Chapter 33: Chapter 31

Unspoken Tensions and Uncertain Hearts

Time Skip: Two Weeks Later

The tour had taken off successfully, with sold-out shows and overwhelming love from the fans. Y/N and her group—Rosé, Lisa, and Madison—were performing at their best, earning standing ovations every night. But despite the bright lights and loud cheers, Y/N couldn’t shake the feeling of something heavy weighing on her. Between her responsibilities as the group leader and her unresolved feelings for Kenan, her mind was constantly racing.

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Backstage After the Show

After another flawless performance, the group returned backstage, buzzing from the energy of the crowd. Fans' cheers still echoed faintly in the background. Rosé, Lisa, and Madison were laughing and joking, but Y/N slipped away into her dressing room, her chest tight with exhaustion.

She sank into the couch, staring blankly at her phone. Her hand hovered over Kenan’s contact, but she couldn’t bring herself to message him. Before she could dwell too much, there was a knock on her door, and Rosé and Duru walked in.

Rosé: “There you are. Everyone’s talking about the afterparty, and you’re hiding in here.”

Y/N: “I’m not hiding. I just... needed a minute.”

Duru: “You’ve been needing a minute a lot lately. What’s going on?”

Y/N: “Nothing. I’m fine.”

Rosé: “No, you’re not. You’ve been shutting everyone out, especially Kenan. Did something happen?”

Y/N hesitated, her fingers twisting a loose thread on her sweater.

Y/N: “It’s not him. It’s me. I don’t know if I can handle everything—this tour, being the leader, and... whatever this is with Kenan.”

Duru: “Why are you so scared of him? He clearly cares about you.”

Y/N: “Because I don’t want to let him down. He deserves someone who isn’t a mess, someone who can give him more than half of their attention between rehearsals and performances.”

Rosé: “Y/N, he doesn’t see you as a mess. He sees you. And if you keep shutting him out, you’re going to lose him for no reason.”

Y/N didn’t respond, her thoughts spiraling.

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Kenan’s Perspective: The Party

That same night, Kenan was at an afterparty hosted for the group and their close friends. Barış and Arda sat beside him at a private booth, laughing at something Duru had said. Kenan, however, was quiet, scrolling through his phone.

Barış: “You’ve been staring at her pictures for ten minutes. You okay there?”

Kenan: not looking up “I’m fine.”

Arda: “You don’t look fine. What’s going on with you and Y/N?”

Kenan sighed, setting his phone down.

Kenan: “I don’t know. She’s been distant. Every time I try to talk to her, she pulls away.”

Barış: “Maybe she’s scared.”

Kenan: “Of what?”

Barış: “Of how much she likes you. Of how much you mean to her. She’s not used to this, you know.”

Arda: “And she’s got a lot on her plate right now. You’re part of her life, but it’s not the only thing she’s juggling.”

Kenan: “I get that, but it feels like I’m losing her. I don’t know what to do.”

Barış leaned back, studying him.

Barış: “You don’t give up, that’s what you do. Y/N is complicated, but she’s worth it. You just have to remind her that you’re not going anywhere.”

Kenan: “You make it sound so easy.”

Arda: “It’s not. But if you care about her, you’ll figure it out.”

Kenan picked up his phone again, looking at a photo of Y/N from the night’s performance. Her expression was focused, her natural beauty shining through even without makeup. He couldn’t help but smile.

Kenan: softly “She’s everything.”

Barış: grinning “You’re hopeless.”

Kenan: “Maybe. But I’m not giving up on her.”

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An Unexpected Encounter

Y/N decided to skip the afterparty, opting for a walk instead. She pulled her jacket tighter around herself as she wandered through the quiet streets, her thoughts a mess. She felt like she was caught in a storm, unable to figure out which way to turn.

As fate would have it, Kenan was leaving the party early when he spotted her sitting on a bench near the hotel. He hesitated for a moment before approaching.

Kenan: “Couldn’t sleep?”

Y/N looked up, startled, before forcing a small smile.

Y/N: “Something like that. You?”

Kenan: “Just needed some air. Mind if I join you?”

She nodded, and he sat beside her. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence heavy with unspoken words.

Kenan: “You’ve been avoiding me.”

Y/N: “I haven’t—”

Kenan: “Y/N.”

His tone was gentle but firm, and she sighed, looking down at her hands.

Y/N: “I don’t mean to. I just... don’t know how to do this.”

Kenan: “Do what?”

Y/N: “Balance everything. The tour, the group, you... It feels like too much sometimes. And I’m scared I’m going to mess it all up.”

Kenan turned slightly, his gaze softening.

Kenan: “You’re not going to mess anything up. You don’t have to be perfect for me, Y/N. I’m not here because I need you to have it all figured out. I’m here because I care about you.”

Y/N’s eyes filled with tears, and her voice trembled.

Y/N: “I don’t want to lose you, Kenan. But sometimes, it feels like I can’t even keep up with myself.”

Kenan reached out, gently taking her hand.

Kenan: “You’re not going to lose me. I’m not going anywhere, no matter how complicated things get.”

Y/N looked at him, her walls finally crumbling. She leaned into him, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as the weight of her fears began to lift.

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Time Skip: Two Months Later

The tour was now in full swing, and while the pressure hadn’t disappeared, Y/N felt lighter. She and Kenan had found their rhythm, stealing moments together amidst the chaos. His unwavering support became her anchor, reminding her that she didn’t have to carry everything alone.

Backstage after one of their biggest shows, Kenan surprised her with a bouquet of her favorite flowers. She laughed as he handed them to her, her exhaustion melting away.

Y/N: “You’re too good to me.”

Kenan: “I could say the same about you.”

Rosé walked by, smirking.

Rosé: “Alright, lovebirds. Save it for later.”

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile.

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Ending Note

The unspoken tensions that had once threatened to pull them apart were now replaced with a deeper connection. Y/N and Kenan were far from perfect, but they were learning to navigate their lives together—one step, one moment, one quiet promise at a time.

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