35. Beyond the Spotlight

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As the sun began to rise, casting a golden hue over the city, TWICE’s dorm was alive with the sounds of laughter and conversation. The members were gathered around the kitchen table, a mixture of breakfast foods spread out before them—fluffy pancakes, fresh fruit, and a mountain of jokbal, much to Momo's delight.

“Seriously, Momo, how much do you plan to eat this morning?” Dahyun teased, her eyes wide with mock disbelief. “You know there’s a whole day ahead of us, right?”

Momo shrugged, her cheeks stuffed with food. “I can’t help it! It’s too good to resist!” she replied, grinning like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

“Don’t worry, Dahyun. I’m just helping her build her energy for the day,” Tzuyu quipped, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she patted Momo’s back. Momo beamed at Tzuyu, clearly grateful for her support.

Sana, sitting beside Tzuyu, chuckled softly. “Well, she’ll need it if we’re going to start planning our future today,” she said, glancing at Tzuyu with a knowing smile.

The conversation shifted as Jihyo entered the room, her hair slightly tousled from sleep but her demeanor bright and full of energy. “Good morning, everyone! So, today’s the day we finally discuss what we want to do after our contract ends!”

Excitement bubbled in the air as the members nodded in agreement, each one feeling the weight of the impending change. It was a topic they had danced around for months, but today it felt real.

“Do you guys have any ideas?” Jeongyeon asked, leaning back in her chair, a teasing smirk on her face as she looked at Nayeon, who was already making grand gestures about their future.

“I think we should open a cafe!” Nayeon exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. “Just imagine it—TWICE’s Cafe, where we can serve all our favorite foods and drinks!”

“Wait, what about a bakery?” Mina chimed in, leaning forward, her interest piqued. “We could sell pastries and desserts! I could help with the baking!”

Tzuyu smirked, nudging Sana playfully. “And Sana can handle the customer service. I can already see her charming all the customers.”

Sana blushed, shooting Tzuyu a playful glare. “Hey! I can do more than just charm customers! I can bake too!”

“Sure, if you don’t burn the kitchen down first,” Chaeyoung teased, eliciting laughter from the group.

As the ideas flowed, it became clear that everyone had their own vision for what life could be like beyond the idols’ stage. Dahyun suggested starting a travel vlog, while Momo expressed her dream of becoming a full-time food critic.

Jihyo, ever the leader, listened intently, jotting down notes. “These are all great ideas! Let’s not forget we also have our fans to think about. How can we incorporate our love for ONCE into our future plans?”

“Maybe we could hold events where we share our experiences and stories with them?” Jeongyeon suggested, her gaze shifting to Nayeon. “We could even include some cooking classes or baking sessions.”

“YES! I’d love that!” Nayeon’s enthusiasm was contagious, and everyone nodded in agreement, each member imagining how much fun it would be to interact with ONCE in such a personal way.

As they brainstormed, the sun climbed higher in the sky, warming the room and filling it with a sense of hope and excitement. They had spent years as idols, but now they were ready to carve their own paths.

Once breakfast concluded, the members scattered to their respective rooms, each consumed with their thoughts. Tzuyu and Sana found themselves in the living room, the atmosphere suddenly turning quieter and more intimate.

“What do you think about all of this?” Tzuyu asked, her tone serious as she leaned closer to Sana.

Sana shrugged, her playful demeanor returning. “I think it’s exciting! We can finally do what we want, without all the pressure.”

Tzuyu nodded, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. “I know we’ve talked about it before, but… are you sure you’re ready to leave the idol life behind? It’s all we’ve known.”

Sana smiled softly, reaching out to hold Tzuyu’s hand. “We’ll always be a part of TWICE, but I think it’s time for us to create new memories together, just the two of us.”

Tzuyu’s heart fluttered at Sana’s words, and she squeezed her hand gently. “You’re right. We can still support each other, no matter what path we choose.”

They shared a quiet moment, their eyes locked in understanding. Then, Tzuyu grinned mischievously, her teasing side coming out. “But don’t forget that you have to handle the customers at our cafe. I expect nothing less than perfection.”

“Hey! I’ll have you know that I’m excellent at managing customers!” Sana retorted, pretending to pout. “I might even have to put you in charge of baking! You’d burn it for sure!”

As their banter continued, the door creaked open, and Jihyo peeked her head in. “What are you two up to in here? More flirting, I presume?”

“Jihyo!” Tzuyu exclaimed, a slight flush creeping onto her cheeks.

Sana laughed, pulling Tzuyu closer. “We were just discussing our future, but feel free to join us!”

As they settled back into the warmth of their friendship, Jihyo felt a surge of pride for her members. They were more than just a girl group; they were family, ready to face whatever came next, hand in hand.

The day continued with discussions, plans, and plenty of laughter. It was a day filled with hope and possibilities, and as they mapped out their futures, each member felt a sense of excitement and anticipation for the new paths ahead.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, the group gathered in the living room once more. They held hands in a circle, ready to share their hopes and dreams with each other.

“Here’s to our future, whatever it may hold!” Nayeon declared, raising her glass of juice high.

“To TWICE!” the rest cheered, their voices filled with passion and determination.

Later that night, as they settled into their rooms, Tzuyu and Sana found themselves alone once more, the stars twinkling outside the window. Tzuyu turned to Sana, a soft smile on her lips.

“You know, no matter what happens, I’ll always be by your side,” she said, her voice low and sincere.

Sana’s heart raced, and she leaned closer, her forehead resting against Tzuyu’s. “And I’ll always be yours, no matter what we choose to do.”

With that promise hanging in the air, they shared a gentle kiss, sealing their commitment to each other and to the future they would build together.

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Author’s Note: Thank you for reading Chapter 35! I hope you enjoyed seeing the members discuss their futures and bond together. It’s exciting to see them step into a new phase of their lives while maintaining their strong connections. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the chapter! Please remember to vote for this story if you enjoyed it! Your support means the world to me! 💖

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