HIBISCUS | Bang Chan of Stray Kids

Track 11

"I'm getting weak, but I keep pushing myself."

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Track 11

          On the afternoons when she was off from working at Aunt Mae's, Hwayoung arrived at JYP extra early to practice choreography on her own. The extra practice sessions granted Hwayoung the chance to focus on cleaning up her dance for more sharp and defined movements. Despite showing progressive results during the actual dance practices with Stray Kids, Hwayoung kept her self-reflection time a secret from them. They were obviously glad to see that Hwayoung was improving; however, Hwayoung's pride as a former idol kept them from finding out that she needed much more practice than they did to master the same dance. No matter the subject, Stray Kids always seemed to have Hwayoung beat.

           As she danced in the practice room, Hwayoung was oblivious to the curious eyes watching her from the slight crack of the door that was long forgotten to be closed. Hyunjin watched as Hwayoung continuously corrected and repeated the dance moves until she grew too tired of the same sequence and moved onto another struggle in the meantime. On lesser busy days within his schedule, Hyunjin would most likely be found in the practice room either practicing or messing around. So, when he heard music already playing from the practice room in the hallway, Hyunjin was genuinely intrigued to see Hwayoung working by herself.

          Judging from the sweat she accumulated along with her heavy breathing, Hyunjin assumed that Hwayoung was dancing long before he showed up. Hyunjin watched as some of Hwayoung's movements came out robotic and stiff. He could not help but reminisce that he also was once a dancer like that. Hyunjin remained by the door for the rest of her dancing until Hwayoung began to pack up her belongings. In a state of panic, Hyunjin quickly crept behind a corner and peeked his head out only enough to look back at the door. He watched as Hwayoung peeked her head out, looking both ways before fully exiting and disappearing. Hyunjin bent his upper body in multiple angles as he stretched his neck out as far as he could from his hiding place in order to discreetly follow where Hwayoung had gone. Just as he caught a glimpse of Hwayoung making a turn at the end of the hallway, the elevator doors opened from behind him, revealing the rest of Stray Kids. Every member paused their rowdy behavior as they stopped and stared at Hyunjin's awkward pose. Chan was the first to exit the elevator, "Hyunjinnie? Are you okay?"

          The remaining members followed after Chan. Jisung made his way closer to Hyunjin as he slung an arm around Hyunjin's shoulders before proceeding to copy his not so secretive pose. Jisung peered past the corner, looking for anything interesting, "What were you looking at? Could it be a pretty lady? Was she a staff?"

           Hyunjin stood upright quickly, shrugging off Jisung's arm, "I was just doing a new stretch."

          Changbin snorted, "By looking at the wall?"

          Hyunjin nodded, avoiding everyone's eyes, "Yeah. You know. DanceRACHA."

           "Hey. Hey," Changbin jokingly patted Hyunjin's shoulder lightly before entering the dance room, "Don't ruin 3RACHA's reputation like that."

           The group followed after Changbin and began their normal stretch routine. After a couple minutes in, Hwayoung entered the room with a smile. She greeted everyone before moving to her usual spot and pretending to stretch. Hyunjin immediately noticed Hwayoung's outfit change and her lack of sweatiness or fatigue. Seungmin sent Hwayoung a small wave, "Sorry, if we kept you waiting. Our manager had something unexpected come up. Were you waiting long?"