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37

MOMO'S POV.

The final day of foundation week hummed with a strange mix of relief and unease. Dahyun and Tzuyu, finally reconciled, radiated a quiet happiness that warmed me. Dahyun had confided in me about her planned confession to Sana, and her later outburst of support for Tzuyu had surprised even me. The post-event group hug, encompassing both Dahyun and Tzuyu, felt like a culmination of a long, difficult journey.

I was content, seeing Dahyun so at peace. Or was I?

A nagging question burrowed its way into my thoughts. Was this truly how I felt about her? These past few weeks, spent in Dahyun's company, had stirred something within me, a feeling I couldn't quite name.

Why did she seem to glow when I looked at her? The question lingered, unanswered.

"Yah, Momo, you okay?" Dahyun's voice broke through my reverie.

"Uh, yeah, Dubu. Sorry, just hungry," I mumbled, my cheeks flushing.

She was wearing a black rock band t-shirt and loose white pants - a simple outfit, yet it somehow made her look incredibly cool. Why did she have that effect on me?

"Yo, Unnie, you seriously okay?" Dahyun snapped her fingers in front of my face, leaning in close. Too close.

Heat flooded my face. Am I gay? The thought, once a distant possibility, now felt like a tangible reality.

"Kyah!" I blurted out, the sound escaping before I could stop it.

"Kyah? Seriously? We're starting in a minute. What were you going to say?" Dahyun looked at me, her brow furrowed with concern.

"I um... nothing. Good luck!" I stammered, fleeing the scene and melting into the crowd.

Why was I seeing Dahyun this way? The question echoed in my mind, a haunting melody I couldn't escape.



Third person POV.

"Oh, that's Dahyun singing," Sana murmured, a smile gracing her lips as Dahyun's voice filled the gym.

The event was underway. Tzuyu, Sana, Mina, Jeongyeon, and Momo stood amongst the crowd, watching their friends perform on stage. The energy was electric, the audience enthralled by Dahyun and Nayeon's performance.

Their first four songs ended, the lights dimming before Nayeon, as MC, hyped up the crowd. Mina, however, couldn't shake a feeling of sadness. Chaeyoung was supposed to be singing with Dahyun.

Jeongyeon noticed Mina's downcast expression, but she simply shrugged, choosing to focus on the positive, gently taking Mina's hand.

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"You're going?" Somi asked, watching Jeongyeon head towards the backstage.

"Yeah," Jeongyeon replied, her voice barely a whisper.

Somi sighed. After a week of careful restraint, she braced herself for another emotional rollercoaster. "Go get 'em, tiger," she muttered, watching Jeongyeon disappear backstage.

Backstage, chaos reigned. "Heck, where's Hyunjin!? I told him not to leave early; we don't have a lead guitarist!" Jihyo panicked. They had managed the first performance with Felix, Dahyun, and Chan handling bass, piano, and drums, but the next set required a lead guitarist.

"Can I apply for that?" a voice called out. Chaeyoung, carrying an electric guitar, stepped into the light.

"Chae! Thank God you're here! Please, let's go together!" Jihyo exclaimed, near tears of relief.

Chaeyoung smiled, slinging the guitar over her shoulder. Before they headed to the stage, Jihyo embraced Chaeyoung. "Thanks for being here," she whispered. "Now let's go, Son Chaeyoung!"

Nayeon and Dahyun gasped, their eyes widening at the sight of Chaeyoung with Jihyo. They tapped Chaeyoung's shoulder, offering proud smiles.

Before taking the stage, Chaeyoung made a request: she wanted to sing two songs. Her unnies readily agreed, cheering her on.

The lights flared back to life.

"Hey," Chaeyoung's husky voice cut through the expectant silence.

The crowd erupted, a roar of excitement filling the gym. It was just an introduction, but the impact was immediate and powerful.

Mina and the others were stunned to see Chaeyoung on stage. Mina's face lit up, a smile spreading across her features. Chaeyoung began to strum her guitar.

"If I could begin to be
Half of what you think of me
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love~" Nayeon sang, her voice blending seamlessly with the music.

Mina's gaze was locked on Chaeyoung, her heart pounding in her chest.

"When I see the way you act
Wondering when I'm coming back
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love
Like you~" Jihyo's voice joined in, creating a beautiful harmony.

