between the spolight - purinz ✧

unseen threats.

chaewon's pov —

the article fallout cast a long shadow over everything. the agency's pr team had grilled us thoroughly, emphasizing how critical it was that these rumors died down, that our careers stayed "focused and unattached." yunjin and i had taken it in stride, pretending the rumors were ridiculous. but behind closed doors, we were careful. too careful.

a few days after the meeting, i was backstage alone, scrolling through comments under the article. part of me knew i shouldn't. the speculation from fans and reporters was intense. somehow, people seemed certain there was more between us, despite our best attempts to stay out of sight. the comments got harsher the more i read, and just as i was starting to feel the weight of it, i heard footsteps approaching.

"chaewon." yunjin's voice was soft but tense. she closed the door behind her, slipping in to sit beside me. her presence eased some of the anxiety. "what are you doing?"

"just... reading." i shook my head, locking my phone. "it's insane how much they think they know about us."

she sighed, resting a hand on mine. "it's going to fade. we just have to lie low and keep things professional in public."

but even as she said it, her eyes held a hint of doubt. the strain of hiding was starting to wear on both of us, even if neither of us would admit it outright.

at the next rehearsal, aespa had joined us for a new year's promotion event. it felt like just another group collaboration, but there was something else in the air, something sharper. giselle, in particular, seemed to linger near yunjin, her glances quick and calculated, her tone always a bit too friendly.

it would have been easier to ignore if yunjin weren't so oblivious to it. she was warm and genuine, laughing with giselle and treating her like any other friend. but from the sidelines, i started to see the patterns: the way giselle's laughter would drop when yunjin wasn't watching, the occasional sharp look she sent my way. she seemed to enjoy yunjin's attention, almost reveling in the distance between yunjin and me.

that evening, i went to see sakura. she was the only person who knew the truth about yunjin and me, the one person i could talk to without holding back.

"you think giselle's doing it on purpose?" sakura asked, raising an eyebrow as she sipped her coffee. "like, trying to drive a wedge between you two?"

i shook my head, feeling unsure. "i don't know. but it's like... she's waiting for something to happen."

sakura sighed, her expression growing serious. "look, you and yunjin have been through so much to be together. don't let some other girl get in the way just because she knows how to play games."

her words settled in, and i realized how much i'd been letting giselle's subtle digs and presence throw me off. if this was a test of how strong yunjin and i were, then i was going to pass it. i couldn't let giselle—or anyone—undermine what we had.

a week passed, and things stayed tense but manageable. yunjin and i were careful, dodging every bit of gossip and staying as neutral as we could around each other in public. but giselle kept slipping herself between us, slyly hinting things to yunjin that sounded just innocent enough but left me unsettled.

and then, it happened. at an event days later, i noticed giselle's gaze lingering on yunjin again, her eyes narrowing slightly whenever we spoke. i brushed it off, convincing myself that she was probably just curious after all the recent media drama. still, something about her attention felt sharper than usual.

during a break, i found myself alone near giselle in the hallway. i was scrolling through my phone, catching up on some news, when i heard her voice—casual but pointed.

"you and yunjin seem... close," giselle said, her tone carrying a faint edge.

i looked up, forcing a neutral smile. "yeah, we are. she's my best friend."

she raised an eyebrow, her smile almost challenging. "best friend?" she replied, a smirk playing on her lips. "more like your girlfriend."

the words hit like a jolt, and i struggled to keep my expression even. "what are you talking about?" i replied, keeping my voice steady. "yunjin and i are just friends. you know how the media exaggerates things."

giselle's gaze stayed fixed on me, the smugness in her eyes unmistakable. "of course," she said, her tone oozing with feigned innocence. "i just thought... with the way you two look at each other, there might be more to the story."

every nerve was on high alert, but i forced a laugh. "you're reaching," i said, shrugging. "we're close, but you know how this industry is. it's easy for people to make something out of nothing."

for a moment, we just stared at each other, her expression unreadable. but i could sense a sort of satisfaction behind her words, like she knew something i didn't. i couldn't help feeling like i was missing something important—some hidden meaning behind her words that felt unnervingly personal.

after that encounter, i kept my distance from giselle. but the more i thought about it, the more i couldn't shake the feeling that she knew more than she was letting on. her comments, the pointed way she watched yunjin, the smirk as if she were waiting for something to happen.

when i finally told yunjin about it that night, her face darkened.

"she actually said that?" yunjin asked, her jaw tightening. "i mean, we've been so careful, chaewon. i don't know how anyone could've picked up on anything."

"i don't know, either," i murmured, frustration bubbling up. "but it feels like she's trying to get a reaction."

yunjin's eyes flickered with a mix of anger and resolve. "well, she's not getting one from us."

as the night wore on, the unsettling exchange with giselle continued to haunt me. the idea that she might be watching, waiting, hoping to catch something real... it left a chill that i couldn't shake.