Joining a Girl Group

Chapter 16: They’re Getting Suspicious

The practice room buzzed with low chatter, the sound of shoes squeaking against the polished floor and faint music filling the space. I tried to focus on the steps, but it was impossible. Every time I glanced at Yoonchae, my chest tightened. She was laughing quietly with the others, but when our eyes met, there was a spark, a silent acknowledgment of last night, of what had happened between us.

I felt a subtle nudge from Sophia at my side. Her eyes flicked toward Yoonchae, then back to me. "...Watch," she murmured softly, protective, almost warning me without words. I swallowed, nodding, hands clenched into fists at my sides, trying not to fidget too much.

The first sign came from Megan. She was stretching, her long legs crossed over the mat, and she kept glancing between Yoonchae and me. "...Hey..." she started casually, a teasing lilt in her voice, "...are you two... like... closer than usual?"

My stomach lurched. "...Uh... no..." I muttered, broken English catching on the words. "...Just... practice..."

Yoonchae stepped slightly closer to me, brushing her hand against mine. I could feel the warmth radiating from her, and it made my face heat. "...We... just... comfortable... together," she said smoothly, accent soft but English fluent.

Megan raised an eyebrow, smirk forming. "...Comfortable... huh?" She glanced at Lara, who giggled quietly, then at Daniela, who was pretending not to notice but clearly had caught on. "...Hmm... interesting..."

Lara nudged Megan. "...I knew it! I saw that look last night... the way you two were... um..." Her words trailed off as she giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.

I groaned softly, wishing the floor would swallow me whole. "...Not... true..." I tried to insist, but my broken English made me sound more guilty than I intended.

Yoonchae squeezed my hand slightly, whispering, "...Ignore... teasing... not serious." Her calm, fluent voice contrasted sharply with my stammering panic.

Daniela leaned forward, folding her arms on her knees, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "...Oh, please. We all saw the way you two looked at each other yesterday. Don't even try to hide it."

I flinched, my face burning hotter than ever. "...We... just... practice..."

Sophia's eyes narrowed at Daniela, a subtle warning in her gaze. She didn't need to say anything. I could feel her presence like a shield behind me. Protective. Fierce.

Megan laughed quietly, her gaze lingering on Yoonchae. "...Comfortable together, huh? So... does that mean you're a couple? Or just... feelings?"

Yoonchae's cheeks tinged pink, but she didn't back down. "...We... not... couple... yet... just... feelings... yes." Her calm, composed voice contrasted sharply with my flustered muttering. "...Nothing... serious... now."

Lara's eyes sparkled with amusement. "...Ooooh, teasing feelings! I love this. The ship is real!"

I groaned audibly, running a hand through my hair. "...Ship... not... real..."

Yoonchae whispered softly to me, "...Ignore... them... we... focus..."

But ignoring them wasn't so easy. Megan leaned closer, smirking. "...So... Sieun... you like her, huh?"

I froze, eyes widening. "...Uh... yes... maybe..." My broken English was weak, unsure, flustered beyond belief.

Sophia's hand lightly tapped my shoulder. "...Careful... don't make... more... teasing... worse..." Her voice was low, protective, and I nodded immediately, grateful.

Daniela crossed her arms, smirk still in place. "...And what about Yoonchae? You... like him too?"

Yoonchae's blush deepened, but she smiled faintly. "...Yes... feelings... strong... but... careful... we... not... show too much."

Lara gasped, mock dramatic. "...Ooooh, careful! But... look at them! So obvious! I can see the sparks from here!"

I wanted to disappear. "...Not... obvious..." I stammered, my broken English failing me.

Yoonchae whispered, "...Smile... small... just... ignore... them."

Sophia stepped closer, subtly placing herself between us and the group. "...Enough teasing... watch... respect... privacy..." Her tone was calm but sharp. Protective.

Megan laughed softly, leaning back. "...Okay, okay... but seriously, you two are... something. I can't wait to see what happens next."

Daniela nudged Lara. "...Bet they'll end up together. Mark my words."

Lara grinned. "...Shipping confirmed in my heart."

Yoonchae leaned her head against my shoulder for a brief second, just enough to anchor me. "...Ignore... teasing... just... us."

I nodded, breathing slightly easier. "...Yes... just... us..."

Practice started again, music playing softly in the background. Our movements were automatic, but my eyes kept drifting to Yoonchae. Every small gesture, every glance, made my heart race.

During a break, Megan whispered something to Lara, who giggled, then both of them looked toward us. "...So... when's the next 'moment' happening?" Megan teased quietly.

I felt my face heat. "...No... next... not... now..."

Yoonchae whispered, "...Ignore... later... maybe... just us..." Her calm reassurance gave me courage, though my cheeks still burned.

Sophia watched silently from the side, her protective energy grounding me. I could see her glare at anyone who dared get too close or tease too much, and it made me feel safe despite the chaos around us.

Later, in the dorm hallway, Yoonchae grabbed my hand, fingers lacing with mine. "...We... survive... teasing... together..."

"...Yes... together..." I whispered, squeezing her hand gently.

The other members' laughter and quiet whispers continued from the practice room, but it felt distant, almost like background noise. For once, it was just us. Just our hands intertwined, our hearts still racing, our connection undeniable.

And even though the teasing wouldn't stop, even though the others had noticed, I felt a strange warmth, a fluttering excitement. This was ours. Private. Intense. Real.

"...Just... us..." Yoonchae whispered again, leaning slightly closer, a small smile on her face.

"...Just... us..." I echoed, heart hammering, body buzzing with a mix of nervousness and happiness.

Sophia's protective gaze lingered for a moment before she finally turned away, letting the two of us walk ahead, hand in hand. The rest of the group's whispers and teasing faded into the background, almost comforting now.

Because despite all the chaos, despite the obviousness, despite the teasing, it was... just us. And somehow, that made everything feel perfect.