A Recipe for Love ( Le sserafim X Fem reader )

Chapter 2: Under the Surface

Soft humming and the sizzle of food echoed through the LE SSERAFIM dorm as Sakura carefully followed a recipe from a creator she adored. Each step was replicated with precision, and she beamed with pride as she plated the food. The sight of five beautifully arranged plates was met with a satisfied nod from Sakura.

One by one, she woke up the other members, who eagerly followed her to the dining room. The table was soon filled with lively conversation and laughter, except for Chaewon, who sat quietly, her mind preoccupied with the conversation she had the night before.

"Unnie, are you okay?" Eunchae, the youngest member, gently poked Chaewon's side with concern.

Chaewon forced a smile and reassured her, "Don't worry about me, Manchae. Oh, guys, I need to go somewhere tonight. Don't wait for me, okay?" The girls nodded, accepting the excuse without question.

"Kura unnie, this is so good! Where did you learn it?" Yunjin, the redhead, asked, clearly impressed.

"It's from the channel PeachTea," Sakura responded with enthusiasm. "She always has the best recipes—easy to make and delicious. And her voice when she narrates is like ASMR." The other members giggled at Sakura's fangirling.

The day passed with the members scattered on their various schedules. Yunjin and Eunchae went shopping, Kazuha headed to the dance studio, Sakura had a couple of interviews, and Chaewon attended a meeting with the producers and managers.

The meeting room was stark and uninviting, lit by harsh fluorescent lights that intensified the cold atmosphere. The walls were lined with framed awards and accolades, a stark contrast to the disheartening mood of the room. Chaewon took her place at the table, trying to maintain her composure as Mr. Park, the manager in charge, adjusted his glasses and began to speak.

"Chaewon," Mr. Park started, his tone clipped and formal, "we need to address the recent backlash from your performance."

Chaewon's heart sank. The intensity of Mr. Park's voice caught her off guard. She glanced around at the other faces in the room, their silence amplifying the sting of the reprimand.

"Don't you understand how many people have stopped streaming your music and unfollowed your socials?" Mr. Park's voice was sharp, his words like daggers. "The numbers are plummeting. You're losing fans, and it's affecting the entire group's image."

Chaewon gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles turning white. The criticism felt like a personal attack, though she knew it was meant to be constructive. The weight of failure was crushing, and she struggled to keep her composure. Her mind raced through the negative comments she had seen online, each one a painful reminder of their recent struggles.

"This isn't just about one bad performance," he continued, his frustration evident. "It's about the growing trend of negative feedback. Do you realize how damaging this is for us? We've invested so much into your careers, and this is how you repay us?"

Chaewon wanted to respond, to defend herself and the group, but her voice caught in her throat. She felt isolated, her mind spinning with the weight of their expectations. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions as the producers exchanged glances, their faces reflecting the same disappointment.

"Look," Mr. Park said, his tone softening slightly though still stern, "we need you to step up. Your performance has to improve, and fast. We're counting on you to turn this around."

Chaewon nodded, her eyes fixed on the table as she tried to absorb the weight of their expectations. "I understand," she said quietly. The room seemed to close in on her as she struggled to keep her composure.

After the meeting, Chaewon left the building feeling deflated. The criticism hung over her like a dark cloud. She stepped outside into the bright afternoon light but remained on the street, unable to bring herself to go home. She walked aimlessly, her mind racing with the words from the meeting.