Under the Spotlight

Chapter 8: The Breaking Point

The days leading up to the comeback were a blur of rehearsals, interviews, and last-minute adjustments. Each day seemed heavier than the last, the pressure mounting with every passing moment. The group could feel it in every step, every note, every glance exchanged during practice. They were holding on, but barely.

The breaking point came during the final dress rehearsal, with the company's executives watching from the back of the room. The performance had to be flawless, but as the music played, small mistakes began to pile up. A missed step here, an offbeat there—none of it catastrophic, but enough to be noticeable.

When the music stopped, the choreographer sighed loudly. "That was sloppy."

Jimin's chest tightened as she turned to face the group. "Again."

Minjeong groaned softly but took her position without protest. Aeri glanced at Yizhuo, who gave her a subtle shake of the head, as if to say, Not now. The music started again, and they pushed through the routine, their movements sharper this time. But when Yizhuo tripped during a transition, it was enough to unravel everything.

"Stop!" Jimin's voice rang out, her frustration boiling over. She turned to Yizhuo, her tone sharper than intended. "Can you just focus for once?"

Yizhuo froze, her eyes narrowing. "I am focusing."

"Clearly not enough," Jimin shot back. "This isn't a game, Yizhuo. We can't afford to mess this up."

"Maybe if you stopped treating us like machines, we wouldn't be messing up," Yizhuo snapped, her voice rising.

"That's enough," Minjeong interjected, stepping between them. Her voice was calm but firm, her gaze fixed on Jimin. "We're all trying our best, Jimin. You need to stop taking everything out on us."

Jimin's breath hitched, the weight of Minjeong's words hitting her like a tidal wave. For a moment, she said nothing, her frustration giving way to guilt. Before anyone else could speak, she turned on her heel and walked out of the room, the door closing behind her with a heavy thud.

Jimin sat alone on the stairs outside the rehearsal room, her head in her hands. The muffled sounds of the city drifted in through the open window, but they did little to calm her racing thoughts. She felt like she was drowning, the weight of her role as leader crushing her from all sides.

She didn't hear Minjeong approach until she sat down beside her, the quiet presence grounding her. They sat in silence for a moment, the tension between them heavy but unspoken.

"You're not a bad leader, you know," Minjeong said softly, her voice breaking the quiet.

Jimin let out a shaky breath. "It doesn't feel that way."

"You care about us," Minjeong continued. "You push us because you want us to succeed. But sometimes, you push too hard."

Jimin looked up, her eyes filled with regret. "I didn't mean to snap at Yizhuo."

"I know," Minjeong said, her gaze steady. "But she doesn't. Not yet."

Jimin's shoulders sagged, the guilt weighing heavily on her. "I don't know how to fix this."

"You start by letting us in," Minjeong said simply. She reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against Jimin's. "We're here, Jimin. You don't have to carry this alone."

Jimin stared at her for a moment, the warmth in Minjeong's touch breaking through the storm of her thoughts. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Always," Minjeong replied, her voice steady.

Back in the rehearsal room...

Aeri and Yizhuo sat on the floor, leaning against the mirrored wall. The silence between them was heavier than usual, but not uncomfortable. Aeri fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her usual confidence dimmed.

"I should've stepped in," Aeri said suddenly, her voice low. "When Jimin snapped at you. I just... I didn't know how."

Yizhuo looked at her, surprised by the vulnerability in Aeri's tone. "It's fine. I can handle it."

"I know you can," Aeri said, glancing at her. "But you shouldn't have to. You deserve better than that."

Yizhuo blinked, her cheeks flushing faintly. It wasn't like Aeri to be so serious, but there was something in her eyes that made Yizhuo's usual defenses soften. "You're not responsible for me, you know."

"I want to be," Aeri said quietly, almost too softly to hear. She hesitated, her hand twitching as if she wanted to reach out but didn't. "I care about you, Yizhuo. More than I know how to say."

Yizhuo's breath caught, her heart racing. She turned away slightly, trying to mask the warmth spreading across her face. "You're such an idiot."

Aeri blinked, startled. "What?"

Yizhuo turned back to her, a small, shy smile tugging at her lips. "You don't have to say it perfectly, Aeri. I already know."

The tension between them shifted, replaced by something softer, warmer. Aeri laughed softly, the sound easing some of the weight in the room. "Of course you do."

"Just don't forget it," Yizhuo said, her tone teasing but her gaze steady.

Aeri's smile grew, her usual playfulness returning but tinged with a new sincerity. "I won't."

When Jimin and Minjeong returned, the group gathered in a quiet circle. Jimin took a deep breath, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "I'm sorry. I've been too focused on trying to make everything perfect, and I forgot what matters most. You guys. This group. I'll do better."

Aeri smirked, her usual playfulness returning. "Took you long enough."

"Better late than never," Yizhuo added, though her smile was warm.

Minjeong gave Jimin a small nod, her hand brushing against hers in silent support.

The group resumed practice, their movements sharper, their energy lighter. They weren't perfect, but they were together. And in that moment, it was enough.

Idk how do you guys feel abt this chapter ???