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miorrtae · 1 month ago

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NEWS FLASH ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི TAEYEON SMAU

NF 15

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The final chorus of our last song echoed through the arena, harmonizing with the chants and cheers of thousands of fans. The energy was electric, the light sticks glowing in a sea of color that stretched as far as I could see. I stood center stage, my chest heaving as I caught my breath, feeling the adrenaline of the performance pulsing through me.

As the music faded and we struck our ending poses, the arena plunged into a momentary hush, the stage lights dimming. Then, like clockwork, the massive jumbotron above us lit up, bringing the crowd to life again with its fan cam, panning over the audience.

I watched with a smile, waving lightly to the fans who popped up on the screen, their faces filled with joy. The camera swept from row to row, capturing everything from cheering fans to waving banners. It was always one of my favorite moments, seeing their happiness magnified tenfold.

But then, the camera stopped.

And there she was.

Taeyeon.

Her image filled the entire screen, seated gracefully in the VIP section. She held a serene yet unmistakably proud smile on her face. Her gaze was steady, fixed directly on me, and it was like the entire world tilted off its axis.

The arena erupted.

The screams were deafening, as if the crowd had collectively lost its mind. Taeyeon’s name rippled through the audience, the chants growing louder with every second.

“Taeyeon! Taeyeon! Taeyeon!”

My body froze. My heart dropped, then soared, and for a moment, I thought I might actually forget how to breathe. She was here. She was actually here.

I couldn’t look away, even though I knew I had to. My lips parted slightly in disbelief, and for a second, it felt like time had slowed to a crawl. Taeyeon raised her hand, giving a small wave, her smile widening just enough to make it impossible for me to focus on anything else.

The camera stayed on her for a few more seconds as the audience’s cheers turned into thunderous applause. My pulse raced, and I could feel the heat creeping up my neck, threatening to turn me bright red.

I forced myself to snap out of it.

Lifting the microphone to my lips, I took a shaky breath and chuckled lightly, trying to mask the storm of emotions brewing inside me. “Well,” I said, my voice steady despite the chaos I felt, “it looks like you guys really like Taeyeon seonbae.”

The crowd roared even louder, if that was even possible, their excitement nearly shaking the walls of the venue. I laughed softly, shaking my head to compose myself.

“She really knows how to make an entrance, huh?” I added, earning another round of cheers and laughter from the audience.

I turned to glance at my groupmates, who were all exchanging grins and knowing looks. They’d clearly caught my reaction, and judging by their smirks, they were enjoying every second of my flustered state.

The show wrapped up with our final bows, and I forced myself to stay in the moment, addressing the fans and thanking them for their support. I smiled, waved, and spoke with as much enthusiasm as I could muster, but my thoughts were elsewhere. My heart was still racing, and every fiber of my being was focused on one thing: getting off that stage and finding her.

As the lights dimmed and we exited to the deafening applause of the crowd, my mind replayed the moment over and over. She had come. Despite everything, she had made it. And she hadn’t just slipped in quietly—she had let the entire arena know she was there.

The walk backstage felt endless, but the second I pushed through the door into the green room, my breath hitched.

There she was.

Taeyeon stood in the center of the room, holding a bouquet of flowers I’d hadn’t seen on the jumbotron. She looked radiant, her expression a mix of pride and something softer—something that made my chest tighten all over again.

I didn’t say a word. I couldn’t.

Before I even realized what I was doing, I crossed the room in a few long strides and pulled her into a hug. It wasn’t a casual hug, either—it was one of those tight, desperate embraces where you pour all your emotions into the gesture because words just won’t cut it.

Her arms came around me almost immediately, and I felt her laugh softly against my shoulder. “Surprised?” she murmured, her voice warm and teasing.

“You have no idea,” I whispered, my voice muffled against her.

The tension I’d been holding in all night melted away in her presence. I could feel her smile as she pulled back just enough to look at me, her eyes filled with something that made my heart ache in the best way.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” she said softly.

I barely had a second to pull myself together after the hug before the girls came storming into the green room, their laughter bouncing off the walls like they’d been plotting this moment for hours.

“Oh, look who’s here!” Karina said immediately, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Taeyeon seonbae, huh? No wonder Y/N’s been all smiles.”

