Symphony of Renewal [A SKZ FF]

Chapter 13: Secrets and Allies

Miya Centric:
Miya reaches the café she and Black Forest had agreed on. It was a small but cosy coffee shop that also sold other food stuffs as well. She had been there a few times, enjoying the cafe's pastries and peaceful ambience.

She enters the café, spotting the members of Black Forest sitting at a corner table. It was late afternoon, so the café was not as packed as it usually was. That was good for her.

"Where are you coming from? You're breathing like you were in a fight or something," Ailee observes, scrunching her nose in faux disgust.

Miya playfully rolls her eyes. That was true... in a sense. "Hello to you too, Ailee," she responds sarcastically. She also greets the other 3 girls, who happily greet back.

"Come on now. Take a seat," Kyra says a little impatiently, gesturing to an already pulled out chair next to hers. Miya gladly accepts, sitting down.

"Speaking of where you're coming from... you're kinda late," Jimin states as she leans back in her seat. There were some traces of curiosity and confusion etched on her features.

Miya's eyes widen a bit. Shoot. She had to think of something fast. She clears her throat, quickly making up an excuse. "I was actually going over some choreos with the boys earlier. I kind of forgot we were meeting up and rushed over here as soon as I remembered."

Yoona gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart and feigning hurt. "Are you really letting eight men replace me? She says before turning to Kyra, continuing. "Can you believe this?" Kyra just rolls her eyes at her friend's behaviour.

"Don't worry, Yeou. You're still my number one," Miya reassures her. Yoona tries to pout but couldn't help the smile that formed on her face as she heard her nickname.

Ailee watches the scene, making gagging sounds like she's about to vomit. Jimin smacks her arm. "Quit it, Ailee. You're just bitter," she says playfully. Miya laughs a bit. She had missed this.

"Anyways... why did y'all want to meet up?" Miya asks casually.

Kyra responds cheekily. "What? Is it a crime to want to see you? Besides, we watched the video. We wanted to congratulate you on unofficially debuting. We also just wanted to hang out since we finally have some free time for once." Miya smiles after hearing Kyra's explanation, already starting to feel better after what had occurred earlier that day.

"You looked absolutely stunning!" Jimin cheers, the rest of the girls nodding and clapping in agreement. They were Miya's biggest supporters, after all.

"As always," Kyra adds in. Miya could practically see the sly smile on her face.

"Hopefully, we can be on stage together!" Ailee says excitedly, deciding to drop her usual tsundere facade for a moment.

"And about some of the comments we saw... don't mind them. They're made by people who just have nothing better to do with their lives," Yoona says matter-of-factly, putting her hand on Miya's shoulder in reassurance.

Miya smiled gratefully at Yoona, knowing she could sympathise very well with her on the topic of receiving hate.

Time skip: (A few hours later)
After talking in detail about the introductory video, Miya and Black Forest had just used the time to talk and catch up. It was very de-stressing and almost therapeutic for them.

They were now getting ready to say goodbye and part ways for now. That's when Miya suddenly felt a sting. It was coming from her wrists. She checks the source of the stinging under the table, seeing that her wrists now had purplish-red marks on them.

"Shit," she mutters under her breath, checking to see if any of the girls had noticed her strange behaviour. Yoona and Ailee were squabbling with each other over something trivial as usual. Kyra was too busy stuffing her face with food, and Jimin was watching the two who were 'fighting' as she laughed.

She lets out a sigh of relief, thankful to have such chaotic friends. She was also thankful to have been wearing a long sleeved sweater. Being into baggy but comfy clothes, the sweater she was currently wearing formed sweater paws. These concealed her wrists quite well. Unbeknownst to her, one person had noticed...

"Let me go pay the bill," Ailee announces suddenly, standing up as she grabs Jimin's credit card from her purse.

"You have your own..." Jimin starts but trails off as Ailee continues walking. She didn't move to stop her, though.

The tall girl could be heard from the cash register. "Ugh. Foodies," she groans as she looks at the amount of food on the bill and then at the two Japanese sisters.

Kyra just laughs at that as she turns to Yoona. "Do you want to escort me to the bathroom?"

"Sure," the fox-eyed girl replies simply, as her and Kyra both stand up to head to the bathroom.

That left Jimin and Miya at the table. The former's expression suddenly became serious, which startled the latter.

Jimin leans in, looking around cautiously. "I saw the marks," she says in a lower voice, making Miya's eyes widen as she continues. "I also know how they've been treating you."

Miya knew exactly who they were. "How?" she asks in disbelief, her voice shaky.

Jimin lets out a sigh. It didn't sound mad, just disappointed. "I've known that something was wrong from the first video call after you moved in with them. You were also less lively and talkative during the intro video. I honestly don't know how the others haven't noticed."

Miya lets out a frustrated groan at the order's words. It was like Jimin somehow had the ability to read everyone's minds like an open book. "Please don't tell anyone," she pleads, her tone desperate.

Jimin didn't say anything for a bit, making Miya fear for the worst. "I won't. All hell would break loose if anyone else found out, especially Kyra." Miya nods. She could definitely back up that last part.

Jimin's expression then darkened. "However, if time passes and the situation is still the same... I don't know if I'll be able to stay quiet. I already can't bear knowing that you're getting hurt."

Miya could honestly understand where Jimin was coming from. She would probably be the same if she was in her shoes. It was actually good that Jimin was the one to find out. Compared to the other three members of Black Forest, she was the most rational and composed. She was also trustworthy, and Miya knew she could trust her to keep the situation a secret.

"By the way... when you got sick, did it have something to do with them?" Jimin asks.

Miya just nods. She swore she could see a look of anger flash over the order's face. Just as it came though, it went...

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by Yoona's voice. The other three girls had come back.

"Sorry for taking so long," Yoona says while smiling innocently as Kyra makes a mock disgusted face at her.

Ailee rolls her eyes, huffing as she says to Jimin. "They thought I stole your card! I was trying to convince them that I didn't. That's why I took so long. Like, would I be so casual if I stole your card?"

Jimin and Miya just chuckle at Ailee's rambling and go back to acting like their previous conversation had never happened.

"Why do you get her card if this always happens then?" Miya asks, not understanding Ailee's behaviour sometimes. The tall girl just shrugs, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

After getting all their things and finally saying goodbye, they leave the café. Jimin gives Miya one last look when no one's looking before they part ways, making the younger gulp nervously.

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