Echoes of the Heart

The group's debut was now just a few days away. The intensity of their rehearsals and promotional activities had reached its peak, but Ji-eun's personal challenges remained a silent weight in her heart.

Ji-eun's bandmates were her greatest source of strength. They had become her family, each of them stepping up to ensure she felt supported. Soo-min, the eldest, often acted as the group's unofficial leader, always knowing the right words to say. Min-ji and Na-young were the jokesters, keeping the mood light with their antics, while Eun-byul, Ara, and Hye-jin ensured Ji-eun never felt alone.

But despite their support, Ji-eun's thoughts often wandered. She was excited about her career, yet the reality of her pregnancy loomed large. She was balancing on a tightrope, hoping not to fall.

---

Late one evening, after a particularly grueling rehearsal, Ji-hoon found Ji-eun sitting alone in the practice room. The lights were dim, and she was staring at her reflection in the mirror, her thoughts a thousand miles away.

"Hey," Ji-hoon said gently, sitting beside her. "You okay?"

Ji-eun let out a soft sigh. "I'm just…thinking about everything. The debut, the baby, the future. It's a lot."

Ji-hoon placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed, Ji-eun. But you're not facing this alone. We'll handle it one step at a time."

Ji-eun leaned her head against his shoulder, finding solace in his words. "Thank you, Ji-hoon. I don't think I'd be able to do any of this without you."

"You're stronger than you think," Ji-hoon replied with a soft smile.

---

The next day, the group had their final dress rehearsal. The atmosphere was electric as they performed their debut song in full costume for the first time.

As Ji-eun sang her part, she felt a surge of emotions. The spotlight on her felt like a physical force, amplifying every beat of her heart. This was the moment she had dreamed of for years, yet it was also the moment where she was most vulnerable.

When the rehearsal ended, the choreographer applauded. "That was perfect, girls. You're ready."

The group cheered, hugging each other in excitement. Ji-eun smiled, but beneath her joy was a flicker of apprehension. She wondered how long she could keep her secret hidden.

---

Later that night, Ji-eun sat with her journal, pouring her thoughts onto the page:

"Tomorrow, we'll step onto the stage for the first time as a group. It's a moment I've worked so hard for, but it's also a moment filled with uncertainty. Can I balance my dream with my new reality? Ji-hoon believes in me, and my bandmates do too. Maybe it's time I start believing in myself."

As she closed the journal, Ji-hoon knocked on her door and stepped inside. "You ready for tomorrow?" he asked, sitting beside her.

Ji-eun nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Ji-hoon took her hand in his. "You're going to be amazing, Ji-eun. I have no doubt about that."

His words gave her the courage she needed. No matter what challenges lay ahead, Ji-eun knew she had the support of those who mattered most.