“Right?” Natty chimed in, crossing her arms and mock-pouting. “So this is why you’ve been ignoring your wife.”

“Wife?” Taeyeon echoed with a chuckle, raising a brow as she glanced at me.

“She’s delusional. Don’t listen to her,” Y/N said quickly, though the tips of their ears were red.

“Delusional? Wow, is that how you treat me after everything we’ve been through?” Natty shot back dramatically, earning laughs from everyone.

Karina smirked, leaning against the wall. “You’ve got some explaining to do, Y/N. But hey, at least you’re consistent. First, you embarrass yourself on stage, and now this.”

“Can you not?” Y/N groaned, though there was no real heat in their voice.

Eunchae giggled, nudging Chungha. “I think we need to give them some privacy. It’s getting spicy in here.”

Jisun, ever the responsible leader, finally stepped in. “Alright, that’s enough, guys. Leave Y/N alone.”

“But this is the best part of the night!” Natty whined, though she backed off.

Chungha laughed, nudging Eunchae, who was giggling so hard she had tears in her eyes. “I’m not gonna lie; that hug was kind of legendary,” Chungha said, trying to keep a straight face. “You looked like you were about to melt.”

“I was not about to melt,” I shot back, crossing my arms.

“Oh, you were totally melting,” Eunchae said between laughs. “We all saw it. Don’t even try to deny it!”

“Okay, enough,” Jisun said sharply, cutting through the teasing like a mom stepping in to stop the chaos. She gave the others a pointed look. “Let Y/N have this moment without all of you acting like clowns.”

The room fell into a brief silence, though Karina’s smirk lingered like she wasn’t quite done yet.

“Thanks, Jisun,” I muttered, grateful for the reprieve.

Jisun sighed, but her lips quirked into a small smile as she looked at me. “You owe me for this one. Big time.”

“Noted,” I said with a chuckle, and then glanced back at Taeyeon, who was watching the whole exchange with amused eyes.

“So, uh,” I started, scratching the back of my neck, “we’ve got a company dinner planned for after this.”

“Oh?” Taeyeon tilted her head slightly, her curiosity evident.

“You should come,” I blurted out before I could second-guess myself.

The room erupted again, though this time it was Chungha who was the loudest. “Taeyeon sunbae at our dinner? You’re really trying to win today, huh, Y/N?”

“She has to come now,” Natty added, winking at Taeyeon. “We need more material to tease Y/N with later.”

“Seriously, can y’all stop?” I groaned, though my face was definitely red.

“I’d love to,” Taeyeon said, smiling at me like the teasing didn’t faze her at all.

That shut everyone up for a split second, which was honestly a miracle.

As we wrapped up and got ready to leave, Taeyeon and I ended up walking side by side, the bouquet still in her hands. The others trailed behind us, still whispering and giggling, but I tuned them out.

When we stepped outside through the front entrance, the fans waiting outside erupted into cheers. The cool night air hit my face, but it did nothing to cool down the heat spreading through me as Taeyeon reached for my hand.

Her fingers brushed mine as we walked out of the venue, and for a split second, I felt my pulse quicken. Taeyeon’s hand was warm, and though it wasn’t quite a tight grip, there was something about the touch that made everything else feel distant. The flashing cameras, the screams from the fans, it all seemed to fade into the background as I focused on the sensation of her fingers against mine.

The night air hit us as we stepped outside, the cool breeze doing nothing to cool the heat creeping up my neck. Fans lined the front, waving signs and shouting our names, but none of it mattered. All I could focus on was Taeyeon, her calm demeanor in the midst of all the chaos, the way she didn’t seem rattled by any of it, and how she didn’t let go of my hand.

“You know,” I started, glancing over at her, “they’re probably going to be talking about this for weeks. You know, seeing you here with me and all.”

Taeyeon smirked, glancing down at our hands before looking back at me. “Let them. Not like I’m trying to hide.”

There was that spark in her eyes again. The one that always made my heart skip a beat. But I couldn’t let myself get too lost in it. We were just friends, after all. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

As we neared the curb where both of our cars were waiting, Taeyeon slowed her steps and turned toward me. Her eyes scanned my face, and she tilted her head slightly. “So,” she said softly, “are you riding with them?” She gestured toward my groupmates, who were already piling into their van with our manager. “Or do you want to come with me?”

