A Recipe for Love ( Le sserafim X Fem reader )

Chapter 9: Unmasking the Pain

AN: we surpassed 500 reads?!? 🎉 Thank you guys so much for reading. 💖

Y/N stared at her phone in disbelief, her fingers trembling slightly as the number on her screen solidified in her mind: 1 million subscribers. She had reached the milestone she'd promised her fans she would hit before doing something she had both dreaded and anticipated—the face reveal. Her heart raced as she remembered the poll she'd posted weeks ago, letting her fans decide when she should finally unmask herself. The moment had arrived, and despite everything that had changed, Y/N knew she couldn't back out.

The memories of the past few weeks flooded her mind—the karaoke night when her mask had slipped, revealing her face to the girls, and the unexpected conversation that had followed. The girls had shown her nothing but understanding and kindness after learning the truth about her mask and the painful memories it shielded. They hadn't judged her; instead, they had stood by her side, their warmth and acceptance a balm to her anxiety.

Yet, despite the reassurance from her friends, a familiar knot of anxiety formed in her stomach. The face reveal wasn't just a promise to her fans—it was a personal step she hadn't been sure she was ready for, not even after the girls had seen her face.

It wasn't about insecurity over her appearance. In fact, Eunchae had made that clear. "You're unbelievably pretty, Y/N," Eunchae had said the morning after the karaoke night. "You're going to break the internet when you show everyone, also I'm not sure if you know but being pretty and not knowing it just adds more to your beauty. Being humble is pretty."

Y/N had laughed at the time, brushing off the compliment as she usually did. She didn't hide because she thought she wasn't beautiful. If anything, it was the opposite. Her natural beauty had always drawn attention, sometimes more than she wanted. She had hidden behind the mask to protect her sense of self, to keep Peachtea defined by her creativity, humor, and content—not her face.

But now, the mask was no longer just about maintaining her privacy. It had become a shield against her past. The trauma of losing her sister, Nari, and the guilt that had plagued her for years left a scar she couldn't hide with makeup. The mask had become a barrier, not only between her and her fans but between her and the pain that had haunted her.

She took a deep breath and looked at the group chat with the LE SSERAFIM girls. Her thoughts immediately went to them—the friends who had become her second family. She thought about their reactions to her face the night of the reveal and how, in the days following, they had been nothing but supportive. Their unwavering support gave her strength. Still, before moving forward, she needed to consult two groups of people: her mother and her friends.

Her mother's words had always grounded her, especially now. Her mom was in the hospital, fighting an illness that had shaken Y/N's world, yet she still found time to cheer Y/N on from her hospital bed. Her mom had always encouraged her to live freely and embrace herself, and Y/N needed her blessing before taking this monumental step.

At the same time, the LE SSERAFIM girls had become her confidantes, the ones who had seen her growth as Peachtea and understood her the most. She needed their support, too. Kazuha already knew about her mother's condition—she had seen Y/N's vulnerability in a quiet moment—but the others hadn't. Y/N wasn't sure how to bring it up, but with the face reveal looming, she needed to come clean and gather their collective advice.

Taking a deep breath, Y/N sent a message to the group chat: "Hey, can we all meet up tomorrow? I want to talk to you guys about something important. It's at the hospital... my mom's there, and I think it's time you all meet her."

Her heart pounded as she hit send. This meeting wouldn't just serve as a way to introduce her mom to her friends. It would be the first step toward finding the courage she needed for the reveal. She closed her phone and lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling as the weight of the upcoming conversation settled in.