Their 14 | Seventeen's 14th member

𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 - 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐

The day after the CEO's decision was one of the darkest for the group.

The thought of moving forward without Rei was unbearable. They spent the night in restless sleep and silent contemplation, each member grappling with their own doubts.

The next morning, a glimmer of hope arrived in an unexpected form.

Rei woke up early, before anyone else, and wandered into the practice room. The memories of her wandering the streets of Seoul alone still haunted her. She stood in front of the mirror, as she had done many times before, and began to dance. Her movements were hesitant at first, then more confident as muscle memory took over, much like last time.

This time, however, something felt different.

As she danced, flashes of her past started to come back. She remembered the feel of the stage beneath her feet, the sound of the crowd cheering, and the joy of performing with her friends. Tears streamed down her face as the fragments of her memories started to piece themselves together.

She collapsed to the floor, exhausted and overwhelmed, but also filled with a renewed sense of hope. She had to share this breakthrough with the others.

Vernon was the first to find her. He saw Rei on the floor, tears in her eyes, and rushed to her side. "Rei, are you okay?"

Rei looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions. "I... I remember," she whispered. "I remember bits and pieces. It's not everything, but it's something."

Vernon's eyes widened in shock and joy. "Guys! Come here!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the dorm.

The members came running, their hearts pounding with a mixture of hope and fear. When they saw Rei, her face filled with a glimmer of recognition, their hearts soared.

"Rei, what do you remember?" S.coups asked gently, kneeling beside her.

Rei took a deep breath. "I remember the performances, the fans, the laughter... I remember us. It's still hazy, but it's coming back."

Tears of joy and relief filled the room. They all hugged her tightly, their hearts beating as one. For the first time in months, they felt a genuine sense of hope.

The following days were a whirlwind of activity. The group decided to focus entirely on Rei's recovery, taking her to all their favorite places again, but this time, it was different. Rei was more present, more engaged, and every visit seemed to unlock another piece of her memory.

One sunny afternoon, they decided to visit the beach where they had filmed a music video. As they walked along the shore, the sound of the waves crashing and the smell of the salty air seemed to jog something in Rei's mind.

"I remember this place," Rei said suddenly, her eyes bright with recognition. "We played games here, and Hoshi almost fell into the water trying to catch a crab."

Everyone laughed, the memory bringing back a flood of emotions. It was a small moment, but it felt monumental.

Encouraged by this progress, they continued to recreate their favourite memories. They went back to the amusement park, where Rei screamed with joy on the roller coasters, and to the small café where they spent hours talking and laughing.

Slowly but surely, Rei's memory started to return. It wasn't an overnight transformation, but a gradual process that brought them all closer together. Each small victory was celebrated with tears, laughter, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

One evening, the group gathered in the practice room after a (rare) successful therapy session. Rei had remembered an entire choreography, and they decided to dance together, just like old times.

As they moved in sync, the music filling the room, Rei felt a deep connection to her past and her present. She looked around at her bandmates, her friends, her family, and felt a surge of love and gratitude.

When the music stopped, they all stood there, breathless and happy. Rei looked at them, tears in her eyes. "Thank you," she said softly. "Thank you for never giving up on me."

"We're a family," S.coups said, his voice filled with emotion. "We'll always be here for each other."

The announcement of their return from hiatus was met with overwhelming support from fans. The news spread like wildfire, and the anticipation for their comeback was palpable.

The day of their first performance back was filled with nervous energy and excitement. As they stepped onto the stage, the roar of the crowd was deafening. Rei looked out at the sea of faces, her heart swelling with emotion.

They performed with a renewed sense of purpose, their bond stronger than ever. Each song, each dance move, was a testament to their journey, their struggles, and their triumphs.

When the final note of their last song echoed through the venue, the crowd erupted in applause. Rei stood there, tears streaming down her face, feeling a profound sense of fulfillment and joy.

They bowed deeply, thanking their fans for their unwavering support. As they left the stage, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

Backstage, as they celebrated their successful comeback, Rei felt a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time. She looked around at her bandmates, her heart filled with love and gratitude.

"We did it," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "We're back."