Her question caught me completely off guard. My group mates were still chatting, not paying us much attention, though I could hear Natty’s faint laughter echoing from inside the van. I glanced between them and Taeyeon, my mind racing.

“I—” I hesitated, trying not to let my nerves show.

Taeyeon smiled knowingly, her expression calm but patient, like she wasn’t in any rush to hear my answer. “No pressure,” she added, though the playful lilt in her voice said otherwise.

I glanced back at my van one last time, where Natty was making exaggerated gestures that I was sure were meant to tease me later. Then I looked at Taeyeon again, her presence grounding me in a way I couldn’t explain.

“I’ll come with you,” I said, my voice quieter than I intended.

Taeyeon’s smile widened, and without another word, she led me to her car, her hand brushing mine again. The fans’ cheers grew louder as they realized what was happening, but I barely heard them. All I could focus on was the way Taeyeon held the door open for me, her steady gaze making my heart race in a way I couldn’t ignore.

As I slid into the backseat next to her, her manager took the front, giving us space but not entirely ignoring us. Taeyeon leaned back slightly, her shoulder brushing mine, and the quiet hum of the car engine was the only thing filling the silence between us.

The car pulled away from the curb, the hum of the engine blending with the muffled sounds of fans still cheering outside. The tinted windows shielded us from the chaos, creating a bubble of calm inside the car.

I leaned back in my seat, glancing over at Taeyeon, who was casually scrolling through her phone. The glow of the screen highlighted her face, and for a moment, I let myself stare, trying to figure out how someone could look so effortlessly good doing nothing.

“Something on my face?” she asked without looking up, her lips twitching into a small smirk.

I huffed, crossing my arms. “You’re annoying, you know that?”

“Am I?” She finally turned her head, raising a brow. “You’re the one staring.”

“Was not,” I muttered, though the warmth creeping up my neck betrayed me.

Taeyeon chuckled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re cute when you get flustered.”

I turned my head sharply to the window, trying to hide my face. “You’re doing this on purpose.”

“Maybe.” She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping just enough to make my heart do a flip. “But you make it too easy.”

I turned back to her, narrowing my eyes. “One day, I’m going to figure out how to out-tease you.”

“Sure,” she said, her tone playful. “I’ll wait for that day.”

Her manager glanced at us through the rearview mirror but didn’t say anything, her face betraying no reaction.

“So,” Taeyeon started, breaking the brief silence. “You’re really going to drag me to this company dinner, huh? What’s the menu? Or is this one of those places where I have to pretend I’m fine eating something I can’t even pronounce?”

I laughed at that, the tension in my chest easing. “Honestly, I wouldn’t know. Our manager picked the place. Could be fancy, could be a pizza joint. It’s always a toss-up.”

“Great,” she said, leaning back and letting her head rest against the seat. “At least I’ll have you to suffer with.”

“Who said I’m suffering?” I teased, nudging her lightly with my elbow.

“Good point.” She turned her head slightly to look at me, her eyes softening. “You’ve been smiling a lot tonight. I like that.”

Her words caught me off guard, and I felt my cheeks heat up again. “What, do I usually look miserable or something?”

“Not miserable,” she said, her gaze unwavering. “Just… guarded. It’s nice seeing you relax.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I stayed quiet, letting her words sink in. She had this way of disarming me, of making me feel seen in a way that was both comforting and terrifying.

“What about you?” I asked after a moment, my voice quieter. “You seem pretty relaxed yourself. Doesn’t all this”—I gestured vaguely, referring to the fans, the cameras, the constant attention—“ever get to you?”

She tilted her head, considering the question. “It used to. But I’ve learned to tune it out. Focus on the parts that matter.”

“Like what?”

Her eyes met mine again, and for a split second, the air between us felt heavier, charged. “Like this,” she said simply, her voice steady.

I blinked, caught off guard by the weight of her words. She didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t ask her to. Instead, I let myself sit in the moment, the quiet hum of the car and the closeness of her presence enough to fill the silence.

“You know,” she said after a beat, her tone lighter, “if they’re serving something weird at dinner, you’re ordering for me.”