As the music softened, a hush fell over the crowd. Chaeyoung looked directly into Mina's eyes, her voice filled with emotion.

"I always thought
I might be bad
Now I'm sure that it's true
Cause I think you're so good
And I'm nothing like you
Look at you go
I just adore you
I wish that I knew
What makes you think
...I'm so special~" (Love Like You - Steven Universe)

Mina smiled sweetly, her heart swelling with emotion.

Their intense gaze didn't go unnoticed by Jeongyeon, who stood beside Mina. Chaeyoung finished her first song, offering a bittersweet smile to her sister. She knew Jeongyeon had noticed, but what could she do? Mina was all she could think about.

Another song began, this time solely Chaeyoung's. Nayeon and Jihyo returned backstage, leaving Chaeyoung alone on stage.

Mina felt every word Chaeyoung sang, resonating deep within her soul. She knew it was for her, she knew.

"Back when we were still changin' for the better
Wanting was enough
For me, it was enough
To live for the hope of it all
Canceled plans just in case you'd call
And say "Meet me behind the mall"
So much for summer love and saying "Us"
'Cause you weren't mine to lose
You weren't mine to lose, oh

[Chorus]
But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time
'Cause it was never mine
And I can see us twistin' in bedsheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
'Cause you were never mine~" (August - Taylor Swift)

The lyrics echoed Mina's own unspoken feelings. Chaeyoung's "Cause you weren't mine to lose" mirrored Mina's "Cause it was never mine," a poignant symmetry that underscored their unspoken connection.

After her performance, Chaeyoung cast one last glance at Mina before leaving the stage. The night ended, Chaeyoung disappearing before the others could find her.



JEONGYEON'S POV

I raced out of the crowd, determined to find Chaeyoung. If I couldn't have Mina, I at least deserved an explanation.

I found her in the parking lot, talking to someone.

"Chae," I called out, approaching them.

The other girl gave Chaeyoung a knowing look before leaving.

"Hey, Unnie," Chaeyoung greeted me, a tentative smile on her face.

Words failed me. A heavy silence settled between us.

"Do you want to go somewhere... you know, to talk?" Chaeyoung finally broke the silence.

We ended up in the school field, the quiet space a stark contrast to the bustling gym.

"I like her, Unnie," Chaeyoung blurted out, her voice barely above a whisper. She wore a thin, almost apologetic smile.

"It shows, Chaeng," I replied softly.

"But I can't have her," she said, her voice laced with a deep sadness.

"No, Chaeng. Oh my God, I'm so sorry if I didn't ask you for-" I began, but she interrupted me.

"No, Unnie, that's not it," she said, meeting my gaze with unwavering intensity.

I heard her sigh. "Can I have a hug? I badly need one right now."

"You didn't need to ask," I said, opening my arms.

Chaeyoung inhaled deeply, then collapsed into my embrace, her body trembling slightly. The warmth of the hug, the familiar comfort of my presence, seemed to ease her tension.

We stood there for a long moment, the silence broken only by the gentle rhythm of my pats on her back. I missed this.

Finally, Chaeyoung pulled away. "I have to tell you something," she said, her voice serious.

I raised my eyebrows, a knowing smile playing on my lips. "Sure, aside from liking Mina, what is it that I need to know, hmm?"

"Unnie..." Chaeyoung's face turned serious, her eyes filled with a deep sadness. I could only gulp, knowing that whatever she was about to say would be difficult.

"I've been thinking... what if I hadn't been born? Would Tzuyu be with Sana instead? Would Dahyun have more friends? Would Mom and Dad still be together? Would you have avoided that coma..."

"Chaeyoung, don't blame yourself, please. It wasn't your fault," I interrupted, my voice gentle but firm.

Chaeyoung smiled, a sad, wistful smile. "Yeah, that's what they always say, but it really is my fault, Unnie."

I shook my head. "No, it's n-"

"But it's fine. The guilt doesn't eat me anymore," she said, gazing up at the night sky.

I watched her, a mixture of sadness and pride filling my heart.

The cold wind whipped around us, the sound of crickets chirping in the distance. The faint glow of the gym lights illuminated the field from afar.

"You see... Unnie..." she began, her voice barely a whisper.

I waited patiently, my attention completely focused on her.

She sighed. "No, actually, never mind. Let's go?"

"Are you sure?" I asked, concerned.

"Yep," she grinned, and we walked back towards the gym together.