Wishlist [txtzy#1]

Wishlist-29(nerves)

The day had been a whirlwind of nerves for Chaeryeong. It was her first official promotion with ITZY after coming back, and she felt the weight of every gaze, every camera, every whispered conversation. She didn't know how she would handle seeing him again if it happened.

But the halls of Music Bank were crowded, and fate seemed to have other plans.

"Guys, let's go. You're up for the interview," their manager called.

Chaeryeong followed her members, smoothing out invisible wrinkles on her outfit. She wasn't sure why her hands trembled—maybe it was the anticipation, or maybe it was the fear of facing the memories she had buried.

The moment they entered the interview room, her heart stopped.

There he was.

Standing just a few feet away with TXT, Taehyun looked as composed as ever, his sharp black outfit emphasizing his sleek figure. He stood slightly apart from the others, and his expression, which had been neutral, shifted the instant his eyes met hers.

Chaeryeong felt like the ground beneath her had disappeared. For a moment, everything else—her members' chatter, the noise of the staff—faded into silence.

"Chae, are you okay?" Ryujin's voice broke through her haze, but she couldn't bring herself to respond.

Taehyun's eyes stayed locked on hers, a mixture of emotions swirling in them—confusion, longing, and something she couldn't quite name. She thought about looking away, but it felt impossible, like he was silently demanding her attention.

Beomgyu's voice broke the tension. "Hey, ITZY! It's been a while." He grinned, his usual playful energy filling the room.

"Yeah, it has!" Yeji replied warmly, stepping forward to greet the boys. "You guys killed it with your last comeback."

"Thanks," Soobin said with a small smile. "You all too. Welcome back, Chaeryeong."

Her name on his lips startled her, and she managed a small nod. "Thank you." Her voice came out quieter than she intended, almost drowned out by the casual banter between their groups.

Lia chimed in, trying to keep the atmosphere light. "We heard you've been super busy. How are you even awake right now, Beomgyu?"

"I survive on pure chaos and caffeine," Beomgyu shot back, earning laughter from everyone.

Well, almost everyone.

Taehyun hadn't moved. He hadn't spoken. He hadn't looked away.

Chaeryeong tried to steady her breathing, focusing on Ryujin's laugh or the stylists fixing their outfits. But it was useless. Her mind kept drifting back to the intensity of his stare.

Finally, she took a step back, whispering to Yeji, "I need a minute."

Yeji frowned but nodded, turning her attention back to the conversation.

Chaeryeong slipped out of the room into the hallway, her heart pounding as she tried to catch her breath. She leaned against the wall, letting the cool air hit her face. She needed to calm down, to pull herself together.

But she wasn't alone for long.

A shadow passed over her, and when she looked up, she saw him standing a few feet away.

"Chaeryeong."

His voice—soft, hesitant—made her freeze. She didn't respond, her mind racing as she struggled to think of what to say.

Taehyun took a step forward, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. "Are you avoiding me?"

Before she could answer, a burst of laughter from further down the hall drew both of their attention.

Chaeryeong turned her head, and there he was—Jisung. He was holding two coffee cups, his ever-present smile lighting up the otherwise dim hallway. When he saw her, his face broke into a grin.

"Chaeryeong! There you are," he said, walking up to her without noticing Taehyun. He handed her one of the cups. "I thought you might need this. You looked a little stressed earlier."

"Thanks, Jisung," she said, her voice soft but genuine. Her lips curled into a smile, and for a moment, the tension in her shoulders eased.

Taehyun's jaw tightened as he watched the interaction. His stomach churned, memories flashing before his eyes—memories of when he used to be the one to bring her coffee, to make her laugh when she was stressed.

Jisung said something that made her laugh—a light, carefree sound that felt like a punch to Taehyun's chest.

She had moved on.

He swallowed hard, stepping back into the shadows as the two walked past him, completely engrossed in their conversation. Chaeryeong didn't even look in his direction.

Leaning against the wall, Taehyun closed his eyes, his hands balling into fists. He had thought he was prepared to see her again, but nothing could have braced him for this.

For the first time, he wondered if she was happier without him.