The practice room door swung open with a bang.
“Let’s change parts today!” Wooseok announced, flashing a bright smile. Taeo arched an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.
“Why, all of a sudden?”
Haneul’s voice wavered with nerves. Wooseok just grinned, acting all mysterious.
“It’s good to shake things up! Today, Taeo is main, Haneul gets sub, and I’ll do the chorus.”
Taeo gave Haneul a sideways glance.
“You okay with that?”
Haneul took a deep breath. “Yeah, let’s try.”
Music started. Taeo sang right in front of Haneul, their eyes catching for just a second.
A strange déjà vu washed over them both.
‘Why do I know that look? Did I see it before…?’
Suddenly, Wooseok scooted up right next to Haneul.
“Haneul, we have to switch up the move here.”
She faked a laugh, nodding awkwardly. Taeo’s face soured a little.
“Could you move away?”
Wooseok acted wounded, grinning even wider.
“Jealous, much?”
“Nope,” Taeo shot back immediately.
Haneul just looked between them, heart pounding out of her chest.
When the run was over, the three flopped down, mopping sweat.
Sujin burst in.
“What’s with the vibe? Did everyone just run a marathon or is it just me or are your faces all red?”
Taeo stood up first.
“I want to do a duet with Haneul next time.”
Wooseok’s jaw dropped.
“So I’m suddenly not invited?”
Taeo hesitated for half a second but looked Haneul straight in the eyes.
“There’s something I want to practice with just the two of us.”
Haneul couldn’t explain the flutter in her chest.
Sujin clapped her hands, teasing.
“Wow, is there something pink in the air today?”
Right then, Haneul’s phone buzzed. It was her manager.
[Haneul, could you come to the office now? We need to talk.]
She stared at her phone, looking suddenly worried. Both boys noticed.
“Everything okay?”
She shook her head and stood up.
“I’m not sure… I have to go.”
Taeo asked quietly.
“Will you text me later?”
She gave him a small smile and nodded.
After the door swung shut, the tension between Taeo and Wooseok thickened.
“You really want that duet, huh?”
Wooseok’s question just hung in the air. Taeo didn’t answer, just stared out the window.