I snorted, grateful for the shift in tone. “Oh, so now I’m your personal food taster?”

“Obviously,” she said with a grin. “That’s what friends are for, right?”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the smile tugging at my lips. “Right. Friends.”

But as her hand brushed mine again, lingering just a second too long, I couldn’t help but wonder how long we could keep pretending that was all we were.

The car rolled to a stop outside the restaurant, and as soon as I glanced out the window, I groaned. A crowd of fans had somehow found the location, their phones already flashing like a swarm of fireflies in the night.

“How do they always know?” I muttered, leaning back in my seat.

Taeyeon smirked beside me, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to my rising annoyance. “They have their ways. It’s almost impressive, honestly.”

Her manager turned from the front seat. “We’ll head in quickly. Security’s already waiting by the entrance.”

“Great,” I sighed, glancing at Taeyeon. “Ready to make a scene?”

She chuckled, smoothing her jacket. “Always.”

The car door opened, and immediately, the fans’ cheers and shouts filled the air. Taeyeon stepped out first, moving with the kind of effortless grace that made her seem untouchable. I followed close behind, the noise hitting me like a wave.

Before I could think twice, Taeyeon’s hand brushed mine again, and this time, she laced her fingers through mine, giving a reassuring squeeze.

I shot her a look. “You really don’t care, huh?”

“About what?” she said, her voice calm even as cameras flashed wildly. “I told you, I’m not hiding.”

Her words settled something in me, and together, we pushed through the crowd, security clearing a path for us. Fans called our names, their excitement palpable, but Taeyeon’s hand stayed firmly in mine until we reached the restaurant doors.

Inside, the atmosphere was much quieter, the warm lighting and soft chatter of the restaurant a stark contrast to the chaos outside. My group mates were already gathered at a long table near the back, the buzz of conversation and laughter filling the space.

As soon as they saw us, the teasing started.

“Wow, Y/N,” Karina said with a grin, her voice loud enough to draw everyone’s attention. “You really brought her to dinner, huh?”

“She’s bold now,” Natty added, winking at me. “I love this new side of you.”

“Y’all are insufferable,” I muttered, sliding into a seat near the middle of the table. Taeyeon followed, sitting next to me with an amused smile.

“Don’t mind them,” she said softly, leaning closer. “They’re just jealous.”

“Of what?” I shot back, raising a brow.

She shrugged, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Of how good we look together.”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands as the table erupted in laughter.

The evening carried on, the food arriving in waves as everyone settled into easy conversation. Taeyeon fit in surprisingly well, her sharp humor and relaxed energy making it impossible for anyone not to like her.

At one point, Jisun stood up, raising her glass. “Alright, everyone, shut up for a second. I wanna make a toast.”

The table quieted, all eyes turning to her.

“To us,” she began, her voice steady and warm. “To an incredible concert, to all the hard work we put in, and to the memories we’ve made along the way. I’m so proud of every single one of you, and I can’t wait to see what we do next.”

We all raised our glasses, cheers erupting around the table.

“Also,” Jisun added with a smirk, her eyes flicking to me, “a special thanks to Y/N for bringing Taeyeon sunbae tonight. You’ve officially made this the best company dinner ever.”

The laughter and clinking of glasses that followed were almost deafening, and though I rolled my eyes, I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face.

Taeyeon leaned closer, her voice low enough for only me to hear. “I think you just became the company favorite.”

“Thanks to you,” I replied, nudging her lightly.

“Anytime,” she said, her smile soft and genuine.

And for the first time in a long while, I felt like everything was exactly where it was supposed to be.

taglist + @gtfoiydlyj @sewiouslyz @xen248 @mineige @yjiminswallet @saysirhc @pandafuriosa60 @yeri-luvr

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miorrtae · 2 months ago

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NEWS FLASH ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི TAEYEON SMAU

NF 13

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I barely had time to close the door behind me before I heard Jisun’s voice cut through the quiet.

“Where the hell were you?”

Jisun was standing in the middle of the living room, arms crossed, her expression unusually sharp. The calm, patient demeanor I was used to seeing from her was nowhere in sight.

I froze, my hand still resting on the door handle. “I—uh—I was out. Why?”

