Under the Spotlight

Chapter 10 : Moving Forward

The dorm was quiet now, save for the occasional rustling as the members moved about. The energy from their comeback stage still lingered, but it had settled into a comfortable calm. Jimin sat on the balcony, a steaming cup of tea in her hands as she gazed out at the city. The skyline glittered in the distance, a reminder of how far they'd come.

She heard the door slide open and turned to see Minjeong stepping outside, a blanket draped over her shoulders.

"Can't sleep?" Minjeong asked, sitting down beside her.

Jimin shook her head. "Too much on my mind."

Minjeong smiled knowingly. "Good things, I hope?"

"Mostly," Jimin said softly. She looked at Minjeong, her gaze warm. "I was thinking about us. About how much we've grown."

Minjeong leaned her head on Jimin's shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's been a wild ride, hasn't it?"

Jimin chuckled, the sound light and free. "Yeah. But I wouldn't trade it for anything."

They sat in silence for a while, the quiet night wrapping around them like a cocoon. Jimin reached for Minjeong's hand, intertwining their fingers. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes. They didn't need words to know that, no matter what the future held, they had each other.

Inside the Dorm...

Aeri and Yizhuo were still awake, sitting cross-legged on the floor of the living room. Between them lay an assortment of snacks they had raided from the kitchen, though neither seemed particularly interested in eating. Aeri toyed with the wrapper of a candy bar, her expression unusually contemplative.

"You're quiet tonight," Yizhuo remarked, leaning back on her hands. "That's not like you."

Aeri glanced at her, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Just thinking."

"About what?" Yizhuo pressed, her tone teasing but curious.

Aeri hesitated for a moment before answering. "About how lucky I am. To have you. To have all of this."

Yizhuo blinked, her cheeks tinged pink. "You're getting sentimental again."

"Maybe I am," Aeri said, her voice soft. She reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from Yizhuo's face. "But I mean it."

Yizhuo's breath hitched, her usual quick retort failing her. She looked away, her lips curving into a small, shy smile. "You're such an idiot."

"You've said that before," Aeri teased, though her tone was tender. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But you still like me, don't you?"

Yizhuo turned back to her, her gaze steady now. "Yeah, I do."

Aeri's smile widened, the warmth in her chest spreading. "Good."

They didn't say anything else, but as they sat there, their knees brushing, it felt like enough. Whatever they were building between them didn't need a label—not yet. What mattered was that it was real, and it was theirs.

The Next Morning...

The sunlight filtered into the dorm as the members began to stir. Jimin was the first to wake, padding into the kitchen to find Minjeong already there, humming softly as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

"You're up early," Jimin said, her voice still raspy with sleep.

Minjeong turned to her, her smile bright and unguarded. "Couldn't sleep. Too much adrenaline from last night."

Jimin leaned against the counter, watching her. "You're amazing, you know that?"

Minjeong laughed, the sound light and airy. "You're not so bad yourself."

Before Jimin could reply, Aeri and Yizhuo stumbled into the kitchen, both looking disheveled but content. Aeri reached for the cereal box, while Yizhuo grabbed the milk, their movements synchronized in a way that made Jimin and Minjeong exchange a knowing glance.

"What?" Yizhuo asked, catching the look.

"Nothing," Minjeong said innocently, though her grin betrayed her.

Aeri raised an eyebrow, but she didn't press. Instead, she poured two bowls of cereal and slid one over to Yizhuo without a word. It was a small gesture, but it didn't go unnoticed.

Later That Day...

As they prepared for another round of promotions, the group gathered in the practice room. This time, the atmosphere was lighter, their bond stronger. They moved through the choreography with ease, their steps perfectly in sync. When they finished, the room erupted into cheers and laughter.

"We're unstoppable," Aeri declared, throwing an arm around Yizhuo's shoulders. "This comeback is going to be legendary."

"It already is," Jimin said, her gaze sweeping over her members. Her heart swelled with pride and gratitude. "Because of all of you."

Minjeong smiled at her, her eyes shining with affection. "We're just getting started."

As they stood together, the four of them felt the weight of their journey—the struggles, the triumphs, and the unbreakable bond they had forged. They weren't just a group; they were a family. And no matter what came next, they knew they would face it together.

That night, as the dorm lights dimmed and the city outside settled into a quiet rhythm, each member reflected on how far they'd come. For Jimin, it was the peace of knowing she didn't have to carry the weight of the world alone. For Minjeong, it was the joy of being a steady presence in someone's life. For Aeri and Yizhuo, it was the quiet excitement of something new, something theirs.

They didn't know what the future would hold, but they knew who they were. Not just idols, but friends, partners, and the realest versions of themselves.

And that was more than enough.

THE END???????