Babymonster One Shot

The Players (2) BABYMONSTER

A week passed, and the tension within the group grew heavier, thickening the air in the practice room. Rami kept her distance from both Ruka and Asa, observing as the two players continued their game with reckless abandon. They seemed untouchable, but Rami knew better. Beneath their confident exteriors, cracks were beginning to form, and it was only a matter of time before everything shattered.

Ahyeon, bright and cheerful as always, had no idea that her world was slowly unraveling behind her back. She spent her free time doting on Ruka, sneaking her favorite snacks into the practice room and leaving sweet notes in her bag. Pharita, on the other hand, was quieter about her feelings, but Rami could tell by the way she looked at Ruka during rehearsals that she was just as deeply invested. The two girls, completely unaware of each other's connection to Ruka, continued to trust her blindly.

Asa's situation was even messier. Chiquita, who had always been so full of energy and innocence, was becoming more attached to Asa by the day. She followed Asa around like a shadow, her face lighting up whenever Asa so much as glanced in her direction. Rora, ever the thoughtful and introspective one, seemed completely oblivious to Chiquita's feelings. She spent her time in deep conversations with Asa, unaware of the tangled web that was being spun behind her back.

Rami wanted to scream. She wanted to grab them all-Ahyeon, Pharita, Chiquita, Rora-and tell them everything. Warn them that they were being played. But she couldn't. The delicate balance of their group was already on thin ice, and one wrong move could tear them apart.

That night, after another exhausting practice, Rami found herself alone in the dorm's common area. She was nursing a cup of tea, trying to quiet her racing thoughts when the door creaked open. It was Pharita, her usual calm demeanor replaced by an expression of hesitation.

"Rami," Pharita started softly, closing the door behind her, "can I talk to you?"

Rami nodded, setting her cup down. "Of course. What's on your mind?"

Pharita sat down across from her, her fingers fidgeting nervously in her lap. "It's about Ruka-unnie."

Rami's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected Pharita to bring this up. "What about her?"

Pharita hesitated, biting her lip. "Do you think... do you think she's really serious about me?"

Rami's throat tightened. This was the moment she had been dreading. She knew the truth, but how could she say it without tearing everything apart?

"Why do you ask?" Rami deflected, trying to gauge just how much Pharita knew-or suspected.

"I don't know," Pharita admitted, her voice soft. "Sometimes, when we're together, I feel like she's really there with me. Like I mean something to her. But then... other times, she's distant. I've seen how she looks at Ahyeon sometimes, and... I can't help but wonder."

Rami swallowed hard. Pharita was beginning to piece it together. She had to tread carefully. "Have you talked to Ruka-unnie about it?"

Pharita shook her head. "No. I don't want to come off as insecure or jealous. But... I just can't shake the feeling that something's off."

Rami's heart ached for Pharita. She deserved to know the truth, but Rami knew that dropping this bombshell could cause more harm than good. "I think you should talk to her, Rita-unnie. If you're feeling unsure, it's important to clear the air."

Pharita sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah. Maybe you're right. Thanks, Rami."

As Pharita stood up to leave, Rami's stomach churned with guilt. She wanted to help, but how could she when the truth was so ugly? She didn't have much time to dwell on it, though, because moments after Pharita left, the door opened again-this time revealing Chiquita.

Rami's heart sank. She could already guess what was coming.

"Haram-unnie," Chiquita said, her voice full of nervous excitement. "Can I ask you something?"

Rami forced a smile, already bracing herself for another difficult conversation. "Sure, Canny. What's up?"

Chiquita sat down, practically bouncing with energy. "It's about Asa-unnie."

Rami internally groaned but kept her face neutral. "What about her?"

"Do you think Asa-unnie likes me?" Chiquita blurted out, her eyes wide with hope. "Like, really likes me?"

Rami felt her chest tighten. "What makes you ask?"

"Well," Chiquita began, her voice filled with a youthful eagerness, "we've been spending a lot of time together lately, and she's been really sweet to me. She even kissed me the other night. I just... I feel like there's something between us."

Rami's mind raced. She had seen Asa with Rora just the day before, sharing quiet moments and whispered conversations. And now, Chiquita was falling for Asa, just like Rora. This was spiraling out of control faster than Rami could handle.

"Canny," Rami started carefully, "I think you should be careful. Sometimes, people don't always show their true intentions."

Chiquita's smile faltered. "What do you mean?"

"I just... don't want you to get hurt," Rami said softly. "Maybe you should talk to Asa-unnie. Make sure you're both on the same page."

Chiquita nodded slowly, her excitement dimming just a little. "Yeah, maybe you're right. I'll talk to her."

As Chiquita left, Rami buried her face in her hands. The weight of knowing what was happening-and being powerless to stop it-was becoming too much to bear.

Later that night, Rami sat in her room, staring at the ceiling. She couldn't stop thinking about the conversations she'd had. Pharita was doubting her relationship with Ruka, and Chiquita was blissfully unaware of Asa's divided heart. Rora was equally in the dark, and Ahyeon continued to trust Ruka completely.

Rami knew it was only a matter of time before the truth came out. And when it did, it would leave a trail of broken hearts in its wake.

But she couldn't just sit back and let it happen.

The next morning, after another grueling practice session, Rami decided she couldn't stay silent any longer. She pulled Ruka aside in the hallway, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Ruka-unnie, we need to talk. Now."

Ruka raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the wall. "About what?"

"Rita-unnie," Rami said, her voice shaking slightly. "She's starting to suspect something. And it's only a matter of time before Ahyeon finds out too."

Ruka's expression darkened, but she didn't speak.

"And Asa-unnie," Rami continued, her frustration bubbling over. "She's playing both Rora and Chiquita, and they're both falling for her. This isn't a game, unnie. You're both going to hurt them."

Ruka's eyes narrowed. "You think I don't know that? I told you before, I've got it under control."

"No, you don't," Rami shot back, her voice rising. "It's already falling apart. Rita-unnie is doubting you. Chiquita is head over heels for Asa-unnie, and Rora has no idea. This isn't going to end well, and you know it."

For a moment, Ruka stayed silent, her jaw clenched. Then, she spoke in a low, dangerous voice. "It's not your problem, Rami. Stay out of it."

Rami's heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to back down. "It is my problem. They're my friends too, and I won't let you and Asa-unnie tear them apart just because you want to have fun. You're going to hurt them, and when you do, it's going to destroy everything."

Ruka stared at her for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she pushed off the wall and walked away, leaving Rami standing there, her heart heavy with dread.

The cracks were getting bigger. And soon, they would break.