Eight is Fate (Stray Kids Soulmate & School AU)

You Found Your Soulmate, Didn't You?

Hana's POV

It had been a couple of weeks since my first true hate incident that had thrown my world into a loop. It finally made me realize that I'm no longer just Choi Hana. I'm Hana the idol now; Now I have my image to protect from the world as well.

The wounds, though not fully healed from the hate, were gradually fading into the background. This is because I immediately threw myself into my music, determined to make the people who hate me eat their own words. It was the perfect escape, truly. It was a refuge from the storm that briefly attempted to engulf my own being.

JYP assigned me my own producer to help me work on my debut album, which made the process go by much quicker. His name was Kaden, and he was a foreigner like me.

It was nice to use my English skills once in a while. I think that made him and me bond a lot more, knowing we could use English and Korean freely in an environment just for us.

"How about this?" I write some lyrics on a sheet of paper, looking up at Kaden for his approval.

And his approval I got: His eyes widened and his eyebrows raised as he took in my ingenious idea. "Yes! That's it!"

In those weeks, I had worked endlessly on my debut album, pouring my entire heart and soul into each note and lyric. That hour-long period I had with Kaden each day was my sanctuary and the final product my producer and I had created has left me with pride and joy.

But it wasn't just me getting lost in the idea of debuting: Stray Kids, too, had been putting in the work as well, preparing for their first debut song.

Our rooftop haven wasn't utilized as often as the both of us were respectfully in each of our recording studios, preparing for debut.

The idea of love and soulmates hadn't even crossed our minds (Well, at least mine), and only work and pushing ourselves to the limits had become the forefront of our minds.

"Hana!" Wonyoung announced, waving me gently over to her. "Join our group!"

In my science class, our teacher had asked us to pair up in groups of three. I'm not the smartest in science, so I wasn't expecting anyone to reach out immediately and ask for me to join. However, Wonyoung shocked me by proclaiming me as part of her group as soon as group work was stated.

I nod my head, grab my backpack, and move over to the spot next to her.

Wonyoung already debuted once, in a popular group called IZ*ONE, but that group disbanded as it was only a temporary group led by JYP. Now Wonyoung is in a predebut group called IVE and she couldn't be more happy as one of their seniors.

"Hi, Wony!" I greet, bowing my head at her. "Why did you want me in your group? I'm not very good at chemistry, you know."

"Love chemistry you are," She teased, flashing me a wink and a giggle. "I didn't want all the thirsty clout-chasing girls to want you in their group just cause you're popular."

My eyes widened and I pointed at myself, my jaw agape. "...Me? Popular?"

Wonyoung giggled, nodding. "You won the popular vote... Didn't you?"

I laugh lightly. "I guess I did."

"Now," She announced, gently clapping her hands together. "Who else do we want in our group?"

"How about me?" A deeper, feminine voice proclaimed, setting her bookbags down at the desk beside mine.

"Ryujin!" I cheer. "I'd love to have you in our group!"