I was,” you admit. “At first. But mostly I was just… overwhelmed.”

She presses her fingers to her temple. “It was like my body remembered you before my brain did.”

You laugh gently, almost surprised at yourself. “Yeah. That’s how it felt for me, too.”

A silence. Then—

[FLASHBACK – Age 17]

The two of you lie side by side on a rooftop in Manila, watching fireworks crackle in the sky above the New Year crowd. You’re sharing earbuds. Her hand’s in yours.

“If you ever leave,” you whisper, “I’ll still find you. Wherever you go.”

Sophia turns her head. She’s grinning, but her eyes are too soft. “Don’t be dramatic.”

“I’m serious,” you say. “I’d cross an ocean.”

“You’d hate LA,” she laughs.

“Then I’ll stay in the Philippines and wait for you to come back.”

[BACK TO PRESENT – The Yard]

Sophia exhales.

“I used to play that conversation in my head every day during training,” she says quietly. “I thought maybe if I did well enough… if I got through everything fast enough, I could go home. And maybe you’d still be there.”

You nod slowly, chewing your cheek. “I was.”

Sophia’s eyes shine. “I didn’t even know you left. And when I saw you in that store, I couldn’t breathe. You looked like a future I imagined but never got to live.”

[FLASHBACK – Age 19]

It’s two weeks before she leaves for Korea.

You’re sitting on her bed. She's pretending to pack but mostly just folding and refolding the same hoodie.

“You should go,” you say. “This is your dream.”

Her voice breaks. “But you’re mine.”

You pull her into your arms. “We’ll figure it out.”

She’s crying. She says, “Don’t wait for me.”

You don’t answer, because you already know you will.

[BACK TO PRESENT – The Yard]

Sophia’s fingers twist in her lap. “I didn’t expect to see you again. I didn’t let myself hope.”

You watch her carefully. “So what now?”

She bites her lip, nervous. “I don’t know. I don’t expect anything. I just… I want to be honest with you.”

You nod. “Then be honest.”

She looks at you fully now. No guards. No mask.

“I never stopped loving you.”

Your breath catches.

“I don’t know what we’re supposed to do with that,” she continues. “But I needed you to know.”

You take her hand, tentative. Gentle.

“I never stopped either.”

Her shoulders fall, like she’s been holding that weight for years.

[FLASHBACK – Manila, Age 15]

A small school auditorium. Plastic chairs. Echoing mic feedback. You’re slouched near the back, pretending not to care.

Then she walks onstage, nervous and radiant, trying to hide how much her hands are shaking.

And then she sings.

Not flawless, but heartfelt. Something about it cuts through the noise.

Afterward, you wait by the vending machines, heart beating faster than you’d ever admit.

When she walks by, you say it without thinking: “You were really good.”

She stops, startled. “What?”

You shrug. “Your voice. It stuck with me.”

She blinks. “I almost didn’t go up.”

“Well,” you say, smiling faintly, “I’m glad you did.”

That was it. One moment. One spark. The start of everything.

[BACK TO PRESENT – The Yard]

Sophia’s eyes shimmer. She’s crying, but the tears are quiet, like rain that refuses to storm.

“I’m scared,” she whispers.

You turn to look at her, brows drawn together. “Why?”

“Because seeing you again… made everything I buried come back. And I don’t know if I can go through that again.”

There’s a pause. The kind that stretches between hearts that were once completely entangled.

You reach out, letting your hand rest near hers. Not forcing anything. Just… offering.

“You don’t have to go through anything alone,” you say softly. “I’m here. I always have been.”

Sophia looks at your hand.

Then, like muscle memory, like instinct, she leans into you. Just slightly.

You wrap your arm around her, and she rests her head against your chest. For the first time in years, the space between you feels small again.

You rest your cheek against her hair.

No promises. No pressure.

Just the warmth of something that never truly left.

And maybe, for tonight, that’s enough.

[difficultlife]

Caught in 4K Falling (asleep) for You

→ daniela avanzini x 7thmember!reader

Summary: You weren’t supposed to fall asleep during lives, rehearsals, or interviews… but it happens. A lot. What you didn’t expect was to fall in love just as easily.

Author’s note: English is not my first language. I am not really happy with how this turned out but this prompt had been stuck in my head for the past couple of days.

If anyone looked at Katseye from the outside, it was easy to tell: this group was loud. Whether backstage, on live streams, or at 3 a.m. in the dorm kitchen, someone was always scream-laughing, dancing in the hallway, or throwing popcorn at someone else. And then there was you.

The third youngest, a couple months younger than Lara, but worlds apart in energy. You weren’t cold, not at all, just… quiet. Sleepy. Dreamy, maybe. You blinked slowly at the chaos like a house cat among six golden retrievers. And somehow, it worked.

You were the all-rounder no one saw coming. You danced like liquid fire, hit high notes like it cost you nothing, but by the time rehearsal ended, you’d already be curled up on the floor with someone’s hoodie over your head, snoring softly. It became a Katseye tradition:

“Where’s Y/N?”

“Sleeping again.”

~

One dorm morning, chaos was in full swing while you remained the calm eye of the storm. “Y/N! Wake up! There’s breakfast!” Megan shouted from the kitchen. No answer.

