Under the Spotlight

Chapter 9: The Real Us

The night of the comeback stage had arrived. The backstage area buzzed with energy—makeup artists applying final touches, stylists checking outfits, and staff giving last-minute reminders. The four members sat together in their corner, surrounded by the controlled chaos.

Jimin sat at the edge of her chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her mind raced with thoughts of every rehearsal, every late night, every mistake that had brought them here. She felt a gentle nudge and looked up to find Minjeong smiling at her.

"Breathe," Minjeong said softly. "We've got this."

Jimin nodded, exhaling slowly. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Lucky for you," Minjeong replied, leaning closer, "you'll never have to find out."

Jimin's lips curved into a small smile, the tension in her chest easing. The warmth in Minjeong's gaze was steady, grounding her in a way nothing else could.

Across the room, Aeri and Yizhuo were sharing a quiet conversation, their usual banter replaced by something softer.

"Your eyeliner's smudged," Aeri said, reaching out with a tissue to fix it.

Yizhuo raised an eyebrow. "When did you become a makeup artist?"

"Don't move," Aeri said, ignoring her comment as she dabbed carefully at the corner of Yizhuo's eye. "There. Perfect."

Yizhuo stared at her for a moment, her cheeks warming slightly. "You're weird."

"Maybe," Aeri said with a smirk. "But you like me anyway."

Yizhuo's heart skipped a beat, her usual quick retort catching in her throat. Instead, she shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I'll admit you're tolerable."

Aeri laughed softly, the sound easing some of the pre-show nerves between them. "I'll take it."

Their hands brushed briefly as they adjusted their microphones, neither of them pulling away. It was a small gesture, but it carried the weight of everything unspoken between them.

When it was time to go onstage, the group stood together in the wings, their hands clasped in a circle. Jimin looked around at her members, her heart swelling with gratitude.

"I know I've been hard on all of you," she said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "But I want you to know how much you mean to me. I couldn't do this without you."

Aeri grinned. "We know. You're just bad at saying it."

Yizhuo smirked. "She's getting better, though."

Minjeong squeezed Jimin's hand, her gaze warm. "We're all in this together. No matter what."

The lights dimmed, and the roar of the crowd filled the air as the group took their positions onstage. The opening beats of their song echoed through the venue, and as they moved in perfect sync, it felt like all the pieces had finally fallen into place.

Jimin's voice rang out clear and strong, Minjeong's harmonies weaving effortlessly around her. Aeri's energy was magnetic, her movements sharp and precise, while Yizhuo's quiet power drew the audience in. They weren't just performing; they were telling a story—of struggle, growth, and unity.

When the final note faded and the stage lights dimmed, the crowd erupted into cheers. The four of them stood together, their breaths heavy but their smiles wide. In that moment, nothing else mattered.

Backstage...

The group returned to their dressing room, exhilarated and exhausted. They collapsed onto the couch, their laughter echoing through the room.

"That," Aeri said, grinning, "was amazing."

"You were amazing," Yizhuo replied, her tone softer than usual.

Aeri glanced at her, surprised but pleased. "Don't get used to the compliments."

"Too late," Yizhuo said with a smirk.

Minjeong leaned into Jimin, her head resting lightly on her shoulder. "We did it."

Jimin smiled, her hand brushing against Minjeong's. "Yeah, we did."

For a moment, the world outside faded away, leaving only the quiet warmth of their shared victory.

Later that night...

Back at the dorm, the group gathered in the living room, the glow of their success still lingering in the air. Aeri and Yizhuo sat side by side on the couch, their banter quieter but filled with a new tenderness. Aeri's hand rested lightly on Yizhuo's knee, a silent affirmation of the bond growing between them.

Jimin and Minjeong sat on the floor, wrapped in a blanket as they flipped through social media posts about their performance. The fans were ecstatic, their love and support shining through every comment.

"Looks like they loved it," Minjeong said, her voice filled with quiet pride.

"Because of you," Jimin replied, her gaze soft. "You're my anchor, Minjeong. I couldn't have done this without you."

Minjeong turned to her, her smile gentle but sure. "And you're mine."

In the quiet of the dorm, surrounded by the people who mattered most, Jimin felt a sense of peace she hadn't known in a long time. They weren't perfect, and the road ahead would still be filled with challenges, but together, they were unstoppable.

😝