Behind the Curtains: A Tale of Hidden Emotions

special chap

Yoko's POV

"Faye and Yoko!"

The sound of applause filled the grand hall, a tidal wave of cheers and excitement echoing off the walls. My heart thundered in my chest as I stood alongside Faye, the weight of the moment settling over us. Happiness didn’t seem like a strong enough word—this was something deeper, something richer. As we accepted yet another award from one of the country’s most prestigious shows, a profound warmth blossomed inside me.

This was what it felt like when years of effort finally bore fruit. Every late night, every struggle, every decision had led to this. And seeing the smiles on people’s faces.....our team, the fans, our families, it made every sacrifice worth it.

I glanced at Faye, standing just a step beside me, and smiled.

None of this would be possible without everyone who had walked this path with me. They had been my foundation—steady hands holding me up when the climb grew steep. The staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, the company who believed in us, P’Wan who guided us like loving mother, the fans whose unwavering support never faltered, and of course, Faye. Faye, who stood as a beacon in this shared journey, lighting the way forward.

“This isn’t just my success,” I began during the thank-you speech, the microphone cool in my hand, “this is ours. All of us.”

Faye’s eyes sparkled with tears she wouldn’t let fall, and that, more than the award, felt like the true reward of the night. To see her happiness—a happiness we shared—was something irreplaceable. She deserved this, all of it. And I knew that no matter what the future held, no matter how high the sky stretched for her, I wanted to be there, cheering her on every step of the way.

“Congratulations!”

The familiar voice startled me, but it was only Orm, bounding toward me with her usual exuberance. I couldn’t help but laugh as she reached for my hand, squeezing it lightly in celebration.

Orm and I had met on several shows before, and from the start, we just… clicked. Maybe because we were so similar in all the ways that mattered. Playful, mischievous, the ones everyone called “troublemakers.” Especially when it came to our partners. People joked that Orm and I were the stubborn kids giving our girlfriends constant headaches.

And maybe, just maybe, they weren’t wrong. But let’s be fair—those two could be just as naughty, only most people didn’t get to see that side. Orm and I? We were the witness of it all.

“Look at them.” I nudged Orm, trying to suppress a chuckle as we watched P’Lingling, P’Faye, and P’Freen chatting off to the side, completely wrapped up in their own world. “They look like they’re having a reunion.”

Orm burst into laughter, her eyes crinkling. “You’re right!”

We stood there, caught in a moment of unfiltered joy, watching our partners while surrounded by the hum of celebration. Tonight wasn’t just about winning an award. It was about the people—our people—who made every win feel a thousand times more meaningful. And in that room, surrounded by friends and production family it felt like everything was exactly as it was meant to be.

The Ties That Bind.

“Yeah, I thought so too!” Orm said, laughing as her voice echoed warmly between us. “I’m sad Becky wasn’t here tonight. It would’ve been so much fun, noh? That girl has so many stories to tell.”

I nodded, a wistful smile tugging at my lips. Becky—our partner-in-crime, our ultimate tease. Memories of our old antics rushed back like an old, favorite movie. We used to joke about her being the "mother of all GLs," and her indignant protests never failed to send us into fits of laughter. “I’m not that old to be a mother!” she’d declare, hands on her hips, trying her best to look offended.