make it or break it // lee chaeyeon + miyawaki sakura

make it or break it?

3rd Person's POV

Have you ever craved for someone? Like, not in a sexual or physical manner, but in a more affectionate type of way? You crave for their attention, you want to be close to them and what not?

Chaeyeon's been feeling that way for days now.

It's the first day of their final concert as IZ*ONE and her current situation with Sakura isn't helping at all. The closest she can be with her is when she has to perform with her on stage, or when they have to pose for the cameras.

The couple was put on probation after photos of them were mysteriously sent to their respective companies one day and they were both heavily rebuked by their higher-ups.

Up to this day, Chaeyeon wonders how that happened. She's certain she was always cautious whenever they're out in public. When she did want to be affectionate with Sakura, she'd make sure no one else was around. She tried her best not to appear as touchy as she possibly can with her girlfriend even when they're out on dates because she fears that people might get the wrong idea, so who on Earth took those pictures?

And why would they do it?

"How can you be so careless, Ms. Lee Chaeyeon?" The head of her agency, WM Entertainment, questions the moment she steps foot into his office. "Messing around with a colleague? How ridiculous!"

"I deeply apologize, sir," was the only thing she could say.

"I allowed you to join that stupid show for your own exposure. I allowed you to debut in that group, and this? This is how you'll pay us back?" He hisses, slightly startling the younger who was nervously standing in front of him. "We expected more from you, Chaeyeon-ah."

"I-I didn't know we'd get caught, sir. I didn't think that through." She replies, focusing her eyes on her palms that were excessively sweating.

He massages the bridge of his nose and scoffs, "Okay, right, I shouldn't blame you for falling in love."

Then, he sighs and reaches for a folder on his table. He opens it, revealing a pile of pictures of Sakura and Chaeyeon together - one where they were kissing inside the building where their rehearsals were held, one where they were holding hands as they leave their dorm, and another where they were seen together in Chaeyeon's car.

"Do you know what people will think once these spread online?" He tells her, throwing the pictures in front of her for her to see. "You're lucky these were only emailed to me. Otherwise, your career will be over."

"I-I..."

"And I know you don't want that," he says with a shrug. "Of course, you don't. I've seen how much you've worked so hard to be where you are now. You're known as WM's gem, too, are you aware of that?"

"Yes, sir."

"And I won't let this foolishness change that. I care for my artists, of course," he assures her with a tone that she can't seem to comprehend. She doesn't know if he was being sincere or not.

"But, as long as you are associated with us, as long as you are signed under my company, you have to do as I say."

She nods in understanding.

"I don't want to meddle with your personal life, but I'm sorry. You'll have to break up with that girl."

"But sir--"

"I know how it feels to be in love, Chaeyeon-ah. I've been there too. But you see, this industry you're in is a tough one. One wrong move and you'll be disposed and forgotten by the people."

"IZ*ONE is about to disband anyway, and you'll eventually part ways with those girls. That Sakura girl will be going back to Japan, right?"

"Y-yes, sir."

"So, I ask you not to mess this whole thing up, Chaeyeon. I'll have this email traced and we'll get these photos' source apprehended. I'll take care of everything as long as you follow what I say. It's that simple."

He continues, "You'll be closely watched by your manager this time, especially with your interactions with Ms. Miyawaki."

"I'm giving you another chance, so I hope you would not waste it. Like I said, I care for my artists..." then the old man pauses and sighs, "... but I won't let this tarnish our name either."

Chaeyeon heaves a deep sigh after remembering that confrontation. She tightly shuts her eyes and hits the side of her head.

So stupid, I should've been more careful.

On the other side of the room, Sakura watches her closely. As much as she wants to go and comfort her girlfriend, she knew she can't because both of their personal managers were monitoring them. The only time they could have a decent time together was at the dorms.

"Hey, love. How did it go?" Chaeyeon asks after Sakura's call with the head of AKS, the agency that manages her group, HKT48, ends.

"Just got an earful, but they said I should be more careful next time." She says with a small smile.

Compared to Chaeyeon's, their confrontation was calmer. Her higher-ups were more lenient and understanding, surprisingly.

"I'm sorry for getting you in trouble, Saku-chan."

"I should be the one apologizing," the older counters. "I'm sorry, Chaeyeon. I'm sorry for giving you a hard time."

"You're not," she convinces almost immediately. "There's just so much stuff going on right now, I don't know how to deal with them."

"I understand..."

"But we'll get through them together, right?"

Sakura looks up at her - her eyes somewhat scream of worry and uncertainty. Slowly, she nods and forces out a smile. "Yes... yes, we will."

"Why don't you go approach her?" Yena, who has been noticing the tension between the couple, suddenly tells the Japanese.

"I'm scared." Sakura replies while eyeing Chaeyeon's manager, who's seated next to the latter.

"The staff will leave shortly so we can all have a talk before the concert starts," the duck-like member informs her. "Go get your girl, Saku-chan."

"What?"

The younger chuckles, "You think we don't notice? Ya, you guys were too obvious. Lately, you two were always together, and you looked happier too."

"Oh, so... no wonder we got caught." Sakura mumbles under her breath.

"Don't worry though." Yena assures, giving her unnie a pat on the shoulder. "IZ*ONE's got your back no matter what."

Then, Sakura's phone lights up, signaling a text message.

From: my love 🤍
'Hey, smile. I love you.'

She looks up to meet the eyes of Chaeyeon from a distance. With her heart beating quickly on her chest, she follows the text and warmly smiles at her lover.

Chaeyeon subtly smiles back, and Sakura knew it was enough to help her get through the night.