Daniela peeked into the bedroom, sure enough, you were curled into a ball, face smushed into your pillow. Blanket half on, hair a mess, dead to the world.

“Guys,” Daniela whispered, voice dropping as she stood in the doorway. “Shut up. She’s still sleeping.”

Sophia rolled her eyes from the couch. “How is that even possible? We’ve been playing music for an hour.”

“She could sleep through a concert,” Lara snorted.

Daniela stepped inside quietly and gently tugged your blanket back up to your shoulders. You sighed in your sleep and leaned into it. Her heart did something weird in her chest.

“You’re soft with her,” Manon teased from behind.

Daniela jumped. “I— I am not.”

Megan smirked. “You literally just tucked her in like she’s your girlfriend.”

“She’s tired!”

“She’s always tired,” Lara deadpanned.

“She’s cute when she sleeps,” Daniela muttered, almost too quiet.

“What was that?” Manon grinned.

“NOTHING.”

~

The day started like every other Katseye live: chaos at level 100. Sophia filmed Megan and Yoonchae doing a Tiktok dance, and Manon tried (and failed) to balance a baguette on her head. Daniela sat cross-legged on the floor, trying to hold her phone steady while answering fan comments.

And then there was you, wedged in the corner of the couch, oversized hoodie swallowing your frame, eyes half-shut. You weren’t just tired. You were done.

“Y/N, you alive?” Megan called, leaning into your space.

You raised one hand like a feeble flag. “Barely.”

The fans went wild in the chat:

“LMFAOOO Y/N looks like she’s being held hostage”

“She’s so tired omg let her SLEEP”

“Daniela protect her 😭”

Daniela glanced over her shoulder at you, her expression softening. She smiled softly and pointed to her bed.

You blinked at her, a little dazed, then pushed yourself up. Without a word, you shuffled out of frame. The others didn’t even notice, too busy yelling about whether cereal was a soup.

Then, five seconds later, you were back, dragging a pillow behind you, hood up over your eyes, a blanket clutched like a cape. You walked past the chaos, climbed into the bed in the background, and flopped down face-first, blanket over your entire body.

“Wait— did she just—” Sophia turned.

Daniela was already smiling, shaking her head. “She’s gone,” she said to the camera. “She’s literally sleeping mid-live.”

The chat exploded:

“Y/N PULLED THE RIPCORD 😭”

“I respect it. Queen behavior.”

“Daniela go tuck her in challenge?? 👀”

Daniela glanced at the camera, then back at you. You hadn’t moved. Your breathing had already evened out.

“…I’ll take care of her,” she whispered to the live, almost instinctively.

No one commented on how her voice always went softer when it came to you. But the fans noticed. And so did you, even half-asleep.

Later, in the rehearsal room, you were wide awake now, at least, by your standards. Hood up, legs crossed, sipping warm tea like you were 80 years old. But once the music started, everything changed.

On stage, you were electric. You matched Daniela step for step in a duet, and for a moment, even the staff were watching with wide eyes.

After the last beat hit, you smiled, half-lidded, sleepy still, and Daniela caught herself staring.

You tilted your head at her.

“…You okay?”

Daniela blinked. “Yeah. Just… you’re amazing. That’s all.”

You rubbed the back of your neck shyly. “You too.”

In the corner, Lara fake-swooned into Megan’s arms. Sophia made kissy noises. Manon was already plotting a new ship name.

~

Everyone in Katseye knew it: Y/N needed her sleep. And if she didn’t get it? They called it “Grump Mode.”

Like that one morning in Seoul.

Sophia had shaken you gently.

“Y/N, we’re late. Interview in twenty. Come on, sleepyhead.”

“Don’t call me that,” you grumbled into your pillow.

“You need to get up.”

You rolled over dramatically, blanket over your head.

“Don’t talk to me. I’m boycotting the day.”

“Oh no, she’s cranky,” Lara whispered.

“Abort mission,” Manon added, diving behind the couch.

Daniela just laughed, crouched beside you. “Want coffee?”

You peeked out. “Only if you get it.”

She rolled her eyes but smiled. “Fine. You’re lucky you’re cute.”

Your ears turned red.

~

Flirty fireworks became the group’s favorite pastime: trying to get you and Daniela alone together.

Megan "accidentally" booked only one dressing room for two.

Sophia made you and Daniela partner up for choreography "for better stage chemistry."

Lara would whisper, “She’s staring again,” whenever Daniela zoned out mid-rehearsal.

And she was staring. Often.

Especially when you danced with your cap low and hoodie sleeves pulled over your hands. When you got flustered. When your eyes watered slightly after a yawn.

When she caught you hiding a shy smile after she called you beautiful.

You, for your part, weren’t subtle either. You’d nudge her shoulder during breaks, whisper bad jokes in her ear, call her "grandma" when she nagged.

But the moment she flirted back, you short-circuited.

“You’re staring, Y/N,” she said once, smirking.

You looked away so fast you nearly tripped on your own feet.

~

There were live streams where you leaned against Daniela half-asleep, and she'd lower her voice just for you.

“She’s tired again,” she’d whisper to fans. “Long day. But she still came to say hi.”

