Best Kept Secret

Grace for The Forsaken

Home. It should be a place of safety, of care, of protection. Five had been born here but it is home even for the foreign line. Left family and friends, trained for years to live the dream as Twice, they owe stardom to it after all.

Spot the irony.

Safety? Idols walk on eggshells having to follow ridiculous standards and expectations. Care? They are overworked raking countless dollars and wons on the company's whim. Protection? When push comes to shove, they become pawns.

Ten years of preparation only to be dragged like this. Almost four years of establishing genuine image only to have it twisted in an instant. Eight others are affected. It would be easier if it was only me. I'd just cry internally swallowing my pride.

"Aaa~ You need to eat." Sana snaps Jihyo out of thought by offering a spoonful. Jihyo, who's just poking her food, takes it in. Sana brings another but Jihyo grunts, "mwoyah~".

"Let me feed you. Here, just one more."

Jihyo takes this too as Sana cautions, "Cause I won't be near you later." Dear Home, why have you forsaken me?

"Sana unnie still at it?" Chaeyoung to Momo. She nods as she gnaws on her lunch. "Oh wait, might get nervous again", Momo slows down.

Nayeon sighs, "We're already at JYPBob yet we're still feeling anxious."

"Right? But this is better than being awkward in front of Twice TV unnies", Jeongyeon shares.

"Yah~ We'll walk on the Blue Carpet and receive award later on. What's with the long faces?" Chaeyoung is baffled.

"It loses meaning without Once", Sana in low tone looking gloomy.

"I hope many Onces would be there." Jihyo is desperately looking for a sign, "To know if they got our message. Or at least, still believe in us."

"Many will be there." Chaeyoung assures.

"Ooh~ Where are you getting this vibe", Jeongyeon adoring Chaeng's confidence. "Things coming to fruition?"

Chaeyoung shrugs with a smile.

She owned it. Twice has graced upon Soribada Awards with thousands of Onces lighting Candy Bongs warmly welcoming them. It's as if they are in their own concert. The dark cloud that seemed hovering Sana has passed. That's when they know the plan is progressing.

To keep the ball rolling, Chaeng advances her fanservice 10X. Onces' world. It's her answer when asked about the kind of award they'd like to receive.

"So, it's really working!" Jeong snuggles with Chaeng in the waiting room before the show proper. "Our efforts are not in vain."

"We're just getting started. With my GQ shoot, all hell would break loose."

"By the way, how was it?"

"You'll find it out soon, hyung! September is coming. But there's one more thing", Chaeng asks Jeong a favor.

Fierce baby tiger Chaeng on fire that evening. She entusiastically emphasized a special comeback during acceptance speech beating spoiler Nayeon to it. And on the final bow, Chaeng along with Jihyo dedicated the centerstage holding their hands out for Mina.

On the way to the dorm, the girls are excited to share to Once more personally. School Meal Club in the first van goes Live.

Meanwhile, the rest are still finishing up. Momo feeling great and grateful propses, "Who wanna go Live with me?" Nayeon hopping up and down yells, "Meeee!"

I've yet to hold my head up and smile in airports nor even post on Instagram. Join Vlive? "Thanks, but I'll pass." Jihyo busies herself packing.