Late-night practice drags on. Haneul rubs her sleepy eyes, mumbling the lyrics. Across the room, Taeo pretends to focus on his notes but can’t stop glancing her way.
Sujin yawns dramatically.
“Guys, if we don’t sleep soon, someone’s going to faint on stage tomorrow.”
Jimin grins and nudges Taeo.
“Taeo, you’re way too obvious staring at Haneul.”
Taeo blushes, nearly dropping his phone.
“W-What? I was just… making sure she knows her lines.”
Haneul almost drops her lyric sheet.
“I was watching you too, Taeo. Maybe we both need to focus a little more, huh?”
The room grows quiet, an awkward bubble floating between them.
Sujin claps her hands.
“Alright! One last run-through, then we’re done for real!”
Music starts. Haneul and Taeo face each other. Their fingertips brush.
Suddenly, a glimpse of their past lives sneaks in. This time, they remember standing alone on a stage, whispering a secret.
“I… I liked you.”
Haneul’s heart skips. Taeo’s eyes widen. Neither knows whether to laugh or faint.
Practice ends. Jimin and Sujin dash out, leaving the pair behind. Haneul hesitates, shifting from foot to foot.
“Taeo, earlier on stage… were you trying to tell me something?”
Taeo hesitates, then nods.
“Yeah. There’s something I really wanted to say. But now… I’m not sure what it was.”
They sit in strange silence. Just as Haneul grabs her bag, her phone buzzes.
‘Haneul trainee, individual meeting tomorrow morning. Don’t be late.’
She and Taeo lock eyes. The tension, mixed with a flutter of excitement, fills the empty practice room.