Our Beautiful Restriction - [NewJeans Fanfic]

Chapter 1: Do You Think About Me Now?

[ DATE: 7/21/2032 ]

As the clock struck past midnight amidst what was at first a relatively uneventful evening, the words I had last read from news that I initially wanted to ignore kept on repeating in my head.

[ HYBE Labels has announced the disbandment of NEWJEANS. ]

And although I was at a lost for words for the most part, and that my expression remained relatively blank and unchanged, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness ever so slightly wash over me.

"I never thought I'd hear of them again.."

But like this? I just knew I had to dig deeper. I needed to find out why.. why such a popular and iconic group like NewJeans would just suddenly disband like that - and how come no one saw it coming.

Unfortunately, after just a few more clicks here and there, I'd discover the bitter truth - that their disbandment was..

"..A decision which all the members mutually agreed upon."

"And although there remains no significant dislike between any of them.. their ever-growing ambitions towards different, more individual paths in life, were what eventually lead to this.."

I go silent, as if a cat had got my tongue. Unlike a couple moments ago, where I was speechless and taken aback simply because of hearing the group's name after so long, this silence of mine was instead caused.. by genuine sadness - knowing that the family of five, Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein, that I once thought inseparable were now all going their separate ways.

"To think it would come down to this.."

Since although I had grown apathetic to some extent over the rather dull decade or so of my life that has passed since I last was part of Bunnies, such a turn of events couldn't help but make my heart sting - as I recalled all the memories as to how I got into NWJNS in the first place, and how they hold a special place in my heart.

With heavy yet unmoving disappointment, my thoughts began to go adrift - recalling all the memories that stemmed from me becoming a fan of the group, dating years back to autumn of 2023, when I first became part of the "Bunnies" Family.

Although I no longer hold a grudge as heavy as before.. I still vividly remember the main event that lead to me yearning for an escape from reality during those cruel, cruel years - with that escape, much to the surprise of a young adult me at the time, being none other than NewJeans.

I then load up my online music player on my PC, scrolling through the dozens of Western Rock that practically defined my music taste for god knows how many years, before finally arriving near the bottom of the "favorites" section, where NewJeans' earliest songs, from their Attention to Get Up Eras, could be seen.

"(Looking back at it now.. It must have been really odd for the people around me, heh - seeing me go from blasting angsty emo music to adoring some young Asian Idols..)"

I think to myself, twirling around in my chair before standing up and reaching for the wall behind my PC monitor - feeling the roughly painted cement surface with my fingertips, most especially taking note of a section which seemed to have a different texture.

"This is where I used to plaster on those cheap and unofficial photocards of theirs, huh..?"

I mutter, letting out a small chuckle as I remembered how I often scoured for whatever NewJeans merchandise I could get my hands on back then.

"Well.. that didn't matter to me, as long as I could show my support and fondness."

"Heck, even my Mom started to become a fan - granted she usually just teased me about the girls, and how I supposedly had a crush on them.."