The stage was illuminated with a soft, melancholic glow as the members of BNK48 gathered, their faces painted with concern and curiosity. Kaew stood at the center, her heart pounding. She took a deep breath, her eyes meeting those of her fellow members and the adoring fans who had come to love her.
"Everyone," Kaew began, her voice trembling slightly. "I have an announcement to make."
The room fell silent, an almost palpable tension filling the air.
"I have decided to graduate from BNK48."
Gasps echoed through the audience. The members, standing in a semi-circle behind her, looked shocked. Tears welled up in several eyes, and whispers of disbelief spread among them. But no one looked more devastated than Cherprang, whose eyes were wide with sorrow and confusion.
Later that night, the dormitory was eerily quiet. Most of the members had fallen into a restless sleep, their dreams haunted by Kaew's announcement. But two figures remained awake, their whispers sharp against the silence.
"Why, Kaew? Why now?" Cherprang's voice was a desperate whisper, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She stood facing Kaew, their shared room feeling suddenly too small.
Kaew looked away, unable to meet Cherprang's gaze. "I need to move on, Cherprang. I need to... to chase my own dreams."
Cherprang's voice wavered, hurt lacing her words. "Is that really it? Or is there something you're not telling me?"
Kaew hesitated, then took a step closer. "It's because of you, Cherprang. I can't stay here and watch you from the sidelines anymore. Every day, it hurts more. I need to force myself to move on, and I can only do that by leaving."
Cherprang shook her head vehemently. "But we need you! I need you! How can you just leave like this?"
Kaew's eyes softened, filled with a mix of love and determination. "I'm doing this for us. For you, Kaew. I can't keep hiding my feelings, Cherprang. And you... you have responsibilities here. You're the Captain. I don't want to be the reason you're distracted."
As the argument heated up, neither noticed the silent figure outside their window. Praewa, having heard every word, pressed her back against the wall, her heart heavy with her own conflicted emotions.
Weeks passed, and the atmosphere within BNK48 was strained. The members tried to carry on, but the impending loss of Kaew loomed over them.
Then, one evening, Praewa gathered the courage to speak up. She stood in the standard room, her hands trembling slightly. The members, sensing the gravity of her demeanor, fell silent.
"I have something to say," Praewa began, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "I've decided... to graduate from BNK48 as well."
A collective gasp filled the room, and Cherprang's eyes widened in shock. Silently watching from a corner, she felt her heart plummet.
Praewa's eyes flickered to Cherprang and Kaew, who looked equally stunned. "I've realized that I need to follow my own path. And maybe... maybe it's time for all of us to face what we've been avoiding."
The room erupted into questions and protests, but Praewa's announcement hung heavy in the air, leaving everyone to wonder what would come next and how these decisions would ripple through the fabric of their lives and the group they loved.
