Chapter 4 - Footwork
As the exciting reunion went on, Yunjin was still in disbelief as she looked at Chaewon and Sakura. “I can't believe we're debuting together,” she said with a smile. “It feels like it was just yesterday that we were on Produce.”
Chaewon and Sakura were equally surprised to seeing Yunjin again. “It's been a long time,” Chaewon said softly. “I'm excited to be working with you again,” she smiled. “Your vocals are incredible, and I can't wait to show the fans what we have in store.”
Sakura nodded in agreement, gloomy eyes. “I can't believe we're all here together,” she said with a small smile.
Both Chaewon and Sakura didn't want to be perceived as sunbaenims or seniors. “Let's just be friends and colleagues, I don't want you to be uncomfortable around me- I mean, us,” Sakura stuttered, her face flushing red.
Chaewon nodded. “We're all in this together now,” she said with a small smile.
Yunjin couldn't help but start humming 'We're All In This Together' from High School Musical, making the other three girls giggle in return.
“LISTEN UP! Practice starts in five. You can catch up after work. This is it ladies, LET'S DO THIS,” one of the instructors called out.
The girls sigh in disappointment, but quickly move to change in the locker rooms.
“Good work! See you tomorrow-oh, and Y/N?” one of the dance instructors asked.
“Yes Sir?” “Your footwork during the end sequence was a bit slow, you need to work on that. I want to see improvements by tomorrow.”
“Oh..uh- understood. I'll fix it,” Y/N stuttered, visibly embarrassed to underperform in front of her idols. However, she smiled once she saw the instructor offer her a warm smile whilst knowingly glancing over to the ex Iz*one members. You'll catch up. It was a small gesture, but Y/N still appreciated it.
Just a second later, Y/N was pulled out of her thoughts when someone tapped her shoulder. Turning her head, she saw a smiling Chaewon, her earphones dangling from her hand.
“Wanna grab some hotpot? Or... well, order some?” she asked with her signature smile, “Yunjinnie suggested it to celebrate our debut.”
“Ah, yeah. Sure, I'd love some hotpot Chaewon sunbae-” “ANIYA! No honorifics. It's Chaewon… unnie. Well, that one I want to keep,” she whined.
Damn she really whines like this irl too. Lmao. She's so cute.
“Sure unnie,” Y/N made sure to emphasize that last word, earning yet another smile from Chaewon.
Sakura and Yunjin joined the pair with smiles on their faces. “가자!”
“I did not miss your dad jokes one bit,” Chaewon jokingly gave Yunjin the death stare after the latter just delivered the worst joke Y/N has ever heard.
“Oh c'mon unnie don't be mean,” Yunjin returned as she tightly embraced a disgusted looking Chaewon.
“… So… Y/N, what do you do it your spare time? Well.. I mean besides practice?” Sakura began to ease the longer pause of conversation.
“I… uhm… well, I enjoy reading a lot. And I used to be a cover dancer before I started training. But there's not much else, honestly,” Y/N slowly answered.
“Oh, don't be like that! You have more to your story. I'll crack you at some point,” Yunjin winked at her.
“So.. covers you said? What kind of songs, or any specific groups you liked?” Sakura sensed Y/N's insecurities with talking too much about herself, but she still wanted to get to know her a bit.
“Mostly you. If I'm being honest. Mostly Iz*one and I some Twice before, but… yeah,” she said, glancing from Sakura to Chaewon and back to Sakura.
“Wait really?? Can I see any of your covers?? Which ones did you make? I bet you'd SLAY Secret Story of the Swan,” Chaewon gushed. Y/N turned visibly red at that question.
“You don't have to show us. It's fine,” Sakura came to Y/N's rescue, “maybe we can dance it together sometime, if you'd like.” Causing Y/N to smile brightly and then quickly looking down out of embarrassment.
Chaewon chuckled at Y/N's shyness, but she felt bad for making her uncomfortable. She mouthed a small “Sorry” to Y/N which she gladly accepted.
The following days, with more and more time spent together, Sakura and Yunjin quickly renewed their bond over their time on Produce 48. Y/N watched as they laughed and joked together, feeling a little left out but happy for them nonetheless. The only times she really talked to them were during meals. And even then, she was too shy to properly talk to her idols (including Yunjin now). My time will come. I don’t need to force a friendship. It will develop over time…right? Y/N kept telling herself. She wanted to have the members as sisters along the way.
At practice, a few after the new members arrived, Y/N was still struggling with a particularly difficult part in the choreography. She had been practicing it for days now, but just couldn't seem to get it right.
That's when Chaewon stepped in to help. “Do you want me to show you?” Chaewon softly asked. Chaewon hated nothing more unwanted help.
“If you don’t mind. Please,” Y/N shyly answered, earning a smile from Chaewon before she demonstrated that part of the choreography for her.
Y/N watched in awe, trying her best to follow along. But she kept getting it wrong. First, she was too slow, then too sloppy, now she was half a beat ahead. She hasn’t felt this frustrated in a while in terms of practice. She felt frustrated and embarrassed. All of this because of who her new members were? Or was she just not capable of getting it right, either way? Tears started to form in her eyes. Chaewon noticed and approached her.
“Hey, Y/N. Don't worry, Y/N. You'll get it eventually. Just keep trying. You can do it. Don’t just look at the feet, look the whole movement.”
Y/N looked up at Chaewon, feeling her heart skip a beat. She couldn't believe she was talking to her idol, let alone getting personal advice from her. And she smelled nice, even during practice… FOCUS.
“Th-thank you, Chaewon sun- unnie,” Y/N stuttered, feeling her cheeks turning red once again.
Chaewon smiled warmly at her. “No problem. I’m always there if you want my help. I’m not the best dancer, but I know how to keep me confident these days.”
“How?”
“Sounds stupid, but it’s just - just remembering what struggles I have overcome. Performance wise and confidence wise,” she started. “Thinking about what I have handled motivates me. That’s what makes me confident,” she finished, then noticing Y/N looking confused.
“- well, you’ve been a trainee for years, right? You have faced so many obstacles and proven your talent in so many ways, this small part of the choreography won’t be your… end boss. You know?” she tried to simplify.
Y/N thought about what Chaewon just said to her and agreed, “yeah, you’re right, I guess I shouldn’t be too frustrated over this small step. But it’s hard, you know? Being the burden member who doesn’t nail choreography immediately like all of you.” Chaewon sensed there was no point in trying to skyrocket her self-esteem at this moment, so she decided on soft words of affirmation.
“Y/N, trust me, you’re going to be fine. You have us. And no, we’re not always immediately nailing the choreography. We’re a team and we’ll help each other. Now and after debut. We’re kind of a family now. We’ve got our backs.”
Y/N nodded and smiled before looking down, feeling grateful for Chaewon's kindness. She knew that she still had a lot to learn, especially how to be confident, but she was determined to work hard and improve with the help of her new group members.
“Thanks unnie.”