Sylvania || jjk

26

The dance hall was nearly empty, except for a few faint echoes of footsteps and the occasional creak of the wooden floor.

Hana took a deep breath, adjusting the nervous expression on her face before stepping toward Yoojin, who was busy adjusting her reflection in the dance studio’s mirror.

"This better work," she thought, stealing a quick glance at the heavy velvet curtains where Rosé and Jaemin were hiding. Behind them, the two were fumbling with the Sorcerer’s Eye, whispering frantically.

Jaemin mouthed, "Are you sure this will work?" but Rosé was too busy pushing random buttons on the orb-like artifact, trying to make it shrink and activate.

But then, Hana makes her move.

Yoojin turned, flipping her hair over her shoulder, her usual smugness laced in her voice. “What do you want, Hana?”

Hana hesitated for the briefest second, just enough to make her next words seem believable. “I just… I wanted to talk to you.”

Yoojin raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “About?”

Yoojin knew when and where to be careful. She wasn't entirely new to this game.

Hana folded her arms, forcing an irritated sigh. “Chaeng.”

Meanwhile, behind those curtains, Rosé and Jaemin had their own problem.

Jaemin gritted his teeth, whispering, “This stupid thing won’t shrink! Maybe we should just hold it up and let it record?”

Rosé glared at him. “Yeah, let’s just wave a magical artifact around in a giant room and hope Yoojin doesn’t notice—great idea.”

Jaemin rolled his eyes. “Well, what do you want me to do? It’s not responding—”

Then, out of pure frustration, Rosé slammed her hand on the artifact, accidentally pushing a hidden symbol on its surface.

FWIP.

The Sorcerer’s Eye instantly shrunk down to the size of a small pearl, becoming nearly invisible.

Jaemin blinked. “...What did you just do?”

Rosé didn’t answer. Instead, she immediately whispered the Sorcerer’s Magic Language, her tone commanding. “Fly to the target. Record every word.”

The tiny orb floated up silently and darted toward Yoojin and Hana, completely unseen.

Jaemin let out a breath. “Alright, now we just wait and let Yoojin dig her own grave.”

Rosé smirked. “Exactly.”

Upon hearing Chaeng's names, Hana got  Yoojin’s full attention. She smirked, stepping closer. “Oh?"

She wants to talk about Kim Chaeng? Out of nowhere?

Hana scoffed, shaking her head as if in frustration. “I’ve been watching how she gets away with everything. It’s annoying. And if I’m being honest? I don’t think she deserves to win the dance performance.”

Yoojin’s smirk widened, but there was still skepticism in her eyes. She crossed her arms. “So you’re saying… you want to ruin her performance?”

Hana pretended to hesitate, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “I want to help you. Whatever you wanna plan… I’m in.”

Yoojin studied her for a moment, "Is she for real?", she thought. Well, yeah. Anyone would end up getting tired of a pathological people pleaser.

Welcome to Yoojin's team, Hana.

"Looks like someone finally got tired of playing nice.” Yoojin leaned in, lowering her voice. “I was already planning something, actually. And if you’re really on my side, I’ll let you in on the fun.”