Ha-neul takes a shaky breath in front of the practice room. Today is dance practice for the next joint schedule. But something feels off. Instead of Tae-oh, she’s been told to practice with another rookie idol—Wooseok, from the rival agency.
“Wait, seriously? Not Tae-oh, but Wooseok?” Ha-neul asks, confused. Su-jin pinches her cheek and grins.
“Yup! It’s a new collab, and you’re doing a couple dance with Wooseok-oppa this time!” Su-jin teases with a wink.
Ha-neul is conflicted. She keeps picturing Tae-oh’s face. Why am I even bothered by this?
Wooseok walks in, cheerful as ever. “Hey Ha-neul, let’s do our best today.”
Ha-neul forces a smile. “Yeah… you too.”
They start practicing the couple dance. Wooseok is a natural lead, but Ha-neul keeps glancing toward the door.
Suddenly, the door swings open and Tae-oh appears. He freezes for a second when he sees them.
“Oh, uh… sorry. Didn’t know you were practicing.”
Ha-neul and Wooseok both stop. Awkward silence fills the room.
Su-jin nudges Tae-oh with a grin. “Tae-oh, are you jealous? Ha-neul’s dancing with Wooseok-oppa today~”
A flush creeps up Tae-oh’s face. “No, I just… wanted to check something.”
Ha-neul blurts out an excuse. “It’s just a mission… It’s not like I had a choice.”
Catching on, Wooseok quietly excuses himself. “I’ll go grab some water.”
Now alone, Ha-neul and Tae-oh exchange a silent, tense look. The air is thick with awkwardness and something else.
“Are you… really okay with this?” Tae-oh asks in a low voice.
Ha-neul hesitates. “…I’m not sure.”
Just then, Ji-min’s voice rings out from the hallway.
“Wow, it’s lively in here today! Did I miss out on something fun?”
In that instant, Ha-neul and Tae-oh both look out the window, then back at each other. There’s a spark—a flutter of jealousy and excitement at the same time.
For a brief moment, the strange, familiar feeling from the stage returns, making both their hearts race.