Chapter Text
Sophia has always stood out from the others in their group. When Lara just turned 18, she confessed that she likes Manon. Currently, their relationship has stayed strong (as Sophia deals with most of their fights). When she saw Megan smiling with her cheeks turned pink, she chuckled and shook her head. Until now, they have continued to know each other (to the point that the other members teased them that they are in their courting stage). At least Daniela waited, and when Megan turned 18, it started.
Ever since they debuted, their relationship has stayed strong as sisters. Sisters? Nope, some of them levelled up into dating. Lara and Megan were jealous of Manon and Daniela's friendly connection and formed their own alliance. Occasionally, Sophia halts their small and unnecessary fights, which makes her more tired. One time in their living area, Megan threw a pillow at Manon to show off her jealousy. Good thing, Sophia dashed towards it to break the fight. M&M's eyes did not avert; their expressions showed that they were ready to square up. During the stoppage, Megan talked back to Sophia (in a joke tone).
"Megan, how many times do I tell you to have self-control?" Sophia let out a sigh, feeling stressed about Megan.
"Self-control? Apply it to you, as I saw you avert your eyes when I caught you looking at Yoonchae and me talking one time!" Megan dropped the bomb; at the same time, Yoonchae walked into the riot.
Daniela covers her mouth as she pretends to be shocked. Lara silently mouthed, "Oh my God, Meg! You are screwed". Manon snorted into laughter. The three know the flow is (Megan's revelation). Sophia widened her eyes as she was caught red-handed. They froze in realisation.
"Guys, what's happening?" Yoonchae asked, as she was confused and clueless about the full situation in the living room. She broke their thoughts. Daniela and Lara went to Yoonchae to explain it to her. Sophia was relieved that Yoonchae did not hear anything coming from Megan's mouth.
Lara coos and reassures Yooonchae that there are no problems. Daniela suggested playing board games in her and Manon's shared room. They agreed and left the living area.
Manon laughed, "Oh dear Megan, you are so screwed!" Sophia turned to Megan in rage. Megan knew she was punished for it.
And yes, Sophia is an odd man out, but her heart is on...
Yoonchae
During Dream Academy, they have been grouped in Mission 2. Sophia saw Yoonchae as she was struggling with most of the girls. With a tender heart, she helped Yoonchae get through the challenges that the younger faced. Sophia included Yoonchae in TikToks, interviews, and games. She never leaves the Korean girl alone and isolated. The other girls think that they have the chemistry, as friends, siblings, or mother and child. Sophia knew her boundaries and would respect Yoonchae's preferences (like the skinship thing or not being a hugger). Sophia was thrilled to hear Yoonchae's name spoken by the emcee, and she threw her a big hug because Yoonchae was her pride and joy.
When the group moved into their house, they became roommates. They have similar preferences, that's why they clicked. As roommates, they took care of each other. The other members laughed and teased them as they were the only ones who were "single." Sophia saw Yoonchae being teased, and she was bashful.
The Filipina realized her hidden feelings for her. The time when they promoted their single, she saw Yoonchae talking with a girl she knew from another group. As a proud "Ate" or "Leader," she smiled as she watched from the sidelines. Little by little, her heart sank, unclear what she felt, and her stomach felt heavy to hold. She realized that
It is not maternal anymore.
She avoids, without telling the other members what she is feeling. But there is no escape route for this sisterhood anymore.
One time, she saw Yoonchae doze off during a movie. The Filipina takes time to study her features and touches her hair strands as she admires her eyes. As Sophia nears the maknae's face, the maknae woke up, making Sophia freeze nervously. Both of them blushed, and sweat appeared on Sophia's face. They froze in seconds and saw a flash, making them look at the source. It was Lara snapping the photo. For that day onwards, the gang line knows their partial score as both of them deny the allegations.
The time when Sophia broke up Manon and Megan's fight and was exposed? Yoonchae was 16, quiet, and still clueless about the other things in the world.
The time when Lara snapped a photo of them, they looked at each other? Yoonchae was 17, friendly, still learning about the world, and adjusted herself to be used to skinship.
Sophia knew she was growing and most likely to cry when the maknae turned 18. 18? Let's move on to the current happenings.
On the night before Yoonchae's birthday, Megan was frustrated because she was rejected by Yoonchae to play Roblox with her. Manon laughed while putting the decor materials in a hidden spot. When Sophia heard it, she needed to get moving.
"What should we do? Can we make it?" Megan was panicking, as she bit her thumb in the process.
"Yes, we can make it, as long as someone disturbs her--" Manon and Megan turned to Sophia with an evil grin.
Sophia walks out of their house, as she knows their plan. When she was almost at the park spot, someone grabbed her hands and dashed towards the walkway. They run like they entered a marathon. Sophia's breathing was uneven, and she saw a shadow of the person in front of her.
"Sophia, take me anywhere as long as you want," the other person said desperately while running. This girl has good stamina; it is Yoonchae.
"To the park, to the park." Sophia was gasping for air, never letting go of Yoonchae's hand.
Sophia looked at her back, she was changed... a lot. From the shy kid that she first met, she transitioned into a rascal and friendly kid that she (and the other members) made.
They both arrived at the park and stopped running. Sophia was heavily gasping to recover, while Yoonchae walked around to recover.
"You're going to kill me."
"Sorry, Sophia, my mind tells me to run with you; that's why we are here."
They both sat on the swings. Sophia on the right, Yoonchae on the left. They swing in silence, admiring the weather that they had as the moon was pretty tonight.
"You know, Yoonchip..." Yoonchae looked at Sophia
"You have grown every time I see you. You can speak English and can interact with other people even if you are still shy. Learned to speak slang and bad words, and ate different foods that you either liked or disliked afterwards. Travelled to other parts of the world, even with your cluelessness, and gained more memories from it. Got awards and nominations despite being 17. All I can say is that I'm proud of you. Proud of what you have, glowing and growing right in front of our eyes."Sophia looked at the sky, smiling, with small tears dripping down her face.
Sophia felt the swing stop moving, looked up, and saw Yoonchae in front, staring at her. The Korean did not say anything.
"You know, Yoonchae, I was thankful that you told me to flee with you. I was not expecting that-" The statement cuts off when Yoonchae sighed.
"As you have a plan to elope with me. Was that a declaration or a confession?" Yoonchae crouched down to take a level look at Sophia
"Elope? That's a..." Yoonchae stared at Sophia, making Sophia think of possible ways to counter the younger.
It takes a minute for Yoonchae to admire Sophia's features. Her bobba eyes, nose, and plumped lips. Sophia felt uncomfortable as time went by.
"Chae, why are you looking at me like that?" Sophia asked, and Yoonchae faced her.
"Because your expression wanted to kiss me." The air between them is tense, as they feared.
Sophia breaks the stare, held between Yoonchae's cheeks, and her lips slowly move towards...