And you, eyes half-lidded, would reach over and kiss her cheek without thinking.

The fans lost it every time.

Sometimes during soundcheck, when everyone else was still warming up, you’d rest your head on Daniela’s shoulder. She’d wrap an arm around you and hum quietly.

You’d sigh. She’d giggle.

She started calling you "kitten" on those days, half as a tease, half as a secret.

You’d bat her away weakly, cheeks pink. “Not in front of the others,” you’d mumble.

“But you’re purring,” she’d whisper.

~

One night backstage, Daniela taught you a dance. You were sleepy, groggy, yawning between steps.

“Step, sway, turn,” she said gently, guiding your hand.

You stumbled.

“Sorry, sorry—”

She caught you. “You’re okay. Just follow me.”

You did. You always would.

When the rest of the group peeked in, they saw her laughing as you spun her slowly, both of you barely aware anyone else existed.

“They’re in love,” Sophia whispered.

Manon pulled out her phone. “They’ll know when they see this on TikTok.”

~

You were sprawled on the couch, half-asleep, the hoodie swallowed your frame, one arm dangling lazily over the side. The quiet hum of the dorm felt like a lullaby, until Daniela appeared in the doorway, water bottle in hand.

Without opening your eyes fully, you reached up and grabbed her hand with a slow, lazy grip.

“Hey,” you murmured.

Daniela smiled, stepping closer. “Yes?”

“You’re just walking past like you don’t know I want cuddles.”

She melted instantly, the corners of her mouth tugging up. “You didn’t say anything.”

You smirked, eyes still half-closed. “Didn’t have to. My aura spoke.”

She laughed quietly and dropped down to sit beside you, her fingers brushing yours.

~

The room suddenly erupted with the other members screaming over some ridiculous game they’d started on the floor. You watched them, hood pulled up, arms crossed, pretending to be annoyed but secretly entertained.

Daniela leaned in close and whispered, “You good?”

You deadpanned, “I’m praying for everyone’s downfall.”

Her grin widened. “That’s hot.”

~

You blinked slowly, feeling the weight of only two hours’ sleep dragging on you. Someone, maybe the manager, had just suggested filming TikToks for the fans.

“No,” you said flatly.

“It’s just one,” the manager insisted.

“No.”

Daniela elbowed you playfully. “I’ll do one if you carry me like a princess.”

You sighed, dropping your head back against the couch. “Fine. But I’m not smiling.”

~

Later, in the van ride home, the world blurred into a fuzzy gray as you half-dozed. A poke to your cheek jolted you awake enough to mumble, “If that’s not Daniela, I will bite.”

Her soft laugh was the only answer. “Good news: it’s me.”

You cracked one eye open. “Then I’ll only growl a little.”

Her warmth settled next to you, and even in the exhaustion, it felt like home.

~

The room was alive with chatter, soft laughter from the group, the gentle clatter of cups, and the steady buzz of the live stream chat scrolling on the screen. All the members were gathered together, their energy warm and easy, a perfect blend of friendship and fun.

You had been fighting off sleep for a while now, but the weariness was winning. Your eyelids fluttered, and your head bobbed slightly as you tried to stay engaged with the conversation. A few viewers in the chat started to notice.

“Is Y/N falling asleep?” one typed, followed by another, “So cute, lol.”

Daniela caught the messages, her eyes flickering toward you with a knowing smile. She paused her own story and glanced your way. “Come here,” she mouthed softly, her voice barely above the hum of the stream.

Without a word, you shifted closer and gently lowered your head into her lap. Daniela’s fingers immediately found your hair, weaving through the strands and scratching softly at your scalp.

The rest of the members exchanged amused, affectionate looks but kept the vibe relaxed and calm. Daniela’s gentle touch was soothing, and you felt the last threads of tension slip away.

“You okay?” she asked quietly, still speaking just for you.

You nodded slightly, eyes closed, comforted by the warmth of her presence and the softness of her hands.

In the chat, the viewers flooded with heart emojis and kind messages, watching the quiet, tender moment unfold live, a peaceful little pause amid the laughter and excitement.

~

The studio was emptying out.

It was past midnight, a full day of rehearsals, interviews, and another chaotic TikTok live. The other Katseye girls had already disappeared to their rooms with face masks and leftover ramen, the usual post-performance wind-down. But you? You’d found your way to the couch in the corner of the studio, hoodie bunched around your shoulders, cap pulled low.

You were curled up like a cat, mouth slightly open, one arm dangling off the edge. Completely passed out.

Daniela found you like that.

She had returned for her water bottle but paused mid-step. Her smile softened instantly.

She crossed the room, crouched beside the couch, and gently brushed your hair back from your face.

You made a soft sound in your sleep, eyes fluttering, and mumbled something no one else would’ve understood.

Except her. Her name.

She froze. Then you blinked awake, groggy, half-aware, and your eyes found hers. “Hey,” you whispered, voice raspy, almost childlike.

“Did everyone leave?” Daniela nodded, still crouched there beside you. “Yeah. Except me.”

Your smile was slow. Lazy. “Good. You’re my favorite anyway.”

