between the spolight - purinz ✧

the first encounter.

chaewon's pov —

i stared at my reflection in the practice room mirror, heart pounding harder than i wanted to admit. my debut was only weeks away, and today was the day i'd meet her. huh yunjin—the company's top soloist, the one everyone seemed to worship. her face was on every billboard, her name on every chart. and now, i was about to stand in the same room as her, the person who could either become my biggest mentor or my biggest rival.

i adjusted my in-ear monitors, trying to calm the nerves threatening to bubble over. i'd heard the whispers from the staff. they said yunjin was... difficult. cold. that she wasn't exactly welcoming to new faces, especially ones who might one day challenge her position.

i wasn't naive. i knew the comparisons would come. they already had, even before i officially came here. but i wasn't going to be anyone's shadow. i'd worked too hard for this. today was my chance to prove i belonged here.

the door creaked open behind me, and my breath hitched. i knew exactly who it was before i even turned around.

huh yunjin walked in like she owned the room, every step filled with a quiet confidence i couldn't help but admire—even if i hated how much it unnerved me. she looked even more intimidating in person, taller than i'd imagined, her sharp eyes sweeping over me as if she were already sizing me up. i straightened my posture, refusing to let her see any hint of weakness.

"so, you're the new soloist." her voice was cool, detached, like this was just another routine introduction for her. she barely looked at me as she spoke. "kim chaewon, right?"

i nodded, my throat dry. "yeah, that's me."

her eyes flicked over me again, and the corner of her mouth lifted just slightly, like she found something amusing. "i've heard a lot about you."

i clenched my fists, trying to keep my voice steady. "same goes for you."

that earned me a real smirk, but there was no warmth behind it. it was the kind of smile that told me she didn't see me as competition—not yet. it was a little patronizing, like i was a new toy she was going to have fun testing out.

"they want us to work together for the next few weeks," yunjin continued, like it was no big deal. "a collaboration. joint promotions."

i nodded again. i already knew that. the company was trying to stir up buzz by putting us together—the established star and the rookie. it was good for business, but part of me hated the idea. i didn't want to be known as just the 'new girl next to huh yunjn.' i wanted to stand out on my own.

"looking forward to it," i said, forcing more confidence into my voice than i actually felt. her gaze met mine, and for a second, i refused to look away, hoping she'd see i wasn't scared of her.

but she just shrugged, like she couldn't care less. "we'll see how it goes."

without another word, she walked over to the stereo, scrolling through tracks as if i wasn't even there. her movements were smooth, deliberate, like someone who was used to being in control. i watched her for a second, not sure whether to feel insulted or impressed.

"let's get started," she said, hitting play without even asking if i was ready.

i clenched my jaw, swallowing down my frustration. this was my shot to prove myself, even if she clearly didn't see me as an equal yet. i wasn't going to let her attitude get to me. the music started—sharp beats, fast choreography that left no room for error. i had practiced this routine endlessly, but suddenly, under yunjin's gaze, every move felt like a test.

we moved in sync, both of us hitting the steps with precision, but i could feel her watching me out of the corner of her eye, waiting for me to slip up. every second felt like a challenge. the room was filled only with the sound of the music and the slap of our shoes against the floor. she was good—no, she was great—every movement effortless, her stamina unmatched. i hated that it made me feel a little self-conscious.

for the next hour, we danced in silence, neither of us willing to break the tension. i pushed myself harder, determined not to fall behind. my legs burned, and my breath came out ragged, but i kept up with her pace, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me struggle. i wouldn't let her think she was untouchable.

finally, the music cut out. i was breathing hard, sweat dripping down my face, but yunjin? she barely looked winded, her face still calm, still composed. i tried to steady my breath, wiping the sweat from my forehead as i glanced her way. she met my eyes briefly, her expression unreadable, and for a moment i wondered what she was thinking.

"you're good," she said finally, her voice cool and detached. "but you'll need to be better if you want to keep up."

i felt a spark of irritation flare up in my chest. i'd just spent an hour keeping up with you, hadn't i? but instead of saying that, i pressed my lips together, forcing myself to stay calm. this was how she wanted to play it—like she was still leagues ahead, untouchable. fine. i could play too.

"i can keep up," i shot back, my voice firmer than before. i wasn't going to let her condescend to me, not after how hard i'd pushed myself. "you'll see."

yunjin's smirk returned, just for a split second, and it made my blood boil. she didn't say anything in response, just looked at me with that same amused expression, like she was waiting for me to prove her wrong. then, without another word, she turned and walked toward the door, her steps casual, like nothing about this had phased her.

i watched her go, my chest still rising and falling with heavy breaths, frustration and determination battling inside me. she was everything i'd expected—talented, composed, and cold as ice. but if she thought i'd just back down, she was wrong.

the door clicked shut behind her, leaving me alone in the practice room, the silence almost deafening now that the music had stopped. i let out a long breath, running a hand through my damp hair.

this was going to be harder than i'd imagined. yunjin wasn't just a talented performer; she was someone who could get inside your head, make you doubt yourself without even trying. but i wouldn't let her win. i couldn't. if she wanted to test me, to push me to my limits, then i'd rise to the challenge. i had to. there was too much at stake.

i took a deep breath, steeling myself. this was just the beginning, the first round in what i knew was going to be a long fight. but i was ready. i'd come this far, and i wasn't about to let anyone—not even huh yunjin—stand in my way.

with one last glance at the mirror, i turned to grab my things. tomorrow was another day, another chance to prove myself. and i would. one way or another, i'd show yunjin that i wasn't just another rookie.

i was here to stay.