Haneul pushed open the practice room door, panting a little. Her phone was buzzing with a message: ‘Urgent call from your manager.’
“Why did you call me out so suddenly?” she asked, catching her breath.
The manager rushed over. “Taeo is still here, right? You two have to go together. There’s an emergency meeting at the company. Hurry!”
Before Haneul could protest, she saw Taeo step out from the other room, just as flustered. Their eyes met, and for a second, time froze.
Taeo cleared his throat. “Uh… let’s go.”
Haneul nodded before she could think. The manager herded them into the back seat like herding two awkward kittens.
Now, it was just the two of them. The radio played a pop ballad that sounded suspiciously romantic.
Taeo finally spoke, trying to sound casual. “About the duet earlier… Did it make you uncomfortable?”
She looked out the window. “No, I just didn’t expect it.”
Taeo grinned. “Singing with you feels… I don’t know, exciting somehow.”
She felt her cheeks flush. Before things could get even weirder, the manager’s voice rang out from the front.
“After this meeting, both of you need to return to the practice room. Your evening schedule is together again.”
They both groaned at the same time. Maybe they really were in sync.
Haneul muttered quietly, “Today feels endless…”
Taeo laughed. “Maybe that’s not so bad.”
She found herself smiling, despite everything. The car drove on slowly, but their hearts were racing ahead.
Reflected in the window, their faces revealed more than they could say. This was going to be the most awkward—maybe even exciting—car ride ever.