She swallowed. “Y/N…”

You sat up, stretching your arms with a groan. Your eyes glistened, watery from a yawn. Then, still sleepy, still warm and raw from the nap, you said it. “I think I’m in love with you.”

Daniela stared.

Your eyes went wide. You looked like you’d just realized what you said. “I mean—I didn’t—I’m just tired. Don’t listen to me, I’m half-asleep—”

“Say it again,” she whispered.

You paused.

Your voice came softer this time, rough around the edges. “I’m in love with you.”

Daniela leaned forward, cupping your jaw, thumb brushing your cheek. “Then you should kiss me.”

And you did. Slow, sweet, tentative. Like everything inside you had been asleep until that exact second.

Her lips were warm and patient, her hands anchoring you as your body melted into her touch.

You sighed, involuntarily, and she giggled softly against your lips.

"You're so dramatic when you're tired," she whispered.

“Am not,” you mumbled, dazed, already leaning in for more.

Your cap bumped her forehead. She laughed again, tugging it off and tossing it aside before kissing you harder this time, her fingers threading through your hair, your arms pulling her closer.

You kissed like the moment had been waiting for weeks, and now it had finally caught up.

Somewhere in the hallway, Megan’s voice rang out: “I TOLD YOU THEY’D KISS IN THE STUDIO!”

Lara shrieked. Sophia screamed. The door burst open.

You and Daniela shot apart, breathless and caught red-handed. You grabbed your cap like a shield.

Manon clapped. “About time.”

Daniela was flushed and glowing.

You were dazed, pink, and still very much half-asleep. But you grinned.

And when Daniela reached for your hand, you let her.

[difficultlife]

Right person, right moment

→ daniela avanzini x fem!idol!masc!reader

(Part 2 of Right person, Wrong moment)

Part 1

Summary: What happens when you see Daniela again? And what happens when VENYX and KATSEYE start touring together?

Author's note: 2.0k words, english is still not my first language, but I am so obsessed with KATSEYE, I had to try it.

A couple of weeks had passed since the night Daniela turned you down.

The days after the showcase were a blur of goodbyes. You hugged Yoonchae tightly at the dorm gates, promising to message her, your cheek pressed to her shoulder longer than necessary. You smiled at some other trainees, and high-fived them, and gave one last, awkward wave to Daniela as she stood further back, eyes unreadable.

You haven’t spoken since.

Your group, VENYX, was thrown into promotions for the movie, red carpets, interviews, fan signs. Every time a camera flashed, you found yourself thinking of her, in that bright room, turning you down so gently it hurt more. You didn’t message. You told yourself you were giving her space. You weren’t sure if she even wanted to hear from you.

But then, HYBE dropped the bomb: "VENYX and KATSEYE to join forces for a special HYBE Nation Tour!"

~

You hadn’t expected to see her so soon.

The HYBE Nation Launch Party was a blur of lights and music, idols and producers everywhere. When your group entered, dressed to the nines, your heart jumped at the sight of familiar silhouettes across the room.

KATSEYE had arrived before you. And she was there, Daniela, in a black dress with a slit up the side, hair tucked back, laughing at something Manon said.

You greeted them all one by one. You kissed Yoonchae on the cheek, her grin wide as she greeted you like no time had passed. “Still alive, I see.”

“Barely,” you whispered, smiling. "Your English has gotten a lot better by the way".

You nodded at Lara, waved to Manon. Your eyes flicked to Daniela, she met your gaze, gave a small, polite smile.

Your groups merged quickly, laughter rising in waves. The room buzzed with energy. You danced around the edges of the party, always catching her in your periphery. At one point, you ended up near the punch table together. You tried to think of something, anything, to say.

“Hey,” you said, voice soft.

“Hey,” she echoed and moved back to the others. No mention of the past. No mention of what you asked that night.

Yoonchae found you by the snack table twenty minutes later, swirling juice in a plastic cup and very obviously pretending not to stare at Daniela.

She didn’t even try to be subtle. “You’re pathetic.”

You almost spit your drink. “Excuse me?”

“You’ve looked over there like seventeen times,” she said, leaning casually against the table. “Just go say hi.”

“I don’t wanna make it weird,” you muttered. “We haven’t really talked since…”

Yoonchae shrugged. “She’s not avoiding you.”

“She’s also not jumping into my arms.”

“You want her to?”

You glared. She smirked.

Before you could answer, Sena walked past and muttered, “God, just kiss already,” like she was tired of watching a drama rerun.

You left the party with a heaviness in your chest. There was so much left unsaid.

~

Rehearsals began a week later. You and KATSEYE were now tour-mates, sharing stages, training rooms, and unfortunately for your feelings, hotel floors.

Your leaders were ecstatic about the synergy. “It’s history,” they said. “Two HYBE global groups touring together? Iconic.”

What they didn’t know was how complicated that made things.

You saw her constantly now. Early rehearsals, shared green rooms, accidental late-night kitchen run-ins.

You mostly hung out with Yoonchae, easy, funny, comforting Yoonchip. She dragged you to ramen shops during rest days, shared earphones with you on the bus, and even helped pick outfits before photoshoots.

“Stop looking so sad around her,” she whispered one night while the two of you lay on the hotel couch, watching a movie on her laptop. “You’re making me feel rejected.”

