Unspoken Feelings ( A love that defines the odds )

36. A New Dawn

The dawn of a new day crept slowly into the TWICE dorm, sunlight filtering through the curtains. The air was filled with a quiet sense of anticipation, not just for their daily routines of practice and recording, but for the realization that each day was now counting down to a future beyond the stage.

The members gathered in the living room after breakfast, all feeling the weight of their discussions from the previous day. It wasn’t just about leaving behind their lives as idols; it was about stepping into the unknown, but this time, they weren’t afraid. They had each other.

“Alright,” Jihyo began, clapping her hands to grab everyone’s attention. “We’ve all had some time to think about it. How do we feel about everything we discussed yesterday? Is everyone on board?”

Mina looked up from her coffee cup, nodding. “It feels surreal, but in a good way. I think we’re all ready for the next chapter.”

Chaeyoung leaned back in her chair, grinning at Mina. “I agree. Besides, we’re still going to be TWICE, just not in the same way.”

Momo, seated next to Dahyun, piped in enthusiastically, “And I’m definitely opening a food vlog! I’m going to review all the best jokbal spots in Seoul and beyond!” She looked at Dahyun with puppy-like excitement. “You’ll help me, right?”

Dahyun laughed, reaching over to squeeze Momo’s hand. “Of course, but you’ll need to stop eating everything in one sitting first. Save some for the viewers, Momo.”

Momo groaned dramatically, causing everyone to chuckle.

Jeongyeon glanced around at her members, then smiled fondly at Nayeon. “Well, Nayeon’s still pushing for that cafe idea. I guess I’ll be stuck running a bakery with her, huh?”

Nayeon smirked. “You won’t be stuck—you’ll be lucky to have me as your partner!”

The playful banter between Jeongyeon and Nayeon, along with the rest of the members, lightened the atmosphere. But beneath the laughter was a shared understanding that this moment marked a transition in their lives.

Tzuyu and Sana exchanged glances from across the room. They both knew this was more than just a career change. It was an opportunity for them to step into their own lives, together.

Jihyo, ever the leader, stood up and addressed the group. “Today, let’s make the most of our time. We have a long schedule ahead—practice, recordings, and then filming for Time to TWICE. But tonight, let’s celebrate. We deserve it.”

The group cheered in agreement, already looking forward to their evening together.

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Later that day—Practice Room

The familiar sounds of music and synchronized steps filled the practice room. TWICE was hard at work rehearsing their choreography, perfecting every move as they always had. But this time, there was a subtle difference. Each member seemed more present, more determined to enjoy every moment.

As the music died down, Tzuyu wiped the sweat from her brow and glanced over at Sana, who was resting on the floor, catching her breath.

“You’re still keeping up,” Tzuyu teased, walking over to offer Sana a hand.

Sana took it with a smile, pulling herself up. “I could say the same about you,” she quipped, brushing some loose strands of hair behind her ear.

From the corner of the room, Chaeyoung noticed the exchange and raised an eyebrow. “You two are so obvious,” she teased, nudging Mina who was stretching beside her.

Mina smirked. “You’re one to talk.”

Before Chaeyoung could retort, Jihyo entered the conversation. “Speaking of obvious, when are you two finally going to confess to each other?” she asked, giving Chaeyoung and Mina a knowing look.

Chaeyoung sputtered, her face flushing red. “What? We—we’re not—”

Tzuyu grinned, clearly enjoying the moment. “MiChaeng forever, right?” she teased, earning a groan from Chaeyoung and a shy smile from Mina.

The other members joined in the teasing, and soon enough, the practice room was filled with laughter as Chaeyoung and Mina tried (and failed) to defend themselves.

“Alright, alright, let’s take a break before we start the next round,” Jihyo announced, giving Chaeyoung a playful wink. “But seriously, Chaeyoung… it’s time.”

Chaeyoung glanced at Mina, who was pretending not to notice, her eyes focused on her water bottle. She felt her heart race. Maybe Jihyo was right. Maybe it was time.

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Night—TWICE Dorm

After a long day of work, the members finally returned to the dorm. The exhaustion from practice and filming was evident, but so was the excitement for their night together.

Nayeon and Jeongyeon had taken it upon themselves to organize a mini party in the living room. Snacks were spread out, and music played softly in the background. The atmosphere was cozy, with dim lighting and comfortable seating arranged in a circle.

As the night deepened, conversations flowed easily. Jeongyeon and Nayeon were playfully bickering like an old married couple, their banter drawing laughs from everyone else.

“Momo, seriously, how many plates of jokbal have you eaten today?” Dahyun asked with exasperation, though her eyes were filled with fondness.

Momo shrugged, clearly unbothered by the teasing. “Only three! I’m being good today.”

Jihyo shook her head, laughing. “We’ll have to roll you out of the dorm at this rate.”

“I’d rather roll out full of jokbal than leave anything behind,” Momo declared, earning more laughter from the group.

As the night continued, the mood grew more reflective. The members found themselves talking about the future once more—about their plans, their dreams, and the bonds they had forged over the years.

Sana, nestled comfortably beside Tzuyu, listened quietly as the conversation flowed around her. She felt Tzuyu’s arm brush against hers and smiled softly. Even as their lives changed, one thing would remain constant: their love for each other.

At some point, the conversation turned to the topic of their contract. There was only a year left. A heavy silence fell over the room as the reality of it sank in.

“It’s crazy to think that we’ve been together for this long,” Jihyo said softly, her voice filled with emotion.

“But whatever happens, we’ll always be family,” Nayeon added, her eyes filled with determination.

Jeongyeon nodded, pulling Nayeon closer. “Yeah, and no matter where life takes us, we’ll always have each other.”

Tzuyu glanced at Sana, her heart filled with warmth. “That’s what matters most.”

As the night wound down, the members began retreating to their rooms. In one room, Tzuyu, Sana, and Chaeyoung settled into their beds, ready for sleep.

But before the lights were turned off, Chaeyoung glanced at Mina’s room across the hall. She took a deep breath, remembering Jihyo’s words from earlier.

“Tzuyu,” Chaeyoung whispered in the dark. “What if Jihyo’s right?”

Tzuyu smiled in the darkness. “She usually is.”

With a newfound resolve, Chaeyoung

nodded to herself, her heart racing with a mix of nervousness and anticipation. Tomorrow, she’d take the leap.

The room fell into a peaceful silence, each member slowly drifting to sleep, knowing that with every passing day, they were writing the next chapter of their lives—together.

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