“Why?” Jisun’s voice rose slightly, a mixture of anger and disbelief. “Because we’ve been looking for you for hours! You didn’t answer your phone, didn’t tell anyone where you were—you just disappeared without a word!”

I sighed, stepping further into the room. “I needed some air. I wasn’t trying to make it a big deal.”

“Well, congratulations, because it turned into one,” Jisun snapped. She took a step closer, her voice trembling slightly, as if her frustration was barely contained. “Do you even know how worried we were? We thought something happened to you!”

“I didn’t mean to worry anyone,” I muttered, guilt creeping in as I avoided Jisun’s piercing gaze.

Jisun threw her hands in the air. “That’s not the point! You don’t just leave like that. You’re part of this group, and we rely on each other. And on top of that, I had something important to tell you!”

I blinked, my brow furrowing. “What are you talking about?”

“Did you even know we had a concert coming up?” Jisun’s voice cracked slightly, but it was sharp, cutting through the silence. “You’re the leader. How do you not know this stuff?”

“Do you even understand how huge this is for us? For all of us? And instead of celebrating together, you were off doing… whatever it is you’ve been doing with Taeyeon.”

I stopped, my heart sinking at Jisun’s words. I could feel the weight of my title, but it was hard to juggle everything. Being the oldest wasn’t easy, but being the leader? That was a whole different kind of pressure.

“Jisun, I understand why you’re mad,” I started, my voice calm but firm. “But I’m the leader, yeah, and I know I should have known about the concert. But that doesn’t mean I’m always on top of everything. We all make mistakes. And right now, I’m doing my best to make sure this doesn’t fall apart.”

Jisun’s eyes softened for a moment, but the anger was still there, simmering just beneath the surface. “You’re the leader. You’re supposed to keep us in line, to make sure things don’t slip through the cracks.”

I exhaled sharply. “I know. I’m not perfect. But I need you to trust me, Jisun. I’m doing my best, and I’ll fix this. I promise.”

There was a long silence as Jisun considered my words, the tension in the room palpable.

Finally, Jisun let out a frustrated sigh and uncrossed her arms. “I just want to make sure we’re all on the same page. We’ve got a lot riding on this concert. I just don’t want to fail.”

“We won’t,” I said, stepping closer to Jisun. “We won’t fail. We’ve got each other. And I’ve got this. But I need you with me, Jisun.”

Jisun didn’t answer immediately, but she gave a small nod, still not fully convinced, but willing to give me the chance to fix it.

“Good,” Jisun said, turning to leave but pausing in the doorway. “Because we’ve got a lot to plan, and this concert isn’t going to prepare itself. Be ready in the morning. We’re going to have a full meeting about it, and you’d better be there on time.”

I nodded silently, watching as Jisun walked away. Once the room was empty, I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the evening pressing down on me. A concert was a huge deal—something we had all been working toward for so long. And yet, I had almost missed the moment completely because I couldn’t handle my own thoughts.

I sat on the couch, my head tilted back as I stared at the ceiling. The room was quiet, but my mind wasn’t. Jisun’s words echoed in my head, and every time I thought about how I’d left without telling anyone, the guilt crept up all over again. I rubbed my temples, trying to push it all aside, but it lingered like a shadow.

My phone buzzed on the couch cushion next to me. I ignored it at first, assuming it was one of the group members still upset with me. But when it buzzed again, curiosity got the better of me. I picked it up, and Taeyeon’s name flashed across the screen.

I hesitated for a moment, debating whether to answer. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to talk to Taeyeon—it was the opposite. Maybe it was because she felt like an escape, and right now, I wasn’t sure if I deserved that.

Still, I swiped to answer. “Hello?”

“Hey.” Taeyeon’s voice was calm, steady, and instantly soothing. “Did you make it back okay?”

“Yeah,” I replied, leaning back into the couch. “I’m home.”

“Good,” Taeyeon said, her voice softening slightly. “I figured you’d be back by now. I just wanted to check in. You sounded a little off earlier.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “Yeah, well, it’s been a night.”

“Jisun?” Taeyeon guessed immediately, a knowing edge to her voice.

“Yep,” I confirmed, exhaling heavily. “She was mad. And honestly, I don’t blame her. I just got up and left without saying anything. Apparently, everyone was looking for me.”