You laughed. “I’m giving her space.”

“She already has space. What she doesn’t have is someone brave enough to try again.”

You groaned into a pillow.

Your teammates weren’t subtle either.

“So,” said Rina one day during soundcheck, nudging you in the ribs, “You gonna ask her out again or should we form a committee?”

Meanwhile, across the room:

“Daniela,” Manon stage-whispered from behind her glass of soda, eyes trained like a hawk. “She’s sitting over there alone. You gonna say something or just steal glances like a drama heroine?”

“She’s not stealing glances,” Lara chimed in, not even looking up from her phone. “They’re sharing them. Like tragic soulmates in a slow-burn fanfic.”

“Exactly,” Sophia added with a snort. “You’re in your pining arc. This is textbook gay longing.”

Daniela rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed pink anyway. “You’re all so dramatic.”

“So are you, Miss Black Dress with a Slit,” Manon teased, nudging her. “You knew exactly what you were doing.”

“I wore what the stylist gave me!”

“Sure,” Lara deadpanned. “And you just happened to wear the exact thing that would make her malfunction.”

Daniela tried to act unfazed, but the way her eyes flicked back across the room betrayed her.

Later, at dinner…

You were just about to slide into the seat next to Yoonchae when she violently shifted her chair with a loud scrape, bumping you forward.

“Oh no,” she said in a syrupy voice, “looks like that spot’s taken. But hey! There’s a seat right there.” She pointed, to the only open one, directly next to Daniela.

You froze. Daniela looked up at the same moment. Your eyes locked for a beat too long.

Yoonchae gave your back a shove. “Go on. Don’t be shy.”

You shot her a glare, but she just grinned like the devil in lip gloss.

Cautiously, you sat down. “Hi,” you mumbled, heart doing backflips.

“Hi,” Daniela said, her voice quieter than usual, and warmer. Her lips curled into a subtle smile.

The entire table went quiet for half a second, and then instantly exploded into barely suppressed giggles.

“Oh wow look at the seating coincidence,” Lara said, loud enough for both of you to hear.

“Crazy how fate works,” Megan added, winking exaggeratedly at Daniela.

“Be quiet,” Daniela muttered, clearly trying not to laugh as she sipped her drink.

Throughout the dinner, your knees kept brushing under the table. Once, she leaned a little closer to show you something on her phone, and you were sure your brain short-circuited when her shoulder pressed lightly against yours.

She didn’t move away.

And neither did you.

“Are you sweating?” Sena whispered with fake concern from across the table. “You look very… flushed.”

“I hate you,” you mouthed, and she just blew you a kiss.

At one point, you accidentally dropped your napkin. You bent down to grab it at the same time Daniela did. You both straightened up, way too close, eyes locking again.

“Seriously, just date already,” Manon muttered from across the table, earning a round of shushes and snickers.

Daniela just smiled to herself, small, secret, and nudged your knee under the table once more.

After dinner, the night moved on to soft music and a relaxed hangout vibe in the lounge space of the venue. HYBE had gone all out, fairy lights, couches, open windows with views of Seoul’s skyline. Your groups had naturally blended, everyone laughing, chatting, trying to pretend like cameras weren’t always nearby.

You were sitting on the armrest of a couch when Yoonchae plopped down beside you, too close, obviously intentional.

“Hey,” she said, handing you a drink. “I asked them to give you the one Daniela likes.”

You squinted. “This is literally sparkling water.”

“Exactly,” she said smugly. “Romance is built on the little things.”

You groaned. “I hate you.”

“Love you too,” she chirped. “Now go sit with her again. She’s standing over there alone.”

“I’m not gonna just go—”

Too late. Yoonchae casually kicked your leg so you stumbled forward, right in Daniela’s direction. You caught your balance just as Daniela turned.

“Hey,” she said, blinking, smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “You okay?”

“Fine,” you muttered. “Just attacked by Yoonchae.”

“She’s been acting suspiciously helpful all night,” Daniela said. “I think she’s trying to play Cupid.”

“I think she’s just trying to embarrass me.”

You both laughed, and it was comfortable again, in that sweet way it always was with her.

Behind you, you could practically feel the stares. Lara and Manon peeked from behind a couch cushion. Sophia whispered something to Megan and they both giggled.

Then Daniela’s voice dropped slightly. “Wanna go somewhere quieter?”

You nodded.

The two of you wandered toward the back of the building, where there was a balcony no one else had discovered yet. The air was cool. The city lights glittered below.

You both leaned on the railing in silence for a minute.

“I’ve been meaning to say…” you started.

Daniela looked at you.

“That moment after your mission, I didn’t mean to make things weird.”

She shook her head. “You didn’t. I was just… surprised. I wasn’t ready. But I thought about it. A lot.”

You swallowed. “My offer still stands. If you ever want to give it a chance.”

She smiled gently, turning to you. “I do. I just want to take it slow.”

You nodded. “Slow is good.”

She reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. “You’re really bad at hiding how nervous you are.”

“I’m not nervous,” you lied.

“You’re literally shaking.”

“I’m cold.”

“It’s 26 degrees.”

“Fine. A little nervous.”

