Babymonster One Shot

Holding Back, Holding On | CHISA

CHIQUITA's POV

Being the youngest in Babymonster has its perks, especially when it comes to Asa. I can act all cute, and no one thinks twice about it. In front of the other members, I'm Chiquita, Asa's baby sister. We laugh, joke around, and no one suspects that my heart races every time she smiles at me.

But when it's just the two of us... that's when things change.

Like today, we're sitting on the balcony, just the two of us. The others are inside, either napping or busy with their phones, and Asa's focused on explaining something in Korean. My Korean's gotten better, but she still takes time to teach me new words and correct my pronunciation. Her voice is calm and soft, and I could listen to her talk for hours.

"There, you almost got it," Asa says, smiling as she finishes. "Just need to roll your 'r' a little more."

I nod, but my mind is only half on the lesson. The other half is stuck on how beautiful she looks when the sunlight hits her face, how her laughter is like music to me. I watch her as she corrects the sentence I just fumbled, admiring her features and soft eyes.

If only she knew.

She doesn't need to spend this much time with me-teaching me, taking care of me. But she does. When she cooks, she always makes sure there's a special portion just for me. If the other members tease me, Asa's the first to jump to my defense. And every time, my heart skips a beat.

"Thanks, Asa-unnie," I say, forcing a casual tone, even though my feelings are anything but casual.

She chuckles, patting my head like I'm still that cute little sister role I play so well. But when it's just us, when no one else is watching, I can't help but let my feelings slip through the cracks. It's those little moments, the quiet times we share, that make me realize how deeply I've fallen for her.

I don't know if she feels the same. I'm not even sure if she sees me as anything more than her dongsaeng. The thought of confessing crosses my mind every time we're alone, but the fear of ruining what we have always pulls me back. I'm scared. What if I tell her, and she doesn't feel the same? What if everything between us changes?

But then, she does things like this-spending hours helping me with my Korean, or making a special bento just for me-and I can't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, she feels something too.

Asa stands up and stretches, breaking me out of my thoughts. "I think that's enough studying for today," she says, turning to me with a smile. "You've done great, Chiquita."

My heart swells at her praise. I want to say something, to tell her how much I admire her, how much I care. But the words stick in my throat, heavy and unspoken.

Instead, I just smile back and say, "Thanks, Asa-unnie."

We stay like that for a moment, her gaze lingering on mine before she ruffles my hair again. "Let's head inside. I'll make us something to eat."

I watch as she walks ahead, her steps light and carefree. My heart aches with a mix of adoration and longing. I love her-more than just as a friend, more than just as a fellow member. But for now, I'll keep that to myself.

Someday, though... Someday I'll find the courage to tell her how I feel. And I hope, with everything in me, that it won't be too late.

Until then, I'll cherish every moment we share. Even if it's just as her little sister. Even if she never knows how deeply I've fallen for her.

I'll still love her. And that's enough for now.

---

ASA's POV

I've noticed it for a while now-the way Chiquita looks at me when she thinks I'm not paying attention. The way her eyes linger, soft and full of something more than just friendship. At first, I brushed it off as her being affectionate, the way maknaes often are. But over time, it became impossible to ignore.

Every time she smiles at me, there's a spark in her eyes that makes my heart skip a beat. It's subtle, but it's there. And the thing is, I can't lie to myself anymore-I feel something too.

I watch her now as she concentrates on her Korean lessons, her brows furrowed in determination. She's so focused, so earnest in everything she does. That's one of the things I admire about her. She always gives her best, whether it's on stage, during practice, or even in these quiet moments between just the two of us.

There's something about Chiquita that pulls me in, like gravity. It's not just her cuteness or the way she acts like my baby sister in front of the others. When it's just us, I see the real her-the shy but thoughtful girl who hides her heart behind smiles and laughter.

I reach out and ruffle her hair, the same way I always do, pretending not to notice the way her cheeks flush slightly. She looks up at me with those wide eyes, and I have to resist the urge to say something more, something that would cross a line neither of us is ready for.

I feel it too-this pull between us. But now isn't the time.

We're just starting our journey as idols. The excitement of our debut, the intense schedules, the pressure of the industry-it's all too much. There's no room for anything else right now, especially something as complicated as love. Not when so many eyes are on us, waiting for us to succeed or slip.

But that doesn't mean I don't care. I do, deeply.

I show it in the small ways-by making sure she eats, by cooking something special just for her, by sitting with her during breaks and helping her with her Korean, even though she's getting better every day. I care about her in ways I haven't cared about anyone else before, and maybe one day I'll have the courage to tell her.

But for now, I keep my feelings tucked away, safe in the quiet moments we share. I watch over her, protect her in the little ways I can, and make sure she knows she's not alone.

As we sit together, the sunset casting a warm glow over the balcony, Chiquita glances at me, her lips parting as if she wants to say something. But then she closes them again, her expression softening into a smile instead.

I smile back, giving her a reassuring nod. She doesn't need to say anything. I already know.

And maybe one day, when the time is right, when we've found our place in this chaotic world of fame, I'll tell her how I feel. I'll let her know that I've been noticing everything all along-the way she looks at me, the way she leans on me, the way my heart beats just a little faster whenever I'm around her.

But for now, I'll wait.

Until then, I'll keep being here for her, in all the ways that matter. Because even if I can't say the words yet, I'll make sure she knows, in every touch, in every meal I cook, in every quiet moment we share.

Someday, I'll tell her. But not now.

For now, I'll just love her in silence.