As soon as the rehearsal is announced, Haneul dashes out of the waiting room.
“Wait! What about dinner—” Taeo calls after her, his voice nervous. Haneul glances back, flustered.
“We’ll talk after rehearsal!” she shouts, waving over her shoulder as she runs. Taeo is left standing awkwardly in the hallway, looking like a puppy who lost his snack.
Inside the rehearsal room, things are buzzing. Wooseok greets Haneul with a big grin.
“Hey, I saw your live show! Wanting to do a stage with Taeo, huh?” His playful voice turns a few heads among the staff.
Embarrassed, Haneul laughs nervously.
“It was just… you know, an easy answer.”
Wooseok winks.
“Are you two secretly dating or what?”
Staff start to murmur, and Haneul’s face turns cherry-red.
Suddenly, Sujin appears, giving Haneul a nudge.
“Spill it, you two! Taeo’s seriously been lurking the hallway waiting for you.”
Haneul stammers, hands waving frantically.
“No, really! It’s nothing like that. We just have rehearsal stuff—”
Sujin tilts her head suspiciously.
“Yeah? Or are you sneaking off for secret dates again?”
“Never!” Haneul blurts, cheeks burning.
Right then, Taeo slips into the rehearsal room. He shoots Haneul an awkward smile.
“Has rehearsal not started yet?”
Wooseok glances at Taeo slyly.
“You know, thanks to you, Haneul’s super popular now. That broadcast was wild.”
Taeo hesitates, then turns to Haneul.
“…Did you really mean it?”
Haneul pauses, about to nod, but changes her mind.
“I just… went with the vibe, you know.”
Taeo looks a bit more relaxed.
Sujin snickers, looking between the two.
“If you have something to say, say it now! Rehearsal’s about to start!”
Everyone scrambles to their places, but a tense air still hangs between Haneul and Taeo.
Taeo whispers, barely audible.
“Is dinner still on?”
Haneul smiles and nods slightly.
But then, Wooseok pops up beside her again with a mischievous grin.
“Haneul, can we talk after rehearsal? Something important.”
She blinks in surprise, glancing between Wooseok and Taeo. Taeo’s brow creases just a little, while Wooseok looks blatantly mysterious.
Sujin’s voice echoes again.
“Places for rehearsal! Now!”
Haneul heads to her spot, her heart pounding. She can feel both boys watching her. Just as rehearsal is about to begin, her phone buzzes with a new message.
‘Can we talk after it’s over?’ – Taeo
Clutching her phone, Haneul wonders what on earth will happen after practice, her pulse racing.