She laughed, that laugh that always made your chest ache, and looked out over the city.

You looked at her instead.

She caught your stare.

“What?” she asked, eyes dancing.

“Nothing,” you said. “Just… you look really pretty.”

Her smile softened, and for a second, the world went quiet.

~

You started having quiet dinners, just the two of you, in little noodle shops tucked away from fans. You passed a laptop back and forth on hotel beds, watching movies in the glow of bedside lamps. Sometimes, you didn’t talk, just leaned on each other and let the silence mean something.

Your group members noticed. Oh, they noticed.

“Oh, she’s glowing now,” Sophia said, watching you enter the room with a goofy smile.

Manon literally covered your face with a pillow. “Don’t give it away!”

You and Daniela would exchange long glances during interviews, finishing each other’s sentences during lives. Fans caught on too.

“Anyone else notice how Daniela always looks at Y/N when she laughs??” “VENYX and KATSEYE… are they dating or what?” “IS THAT HER HAND IN THE VLOG?”

You tried not to laugh. HYBE definitely tried to bury the comments, but your groupmates? Not so much.

At one point during a live, Yoonchae walked past the screen and coughed, loudly: “LOVERS.”

Daniela nearly choked on her water.

~

It happened on the last night in Seoul.

The others were inside, watching a movie and throwing popcorn at each other. You and Daniela stood out on the hotel balcony, cool air brushing past you, city lights blinking in the distance.

You were quiet for a while.

“I’m glad you didn’t give up on me,” she said suddenly, her voice low.

You looked at her, then away, embarrassed. “I almost did.”

She turned toward you. “But you didn’t.”

You shrugged. “Couldn’t.”

She smiled. And when you looked at her again, really looked, she had that familiar glint in her eyes.

“You’re staring,” she whispered.

You opened your mouth to deny it, but she stepped forward, took the front of your hoodie in her hands, and pulled you in by the collar.

And kissed you.

It was soft at first. Warm. Real.

Then—

BANG BANG BANG

The balcony glass door burst open.

You jumped apart and turned around, only to see every single member from both groups squished up against the glass doors of the balcony like kids at a candy store.

Yoonchae was full-on screaming. Sophia was slapping Manon’s arm in excitement. Lara had her phone out (hopefully not filming), and Megan looked like she was going to faint from secondhand giddiness.

“FINALLY!” “TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH!!” “WE CALLED THIS WEEKS AGO!” Yoonchae held up a sign she had made out of napkins that just said, "GET TOGETHER ALREADY."

Daniela groaned, burying her face in your chest.

You just stood there, dazed and smiling like an idiot.

You just laughed, wrapping your arms around her tighter.

[difficultlife]

Right person, wrong moment

→ daniela avanzini x fem!idol!masc!reader

Summary: During Dream Academy, you, a member of the Venyx group, meet the Dream Academy girls and one catches your eye. But what if this is just not the right moment?

Author's note: 2.5K words, this is my first story ever, and english is not my first language, but I am so obsessed with KATSEYE, I had to try it. Also, I do not speak korean so i used a translator

Part 2

The moment you step into the room, you feel every pair of eyes turn toward you.

The Dream Academy trainees are already seated on the floor—some cross-legged, some hugging their knees, whispering softly to one another. Son and the rest of the staff stand nearby, calm but observant. There’s a quiet buzz in the air, the kind that lives right between nerves and curiosity.

Missy claps her hands once, and the room hushes instantly.

“Alright girls,” she says. “Before we begin today, we have some guests joining us for a few days.”

You stand between Rina and Sena, your hands tucked behind your back, trying to breathe evenly.

“This is VENYX,” Missy continues, with that cool, professional smile. “They’ll be training here temporarily while working on a few tracks for an upcoming K-pop animation movie.”

A few of the Dream Academy girls exchange glances. One of them, you think it’s Adela, whispers something to her neighbor. Another girl with pink-dyed hair raises her eyebrows slightly.

Rina offers a short wave. Sena throws up a peace sign with her usual over-the-top flair.

You just bow politely, trying to stay composed.

And then—

"unnie?” The word is soft, but unmistakable.

You glance up.

Yoonchae is already rising to her feet, her expression full of disbelief and joy.

Your heart jumps, and you don’t think, you just move.

Crossing the room, you wrap your arms around her in a tight hug, not even caring that every trainee and staff member is watching. Her arms fold around you just as quickly, as if her body had been waiting for this moment too.

A few quiet gasps ripple through the room. Someone whispers, “They know each other?” Daniela is leaning forward slightly, eyebrows lifted.

You pull back just a little and smile at Yoonchae. “잘 지냈어?” (Have you been doing well?)

She nods, her eyes glowing. “진짜 신기해… 여기서 만날 줄 몰랐어.” (This is so crazy… I didn’t think we’d meet here.)

“나도.” You laugh gently. (Me neither.)

You turn to bow respectfully toward Son, who’s now watching with a quiet smile and arms crossed.

“VENYX 노래 너무 기대하고 있어요,” he says. (I’m really looking forward to your songs.)

“감사합니다, 최선을 다할게요,” you reply. (Thank you, we’ll do our best.)

