Babymonster One Shot

Unspoken Distance | RUKASA

The dim lights of the practice room reflected off the mirrors, casting long shadows across the space as Ruka adjusted her posture, catching a glimpse of the clock. It was late, but she wasn’t alone. Asa stood a few feet away, stretching her arms above her head. They shared the same schedule—endless hours of choreography, vocal practice, and media training. It should have meant they were closer than ever. After all, they had been through so much together, even before debuting in BABYMONSTER.

Yet, somehow, that connection they once had, that unbreakable bond they leaned on during the toughest times, felt more distant than ever.

Ruka watched as Asa laughed at something Rami said, joining the others in a playful conversation. It wasn’t that Ruka was jealous—she loved the other members and felt lucky to have such a tight-knit group—but lately, she realized that the time she used to spend with Asa had slowly been replaced by moments like these. Moments where they were surrounded by others, never really alone together anymore.

She shook the thought away, chalking it up to the nature of being in a group. They all bonded with each other; it was natural, it was good, but… something was missing. She couldn’t remember the last time she and Asa had shared a quiet conversation or just enjoyed each other’s company without the others around.

After the practice session ended, everyone gathered their things, chatting about grabbing dinner. Ruka lingered by the door, debating whether to join in or head back to the dorms. She noticed Asa picking up her bag, glancing around for a moment before falling into step with Rora.

“Are you coming, Ruka-unnie?” Pharita asked, snapping Ruka out of her thoughts.

She smiled and shook her head. “I’m a bit tired. I think I’ll head back early tonight.”

Pharita nodded in understanding before the group left, their chatter and laughter fading as they disappeared down the hall. Ruka sighed, rubbing the back of her neck as she felt the familiar weight of exhaustion—not just from the physical demands of training, but from the unspoken distance between her and Asa.

It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy the company of the other members. They were her family now, but it felt strange—this hollow space where Asa used to be. The girl who had been her anchor, the one she’d confided in about homesickness, fears, and dreams, felt like a stranger sometimes. Ruka wondered if Asa noticed it too, or if she was the only one feeling this way.

Just as she was about to head out, the door to the practice room creaked open again, and Ruka looked up to see Asa standing there, her face unreadable.

“Everyone’s gone?” Asa asked, stepping inside.

“Yeah,” Ruka replied, adjusting the strap of her bag. “I was about to head out too.”

Asa hesitated, then dropped her bag back onto the floor, sitting down on the edge of the stage. “Can we talk for a minute?”

Ruka paused, her heart skipping a beat. “Of course.”

She placed her bag down again and moved to sit beside Asa, the silence between them suddenly feeling thick, almost uncomfortable—something that had never existed before between them.

“We used to talk all the time,” Asa started, her voice quiet. “But now, it’s like… I don’t even know what’s going on in your head anymore.”

Ruka’s heart sank. So Asa had noticed. “I know,” she admitted. “I’ve been thinking the same thing.”

Asa let out a soft breath, resting her elbows on her knees. “It’s weird, right? We’re always together, always practicing, always on the same schedule. But when was the last time we actually spent time together? Just us?”

Ruka thought about it, realizing she couldn’t remember. It had always been the two of them, ever since they were trainees—two Japanese girls, away from home, relying on each other to get through the toughest days. But now, with the group’s debut and everything that came with it, they had somehow grown more distant.

“We’ve been so busy,” Ruka said, trying to find an excuse, but it felt weak even as the words left her mouth. “And it’s not like we’ve been avoiding each other or anything.”

“I know,” Asa said quickly. “It’s not like that. But I miss it, you know? I miss us. I miss the nights when we’d sneak out of the dorm to get snacks or stay up talking about stupid things.”

Ruka smiled softly, the memories flooding back. “I miss that too.”

There was a long pause before Asa spoke again, her voice almost hesitant. “I guess I thought that just because we were always together with the group, it meant we were still the same. But we’re not, are we?”

Ruka bit her lip, feeling a pang of guilt. Asa had always been like a little sister to her, someone she felt responsible for. And yet, somewhere along the way, she had let that connection slip. “I guess we got caught up in everything. The debut, the schedules, the other members… It just kind of happened.”

Asa nodded, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her shirt. “I don’t blame you, unnie. I love the girls—they’re amazing, and I’m so happy we all get along. But I don’t want to lose what we had.”

“You’re not losing me,” Ruka said firmly, turning to face her fully. “I’ve been distant, yeah, but it wasn’t intentional. We’ve just… grown, I guess. But that doesn’t mean we can’t find our way back.”

Asa’s lips curved into a small smile, the tension in her shoulders easing. “I’m glad you feel that way.”

Ruka reached out, placing a hand on Asa’s shoulder. “We’ll make more time for each other. Even if it’s just ten minutes after practice or before bed. I don’t want to drift apart.”

Asa chuckled, nodding in agreement. “Deal. Besides, who else am I going to bother with all my weird stories?”

Ruka laughed, feeling the warmth between them returning. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

As they sat there, the empty practice room quiet around them, it was like the distance that had grown between them over the past few months began to dissolve. They weren’t the same girls they were before debut—both had changed, matured—but their bond remained. And now, with the air cleared, they could start to rebuild it, one step at a time.

“Hey unnie,” Asa said, standing up and offering Ruka a hand. “Wanna grab a snack? Just like old times?”

Ruka grinned, taking Asa’s hand as she stood. “Definitely. Let’s go before they get back and eat everything.”

And just like that, it felt like home again.