A Backstage Love I Han Jisung x Reader

A Change For The Better

Over the next few weeks, the live audition loomed closer, the weight of it pressing down on me like a storm cloud. I poured every ounce of energy into preparing, the secret night practices with SKZ sharpening my skills in ways I hadn't thought possible.

The night before the audition, Hyunjin tossed me a water bottle and plopped down on the studio floor beside me. "You're ready," he said simply.

"Ready to collapse, maybe," I muttered, leaning back against the mirror.

He laughed, a sound so casual it was hard to believe he was one of the idols I had admired for years. "Relax. You're going to kill it tomorrow. Just remember what we've worked on, and you'll be fine."

I nodded, trying to absorb his confidence. But as I lay in bed that night, the nerves crept in, whispering doubts into the silence.

It might seem completely contrary to who I am, but that's exactly what I was doing: I was actively trying to make friends. During my official training—not the secret late-night sessions I kept to myself—I had begun socializing with the other trainees. Most of us were Korean, but I refused to let that set me apart from the group. I wasn't going to let cultural differences define my success.

I watched as the girls naturally formed into cliques, but, surprise, I didn't fit in with any of them. There were twenty-three of us in total, training to debut together, but only nine would make it into the final group. Two girls stood off to the side near the practice rooms, mostly by themselves. One of them caught my eye first. Her bleached hair hung loosely around her face, giving her an almost ethereal glow. She had monolids, and her big eyes shimmered with a gentle curiosity as she glanced up at me. Her button nose and soft features made her look like a shy bunny, or even a capybara, like someone you just wanted to protect.

I couldn't resist walking over. "Hey," I greeted, giving her a small smile. "I don't really fit into cliques easily either. My name is Y/N. " Her gaze flickered up to meet mine, and for a moment, I thought she might shy away. Instead, she blinked, her cheeks tinged pink as she smiled softly. "Oh! I-" Her voice was slightly startled but full of warmth. "I'm Jiwon."

I chuckled gently, trying not to scare her off. "It's a bit overwhelming at first, huh?"

She nodded slowly, and I could see her growing more comfortable with the conversation. There was something irresistibly sweet about her. Each time she laughed, her cheeks blushed like an anime character, and I couldn't help but smile—Jiwon was like the kind of softness you could sink into after a hard day, someone who made you feel at ease simply by being around.

Before I could say much else, I noticed the other girl across the room. Her presence was magnetic, not because she was loud or brash, but because there was an undeniable aura of confidence around her. She was standing in front of the mirror, hands on her hips, staring at her reflection with a certain intensity. Her skin was a warm, honey hue that seemed to glow even under the harsh practice lights. And as if she couldn't care less about the people around her, her stark black hair cascaded down her back, but I caught a glimpse of purple streaks hidden underneath, like a secret only she knew.

She didn't seem like the type to join any cliques, but she also wasn't shy. I walked over just as she dropped her water bottle on the floor. It rolled to my feet and realized this was an opportune moment to introduce myself. "Hey, I'm Y/N". I say evenly as I hand her water bottle back to her.

"Thanks" She tipped her chin down to me. I didn't quite notice the height difference until now. "I'm Yoojin". She bows to me at a 45 degree angle, a little informally but I don't mind.

"Are you not much for cliques?" She looked at me, then smiled with a quiet confidence that could stop anyone in their tracks. Her smile was a slow curve, one that could light up a room, like it was made to make the sun itself quiver. "You could say that." She gave me a once-over with an almost lazy gaze. "You're not trying to fit into any of them either, huh?"

I smiled, relieved she wasn't standoffish. "Not really my thing." I lowered my voice slightly, leaning in like we were sharing a secret. "But I think we could be a pretty solid team."

Yoojin raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by my audacity. Her lips twitched into a grin. "I like your confidence. You've got guts."

And just like that, I knew we were going to be inseparable. It wasn't just her confidence that drew me in, though. Beneath that tough exterior, there was something deeply loyal about Yoojin. She was fiercely protective of those she cared about. If anyone dared mess with me, I already knew she would have my back in an instant.

Not to mention, she was an incredible dancer. She moved with the kind of ease that made you wonder if gravity even applied to her. I was good, but I knew she'd push me to be even better.

As if on cue, one of the other trainees, a girl named Yuna, who always seemed to be looking for a reason to start trouble, sauntered over with a smirk plastered on her face.

"Well, well, well," Yuna said, eyeing me up and down like she was about to deliver a blow. "If it isn't Y/N, the cheater."