~~

The next few days blur together in a montage of sweat, lyrics, and aching muscles—early vocal warmups, group harmonizing drills, tight choreography that had to feel fluid without losing its sharp edge. It was exhausting, but the kind of exhausting that made your veins feel electric.

And then came the day you remember clearest.

The day they watched.

You were halfway through running your second chorus when you turned toward the side mirror to check your spacing with Rina, and your eyes caught something else entirely.

Just behind the glass wall of the practice room, barely a meter away, you saw them.

Some of the Dream Academy girls. Sitting cross-legged or kneeling, faces pressed close to the transparent barrier like kids watching animals at the zoo. You recognized Sophia, Manon, and Yoonchae immediately. Daniela was there too, arms loosely around her knees, eyes narrowed slightly in thought.

You swallowed and nodded subtly toward the side.

Rina followed your gaze first. Then Sena. They both smiled, and you lifted your hand to give the girls a small wave. A couple of them waved back, wide-eyed.

During the next break, you walked up to Missy, who had been watching from her clipboard in the corner.

“Do you think some of the girls could come sit in… like actually sit inside? Just one session. I think they’re curious.”

Missy tilted her head. “They’re not here to study you.”

“I know,” you said. “But they’re in the middle of forming a group. This is real training. Maybe it’ll help them see how it works when things are further along.”

She didn’t smile, exactly. But she looked thoughtful. After a moment, she nodded.

“One session. Quiet. No phones. No questions.”

A few minutes later, the door opened, and a soft shuffle of feet followed. All the Dream Academy trainees walked in, and settled against the back wall on the floor, whispering softly to each other.

You tried to stay focused, but it was like performing with cameras rolling. Your mind wanted to lock into every tiny shift, every eye, every movement behind you.

You sang the bridge, stretching your vocals just a little more than usual. When the hook came, you and Rina moved with sharper precision, syncing steps like muscle memory had kicked into overdrive.

And when you turned around mid-combo, your gaze snagged again—Daniela.

She wasn’t whispering like the others. She wasn’t even blinking much. Her brows were pulled together in concentration, the way people look when they’re decoding something.

She wasn’t just watching. She was studying you.

Son eventually stepped forward with some notes, motioning with his pen as he spoke.

“첫 번째 프리 코러스에는 보컬적으로 더 많은 리프트가 필요합니다. 고음으로 미끄러지지 말고 깔끔하게 가세요. 긴장하지 말고. 가볍게 생각하세요." (The first pre-chorus needs more lift vocally. Don’t slide into the high notes, go there clean. No tension. Think light.)

You all nodded.

As the second verse started, you noticed Daniela lean forward slightly. Yoonchae nudged her shoulder, whispering something that made Daniela smile for a moment, just a flicker, but then her eyes were back on you.

You didn’t mean to look as much as you did. But somehow your gaze always found her.

She wasn’t trying to impress. She wasn’t trying to hide.

She was just present.

And maybe, in some quiet way, you liked that.

~~

A few days before Mission 2, rehearsal had run later than expected. Your body was still warm from dancing, your hair damp at the nape from hours under the studio lights.

You wandered through the quiet hallways, water bottle in hand, looking for Yoonchae. Most of the building had gone dim, shadows stretching long under the fluorescent emergency lights. A faint beat echoed from the end of the corridor, gentle and steady.

You followed it.

Pushing open a side room door, you stepped into the soft music, you recognised the beat of 'fearless'.

But the room was empty.

Until a voice pulled you from the silence. “Looking for someone?”

You turned.

Daniela stood by the doorframe, arms crossed loosely, her hair slightly tousled, lips curved in a tired smile.

“Yoonchae,” you said, smiling. “I thought she might be here.”

“She’s in the dorms, I think,” Daniela replied, walking into the room. She glanced at you sideways. “Do you speak Korean?”

“Yeah, fluently.”

Her face lit up just slightly, a spark of relief crossing her expression. “Perfect. UA’s struggling with a translation, like, badly. Can you help real quick? They called her out for it, and we are trying to help but it is really hard”

You chuckled. “I’ve definitely been there.”

Daniela led you through the halls to another practice room, where UA, Celeste, and Ezrela were going over choreography. UA was visibly stressed, hands on her hips, trying to mimic a move Ezrela had shown but getting tangled in her own timing. (I know UA is not Korean, but I wanted to use this in the story, but I found out too late, but I still left it in)

You stepped in gently. “Hi,” you said softly in Korean, “괜찮아, 내가 도와줄게.” (It’s okay, I’ll help you.)

UA blinked up at you, wide-eyed.

You walked over and gently took her arms, adjusting their angle. “Lift here, no tension in the wrists,” you said, switching smoothly between Korean and English. “Now pivot. Shoulders loose.”

As she tried again, you nodded and clapped. “There it is!”

Manon let out a small cheer. Celeste beamed. The whole room softened, laughter spilling over as UA grumbled playfully, “You make it look easy.”

You stayed for another 30 minutes or so, translating quick notes, correcting footwork, laughing when they teased each other mid-move. It was warm, that space. A kind of quiet sisterhood. Daniela leaned against the mirror, watching.

When they wrapped up, Daniela walked over and nodded toward the elevator. “Come with me?”

