untitled ; 2024

tensions rising

The atmosphere in the dorm had become increasingly tense over the days following Kyuhyun's introduction. Conversations were shorter, smiles were forced, and the once lively energy that filled the space was replaced by a lingering discomfort. Hyun-jeong could feel the tension building, like a storm brewing just beyond the horizon.

After a particularly gruelling practice session, the members shuffled back to the dorm in near silence. Everyone was exhausted, but it was more than just physical fatigue—they were all mentally and emotionally drained. The unspoken unease was weighing heavily on them, and it was only a matter of time before it reached a breaking point.

Hyun-jeong sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the wall. The usual comfort of the dorm felt suffocating tonight. She could hear Donghae and Eunhyuk talking quietly in the living room, their voices low and serious. From the snippets of conversation she caught, it was clear they were discussing Kyuhyun.

She sighed, lying back on the bed, her mind racing. She couldn't stop thinking about how things had changed since Kyuhyun joined. It wasn't his fault—he was doing his best to fit in—but the group dynamic had shifted, and not for the better. The sense of unity they once had felt fragile, like it could shatter at any moment.

A knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts. She sat up as Ryeowook peeked his head in, his expression unreadable.

"Mind if I come in?" he asked.

Hyun-jeong shook her head, gesturing for him to enter. Ryeowook closed the door behind him and leaned against it, crossing his arms as he looked at her.

"Things are getting pretty rough, huh?" he said, his tone casual, but with an edge that suggested he was just as troubled as she was.

"Yeah," Hyun-jeong replied softly. "It feels like everything's falling apart."

Ryeowook nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't like this. I don't like how everyone's walking on eggshells around each other. It's not right."

Hyun-jeong leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "What do we do? I feel like we're all drifting apart, and no one's talking about it."

Ryeowook sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've been thinking the same thing. But it's not easy, you know? We're all on edge because of Kyuhyun, but it's not fair to him either. He's just trying to find his place."

"Have you talked to the others about it?" Hyun-jeong asked, her voice tinged with hope.

"I've tried," Ryeowook admitted, "but everyone's too wrapped up in their own thoughts. They're worried about what this means for us. If Kyuhyun's joining, does that mean we're going to be permanent? Or are we just going to be replaced?"

The questions hung heavily in the air, echoing the fears that had been haunting them all. Hyun-jeong knew that was at the heart of their anxiety—what did Kyuhyun's addition mean for the future of Super Junior 05? They had always been told they were a temporary group, a project, and now everything was uncertain.

"I don't know, oppa," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I just don't know."

Ryeowook walked over and sat beside her, his usual bravado replaced by a rare moment of vulnerability. "We have to figure this out, Hyun-jeong. We can't keep going like this, or we're going to tear ourselves apart."

Hyun-jeong nodded, feeling the weight of his words. He was right—they needed to address this tension before it became something irreversible. But how?

As if on cue, the door to their room swung open, and Donghae appeared, looking troubled. "Hey, guys," he said, his voice low. "We need to talk. All of us."

Ryeowook and Hyun-jeong exchanged a glance before nodding. The three of them made their way to the living room, where the other members were already gathered. Kyuhyun sat slightly apart from the group, his expression tense. It was clear he felt the strain as much as everyone else.

Leeteuk cleared his throat, breaking the uneasy silence. "Look, I think we all know that things have been... weird since Kyuhyun joined us. There's a lot of stuff we haven't talked about, and it's making everything harder. So I think it's time we get everything out in the open."

There was a murmur of agreement, but no one seemed eager to be the first to speak. The tension in the room was almost unbearable, and Hyun-jeong could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

Finally, it was Kangin who broke the silence. "I think we're all just confused," he said, his voice measured. "We were told from the beginning that we were a project group, something temporary. And now, with Kyuhyun joining... it feels like everything's up in the air."

"That's exactly it," Eunhyuk added, nodding. "We don't know what this means for us, for the future. It's hard to welcome someone new when we don't even know what's going to happen to us."

Kyuhyun shifted uncomfortably, his gaze fixed on the floor. "I understand," he said quietly. "I know my joining has made things complicated. But I want you all to know that I'm not here to replace anyone. I just... I just want to be a part of this group, whatever that means."

The sincerity in his voice was undeniable, and it struck a chord with Hyun-jeong. She could see how much he wanted to belong, to prove himself. But the fear and uncertainty that had taken root in the group were not so easily dispelled.

"He's right," Hyun-jeong said, speaking up for the first time. "We're all feeling anxious about the future, but taking it out on Kyuhyun isn't the answer. If we want to stay strong as a group, we have to support each other, not push each other away."

There was a moment of silence as her words sank in. The members exchanged glances, and for the first time in days, there was a sense of understanding among them.

"I agree," Shindong said, nodding slowly. "We need to stick together, no matter what happens. We're a team, and that includes Kyuhyun now."

The tension in the room began to ease, the atmosphere shifting from one of unease to one of cautious optimism. It wasn't a complete resolution, but it was a start. They had acknowledged the elephant in the room, and that was the first step towards moving forward.

As the meeting wrapped up, Hyun-jeong felt a sense of relief. There were still many uncertainties ahead, but she knew that they were stronger together. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but as long as they faced it as a team, they could overcome whatever challenges came their way.

That night, as she lay in bed, Hyun-jeong felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in days. The storm had not yet passed, but they had weathered the worst of it. And in the quiet of the night, she resolved to do everything she could to keep their bond strong—no matter what the future held.