Chapter 3
The artist room echoed with the muted sounds of exhaustion as Han Jisung reclined on the couch, his eyes half-closed, and his mind a swirling tempest of emotions. The pulsating energy of the showcase still reverberated through his body, leaving him drained and depleted. Although it was just the first day of promotions for 5-STAR, he could feel the physical toll of the performance seeping into his bones, but it was the emotional fatigue that lingered, unyielding.
As Jisung waited for the staff to bring their change of clothes, the door swung open, and Chan entered, his presence commanding attention. He settled beside the tired-looking Jisung, the genuine concern etched on his face. "Hey, Han, you doing alright?" Chan's voice was a soothing balm, a reminder of the camaraderie that bound Stray Kids together.
Jisung mustered a small smile, the corners of his lips betraying the fatigue beneath. "Yeah, Hyung, just tired. You know how it is after a showcase."
Chan nodded, acknowledging the physical strain of their demanding schedules. However, his eyes probed deeper, reflecting an understanding that transcended the surface. "And your heart?"
The question hung in the air, pregnant with the weight of unspoken pain. Jisung's smile faded, replaced by a more somber expression. He felt a lump form in his throat as he grappled with the reality of his emotional turmoil. "It's... it's been tough, Hyung," he admitted, the admission tasting bitter on his tongue.
Chan's gaze remained steady, a silent acknowledgment of the elephant in the room. "I know it has, Jisung. We all do."
The room, once a haven of post-performance exhaustion, now became a space for a more profound conversation. Chan leaned in, his voice a gentle probe into the depths of Jisung's heart. "What about Maxine? How are you really doing after everything?"
Jisung's eyes dropped to the floor, a torrent of conflicting emotions bubbling within. The mention of Maxine, his ex-girlfriend, brought forth a flood of memories – both the joyous and the painful. "I... I don't know, Hyung. It's like I'm lost. Empty."
Chan placed a reassuring hand on Jisung's shoulder, a silent acknowledgment of the shared history that tied them together. "Breaking up is never easy, especially when it's someone you loved deeply."
Jisung nodded, the vulnerability in his eyes reflecting the tangled mess of emotions within. "I understand that she did it for me, for the group. I get that. But it shouldn't have been just her decision. It feels... unfair."
Chan sighed, understanding the complexity of Jisung's feelings. "Life isn't always fair. Love, too, can be a battlefield. But you don't have to navigate it alone. We're here for you, all of us."
A heavy silence hung between them, the unspoken weight of Stray Kids' journey – a journey that almost faltered at the precipice of a breakup. Chan continued, "We were all affected when you two broke up. It was a challenging moment, not only for you, but also for the entire group."
Jisung's shoulders slumped, the weight of responsibility settling on him. "I never wanted to be a burden to the group. It just happened, and I hate that it affected everyone."
Chan's gaze softened, his words measured with understanding. "Stray Kids is a family, Han-ah. We share the burden and the challenges. Your struggles are ours, too."
As Jisung grappled with the emotions swirling within, Chan asked the question that had been lingering in the air, unsaid but acknowledged by all. "Do you still love her?"
The room fell into a contemplative silence, the question hanging like a delicate thread. Jisung's gaze remained fixed on a distant point, a myriad of emotions playing across his face. "Yeah," he whispered, the admission carrying the weight of an unresolved ache. "I still do."
Chan nodded, recognizing the depth of Jisung's feelings. "Love doesn't just fade away. It takes time. But you don't have to bear this alone. We're here for you, I hope you know that."
The artist room, once a witness to the highs and lows of Stray Kids' performances, now cradled a more intimate exchange – a conversation about love, loss, and the shared burdens of a group bound by more than just music. Jisung, though still grappling with the echoes of his past, felt a glimmer of solace in the understanding gaze of his leader, who is a friend and a brother. The night, once heavy with the weight of unspoken pain, held the promise of healing – a healing that would unfold, note by note, within the embrace of Stray Kids' unwavering support.
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I'm sorry, it's just my fault
I don't want to make excuse, but one last time
Let's go back to that time and tell me you love me
Babе, I beg you, let's go back to the day wе loved
YOU ARE READING
Collision
FanfictionHan, grappling with the suddenness of Maxine's words, finally spoke in a subdued voice, "Are you breaking up with me?" Maxine nodded, her heart shattering into a million pieces. "I want you to pursue your dreams without any hindrances. I want you to...