The practice room felt smaller today.
Not because it was but because the pressure was heavier.
"Again."
Jihyo's voice stayed steady, but there was weight behind it now.
They reset positions.
Seoryeon rolled her shoulders slightly, trying to loosen the tension.
SYSTEM STATUS:
Passive Buffs Active
Fatigue: 38%
The music started.
They moved.
Sharp.
Controlled.
But halfway through "Stop."
Momo this time.
Everyone froze.
"That part," she said, pointing slightly.
"It's off."
Seoryeon blinked.
"…Me?"
Momo didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Direct.
It stung.
But she didn't argue.
"…Again."
They reset.
Seoryeon focused harder this time.
Step.
Turn.
Shift Still off.
Her timing slipped again just slightly.
SYSTEM ALERT:
Timing inconsistency detected
She exhaled sharply.
"…Why is that happening?"
"You're rushing."
Tzuyu's voice calm.
Seoryeon turned.
"…I am?"
Tzuyu nodded.
"You're trying to be sharper than the music."
That made sense.
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Rhythm alignment correction available
"…Okay."
Music started again.
This time Seoryeon listened.
Really listened.
Not just counting.
Feeling.
Her movements slowed just slightly.
More controlled.
More precise.
The section passed clean.
"…Better."
Momo nodded once.
That was enough.
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Timing Accuracy ↑
Affinity: Momo +2
Affinity: Tzuyu +2
Practice continued.
But something felt different.
Not wrong just tight.
Everyone was focused.
Too focused.
Less talking.
Less laughing.
More pressure.
Seoryeon stepped outside for a moment.
The hallway felt quieter.
"You're pushing too hard."
She turned.
Jeongyeon.
"…I need to."
Jeongyeon raised an eyebrow.
"No. You think you do."
Seoryeon frowned slightly.
"…What's the difference?"
Jeongyeon leaned against the wall.
"If you push too hard, you start making mistakes you normally wouldn't."
A pause.
"You're doing that right now."
That hit.
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Overexertion pattern detected
"…So what do I do?"
Jeongyeon shrugged.
"Trust what you already know."
Simple.
But not easy.
"Positions."
They went again.
Seoryeon adjusted her mindset.
Less force.
More control.
More trust.
The difference was immediate.
Cleaner.
More stable.
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Performance Stability ↑
As practice ended Seoryeon stayed behind.
Again.
But this time she didn't restart the music.
She just stood there.
Thinking.
About timing.
About pressure.
About balance.
SYSTEM UPDATE:
Skill Development: Rhythm Control Lv.1
She exhaled slowly.
"…I don't need to force everything."
And for once that felt true.