Dance Partners || N.NK ||

Part 39/S2

For the first time in what felt like forever, you could finally breathe.

Yet, even now—after losing everything—the weight of your past still clung to you like a stubborn shadow.

"Even the one thing I had, the one thing I loved is still haunting me." you pinched the bride of your nose in frustration.
And for a slight moment, your mind drifted, lost back in the thoughts of what the stranger from the crowd earlier shouted at you.

"YOU DESERVED TO BE KICKED OUT! YOUR DANCE RUINS THE GROUP'S IMAGE!"
That one sentence, spoken by a stranger, whose face you haven't even seen, kept replaying in your mind.
You couldn't stop thinking about it.
The words of that one stranger, really pierced your heart like a sharp knife.

"Am i really that much of a bad dancer?" you murmured, staring down at your hands as if they held the answer.
A bitter chuckle left your mouth, with disbelief and pain.
"Am I really that terrible ?" you whispered loud enough for only you to hear as you buried your face in your palms, shoulders trembling slightly.
"What's the point of my life if the only thing that is keeping me alive is also what everyone hates?" You questioned yourself, as you stared out the window.

The quiet hum of the cabin was interrupted by a crisp announcement.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome aboard. This is your captain Jake speaking, Please fasten your seatbelts. We'll be taking off shortly."

You sighed after hearing the announcement and looked away from the window for a moment to fasten your seatbelt.

"I am really leaving everything behind, aren't I?" you whispered to yourself slowly as you gaze drifted back out the window.
The city lights of Seoul blurred beneath the raindrops streaking the glass.
It was your last moment in Seoul—not as a dreamer, not as an idol—but as someone who had lost everything.

A tear slipped from the corner of your eye before you even realized it.
You wiped it away, quick and discreet, as if even the universe had no right to witness your pain.

"No. I don't deserve to cry. Not yet."

The plane began its ascent, and outside, the rain poured harder—almost as if the sky itself was mourning alongside you and your pain.

You were still staring outside the window, even after the Plane had already took off,
The rain was pouring heavily just like your heart was pouring tears.
And minutes later, the exhaustion weighing down on your body finally took over, and before you knew it, you found yourself falling into yet another deep slumber.

But peace never lasted long.

Hours later, you were jolted awake by sudden turbulence.
The plane rocked violently, and gasps and screams erupted throughout the cabin.
The captain's voice crackled through the speakers, far less composed than before.
"Everyone, please remain seated! We don't know if we'll make it though, but our prayers will!" The captain said.

Panic spread like wildfire among the passengers.
Cries, frantic whispers, hands clasped together in silent prayers.
Yet, amidst the chaos, your heart remained... still.
Strangely calm.
As if a part of you had already accepted the worst.

"Maybe this is it." you thought, unbothered by the chaos around you.
Maybe this was fate's way of silencing your pain for good.

Yet, even then, one name surfaced in your mind—Ni-ki.
A fresh wave of emotions crashed over you.
Guilt. Regret.
The ache of leaving without a word.
You hadn't said a single word to Ni-ki about what had happened between you and the company.
"How do I even tell him..?" you mumbled, barely aware of your own voice.

The plane continued to shake, but your mind was still lost elsewhere.
Ni-ki's face, his voice, the way he'd always looked at you with unspoken understanding—it all played in your head on an endless loop.

"Will he forgive me?" you whispered to yourself, you had already abandoned the stage, abandoned your dream... but abandoning him?
That was something you hadn't prepared for.

Moments later, the turbulence finally eased, and the plane resumed its steady flight. But you were still lost in your thoughts about Ni-ki.
~ To be continued