You raised a brow. “Where?”

“Dorms.”

You followed.

The second Daniela opened the dorm door, chaos erupted.

“OH MY GOD IT’S HER—” “DID YOU SEE HER IN THE CHOREO ROOM??” “WAIT, IS SHE COMING IN??” “UNNIEEEE!!”

You were pulled inside with zero resistance, half-laughing as some girls were talking over each other. Yoonchae rushed over, throwing her arms around you.

“언니! 왜 이제 왔어?” (Unnie! Why’d you only come now?)

You smiled, ruffling her hair. “연습 늦게 끝났어.” (Practice ended late.)

“밥 같이 먹자!” (Let’s eat together!)

You lowered your voice. “다 같이 갈까? 아니면 그냥 우리 셋이?” (Should we invite the others too, or just us?)

She looked around, then leaned in. “Ask them.”

You turned toward the crowd. “Hey,” you called out in English, smiling, “anyone want to grab dinner with me and Yoonchae?”

The explosion of “YES!” nearly knocked the walls down.

Dinner ended up being a casual spot, rice bowls and cold noodles. You sat between Yoonchae and Daniela, your legs tired but your heart buzzing.

Halfway through, Daniela turned toward you, chopsticks pausing in her hand. “So,” she said, “how do you know her?”

You glanced at Yoonchae. “We met at a training workshop a while ago. Before Dream Academy even started. I got scouted through a showcase and took Korean lessons while prepping. We took lessons together.”

“She was so bad at pronunciation back then,” Yoonchae teased.

Daniela smiled. “I’m impressed. That’s dedication.”

You shrugged. “I figured if I was going to sing in the language, I should understand it too.”

The conversation kept flowing, and you noticed how Daniela leaned in a little when you spoke. How her laugh felt real. How the warmth in your chest had nothing to do with spicy noodles.

~~

You were sitting on the floor of the training hallway, back leaned against the cool wall, scrolling through your phone with a half-finished protein bar in your lap. Around you, the muffled sounds of music echoed from the rehearsal rooms, trainers shouting occasional corrections. The air smelled like fabric softener, floor polish, and sweat.

Rina plopped down beside you, stretching her legs with a groan and sipping from her water bottle. She glanced at your phone, then at your face.

“You liiiike her.”

You frowned. “What? Who?”

“Don’t play dumb,” she said, nudging your shoulder. “Daniela. You’ve had heart-eyes for her since the first warm-up.”

“I have not.”

Sena walked by, towel draped over her neck, catching just enough of the conversation to smirk. “Ask her out already. You’re both ridiculously obvious.”

Before you could come up with a snarky reply, the door to one of the adjacent training rooms opened.

Laughter spilled out, followed by a cluster of the Dream Academy girls stepping into the hallway. Daniela was among them, flushed from practice, her ponytail loose and bouncing as she walked.

She noticed you, and her smile faltered, just for a second, but then softened. She gave you a little wave, brushing some hair behind her ear.

You waved back, biting the inside of your cheek.

Rina raised an eyebrow and whispered, “Mhmm. That’s what I thought.”

You pushed her lightly, but your eyes didn’t leave Daniela until the group disappeared down the hall.

The next day, your group sat behind the glass of the rehearsal room, watching the Dream Academy girls perform their Mission 2 practice run.

Your eyes were supposed to be on everyone. You were supposed to be taking notes, learning from how they handled their camera presence.

But your gaze kept returning to her.

Daniela was standing slightly off-center, hitting every move with controlled energy. Her expression shifted effortlessly from fierce to soft with the beat. She wasn’t just dancing, she was performing.

“You’re staring,” Sena whispered beside you, nudging your arm.

“Am not.”

“You are. Again.”

You rolled your eyes, but your heart betrayed you, still beating a little faster each time Daniela smiled during the choreography.

When practice wrapped up, the girls filtered out, heading to change or grab snacks. You lingered, hanging by the water dispenser.

Daniela passed by, hair tied up messily, cheeks flushed from rehearsal.

“Nice job today,” you said casually, offering her your water bottle cap to help twist hers open.

“Thanks,” she said with a breathless smile, “you guys watching from behind the glass made me so nervous.”

“You couldn’t tell,” you said. “You were… amazing.”

A pause stretched between you.

And then, without overthinking it, you asked, “Would you maybe… want to go out sometime? Just us?”

Daniela froze, not with fear, not rejection. Just something softer. Conflicted.

“I want to,” she said honestly, quietly. “But… if I get into KATSEYE, people will say it’s because of you. Because of this.”

You exhaled slowly, feeling the edges of your chest tighten. “Yeah… I figured.”

You forced a small smile. “Then I’ll wait. When you get in… I’ll ask again.”

Daniela’s eyes searched yours. Then, slowly, she stepped closer.

“Then I hope,” she whispered, “you don’t have to wait long.”

And just before she turned to walk away—

She leaned in, brushing a light kiss to your cheek.

You froze.

She was already walking down the hallway when Rina peeked around the corner and mouthed: “SHE KISSED YOU?!”

You grinned, dazed and warm.

And for the first time since arriving here, it wasn’t the stage lights making you glow.