“Sounds like they care about you,” Taeyeon pointed out, her tone gentle but firm.

I grimaced, the guilt flaring up again. “Yeah. Jisun said the same thing. And the worst part is I missed something huge because of it.”

“What happened?” Taeyeon asked, her curiosity piqued.

“We’re booked for a concert,” I said quietly. “Our first big one as a group. They wanted to celebrate, and instead of being there for it, I was out watching the sunset.”

“With me,” Taeyeon added, her voice soft but pointed.

“Yeah,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “With you.”

The silence on the line stretched out for a moment, heavy but not uncomfortable. It felt like Taeyeon was giving me space to process, but it only made the tension in my chest grow.

“I’m sorry,” Taeyeon said suddenly, her voice cutting through the quiet.

I frowned. “For what?”

“For being part of the reason you weren’t there,” Taeyeon explained. “I should’ve asked if your group knew where you were. I didn’t mean to pull you away from something that important.”

“It’s not your fault,” I said quickly, my voice firm. “I made the choice to leave. I just… I don’t know. I needed to get away for a while. I didn’t think it would turn into such a big deal.”

“It’s a big deal because they care about you,” Taeyeon said gently. “But I get it. Sometimes you need space. It’s hard, balancing everything—your career, the pressure, the expectations. I’ve been there.”

I closed my eyes, letting her words sink in. “It’s just… a lot sometimes. You know? And tonight, being out there with you, it felt like I could breathe for the first time in weeks.”

Taeyeon was quiet for a moment, then said, “I’m glad I could give you that. But you’ve got to find a way to take care of yourself without shutting people out. It’s not easy, but it’s important.”

“I know,” I said softly. “I told Jisun I’d do better. I just hope she believes me.”

“She will,” Taeyeon reassured. “She’s upset now, but that’s because she cares. Give her time, and show her you mean it. Actions speak louder than words, right?”

I nodded, even though Taeyeon couldn’t see it. “Yeah. You’re right.”

The line went quiet again, but this time, it felt less heavy.

“For what it’s worth,” Taeyeon said after a moment, “I think you’re doing fine. You’re figuring it out as you go, just like the rest of us.”

“Thanks, Tae,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips.

“Anytime.” Taeyeon’s voice softened again, almost like a whisper. “And for the record, I had a good time tonight. Even if it got you into trouble.”

I chuckled softly. “Me too. It was worth it.”

Taeyeon laughed lightly. “Well, next time, let’s not make it so dramatic, huh? I don’t think my heart can handle being the reason your member wants to strangle someone.”

“Deal,” I said, my smile widening.

“Alright, get some rest,” Taeyeon said, her tone shifting back to something more practical. “You’ve got a big day tomorrow. Concert prep. You’re gonna be fine. I know you will.”

“Thanks, Tae,” I said one last time before hanging up.

I sat there for a moment, staring at the screen, the weight of everything still lingering in the air. But for the first time tonight, I didn’t feel quite as overwhelmed. Maybe things were starting to make sense again.

__________________________

The tension from the evening still lingered in my chest as I climbed into bed, but the conversation with Taeyeon had eased the weight just enough. I stared at the ceiling, replaying everything in my head—Jisun’s anger, the concert news, the guilt that burned every time I thought about how my group had been looking for me.

But Taeyeon’s voice stuck out the most. The way she calmly told me we were figuring it out like everyone else made the storm in my mind quiet down, if only for a little while.

I sighed, rolling onto my side. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had let my group down at a critical moment. This was supposed to be our shared dream, the thing we’d all worked for tirelessly. And yet, when the big announcement came, I was somewhere else entirely—wrapped up in my own emotions, seeking solace with someone who wasn’t even part of the team.

Still, Jisun’s words were clear.

The morning sunlight spilled into my room, pulling me out of a restless sleep. For a moment, I stayed in bed, letting the warmth of the light soothe my nerves. Today marked the start of something big. I couldn’t afford to mess it up.

By the time I made it to the kitchen, the apartment was alive with movement. Jisun was already at the table, a tablet in hand and a coffee mug close by. The rest of the group moved around her, the energy buzzing with excitement and purpose. The air felt different—charged, like we all knew the stakes and were ready to rise to the occasion.

