The idol training center was always bustling with energy—vocals echoing through the hallways, trainers shouting encouragements (and sometimes harsh critiques), and the relentless sound of sneakers squeaking on polished floors. For Wonyoung, it was her second home, though sometimes it felt like the pressure of the center’s expectations weighed heavier on her than anywhere else.
Today, however, there was a particular tension in the air. As Wonyoung stood in front of the mirror, fixing her ponytail for the afternoon dance practice, a familiar voice carried down the hallway.
Danielle.
The girl who had somehow become her biggest competition without even trying.
Wonyoung’s eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Danielle enter the practice room with her usual bright smile. Danielle was chatting animatedly with the other trainees, her Australian-Korean accent making her voice stand out. She was the complete opposite of Wonyoung—bubbly, carefree, always surrounded by friends. And the worst part? Everyone loved her for it.
Wonyoung turned her back to the door, pretending not to notice Danielle as she did a few stretches. But she could already feel the girl’s presence behind her, radiating energy as if the room wasn’t already filled with enough of it.
Danielle finally approached, dropping her bag with a thud beside Wonyoung’s.
"Hey," Danielle said, her tone casual but with an underlying edge. "Ready to lose center position again today?"
Wonyoung didn’t even flinch. She stood up from her stretch and glanced at Danielle in the mirror. "I didn’t know you were planning on embarrassing yourself that badly today."
Danielle’s smile tightened, but she didn’t back down. "We’ll see who’s really embarrassed after the trainers give their feedback."
They had been going at it like this for weeks. Ever since the management had started pitting them against each other during evaluations, the rivalry had intensified. It wasn’t just about winning anymore—it was about proving who deserved the spotlight more.
A few days later, the two found themselves in front of a live audience for a special trainee showcase. Fans of the company’s trainees had gathered to watch, eagerly awaiting the performances of their favorite idols-in-training. Cameras were rolling, fans were screaming, and the pressure was on.
Wonyoung stood backstage, mentally preparing herself. She was confident—she had been practicing harder than ever. She glanced to the side and saw Danielle stretching, her expression just as focused. Their eyes met for a brief second, and Wonyoung quickly looked away.
As the showcase began, both of them put on their best professional smiles. They had separate performances, but it was clear that the audience was waiting for the moment when the two rivals would share the stage.
And then it happened.
They were called out together for a brief Q&A session with the audience. At first, the questions were simple, lighthearted—about their favorite songs, their training schedules. But then, a fan asked a question that neither of them was prepared for.
"Wonyoung, Danielle—there’s been a lot of talk about your rivalry. Do you think you can ever be friends?"
The crowd murmured, excited to see how they’d respond. Wonyoung smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
"I think being rivals is good," she said, her tone smooth but sharp. "It pushes us to do better. Don’t you agree, Danielle?"
Danielle’s eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Sure," she said, keeping her voice light. "But I think it’s more about teamwork, not just competition. You can’t get far alone."
