Chapter 16: Chapter 14

Chapter 15: A Fragile Balance

The days after Y/N’s conversation with Rosé and Duru passed in a haze of rehearsals, late nights, and carefully maintained composure. On the surface, she was the same driven, unflappable performer everyone admired. But inside, the cracks were still there, just hidden well enough to keep everyone from noticing.

---

A Subtle Shift

At the studio, Y/N was the first to arrive and the last to leave, throwing herself into every routine and lyric with an intensity that left even the instructors impressed.

Instructor: nodding approvingly "Y/N, great work today. You’re really setting the standard."

Y/N: forcing a smile "Thank you."

But her drive didn’t go unnoticed by Rosé, who watched from across the room with a worried frown.

Rosé: whispering to Duru "She’s pushing herself too hard again."

Duru: "I know. She’s trying to distract herself."

Rosé: "It’s not going to work forever."

Duru: "No, but we can’t force her to talk about it either. She’ll come around when she’s ready."

---

Kenan’s Perspective

Meanwhile, Kenan couldn’t ignore the growing distance between him and Y/N. She was polite, even friendly, during group hangouts, but the connection they’d started to build felt frayed, like a thread stretched too thin.

Barış: casually "You’ve been quiet lately."

Kenan: glancing up "Just tired. Training’s been intense."

Barış: smirking "Training or something else?"

Kenan: sighing "It’s Y/N."

Barış: "Ah, the infamous Y/N. What’s going on now?"

Kenan: "Nothing. That’s the problem. She’s keeping me at arm’s length, and I don’t know why."

Barış: "Maybe she’s just scared. She’s got a lot going on."

Kenan: "I know. I just wish she’d let me be there for her."

Barış: clapping him on the shoulder "Give her time. She’ll figure it out. And if she doesn’t, well, at least you tried."

Kenan nodded, but the ache of uncertainty lingered.

---

A Group Dinner

A week later, the group gathered for dinner at a bustling restaurant. The laughter and conversation flowed easily, but Y/N felt the weight of Kenan’s gaze from across the table. She avoided his eyes, focusing instead on Rosé and Duru’s playful bickering.

Rosé: "I’m telling you, mint chocolate is disgusting. It’s like eating toothpaste."

Duru: gasping dramatically "Take that back! Mint chocolate is elite!"

Barış: jumping in "I’m with Rosé on this one. Mint chocolate is a scam."

Kenan: raising an eyebrow "You guys argue about the strangest things."

Y/N: quietly "It’s a good distraction."

Kenan’s eyes flicked to her, but she didn’t look up. The comment felt like a subtle admission, but he didn’t press further.

---

A Moment Alone

After dinner, the group walked along the quiet streets, the warm glow of streetlights casting long shadows. Y/N lingered at the back of the group, her thoughts swirling. Kenan slowed his pace to match hers.

Kenan: softly "You okay?"

Y/N: nodding "Yeah. Just tired."

Kenan: "You’ve been saying that a lot lately."

Y/N: glancing at him "Because it’s true."

Kenan: "Y/N, you don’t have to do everything alone, you know."

She stopped walking, her expression unreadable.

Y/N: "Kenan, I appreciate that you care, but... I’m fine. Really."

Kenan: searching her face "Are you?"

Y/N hesitated for a moment before forcing a small smile.

Y/N: "Yes. I am."

Before he could respond, Duru called out from ahead.

Duru: "Hey, slowpokes! We’re going to miss the last train!"

Y/N took the opportunity to walk ahead, leaving Kenan standing alone for a moment.

---

Rosé and Duru’s Observations

Back at the apartment, Y/N headed straight to her room, claiming she needed to rest. Rosé and Duru exchanged a look as they sat in the living room.

Rosé: "She’s pulling away again."

Duru: "I know. She’s scared."

Rosé: "She doesn’t realize how much Kenan actually cares about her."

Duru: "Or maybe she does, and that’s what scares her the most."

---

Kenan’s Resolve

That night, Kenan sat in his room, replaying the evening in his mind. He didn’t want to push Y/N, but he also couldn’t ignore the growing distance between them. For now, he decided to give her space—but he wasn’t ready to give up on her just yet.

---

Ending Note

The tension between Y/N and Kenan remained unresolved, each of them holding back for their own reasons. Y/N buried herself in her work, while Kenan wrestled with his feelings, unsure of how to break through the walls she’d built around herself. The thread that connected them was fragile, but it hadn’t snapped yet.

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