“Morning,” I said tentatively, grabbing a seat across from Jisun.

Jisun glanced up, her expression guarded but not cold. “Morning. You’re on time. That’s a start.”

I bit back a sigh of relief. It wasn’t exactly forgiveness, but it wasn’t outright hostility either. “Yeah. I’m ready to dive in.”

Jisun’s sharp eyes studied me for a moment before she nodded. “Good. Because we’ve got a lot to cover.”

As the meeting began, I forced myself to focus. Details about setlists, choreography, and stage setups came at us in rapid-fire succession. It was overwhelming, but I didn’t dare let my mind wander. This was my shot to prove I was all in, that last night was a fluke and not a sign of things to come.

By the time the meeting wrapped up, my head was spinning. But the determination in the room was contagious, and I couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement despite the lingering guilt.

After a long and grueling day of practice, I was finally able to escape the studio. My muscles were sore, and my mind felt like it was on overload with all the preparations for the upcoming concert. As I made my way back to my room, I tossed my things aside and flopped onto the bed, grabbing my phone instinctively. It was the first moment I had to breathe, and I found myself wanting to hear Taeyeon’s voice again.

I quickly dialed her number, anxiously waiting as it rang. A few moments later, her familiar voice answered.

“Hey, you sound tired,” Taeyeon said softly, her voice carrying a calm warmth.

“I am,” I replied, letting out a long exhale. “Practice was intense. But I’m glad it’s over. How about you? What’s going on?”

“Same here,” Taeyeon answered. “It’s been a busy day, and I’ve got more stuff to handle. But, you know, it’s all part of the job.”

I could hear the weariness in her voice too, but it still wasn’t the reason I was calling. There was something else lingering in my chest.

“Hey, um,” I started, hesitating just a little. “Are you gonna be able to come to the concert? I mean, I don’t know if you’ve got stuff going on… I just thought it’d be nice if you were there, y’know?”

There was a long pause on the other end, just enough to make my stomach twist with uncertainty. Finally, Taeyeon spoke, and the words felt like they cut through the air a little heavier than I expected.

“I… I’m not sure yet,” Taeyeon said, her voice quiet. “I’ve got a lot of things on my plate right now, and with the schedule, it’s tough to make any promises.”

I felt a little pang in my chest, the slight disappointment creeping up before I could push it away. I tried to mask it with a nonchalant tone, but it was hard to hide.

“Oh,” I said softly, trying to sound casual but failing. “I get it. You’ve got a lot going on.”

Taeyeon must’ve picked up on the shift in my tone, because her voice softened immediately. “Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you,” she said gently. “I really want to come, but I just can’t say for sure right now. There’s a lot happening, you know?”

I paused, biting my lip as I processed what she said. “I know. I just… I really wanted you to be there. It feels like you’ve been a part of all this, and it’d mean a lot.”

There was a silence for a few moments, and I could almost hear Taeyeon thinking. When she spoke again, her voice was full of sincerity.

“I know it’s important to you, Y/N,” she said softly. “I really wish I could give you a definite answer right now, but things are a bit up in the air. But if I can make it, I will. I promise.”

I let out a breath, trying to shake the feeling of disappointment that lingered. “Yeah. It’s fine. I understand.”

Taeyeon didn’t let it go so easily, though. “No, it’s not fine. I know it matters to you, and I’ll do my best. I want to be there for you. For all of it.”

My heart did a small flip at her words, and I couldn’t help but feel a little lighter. “Thanks, Tae. That… that means a lot.”

“I’m glad,” Taeyeon said. “And hey, I’m really proud of you, okay? For everything. You’re doing great.”

I smiled at the warmth in her voice. “Thanks. That helps more than you know.”

“Anytime,” Taeyeon replied. “Now, get some rest. I know you’re tired. Big day tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah,” I said with a yawn. “I’ll try. You too. Take care of yourself, alright?”

“You too, Y/N. I’ll talk to you soon.”

As the call ended, I lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. There was still that lingering feeling of uncertainty in my chest, but hearing Taeyeon’s voice, hearing her care, made the weight a little easier to carry. I closed my eyes, hoping the concert would be the success we all dreamed of—and that Taeyeon might be there after all.

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