Between Spotlight and Shadows (NewJeans x M!Reader/OC)

Chapter 4 - Into the Light

guess who's back?? damn right, it's me :p

shorter chapter this time, lowkey don't think I can write as much as I did in that other chapter so soon.

As always, please enjoy and all feedback is welcome <3

~3.6k words

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August 1st, 11:30 am @HYBE Lounge Area - Danielle POV

I leaned back in my chair, savoring the rare lull in our frantic debut schedule. Hanni and Minji were chatting beside me, their laughter a welcome break from the constant rehearsals and promotions. Across the room, the girls from LE SSERAFIM were clustered around their table, taking their own breather between sessions. Yunjin and Chaewon joined us, grinning as they slid into seats across from me.

"Finally caught a break!" Yunjin exclaimed, stretching with exaggerated relief. "Seems like it's been non-stop for you guys as well for your debut!"

"Oh please, unnie," Hanni teased, her eyes rolling. "We've been watching you 'resting' in the practice rooms all week."

"Guilty as charged," Yunjin laughed. "But if we're talking about lazy, let's not even mention Chaewon." She nudged her friend playfully.

Chaewon rolled her eyes, grinning as she took a sip of her iced coffee just as Kazuha joined us, settling into the chair beside me. "Speaking of debuts," Kazuha said, looking over at Yunjin and Chaewon, "I overheard you two talking about someone on the weekend. You mentioned meeting up with a trainee—Taejin, wasn't it?"

The sound of his name sent a jolt through me, but I kept my expression neutral, taking a careful sip of my drink.

Chaewon blinked, quickly glancing at Yunjin before clearing her throat. "Oh, yeah. That was Taejin—he's a friend of ours," she said, her tone casual, though I caught a fondness in her voice that she couldn't hide.

"Oh, wait!" Hanni's eyes widened as she looked at Yunjin, her curiosity obvious. "I remember you said something about him debuting? I haven't heard anything about new boy groups from HYBE, though..."

Yunjin's smile faded slightly, her expression turning thoughtful. She glanced around the table, then spoke softly. "Actually... Taejin's debut isn't with HYBE," she admitted. "He's debuting with a different company now—EDICTA."

My breath caught, and I forced myself to stay calm. I knew Taejin had always been one of HYBE's most promising trainees, practically set for debut. How could he be debuting somewhere else?

Sakura, who had been listening quietly, looked up, her brows furrowing. "Taejin's debuting outside of HYBE?" she repeated, surprised. "He used to come to our concerts all the time for his sister. I remember he was practically everyone's favourite IZ*ONE fan," she said with a nostalgic smile, shooting a knowing look at Chaewon.

Chaewon chuckled, flustered. "He was just a cute kid back then. I thought of him as a little brother, you know? And since I was close with Hyewon, I'd see him at our events all the time. He'd be there in the waiting room, then come out to cheer us on with his own little fan banner. It was adorable."

Kazuha raised an eyebrow, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "So... a cute kid, huh?" she teased, her tone playful.

Chaewon's cheeks flushed, and she waved her hand dismissively. "Yes! He's like a little brother to me, honestly!" She shot Yunjin a look, silently begging her to back her up.

Yunjin smirked, leaning back with a knowing smile. "Right, just a 'little brother.' That's exactly why you kept asking about him after we hung out last weekend?"