Hopelessly Attracted {Hawks X Fem!Reader - Entertainment Industry AU}

Chapter 4: The Debut Countdown

You step into the spacious studio, the familiar scent of polished wood mingled with the faint notes of sweat and determination. The mirrors lining the walls reflect not just your physical form but the energy buzzing within you, a rhythm that beats in time with your heart. Today, however, something is off. There's an absence; the corner of the studio where Mina usually stands, her warm smile and bright encouragement, sits empty.

Instead, at the front of the room stands Rumi. As the head of the dance department, her reputation precedes her. You've heard stories about her sharp critiques and no-nonsense approach. Even from across the room, her presence is commanding, her posture straight with an air of authority that sends a pulse of apprehension through you. Determination courses through your veins, pushing aside the unease. You're here to learn, to improve, and nothing is going to derail that.

"Good afternoon," Rumi says, her voice sharp as a whip crack. She scrutinizes you from head to toe, noting the way your shoulders square and your eyes meet hers without wavering. "Let's get started, shall we?"

You nod and move to the center of the room, the soft whispers of your dance shoes echoing off the walls. Rumi starts with a simple warm-up routine, one you know by heart, but she has an eye for precision that Mina sometimes overlooked. Every movement is scrutinized, and every beat counted. You push through the discomfort, muscles stretching, and protesting under her watchful gaze. It's clear she expects nothing but perfection, and something about her stern demeanor drives you to give it to her.

As the session progresses, Rumi's critiques come fast and furious. "Tighten your core," she barks. "Extend your leg further. No, further!" But with each correction, you feel yourself improving, as if a sculptor's chisel is shaving away your imperfections. You're breathless and sweating, but you keep going, driven by a newfound resolve.

Finally, she nods, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Good," she says, and the single word feels like a victory. "You're stronger than I expected." Her tone softens, and she approaches you, her movements fluid despite the intensity of the session. "Mina speaks highly of your dedication. I wanted to see it for myself."

You freeze for a moment, caught off guard. There's a flicker of pride coursing through you at her words. Rumi's intensity hasn't backed down, but the way she has shifted from difficult to supportive is like finding light in the midst of a storm. She's still holding you to her high standards, but now you can see that it's a test-to craft you into something greater rather than to break your spirit.

The tension in the room eases as Rumi shares her expectations and her vision for the performance. She sees the potential in you that Mina does, but she's also aware of the work that lies ahead. And as the hours of practice stretch before you, you understand that you're not just preparing for a dance, you're preparing for a battle, a battle to prove to yourself, to Mina, and to Rumi that you belong here.

The rest of the session is a blur of movement and sweat, but you don't miss a beat. Rumi's praise is sporadic, but when it comes, it feels like the sweetest reward. She's tough but fair, and you begin to appreciate the depth of her knowledge and her ability to draw out the best in her students. As the final notes of the music fade away, she claps her hands. "Good work today," she says, and for the first time, you believe her.

You towel off and catch your breath, your eyes meeting hers in the mirror. She offers a rare smile. "You have a natural talent, but it's your dedication that will set you apart."

As you both walk out of the studio, you notice Keigo, the choreographer, leaning against the hallway wall, his arms folded over his chest. He's watching you with a curious expression. Rumi follows your gaze, and her stern mask cracks into a grin, a stark contrast to the severity she exuded during the rehearsal.